EZ News: Recent Episodes
ICRT News Team
ICRT 主播用簡單緩慢的英文，幫助你了解台灣每日重點新聞！ 讓你學習英文、接收新知，一舉兩得🎉 EZ News is designed to help learners improve their English. It is a production of ICRT News, and is posted on our web site and app weekdays.
Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News.
The Tai-Ex opened down 44-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
44,883 on turnover of 11.7-billion N-T.
The market gained solid ground on Monday as buying was sparked by a rally on
Wall Street last Friday after weaker-than-expected job data and eased
concerns about a rate hike by the U-S Federal Reserve.
MOFA probes workplace bullying accusations against Geneva envoy
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has opened an investigation into
allegations that President Lai Ching-te's top envoy in Geneva was involved in
workplace bullying and other misconduct.
According to the ministry, it formed a special task force, composed mainly of
personnel from outside the ministry to conduct (執行) the investigation, after
receiving a complaint against Greg Lee.
The petition was from some of his subordinates (下屬) at the Taiwan
representative office in Switzerland.
The foreign ministry says the investigation is focusing on accusations of
workplace bullying, while other complaints of misbehavior will be handled by
the appropriate government agencies.
Taiwan sees population decline for 31st consecutive month
And,
The Ministry of the Interior says data shows that Taiwan's population
declined for a 31st consecutive month in July.
According to the ministry, Taiwan’s population stood at 23,235,002 at the end
of last month - which was a decline of 102,934 from the same period of last
year.
The number of newborns (新生兒) last month rose to 7,906, which was up by 582
from June.
However, the total number of births during the first seven months of this
year stood at 54,250 and that's a decline of15.7-per cent from the same
period of last year.
WHO Warning on Ebola Outbreak in Congo
The World Health Organization says the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak started
in February, months before it was officially declared in May.
The WHO regional director says early cases were wrongly attributed to malaria
and typhoid.
Confirmed cases have reached 4,200, with over 1,900 deaths.
The Bundibugyo virus responsible for this outbreak has no approved vaccines
or treatments.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that Ebola is spreading
faster than efforts to fight it.
Access to healthcare is challenged by years of conflict (衝突) in one of
Congo’s most remote areas.
US Trump Signs Order Spacing Out Childhood Vaccines
US President Donald Trump wants changes in the way childhood vaccines are
delivered.
The AP's Jennifer King reports.
UK France Brace for 5th Heatwave
The U.K. and France are bracing for the fifth heat wave of the season, adding
to an intense stretch of hot weather that has repeatedly sent temperatures
soaring across Europe since May.
France's national weather agency is warning about temperatures approaching 40
C from today onward in southeastern France.
Across Europe, the extreme heat began in May and has contributed to (導致)
major wildfires, prolonged (延長) drought and new national temperature records,
as well as thousands of projected heat-related deaths.
According to climate statistics, globally so fa, this is the third-hottest
year, behind 2024 and 2025.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _.
－－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－
【補體素鉻100】鉻一擺 人生尚精彩
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*依據 Trace Elem Electrol. 1994;11:182-186. 研究結果，專利菸鹼酸鉻生物利用率是三氯化鉻的6倍，攝取後於體內停留12小時。
--
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最近正值求職、轉職旺季，提醒大家找工作時一定要提高警覺！
若遇到「先繳費」、「押證件」、「簽空白文件」、「工作內容不清楚」、「薪資含糊不明」等情況，都要多查證、多確認，不要急著答應。
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--
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【補體素鉻100】鉻一擺 人生尚精彩
✅糖尿病適用營養品
✅專利菸鹼酸鉻：6倍利用率、12小時持續利用
官網首購現折100👉https://sofm.pse.is/9fwtpq
*依據 Trace Elem Electrol. 1994;11:182-186. 研究結果，專利菸鹼酸鉻生物利用率是三氯化鉻的6倍，攝取後於體內停留12小時。
--
【台中求職防騙｜找工作要小心，別讓騙局有機可乘】
最近正值求職、轉職旺季，提醒大家找工作時一定要提高警覺！
若遇到「先繳費」、「押證件」、「簽空白文件」、「工作內容不清楚」、「薪資含糊不明」等情況，都要多查證、多確認，不要急著答應。
https://sofm.pse.is/9fwtpt
－－－－以上為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－
Tai-Ex opening upward
Taiwan envoy to Japan protests Nagasaki memorial designation, skips event
Lai inspects Taoyuan Avenger Air Defense System
Netanyahu rejects Trump's Gaza peace roadmap
Ancient Rome shipwreck found
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Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News.
Lai boards coast guard vessel to observe coastal defense
President Lai Ching-te boarded a Coast Guard Administration vessel in New
Taipei's Bali District to observe coastal defense (海岸防禦) operations during
the Han Kuang military exercise.
According to the Presidential Office, Lai received briefings (簡報) on the
patrol vessel's equipment and coastal strike operations.
He also inspected its missile launcher system and learned about its
configuration and operational readiness (作戰準備狀態).
Thursday marked the second day of the Han Kuang exercise, with drills in the
north focusing on coastal defense and other defensive operations.
Typhoon Dolphin moves west
Meteorologist Wu De Rong says Typhoon Dolphin appears to be moving further
west even as it continues to weaken.
The Central News Agency cites Wu as saying that while the system is expected
to pass near the Ryukyu Islands today, uncertainty in its projected track
(預測路徑) is increasing, making it less likely that the storm might miss Taiwan
completely.
Because of this, Wu is warning of intense rainfall in northern Taiwan and
later in central and southern Taiwan tomorrow through the early morning of
the 10th.
While temperatures are expected to drop in parts of Taiwan, eastern Taiwan
may experience extreme heat due to downslope warming (下坡增溫) caused by air
descending over the mountains.
Strong wind gusts are also expected across Taiwan, and residents are advised
to take precautions.
National Central University planning Arctic expedition
Members of the National Central University's Polar Institute are taking part
in what is Taiwan's first ever independently planned expedition (考察／探險) to
the Arctic.
According to the university, a 30-member team will be spending 12 days near
Norway's Svalbard archipelago (群島), which is located midway between mainland
Norway and the North Pole.
The team includes scientists from Academia Sinica, the National Taiwan
University and the National Academy of Marine Research.
The university says although Taiwan is not an Arctic nation, changes in the
Arctic could have long-term consequences for Taiwan.
UKRAINE WARNS ALLIED AIR DEFENCE MISSILE SUPPLIES DOWN BY A THIRD AS
ZELENSKY URGES URGENT ACTION AHEAD OF WINTER
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine has hit more oil
facilities deep inside Russia.
The attacks are part of Kyiv's effort to undermine (削弱) Moscow's wartime
economy.
Meanwhile, Russian drone and glide bomb attacks across Ukraine killed at
least three civilians and wounded 22 others. Zelenskyy is urging his allies
to supply interceptor missiles to bolster (加強／強化) Ukraine's air defenses.
William Denselow reports from Brussels.
That was William Denselow reporting.
Iran reviews ban on US ships
An Iranian parliamentary committee is reviewing a preliminary bill that
would bar (禁止) U.S., Israeli and other "hostile" vessels from transiting
the Strait of Hormuz.
The ban was reported by Iran's semi-official Fars news agency… and its
citing a lawmaker.
The draft bill would impose fines (處以罰款) of up to 20% of a ship's cargo
value for violations of the proposed restrictions.
The lawmaker said the legislation was still under expert review and that
parliament had invited specialists to submit recommendations before the
draft is finalised.
Canada climate change wildfires
In North America, a new analysis (分析) found that climate change created
conditions that led to Canada's Wildfires… even though the Trump
administration thinks otherwise.
Ed Donahue explains.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _.
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Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 123-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
44,487 on turnover of 14.2-billion N-T.
The market returned to the 44,000-point level on Wednesday.
Strong gains in technology shares helped the index move back above its
monthly and quarterly averages (季度平均線).
MAC warns on China's new entry-exit rules
The Mainland Affairs Council says China's new entry-exit rules (出入境規定) could
increase the risks for Taiwanese travelers visiting the country.
The council says the rules include unclear national security measures and
give authorities broad power to limit people's movement (限制人員行動).
Speaking at a legislative hearing, council minister Chiu Chui-cheng said the
rules put many of China's existing controls into law.
He said these controls are already very strict for both Chinese citizens and
foreigners.
Chiu told lawmakers that the conditions for limiting people's movement remain
unclear and too broad. He said this lack of clear legal standards (法律標準) is
the main reason for concern.
The new rules will take effect on September 15.
EVA to launch Taipei-Delhi flights in December
EVA Airways will launch nonstop flights (直飛航班) between Taipei and Delhi on
December 1.
Tickets are now available through the airline's website and travel agencies.
EVA will operate five round trips (來回航班) a week using Airbus A330-300
aircraft.
It will become the only Taiwan-based airline offering nonstop passenger
flights to India.
EVA Air President Clay Sun says the new route comes as Taiwan and India
strengthen ties in manufacturing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and
other technology industries.
These growing ties have increased demand for faster travel between the two
countries.
The airline says the service will also give Indian business travelers,
students and researchers easier connections (轉機航班) through Taipei to North
America.
Myanmar leader visits Thailand in push for regional engagement
Myanmar's military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, is visiting Thailand as Bangkok
seeks to restart talks between Myanmar and ASEAN.
Min Aung Hlaing is expected to meet Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul
before attending a business forum (商業論壇) between the two countries.
Thailand says its careful approach aims to keep communication open and
encourage Myanmar to follow ASEAN's peace plan (和平計畫), which has made little
progress (進展甚微).
Myanmar's leaders have been banned from ASEAN summits since the military took
power in 2021, leading to a civil war.
Min Aung Hlaing became president in April after an army-backed (由軍方支持的) party
won an election without any strong opposition.
Flavio Bolsonaro names Alfredo Gaspar as running mate
Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro has chosen conservative
lawmaker Alfredo Gaspar as his running mate (競選搭檔) in October's election.
The decision surprised observers because Bolsonaro had considered choosing a
woman to attract more voters.
Gaspar represents the northeastern state of Alagoas and previously served as
the state's public security secretary.
He also led a congressional investigation into Brazil's social security
agency.
The investigation has raised questions involving one of President Luiz Inacio
Lula da Silva's sons.
Lula's son denies any wrongdoing (不當行為).
Indonesia drought boosts salt harvest but threatens crops
A drought (乾旱) caused by El Niño is sharply increasing salt production in
Indonesia.
However, farmers are also preparing for stronger heat and crop losses.
In West Java, salt production reached nearly 600 metric tons in July.
That is much higher than the 25 to 30 tons produced during the same month
last year.
Most salt in Indonesia is made by allowing seawater to dry in shallow ponds
(淺水池) near the coast.
Long periods of sunshine help speed up this process.
The national weather agency says the dry season is expected to reach its
strongest point this month and could continue into early 2027.
More than 5-thousand possible fire areas were found across Indonesia last
month, raising concerns about wildfires.
Salt producers expect a very large harvest.
Meanwhile, crop farmers are being advised to change their planting schedules
and prepare for a long dry period.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _.
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Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened 449 points higher this morning from yesterday's close, at
43-thousand-809, on turnover of 25.5-billion N-T.
The market closed almost unchanged (幾乎沒有變化) on Tuesday after moving by more
than 1,000 points during the session.
Early gains (早盤漲幅) were reduced by selling, as investors largely ignored an
overnight rally (上漲行情) on Wall Street.
Lai meets with Eswatini's visiting PM
President Lai Ching-te has held talks with visiting Eswatini Prime Minister
Russell Dlamini.
During the meeting, Lai said the two countries are working together in
industry, public health and digital development.
He said his administration will continue to strengthen exchanges (加強交流) with
Eswatini and help the country meet its development goals (發展目標).
The cooperation includes energy projects, such as facilities for storing
emergency oil supplies (緊急石油儲備).
Lai also thanked Dlamini for Eswatini's support for Taiwan's participation in
international organizations (國際組織) during the United Nations General
Assembly.
MOTC eyeing future of Taoyuan International Airport's Terminal 1
The Ministry of Transport is reportedly considering several options for the
future of Terminal 1 at Taoyuan International Airport.
The terminal has been in service for nearly 50 years.
The ministry says an evaluation (評估) is now underway, but detailed plans will
not be released until construction of Terminal 3 is completed at the end of
next year.
Possible options include demolishing (拆除) and rebuilding Terminal 1 or
carrying out another major upgrade (進行升級改建).
The Taoyuan International Airport Corporation is expected to submit its own
proposal by the end of this year.
The terminal was upgraded between 2010 and 2013, raising its annual passenger
capacity (旅客運量) from 12 million to 15 million.
Qatar reports progress in U.S.-Iran mediation
Qatar says mediators (調停者) are making progress toward ending the U.S.-Iran
war, although conflicting statements have raised doubts about a quick
agreement.
Qatar says it is working with Pakistan and Oman to exchange draft proposals
(提案草案) between Washington and Tehran.
U.S. President Donald Trump says direct talks have begun, but Iranian
officials deny that negotiations with the United States are taking place.
Iran says separate talks with Oman about safe shipping routes (航運路線) through
the Strait of Hormuz are going well.
Brent crude oil prices fell more than 5 percent on hopes that ships may soon
be able to use the strait again.
However, the important shipping route remains almost completely closed.
Another cargo ship was hit near the strait, forcing the crew to leave the
vessel.
One crew member (船員) remains missing.
North Korea warns of new military measures against Japan
North Korea says it may take additional military action (額外軍事行動) in response
to Japan's recent test launch (試射) of a Tomahawk cruise missile.
Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, criticized the
launch in a statement published by state media.
Japan fired the long-range missile from the Aegis destroyer Chokai in the
Pacific Ocean.
Kim also mentioned Japan's tests of other missiles and its participation in a
U.S.-led military exercise in the Philippines in May.
She accused Japan of trying to become a major military power and said the
United States was supporting those efforts.
Kim said North Korea would prepare additional military options to respond to
what it sees as a potential threat (潛在威脅), but she gave no details.
SpaceX rocket debris set to strike moon
A discarded (被丟棄的／廢棄的) piece of a SpaceX rocket is expected to crash into the
moon at around 2:35 this afternoon Taiwan time.
The four-metric-ton object is the second stage (火箭級段) of a Falcon 9 rocket
launched in January 2025.
It is expected to hit Einstein Crater at a speed of about 8-thousand-690
kilometers per hour.
SpaceX says the crash was not planned.
The rocket stage ran out of fuel and could no longer be controlled after
completing its mission.
The impact is expected to send lunar dust into the air, although it will be
difficult to see from Earth without special equipment.
Experts say the crash poses no danger, but it raises concerns about how space
debris (太空垃圾) will be managed as more missions travel to the moon.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _.
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KMT calls for accountability over delayed reporting in tainted oil case
Domestic travel trips and spending hit record highs in 2025
EU calls for stronger borders
Cuba's blackouts threaten people's lives
Trump complains about energy companies making too much money
--
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出國前最怕匯率一直漲?中國信託銀行挺你聰明換匯
設定匯率到價智慧通知，匯率相對低點不錯過
再領優惠券享美金最高減3分等優惠
立即設定：https://sofm.pse.is/9f66h3
投資外幣如幣別轉換可能產生匯兌損失，應評估涉及自身情況審慎投資。
完整注意事項詳見網站資訊。
--
【台中求職防騙｜找工作要小心，別讓騙局有機可乘】
最近正值求職、轉職旺季，提醒大家找工作時一定要提高警覺！
若遇到「先繳費」、「押證件」、「簽空白文件」、「工作內容不清楚」、「薪資含糊不明」等情況，都要多查證、多確認，不要急著答應。
https://sofm.pse.is/9fsm4s
－－－－以上為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－
Typhoon Dolphin's current situation
Han Kuang highlights: US-type methods, new tanks, more reserves
Chou Ling-wen elected as first female CTBA president
Japan's Economy Minister pledges greater market transparency
Brazil President Lula's bid for reelection
--
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Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 1,677-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
41,610 on turnover of $33.5-billion N-T.
Taiwan shares closed below the 40,000-point threshold on Thursday after a
volatile session that saw the benchmark index swing more than 1,700 points,
erasing an intraday surge of over 1,100 points as late selling dragged the
market lower.
Analysts say the correction has been unusually steep, with the Taiex down
more than 6,192 points so far this month and on track for its biggest monthly
point decline on record.
MOFA opens Kumamoto earthquake donation account
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has opened a dedicated bank account for cash
donations as it works to establish a relief fund for people in Japan affected
by Tuesday's magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture.
The Mega Bank account will accept donations from the public from tomorrow
through August 31.
Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo says President Lai Ching-te, Vice
President Hsiao Bi-khim and Premier Cho Jung-tai will each donate 200,000 N-T
to the account.
Kuo said Taiwan and Japan have supported each other during difficult times
over the years and she's calling on the public to extend (給予，提供) their
goodwill to earthquake-hit areas and help residents return to normal life as
soon as possible.
COSTA RICA'S GRYNSPAN LEADS FIRST UN SECURITY COUNCIL STRAW POLL IN RACE TO
SUCCEED GUTERRES
Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan has emerged as the frontrunner in the first
informal straw poll (非正式投票) to choose the next United Nations
Secretary-General, winning ten votes of encouragement from the fifteen
members of the Security Council.
Seven candidates — four women and three men — are vying to succeed António
Guterres, whose second five-year term ends at the end of December.
The Security Council did not officially release the results, and paper
ballots were destroyed after counting.
Mitch Mccann reports from New York.
Liberia Burns Confiscated Concaine
Liberian law enforcement agents have burned some 4.2 metric tons of cocaine
worth about $336 million.
The action comes after the country’s largest-ever drug seizure, which
implicated senior police officials.
Authorities say investigators identified officers who allegedly helped escort
the cocaine.
The police chief of highway patrol and the head of major crimes have been
charged, while a deputy police commander is also a suspect.
The Justice Ministry says the cocaine was recovered during a raid near the
capital, Monrovia.
Liberia's police and drug enforcement agency also burned cocaine seized in
June.
West Africa has become a key transit route (轉運路線) for cocaine trafficked from
South America to Europe.
Argentina Emergency Decree to Deny Entry or Expel Foreigners who Incite
Violence
Argentine President Javier Milei has signed an emergency decree allowing the
government to deny entry to or expel foreigners who incite discrimination or
violence against Argentines.
This measure adds new grounds to Argentina’s immigration law, allowing
authorities to revoke visas and deport those promoting hatred against
Argentines.
The move follows weeks of international backlash during and after the World
Cup, when controversy over refereeing decisions, Argentina’s aggressive style
of play and a post-match brawl broadened into criticism of the country
itself.
The decree does not apply to protected speech but leaves unclear how
officials will distinguish prohibited hate speech.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _.
－－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－
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Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened slightly higher this morning at 40,048 points, with
turnover of 15.7-billion N.T. dollars.
The market fell sharply (大幅下跌) again on Wednesday, losing more than 1,500
points.
Investors remain worried about the large amount of money companies are
spending on artificial intelligence (人工智慧).
MOFA to protest 'Taiwan, China' name in South Africa's ETA system
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it will protest (抗議) South Africa's use
of the name "Taiwan, China" in its Electronic Travel Authorization (旅行授權)
system.
Taiwanese travelers are not yet able to use the system.
But reports say Taiwan appears in the website's passport menu under the
incorrect (不正確的) name "Taiwan, China."
The foreign ministry says Taiwan's representative office in Pretoria has been
told to file a formal protest and ask South Africa to correct the name.
Control Yuan refers former top trade negotiator, Yang Jen-ni to
disciplinary court
The Control Yuan has impeached (彈劾) former top trade negotiator Yang Jen-ni
and sent her case to the Disciplinary Court.
Yang was removed from her position last month after an investigation found
that she repeatedly (一再地；反覆地) bullied her former deputy, Yen Huai-hsing.
Yen resigned in February and died on March 12 at the age of 53.
The Control Yuan says Yang seriously violated (違反) rules for public officials
and should face a disciplinary review (懲戒審查).
Yang denies any wrongdoing.
TRUMP VOWS HEAVY STRIKES ON IRAN AFTER US INTERCEPTS BALLISTIC MISSILE
ATTACK ON FORCES IN JORDAN
U.S. President Donald Trump has promised heavy strikes on Iran after Iran's
Revolutionary Guard fired several ballistic missiles (彈道飛彈) at U.S. military
sites in Jordan on Tuesday.
All of the missiles were intercepted (攔截).
The attack ended a pause in the fighting.
It came as U.S. and Saudi fighter jets carried out joint strikes on
Iran-linked militia targets in Iraq.
Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces says at least 20 people were killed.
Iran says it does not want the conflict (衝突) to grow, but more countries are
now becoming involved.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington.
Kenya elephants suspected to have been poisoned
Wildlife officials in Kenya say 15 elephants may have been poisoned (中毒；被下毒)
after eating tomatoes contaminated with cyanide (氰化物).
The elephants died over the past month near Amboseli National Park in
southern Kenya.
Authorities have not said who may be responsible.
In the past, some farmers have been suspected of poisoning elephants to
protect their crops.
The Kenya Wildlife Service says the contamination could also affect livestock
(牲畜) in the area.
Officials say the toxic substances (有毒物質) found in the elephants do not pose
an immediate risk to people.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _.
Hosting provided by SoundOn
Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 112-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
41,491 on turnover of 13.6-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan posted the third largest single-session point decline
Tuesday as tech stocks took a beating amid lingering concerns over massive
spending on AI development that may not deliver comparable returns.
Analysts say the index faced pressure soon after the market opened as
investors witnessed losses posted by tech stocks in the United States
overnight.
And memory chip suppliers in South Korea also tumbled, triggering more of a
sell-off among local semiconductor stocks.
(CNA - NS)
Taiwan Search and Rescue on Standby After Kumamoto Quake
Taiwan’s elite search and rescue teams are on standby to deploy to Japan
following a powerful earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture.
President Lai Ching-te and Premier Cho Jung-tai has instructed emergency
agencies to prepare for deployment (部署).
The National Fire Agency says it has contacted the Japan-Taiwan Exchange
Association and Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency to express
sympathy and offer support.
And officials say Taiwan’s international humanitarian aid mechanism will
officially activate as soon as Japan’s government formally requests emergency
assistance through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
(NS)
Japan 13 Dead After Kumamoto Quake
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said 13 people have been found dead
after a powerful quake shook part of southwestern Japan.
The magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto area on the southern main
island of Kyushu late Tuesday afternoon.
Takaichi says this morning that many other people were injured or still
missing as rescue work continued overnight.
Part of a shopping center collapsed, apparently due to a gas leak, and a huge
chimney at a paper factory collapsed (倒塌).
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said more than 260,000 people were
advised to evacuate, most of them in Kumamoto prefecture, but also in the
neighboring Nagasaki prefecture.
IRAN VOWS 'ANY ACTION' TO KEEP CONTROL OF STRAIT OF HORMUZ AS TRUMP AND
NETANYAHU DISCUSS TEHRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAMME
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has said on Tuesday that
Tehran will take any action to keep control of the Strait of Hormuz,
rejecting an Omani proposal to divide shipping routes and refusing to
negotiate (談判) with Washington.
The declaration came as US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu concluded White House talks the two described as excellent
— with both leaders reaffirming what the White House called an ironclad
commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Attention has now turned to whether Washington has given Israel permission to
strike Iranian energy infrastructure — something Israel's defence minister
says the United States has so far blocked.
Mitch Mccann has more from New York.
Kashmir Pakistani Officials Accuse Outlawed Political Group of Sabotage
Officials in Pakistan administered Kashmir are accusing an outlawed political
group of trying to sabotage elections for the region’s constitutional
assembly.
They also allege that Pakistani Taliban militants have infiltrated ongoing
protests.
The accusations follow clashes on Monday that left one paramilitary officer
dead and several others wounded.
Armed protesters reportedly opened fire on police and security personnel
during a sit-in.
The protests have overshadowed (給……蒙上陰影) the election, which began Monday and
runs through Aug. 10-th.
Authorities claim the Joint Awami Action Committee is behind the unrest and
warn that armed militants pose a threat to public order.
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熱愛自由行的你，肯定要每個月鎖定！
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Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 412-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
43,221 on turnover of 13.4-billion N-T.
The market ended marginally lower on Monday, as large-cap tech stocks
rebounded from early losses, while rotational buying in the financial sector
helped limit the downturn.
FDA releases findings on Central Union cooking oil contamination
The Food and Drug Administration has released the findings of an independent
investigation into the cause of carcinogen contamination in seven batches of
cooking oil produced by Central Union Oil Corporation.
Minister Without Portfolio Chen Shih-chung says the contamination began with
a shipment of Brazilian soybeans.
The investigation was conducted by an expert panel convened by the Food
Industry Research and Development Institute.
According to Chen, it identified three main problems - those being that
high-risk raw materials were not properly managed, production irregularities
were not adequately addressed and the company's food safety risk management
was insufficient (不足的).
The Cabinet last week approved draft amendments to the Act Governing Food
Safety and Sanitation and sent them to the Legislature for review.
MODA warns of increasing number of ransomware threats
The Ministry of Digital Affairs is warned the number of ransomware attacks
targeting local businesses is increasing, as hackers are turning to
generative A-I.
According to the ministry's Administration for Cyber Security, ransomware is
one of the biggest cybersecurity risks facing companies and businesses need
to take steps to strengthen protection.
Administration director-general Tsai Fu-lung says businesses need to take
four steps to ensure their data is secure - those being making regular
backups and software updates, ensuring the use of strong passwords, and
issuing warnings to employees about suspicious (可疑的) links.
Tsai says ransomware attacks this year have targeted local companies in the
paper manufacturing, biotech, and semiconductor sectors.
MACRON VISITS GIRONDE AS FRENCH WILDFIRE AUTHORITIES WARN BLAZE COULD BURN
FOR MONTHS
French President Emmanuel Macron is travelling to the Gironde region of
southwestern France, to meet emergency workers battling wildfires.
The fires have burned more than 42-thousand hectares and forced some
220-thousand people from their homes.
The Gironde prefecture said the situation (情況) overnight was "globally
stable" — a change from previous days — but fire authorities have warned the
blaze could take months to fully extinguish.
Will Denselow reports from Mios, one of several towns near Bordeaux, where
evacuation orders were issued on Sunday.
Canada US Consulate Shooting
A shooter fired at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto early Monday morning,
marking the second such incident this year.
Police reported no injuries but found a single shell casing and damage to the
building's facade.
A high-speed chase followed, but no arrests were made.
The U.S. Consulate was also targeted March 10, when two suspects allegedly
fired multiple shots at the building before driving away in a stolen vehicle.
Two were arrested and charged wtih multiple offences.
Authorities are investigating possible links to gun-for-hire networks, which
have also targeted (有針對性的) synagogues and Jewish-owned bakeries in the city.
Subject: C*OUTRO
Return to
Table of contents
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1號訂房折10%
7號票券折7%
17號機票折1.7%
熱愛自由行的你，肯定要每個月鎖定！
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Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 68-points this morning from Friday's close, at 43,585
on turnover of 8.6-billion N-T.
The market took a beating on Friday, plunging over 1,000 points as a spike in
crude oil prices due to escalating military conflicts in the Middle East and
lingering concerns over a possible AI bubble spooked investor sentiment.
6,000 more doses of COVID-19 vaccine now available in Taipei
The Centers for Disease Control says 6,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines will be
delivered to the Taipei City Department of Health this week and will be
distributed to contracted (承包的) medical institutions and outpatient hospital
clinics.
The statement comes amid claims that clinics in Taipei were reportedly out of
COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Concern over a lack of vaccine doses comes after the C-D-C last week
announced the extension of its publicly funded COVID-19 vaccination program
through September 28 due to a rise in the number of cases.
According to the C-D-C, Taiwan entered a new COVID-19 epidemic phase two
weeks ago, as outpatient and emergency room visits rose by 66.5-per cent in
the week of July 12 to 18 from the previous week.
The publicly funded vaccination had been scheduled to end July 31.
Miaoli Mazu temple becomes Taiwan's 1st to retire carbon credits
The Baishatun Gongtian Temple in Miaoli County has become the first in Taiwan
to offer visitors the option of offsetting their carbon emissions through the
retirement of Gold Standard carbon credits.
According to the Tourism Innovation Association of Taiwan, data shows the
average visitor to the temple generated about 0.04 kilograms of carbon
dioxide equivalent.
Under the new scheme, government agencies, businesses, schools, organizations
and religious groups visiting the temple for worship, company outings, or
cultural tours can apply to retire carbon credits based on the number of
participants.
The association is also partnering with the Miaoli County government's
Culture and Tourism Bureau to develop travel itineraries centered on Gongtian
Temple that have also obtained carbon credit retirement certification.
US Seattle Shooting Multiple Dead
In the US…
Multiple people were injured in a shooting Sunday night at an events complex
(大型展演場館) close to the Space Needle in Seattle, police said in a statement.
Authorities did not immediately release more information.
US AND IRAN HOLD FIRE FOR SECOND DAY AS OMAN BROKERS TALKS ON STRAIT OF
HORMUZ SHIPPING ROUTES
The United States and Iran have held their fire for a second consecutive day,
as negotiators work to revive an interim (暫時的) ceasefire deal to end the war.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz has said US President Donald
Trump is giving the talks room, while a senior Iranian source has told
Reuters that Tehran will maintain the pause as long as Washington does.
An Omani delegation is now in Tehran to discuss the management of shipping
through the Strait of Hormuz — the issue at the heart of the conflict.
Jagruti Dave reports from Washington.
Brazil Recalls Ambassador to Argentina After Milei Insult
Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has recalled its ambassador to
Argentina after President Javier Milei insulted Brazilian officials while in
their country.
The decision comes a day after Milei was in Sao Paulo participating in an
event where Brazilian Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, a son of former President Jair
Bolsonaro, was confirmed as the presidential candidate of his father’s party.
During his speech at Saturday’s event, Milei accused Brazilian President Luiz
Inácio Lula da Silva of being a “thief” and a “delinquent” (違法者) among other
things.
Lula is seeking reelection and will run against Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, whose
family has many ties with the Trump administration.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _.
－－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－
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*依據 Trace Elem Electrol. 1994;11:182-186. 研究結果，專利菸鹼酸鉻生物利用率是三氯化鉻的6倍，攝取後於體內停留12小時。
--
【可樂旅遊17瘋搶日】
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Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opens lower
The Taiwan Stock Exchange opened 81 points lower this morning.
Opening turnover reached 6.77 billion N-T dollars.
Taiwan shares followed other Asian markets lower as oil prices rose above 100
U-S dollars a barrel amid growing conflict (衝突) in the Gulf.
U-S stocks also fell overnight as higher oil prices worried investors.
The S&P 500 lost 1.2 percent, the Dow fell 1 percent, and the Nasdaq dropped
2.2 percent.
Traffic controls possible as Noul approaches
The Directorate General of Highways says traffic controls (交通管制) may be
introduced on five highway sections.
These include the Southern Cross-Island Highway and the East Coast Highway.
The announcement comes after the Central Weather Administration issued a sea
warning for Tropical Storm Noul.
Noul is the 12th tropical storm of this year's season.
The highways agency also activated its emergency response team (緊急應變小組) at 7
this morning.
Officials said mountain roads could become blocked (受阻的、無法通行的) or damaged
during the storm.
Traffic controls will be changed based on the latest weather reports and road
conditions.
MAC to cancel citizenship of China-born organizer
The Mainland Affairs Council says it will cancel the Taiwan citizenship
(公民身分、國籍) of a China-born woman convicted (被判有罪的) of working for Beijing in
Taiwan.
Zhou Man-zhi became a Taiwan citizen through marriage in 2004.
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court confirmed her eight-year prison sentence
(監禁刑期) for breaking the National Security Act.
The court found that Zhou tried to develop two groups for marriage immigrants
in Taiwan.
It said she acted for China-based organizations controlled by the Chinese
Communist Party.
Trump links Saudi nuclear deal to Israel ties
U-S President Donald Trump says a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement
(合作協議) with Saudi Arabia can only move forward if the kingdom establishes
relations (建立關係) with Israel.
Saudi Arabia has long refused to join the agreements without a clear path
toward an independent (獨立) Palestinian state.
Sagher Meghani reports.
Human Rights Watch criticizes Indian police
Human Rights Watch is calling on India's government to investigate police
actions against student protesters in New Delhi.
The group says security forces used unnecessary and excessive force (過度武力),
including tear gas (催淚瓦斯) and batons, against mostly peaceful protesters.
The criticism comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has offered
to hold talks with protest leaders.
The protesters are demanding that the country's education minister resign
(辭職).
India is now ranked as the country with the highest risk of civil unrest
(社會動盪) on a major international index.
The number of people joining protests has more than doubled over the past
year.
Neha Poonia reports from New Delhi.
Diplomats consider removing ICC prosecutor
Diplomats are preparing to vote on whether to remove the chief prosecutor
(首席檢察官) of the International Criminal Court.
The vote follows findings of sexual misconduct (性行為不當).
The prosecutor is also banned from entering the U-S and is under U-S
sanctions.
The sanctions (制裁) are linked to the court's investigation of Israeli
officials over the conflict in Gaza.
Molly Quell has the latest.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened 73 points higher this morning at 44,899.
Turnover reached 7.3 billion N-T dollars.
The market bounced back on Wednesday, led by chip and technology shares.
The gains came after the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 5.21 percent
overnight, as major chipmakers (晶片製造商) and other A-I-related companies gained
in the U-S.
Foreign minister repeats South China Sea position
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has repeated Taiwan's claims in the South
China Sea.
However, he said the Lai administration is not actively pushing those claims.
His comments come as tensions continue between China and the Philippines in
the disputed waters (爭議海域).
Speaking at a legislative hearing on the government's South China Sea policy,
Lin said Taiwan's claims over islands in the area have not changed.
He said Taiwan's position is based on four principles (原則).
These include solving disputes peacefully under international law, including
Taiwan in international talks, protecting freedom of navigation (航行自由) and
air travel, and sharing regional resources.
Possible tropical storm could affect Taiwan this weekend
The Central Weather Administration says a tropical depression (熱帶性低氣壓) east
of the Philippines could become a tropical storm as early as today.
The weather system could reach waters near Taiwan this weekend.
A sea warning (海上警報) may be issued as it moves through the Bashi Channel and
into the South China Sea.
The tropical depression is about 1,400 kilometers east-southeast of Eluanbi,
Taiwan's southernmost point.
It is moving northwest at 27 kilometers per hour.
If it becomes a tropical storm, it will be named Noul.
It would be the 12th named storm of this year's Pacific typhoon season.
US signs agreement with Saudi Arabia on uranium enrichment
The U-S has signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia on the kingdom's civilian
(民用的) nuclear energy program.
The deal could allow Saudi Arabia to develop the ability to enrich uranium
(濃縮鈾).
The Trump administration has released few details about the agreement.
However, it could lead to the construction of a uranium enrichment center
after a joint U-S-Saudi study.
The U-S Department of Energy says the peaceful nuclear agreement will also
give American companies greater access to Saudi Arabia's nuclear energy
program.
Major wildfire burns in central Spain
Firefighters in central Spain are battling a major wildfire (野火、森林大火) in
Guadalajara.
The fire has burned more than 32,000 hectares (公頃) of land.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited the area on Wednesday and called for
political parties to work together against climate change.
He said climate change is a scientific issue, not a political one.
The Guadalajara fire is one of the largest in Spain's history.
It comes less than two weeks after another fire in southern Spain killed 13
people.
A heat wave is making firefighting more difficult, with temperatures reaching
42 degrees.
Other European countries are also facing extreme heat and wildfires.
Police station opens at Hitler's birthplace in Austria
Austria has opened a police station in the house where Adolf Hitler was born.
The Nazi leader was born in the former inn (以前的旅館) in April 1889.
For years, Austrian officials debated what to do with the 17th-century
building.
They wanted to stop it from becoming a place where neo-Nazis would gather.
The building has now been refurbished (翻修), and its outside appearance has
been changed.
The government first announced plans to turn it into a police station in 2019.
Police musicians performed at the opening ceremony.
Louvre reopens Apollo Gallery after jewel theft
The Louvre Museum in Paris has reopened its Apollo Gallery.
The gallery (展廳、畫廊) had been closed after crown jewels (王室珠寶) worth more than
100 million U-S dollars were stolen during a daytime robbery last October.
The AP's Alex Turnbull reports.
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PLA helicopter crosses Taiwan Strait median line
The Ministry of National Defense says a Chinese military helicopter was
detected crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait median line on Monday.
Officials say the helicopter and a drone were detected between 10:20AM and
7:40PM on Monday.
Chieh Chung, a researcher at the Institute for National Defense and Security
Research, says he believes it is the first time a Chinese military helicopter
has been detected crossing the median line.
Chieh says that represents a new form of "gray-zone" operation.
Defense officials have not said whether the detected helicopter was a
shipborne aircraft (艦載機) or had been dispatched from a nearby Army aviation
base along China's coast.
Taiwan enters new COVID-19 epidemic phase: CDC
Taiwan has officially entered a new COVID-19 epidemic phase after more than
47 hundred people sought treatment for the disease during July 12-18.
The Centers for Disease Control says that figure marks a 66.5 percent
increase from the previous week.
Officials say Taiwan has sufficient supplies of antiviral medications and
vaccines to respond to the outbreak.
She said the NB.1.8.1 variant has remained the dominant strain in Taiwan for
the past four weeks.
The most common symptoms include sore throat, cough, nasal congestion (鼻塞) or
a runny nose, fever, fatigue, headache and muscle aches.
COVID-19 activity is also increasing in China, Hong Kong, Japan and South
Korea, Tseng said.
Taipei retains 14th place in global student city rankings
Taipei ranked 14th in the U.K.-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Best Student
Cities 2027 rankings.
The rankings were based on indicators including university rankings,
desirability, affordability, student mix and employer activity.
QS noted that Taiwan's ranked cities performed particularly well for
affordability (可負擔性), with all placing among the world's top 30.
But Taiwan's cities lagged in employer activity, which measures how strongly
employers associate a city with producing high-quality graduates.
Globally, Seoul topped the 2027 rankings, followed by Tokyo, London and
Melbourne. Munich and Sydney tied for fifth, ahead of Paris, Berlin, Vienna
and Zurich.
US STRIKES IRAN FOR TENTH CONSECUTIVE DAY
A 10th straight day of attacks between the United States and Iran across the
Middle East has overshadowed (使蒙上陰影) diplomatic efforts in Pakistan to
salvage an interim ceasefire deal that collapsed earlier this month.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the Iran war has cost $37.5 billion,
so far.
It is now unclear what new arrangement might be reached to end the war…
which has turned into a battle for control over the Strait of Hormuz…
Ed Donahue reports on the mood from the White House.
France social media ban
French lawmakers have approved a bill banning children under 15 from using
social media.
The move makes France the first country in the European Union to pass a
blanket ban (全面禁令) on platforms as concerns grow worldwide over the harmful
effects of digital content on kids.
Both chambers of the Parliament voted Tuesday in favor of the measure, a
flagship initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron’s second term.
The bill also bans the use of mobile phones in high schools.
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旅遊優惠別錯過！
可樂旅遊17瘋搶日，每月限定3天搶限量優惠！
1號訂房折10%
7號票券折7%
17號機票折1.7%
熱愛自由行的你，肯定要每個月鎖定！
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 117-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
42,566 on turnover of 3.9-billion N-T.
The market extended is losses on Monday from a session earlier amid fears
over further volatility after a recent strong showing.
Analysts say investors continued to cut their holdings in semiconductor
stocks, reversing an initial upturn after the tech-heavy Seoul market
continued to move lower …
…. but Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing appeared resilient on bargain
hunting to lend some support to the broader market.
Former-TSMC manager indicted over alleged bid to leak secrets to China
The Intellectual Property Prosecutors' Office has indicted a former Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing executive for allegedly attempting to leak the
chipmaker's core technologies to China.
According to prosecutors, the former deputy manager has been charged with
violating (違反) the National Security Act and the Trade Secrets Act.
Prosecutors have requested a seven-year prison sentence - arguing that the
former T-S-M-C employees actions threatened Taiwan's technological advantage.
The executive made unauthorized copies of classified and general trade-secret
documents belonging to T-S-M-C and took them home with the intention of using
them in China.
Prosecutors say T-S-M-C detected the irregularities through an internal
investigation and recovered all of the copied documents before any technology
was transferred.
New elevated walkway opens at Minquan Bridge in Taipei
An elevated pedestrian walkway connected to (連接到) the Minquan Bridge in
Taipei has opened.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said it's part
of a broader renovation project designed to bolster the bridge's resistance
to earthquakes and floods while also improving the area's recreational
facilities and pedestrian-friendly urban environment.
Construction of the walkway began in August of last year and was completed on
May 28.
The walkway features a lightweight steel structure and circular viewing
platforms overlooking the Keelung River.
Houthis Announce Maritime Embargo Against Saudi Arabia
Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have announced a maritime embargo (禁運)
against Saudi Arabia.
Monday's decision comes in retaliation for a blockade on Yemen and a recent
attack on Sanaa International Airport.
The embargo affects the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a crucial waterway for global
trade and gateway to the Red Sea as Saudi Arabia seeks an alternative to the
Iran-gripped Strait of Hormuz.
The blockade raises fears of renewed conflict in the region.
Saudi Arabia has not responded.
This comes as the British military said a tanker came under attack early
Tuesday in the Strait of Hormuz off Oman, the latest assault to target
shipping in the strategic waterway.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said the ship reported
over the radio it had been hit by an unknown projectile.
Two other ships were attacked in the strait over the last day, with Iran’
paramilitary Revolutionary Guard claiming those assaults.
Ex-Mexican drug lord Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada denounces violence as he's sentenced to life in prison
A former drug kingpin is sentenced to life in prison.
AP correspondent Jennifer King reports.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 121-points this morning from Friday's close, at 42,793
on turnover of 15.5-billion N-T.
The market saw its biggest single-day drop on record last Friday -- tumbling
just over 2,950-points -- as a sell-off in artificial intelligence-related
shares dragged Wall Street lower and weighed on global equities.
President Lai honors F-16V pilot who died in January training accident
President Lai Ching-te has presented a posthumous presidential citation
(追授獎項) honoring Air Force pilot Hsin Po-yi.
Hsin died after his F-16V fighter jet crashed during a nighttime training
mission off of Hualien in January.
Hsin's father, Hsin Chin-yu, accepted the citation from Lai at a ceremony.
Hsin served with the Air Force's Hualien-based 5th Tactical Composite Wing
and was posthumously promoted from captain to major and awarded the Order of
Loyalty and Valor.
Hsin's F-16V fighter jet disappeared from radar on the evening of January 6
on a routine raining mission shortly after he reported becoming separated
from the lead aircraft while flying through clouds.
The aircraft's flight data recorder was recovered in March.
Taiwan's students shine at international Biology, Chemistry Olympiads
Taiwan students have ranked first and third, respectively, in gold medal
tallies, at the International Biology Olympiad and the International
Chemistry Olympiad.
The students won four gold medals at the Biology Olympiad and three golds and
one silver at the Chemistry Olympiad.
Both events took place in Vilnius, Lithuania,
According to the Ministry of Education, Taiwan sent students from the Taipei
Municipal Chien Kuo High School, the Taipei First Girls High School the
Taichung Municipal Taichung First Senior High School to the event.
Taiwan's four-gold haul topped the medal table among 78 participating
countries and 302 contestants.
US STRIKES ABADAN AS WASHINGTON FACES QUESTIONS OVER MILITARY READINESS FOR
WIDER IRAN CONFLICT
The United States struck targets on the outskirts of the Iranian city of
Abadan on Sunday evening, extending what has now been more than a week of
consecutive American strikes against Iran.
The latest attack came as the White House faces accusations (指控) of sending
mixed signals on its strategy — having reimposed sanctions on Iranian oil
exports after initially lifting them under a memorandum of understanding that
now appears to have collapsed.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington.
Nigeria UNICEF Warns of Child Malnutrition
Health workers in northern Nigeria say more children are relapsing into
malnutrition and cite knock-on effects from the war in the Middle East.
The region is already under pressure from an insurgency crisis.
The conflict in the Middle East has worsened food security for millions,
especially children.
UNICEF warns that if the war continues, millions more children could fall
into poverty.
The war has also affected fertilizer supplies and prices, threatening the
planting season and worsening the fate (命運) of mostly farming communities in
northern Nigeria.
Hungary President Signs to End his Term
Hungary's president has signed a constitutional amendment ending his term,
resolving a dispute with the new government.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who defeated Viktor Orbán in April, had urged
Tamás Sulyok to resign, accusing him of failing to oppose Orbán's
antidemocratic actions.
When Sulyok refused, Magyar's party passed an amendment for his immediate
removal.
Sulyok signed it on the final day before the deadline.
His term officially ends today.
Magyar's government has been dismantling (拆解) Orbán's influence by removing
appointees and making judicial reforms.
It also plans to nominate a new president soon.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _.
－－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－
準備賣房嗎？
即日起至12月31日， 把房屋專任委託給台南住商不動產，即可參加「好友五吉」抽獎活動，賣房抽五機~有機會抽中最新 iPhone 18！
錦上添花, 好運大獎拿不完! 詳情請洽台南住商任一加盟店。
https://sofm.pse.is/9erfpz
--
出國前最怕匯率一直漲?中國信託銀行挺你聰明換匯
設定匯率到價智慧通知，匯率相對低點不錯過
再領優惠券享美金最高減3分等優惠
立即設定：https://sofm.pse.is/9ftshl
投資外幣如幣別轉換可能產生匯兌損失，應評估涉及自身情況審慎投資。
完整注意事項詳見網站資訊。
--
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Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 391-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
45,234 on turnover of $17.4-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed little changed Thursday after contract chipmaker TSMC
rebounded from the day's low amid continued enthusiasm (熱情) over artificial
intelligence (AI), helping the broader market recover most of its earlier
losses, dealers said.
Taiwan's freedom, prosperity indicies rise in annual report
Taiwan's freedom and prosperity (繁榮) indicies have risen in an annual
international report.
Taiwan ranked 21st in the freedom index and 19th in the prosperity index out
of 171 countries surveyed.
Both those indices mark improvements from last year.
But around the world, political freedom and the rule of the law declined
overall, while prosperity growth slowed.
The only country to beat out Taiwan for freedom was Japan at number 14…
but Singapore was the only one to beat Taiwan for prosperity.
The indices from the Atlantic Council were established in 2022 and have been
published annually since.
(AH-CNA)
Qatar Warns Public amid Iranian Missiles
Qatar is warning the public to take shelter as a barrage of Iranian missiles
targets the nation.
People heard explosions overhead early today as air defenses fired to
intercept the missiles.
Iran earlier targeted Bahrain and Kuwait over U.S. airstrikes hitting bridges
in the Islamic Republic overnight.
Qatar is a key mediator with Pakistan in trying to reach an end to the Iran
war.
This comes as the United States intensified its strikes on Iran, hitting
targets farther north.
American forces also fired into a ship they accused of trying to break a U.S.
naval blockade (封鎖) on the Islamic Republic.
Iran retaliated Thursday with missile and drone fire targeting U.S. allies
Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait.
The interim ceasefire agreed to last month has collapsed and the region has
endured days of back-and-forth attacks by the U.S. and Iran as they battle
for control of the Strait of Hormuz.
CANADIAN WILDFIRE SMOKE CHOKES 17 US STATES AS DETROIT'S AIR QUALITY INDEX
HITS DOUBLE THE HAZARDOUS THRESHOLD
Canadian wildfire smoke has worsened sharply across the United States on
Thursday
Air quality alerts now covering at least 17 states and some 115 million
people.
The densest plumes are pushing south from the Midwest toward Washington and
New York, with forecasters warning conditions in the capital could
deteriorate (惡化) by Friday.
Jagruti Dave reports from Washington.
Japan to Pass Law Insisting on MaleOnly Imperial Heir
A law set to pass Friday by Japan’s parliament could doom its 1,500-year-old
hereditary institution by insisting that only men can be emperor, sparking
worry about the shrinking, fast-aging imperial family.
The revisions include adoption of distant male relatives to father future
heirs and allowing princesses to keep their royal status after marrying
commoners.
Emperor Naruhito’s 24-year-old daughter is hugely popular, and many Japanese
want her to be his successor.
Princess Aiko is ineligible because she is a woman.
Japan’s male-only succession rule means the emperor’s teenage nephew and
second in line, Prince Hisahito, will probably be the heir.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _.
－－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－
準備賣房嗎？
即日起至12月31日， 把房屋專任委託給台南住商不動產，即可參加「好友五吉」抽獎活動，賣房抽五機~有機會抽中最新 iPhone 18！
錦上添花, 好運大獎拿不完! 詳情請洽台南住商任一加盟店。
https://sofm.pse.is/9f5mf3
--
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Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 120-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
45,512 on turnover of $9.1 billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan bounced back Wednesday from a slump a session earlier, with
buying sparked by a rally in the United States overnight after
slower-than-expected June inflation.
Contract chipmaker TSMC gained only 0.83 percent. Its consolidation capped
the Taiex's upturn and limited turnover.
Nontech stocks also attracted buying in line with the broader market.
Petrochemical stocks continued to move higher, led by the four major entities
of the conglomerate Formosa Plastics Corp.
National Forest pet bans extended to 2028'
The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency has announced that it will
continue prohibiting visitors from bringing cats, dogs, and other mammals
into 19 forest recreation areas.
That's in an effort to prevent the spread of rabies.
The government says that it's extending (延長) the ban beyond its original
expiration date at the end of the month, citing a lack of reduction in the
geographic range where rabies has been detected in wildlife.
The restriction covering 19 national forest areas will be extended for 2
years, through July 2028.
The agency first imposed the ban in August 2013 after several ferret-badgers
tested positive for rabies and has extended the measure several times since
then.'
But some pets will be allowed under certain conditions at Neidong, Chihnan,
and Jhihben, as well as three plains-level forest parks.
US Ends Overnight Iran Strikes
The US military says it has ended a wave of overnight airstrikes that rattled
(使慌亂、使緊張) parts of northern Iran for the first time.
Iranian state media reported explosions around Iran’s capital, Tehran, for
the first time of the latest attacks over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
It also reported American attacks targeted Iran’s Semnan province, home to
ballistic missile production and its space program.
There was no immediate word on casualties or damage from the attacks.
US FACES STATUTORY DEADLINE TO IMPOSE 25 PERCENT TARIFF ON THOUSANDS OF BRAZILIAN GOODS
The United States Trade Representative faces a statutory deadline on
Wednesday to finalise, modify or abandon a proposed twenty-five per cent
tariff on thousands of Brazilian goods, after months of negotiations that
officials in Brasília have described as largely unproductive (沒有成效的).
The tariff, imposed under Section 301 of US trade law, would target more than
four thousand products worth some fifteen billion dollars a year, though key
Brazilian exports including beef, coffee and aircraft parts are expected to
be exempt.
Brazil's government says it is bracing for the tariff to land, but has not
ruled out a last-minute diplomatic push.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
UK Gov Announces Social Media Curfew Plans
The British government has announced plans for a six-hour social media curfew
from midnight for 16- and 17-year-olds.
They can override this default setting.
On Wednesday, the Labour government also said features like autoplay videos
will be switched off by default (預設) for older teenagers.
This follows a recent social media ban for under-16s.
The UK's online safety minister says a pilot program showed reduced social
media usage and improved sleep.
Critics argue the curfew may not be effective, and a leading children's
charity has called for stronger measures to address addictive design
features.
The measures, which are one of the final acts of the government of Prime
Minister Keir Starmer, will have to be legislated upon. It is widely believed
that his expected successor Andy Burnham will follow through with the plans.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _.
－－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－
準備賣房嗎？
即日起至12月31日， 把房屋專任委託給台南住商不動產，即可參加「好友五吉」抽獎活動，賣房抽五機~有機會抽中最新 iPhone 18！
錦上添花, 好運大獎拿不完! 詳情請洽台南住商任一加盟店。
https://sofm.pse.is/9erfq5
--
出國前最怕匯率一直漲?中國信託銀行挺你聰明換匯
設定匯率到價智慧通知，匯率相對低點不錯過
再領優惠券享美金最高減3分等優惠
立即設定：https://sofm.pse.is/9ftjap
投資外幣如幣別轉換可能產生匯兌損失，應評估涉及自身情況審慎投資。
完整注意事項詳見網站資訊。
--
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Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 113-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
44,851 on turnover of $9.9-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan came under pressure Tuesday, falling below 44,000 points at
one point, before rebounding in the last 90 minutes of the session to cap the
losses.
But while most non-tech stocks were also in the doldrums, the petrochemical
sector outperformed the market on a spike in international crude oil prices
amid renewed unease in the Middle East, which could boost product prices.
Heat and Afternoon Thunderstorms Over Next Few Days
Forecasters are warning of intense heat and severe afternoon thunderstorms
across Taiwan over the next several days.
The Central Weather Administration today issued high-temperature alerts for
eight counties and cities.
Officials say Changhua, Yunlin, Tainan, and Hualien are under an orange
alert… meaning temperatures could repeatedly exceed (超過) 36 degrees
Celsius.
Taipei, New Taipei, Chiayi, and Taitung are under a yellow alert.
Taitung also faces a high risk of hot, dry foehn winds.
Meteorologist Wu Der-rong says tropical disturbances in the South China Sea
and near the Philippines are bringing large amounts of moisture toward
Taiwan, creating highly unstable conditions.
Wu warns that severe convective thunderstorms will develop in mountainous
areas every afternoon through July 21st, and te storms will likely trigger
lightning, strong winds, and flash flooding in low-lying areas.
(NS)
China Senior CCP Member Expelled
Chinese state media says a senior official has been expelled from the ruling
Communist Party.
Ma Xingrui is one of three members of the current Politburo purged in leader
Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign, alongside two military generals.
Analysts see the campaign as a tool to enforce loyalty to Xi and root out
(根除) corruption.
Party authorities concluded that Ma committed violations including accepting
gifts and using his position to help others.
The 66-year-old Ma was previously the Communist Party chief of Xinjiang and
governor of Guangdong province.
Gold trader gets time served in Iran sanctions case that strained US-Turkey relations
A Turkish businessman charged in a conspiracy to help Iran evade (逃避)
sanctions gets no additional prison time after helping U.S. investigators.
The AP's Jennifer King reports.
Spain Gibraltar Border Fence Dismantled
The fence separating Gibraltar from Spain has been dismantled, easing travel
for thousands who cross daily.
This change, which goes into effect today, follows years of post-Brexit
negotiations between the European Union and the United Kingdom over
Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory that is also claimed by Spain.
On Tuesday, the U.K. and the E.U. signed an agreement securing Gibraltar’s
economic future.
The deal de facto brings Gibraltar into the EU’s Schengen free travel area.
Gibraltar officials say live facial recognition (臉部辨識) cameras are now set up
at entry points.
When Britain left the EU in 2020, the relationship between Gibraltar and the
bloc had been left unresolved.
In 2025, the EU and U.K. announced an agreement on those issues, with the two
sides and Gibraltar’s government signing a treaty Tuesday that eases border
crossings.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _.
－－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－
出國前最怕匯率一直漲?中國信託銀行挺你聰明換匯
設定匯率到價智慧通知，匯率相對低點不錯過
再領優惠券享美金最高減3分等優惠
立即設定：https://sofm.pse.is/9fcyxx
投資外幣如幣別轉換可能產生匯兌損失，應評估涉及自身情況審慎投資。
完整注意事項詳見網站資訊。
--
旅遊優惠別錯過！
可樂旅遊17瘋搶日，每月限定3天搶限量優惠！
1號訂房折10%
7號票券折7%
17號機票折1.7%
熱愛自由行的你，肯定要每個月鎖定！
https://sofm.pse.is/9erfwz
--
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Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 16-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
45,364 on turnover of $8.7-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed little changed Monday with an initial significant
upturn eroded as investors rushed to lock in earlier gains in the wake of
losses on other regional markets.
But analysts say TSMC appeared resilient and posted gains to lend support to
the broader market, with investors also expecting the company to deliver
positive leads from its Thursday investor conference.
New partnership to boost protection of Penghu marine park
The Marine National Park Headquarters has signed a cooperation agreement with
TIPC Marine Corporation to strengthen maritime patrols in the waters of South
Penghu Marine National Park.
Returning port service vessels will carry park personnel (人員) on patrol
missions during their return voyages, increasing surveillance of protected
waters.
The partnership will also establish a system for sharing vessel tracking
data, images and patrol records to help detect suspected illegal fishing,
coral reef damage and other violations.
Officials say the partnership will expand patrol coverage and create a
stronger marine patrol network, helping better protect the national park's
marine ecosystem.
The two sides also plan to work together on marine conservation education and
public awareness programs.
(IG)
UAE: Iran Attacks Tankers Leaving One Dead
The United Arab Emirates says Iran attacked two tankers in the Strait of
Hormuz, killing one mariner and wounding eight others.
The Emirati Defense Ministry said Iran launched two cruise missiles at the
tankers Mombasa and Al Bahiyah.
The attacks set both tankers ablaze, though the fires were extinguished (撲滅).
Bahrain also came under renewed attack early Tuesday morning as Iran
retaliated over the latest round of U.S. airstrikes.
Bahrain sounded its missile alert siren, urging the public to seek shelter.
There was no word on any damage or casualties from the attack.
US Minnesota prosecutors obtain long withheld evidence in investigation into protest shooting deaths
From the US…
Minnesota prosecutors have obtain (獲得) long withheld evidence in the state
investigation of ICE related shootings in Minnesota.
AP correspondent Ed Donahue reports
Spain PM Faces Backlash for France World Cup Team Comments
Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is facing backlash for comments
about France's World Cup team ahead of their semifinal match.
He claimed the team "does not have any French players," which leaders in
France and Spain have called racist.
Rajoy made the remarks in a column for a Spanish outlet.
France's foreign minister and the president of the French soccer federation
condemned (譴責) the comments, calling them racist.
Spain's ruling Socialist government and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez swiftly
condemned the comments.
It's not the first time France's team has faced racism during this year's
World Cup.
Earlier this month, France captain and star player Kylian Mbappé condemned a
Paraguayan senator over remarks she made following Paraguay’s loss to France
in the round of 16.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _.
－－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－
準備賣房嗎？
即日起至12月31日， 把房屋專任委託給台南住商不動產，即可參加「好友五吉」抽獎活動，賣房抽五機~有機會抽中最新 iPhone 18！
錦上添花, 好運大獎拿不完! 詳情請洽台南住商任一加盟店。
https://sofm.pse.is/9erfq4
--
出國前最怕匯率一直漲?中國信託銀行挺你聰明換匯
設定匯率到價智慧通知，匯率相對低點不錯過
再領優惠券享美金最高減3分等優惠
立即設定：https://sofm.pse.is/9fcz4w
投資外幣如幣別轉換可能產生匯兌損失，應評估涉及自身情況審慎投資。
完整注意事項詳見網站資訊。
--
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Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 146-points this morning from Thursday's close, at 45,500
on turnover of $14.8-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed lower Thursday after an earlier upturn was reversed
when market sentiment became spooked by renewed geopolitical concerns as the
United States and Iran launched fresh attacks.
Selling focused on select large-cap liquid tech stocks as contract chipmaker
TSMC faced heavier pressure, pushing down the Taiex.
86 Indonesian students awarded Taiwan scholarships
Eighty-six Indonesian students have been awarded Taiwanese government
scholarships to study in Taiwan this year.
Before leaving, they attended a pre-departure orientation in Jakarta held by
Taiwan’s representative office there, covering student visas, residency
procedures and campus life.
Taiwan's representative to Indonesia, Bruce Hung, said more than 19 thousand
Indonesian students are currently studying in Taiwan, making Indonesia the
second-largest source of international students after Vietnam.
Hung said Taiwan offers a strong Mandarin-learning environment and diverse
(多種多樣的) higher education opportunities, and encouraged the students to learn
more about the island's AI and semiconductor industries during their studies.
Thailand Pub Fire Leaves Dozens Dead and Injured
A huge fire that engulfed a pub in Bangkok overnight has killed at least 27
people and injured dozens more.
Rescuers said the fire was reported around midnight Sunday, and firefighters
brought the blaze under control early Monday.
Footage shared online by first responders shows a huge blaze raging and
plumes coming out of the front door of the pub in the northern part of the
Thai capital.
Thailand's prime minister told reporters at the scene that several people
have been taken to the hospital.
He says a musician who was performing at the pub told him that he saw smoke
coming out of a circuit breaker (斷路器) near the stage before the power went
out, then an explosion was heard and thick smoke quickly filled the venue
Many of victims were found at the restrooms at the back of the pub.
US Launches Strikes on Iranian Military Sites
The United States Central Command has launched fresh strikes on Iranian
military sites near the Strait of Hormuz, as Washington presses Tehran to
guarantee safe passage for commercial shipping through the waterway.
The escalation comes as the US political landscape shifts following the death
of Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent (著名的) foreign policy hawk who
advocated for military action against Iran and strong ties with European
allies.
Jagruti Dave has the story from Washington.
Syria NewlyElected Parliament Holds First Session
Syria's newly elected parliament has held its first session since the ouster
of former President Bashar Assad.
The reconvening of parliament aims to restart the legislative process after
years of conflict and autocratic rule.
Two-thirds of the 210-member People's Assembly were elected while one-third
were appointed by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The new parliament will serve a 30-month term.
The launch indicates progress in drafting new laws as Syria recovers from
decades of Assad's rule and a deadly war.
Legislators elected Abdul Hamid al-Awak as speaker.
Al-Awak, a former judge, defected from the Assad government early in the
uprising (起義、叛亂).
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _.
－－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－
出國前最怕匯率一直漲?中國信託銀行挺你聰明換匯
設定匯率到價智慧通知，匯率相對低點不錯過
再領優惠券享美金最高減3分等優惠
立即設定：https://sofm.pse.is/9fcyxp
投資外幣如幣別轉換可能產生匯兌損失，應評估涉及自身情況審慎投資。
完整注意事項詳見網站資訊。
--
準備賣房嗎？
即日起至12月31日， 把房屋專任委託給台南住商不動產，即可參加「好友五吉」抽獎活動，賣房抽五機~有機會抽中最新 iPhone 18！
錦上添花, 好運大獎拿不完! 詳情請洽台南住商任一加盟店。
https://sofm.pse.is/9erfpy
--
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Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened 71-points higher this morning from yesterday's close, at
45,805, on turnover of 9.8 billion N-T.
The market rose again on Wednesday after falling a day earlier.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing got support from last-minute buying near
the end of trading.
Lawmakers call for officials to resign over contaminated cooking oil case
A Legislative committee has passed a motion (動議) calling for (要求) Premier Cho
Jung-tai, Health Minister Shih Chung-liang and Food and Drug Administration
head Chiang Chih-kang to step down (辭職) and take responsibility for the
latest cooking oil contamination case.
The motion was passed during a meeting of the legislative Social Welfare and
Environmental Hygiene Committee.
The committee asked health, education and economics officials to report on
food safety measures following the discovery of excessive levels (含量過高) of a
carcinogen (致癌物) in soybean oil produced by Central Union Oil Corp.
Opposition lawmakers criticized the Lai administration for changing its
policy on the issue several times.
The motion also asks all three officials to apologize (道歉) to the public.
Lai touts ties with Guatemala
President Lai Ching-te says Taiwan will build stronger ties with Guatemala.
He says his administration will encourage (鼓勵) more Taiwanese companies to
use Guatemala as a base (以…為基地) for entering Latin American markets.
The statement came as Lai held talks with the visiting president of
Guatemala's Congress, Luis Alberto Contreras Colindres.
According to Lai, closer ties between Taiwan and Guatemala will bring more
business opportunities for both sides.
Lai also said Guatemalan exports to Taiwan have reached 130 million US
dollars for two years in a row.
He said Guatemala is quickly becoming Taiwan's largest supplier of sugar and
fourth-largest supplier of coffee.
US launches second, larger wave of strikes on Iran as Trump says ceasefire
is over
The United States has launched a second, larger wave of airstrikes (空襲)
against Iran.
The strikes targeted (以…為目標) coastal radar installations and anti-ship
missile sites along the country's southeastern coast.
US President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire with Tehran "over" while
attending the NATO summit in Ankara.
He warned of further escalation if Iran continued to target commercial
shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard responded by launching missiles and drones at
dozens of American military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait.
But reporter Kate Fisher in Washington says Trump later seemed to leave a
small chance for talks to restart (重新開始).
China allocates funds for disaster relief
China has allocated (撥款) millions in relief (救助) funding for disaster-hit
areas after severe storms and a deadly landslide.
The central government has provided 7.4 million US dollars to repair
infrastructure (修復基礎設施) in Hubei province.
It has also provided other funds to rebuild homes and move residents to safer
places.
Eleven people died in thunderstorms and tornadoes on Monday.
Gansu province will receive 4.4 million US dollars after a landslide killed
21 forestry workers.
Earlier funding was given to Guangxi, where flooding from Tropical Storm
Maysak has caused six deaths and forced 130,000 people to leave their homes.
Heavy rain is still hitting parts of China, and more rain from a typhoon is
expected over the weekend.
Canada PM Visiting Saudi Arabia
Canada's prime minister is visiting Saudi Arabia.
It is the first trip by a Canadian leader to the kingdom in 26 years.
The visit is aimed at expanding (擴大) Canada's economic ties beyond the United
States.
Today, Mark Carney will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is
Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler.
He will also speak at the Saudi Arabia-Canada Investment Forum.
The trip shows Canada's effort to diversify (多元化) trade as it faces US tariff
threats.
Saudi Arabia is also looking for foreign investment as it tries to move its
economy beyond oil.
Canada and Saudi Arabia restored full diplomatic ties in 2023, ending a
dispute over human rights criticism.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _.
Hosting provided by SoundOn
Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 45-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 45,524
on turnover of 8.7-billion N-T.
The market tumbled on Tuesday as investors continued to rotate funds out of
the electronics sector amid worries over valuations (估價).
MOHW expands contaminated cooking oil recall
Health Minister Shih Chung-liang has announced the widening of a recall order
for products linked to contaminated cooking oil produced by Central Union
Oil.
The latest move means that all processed foods made using the affected oil
should have been removed from store shelves by midnight.
It overrides a previous order that only products containing more than 20-per
cent of the affected oil needed to be recalled (撤回) and removed from stores.
According to the health ministry, all affected secondary products must now be
removed from the market as a precaution and can only return to store shelves
after manufacturers provide test results confirming they are safe for human
consumption.
Taoyuan Airport sees record number of passengers in first half of year
The Taoyuan International Airport reportedly handled some 25.78-million
passengers in the first half of this year.
That figure is a new record for the period.
Reports says the airport saw passenger volume rise by 9-per cent from the
same period of last year.
According to the airport operator, it firmly (牢牢) believes that passenger
volume for the whole of this year could reach 50-million.
Summer travel demand is expected to peak this month and next month, when
total takeoffs and landings are forecast to reach 46,000.
US RETALIATORY STRIKES HIT IRANIAN PORTS AND MILITARY SITES AFTER IRAN ATTACKS THREE COMMERCIAL VESSELS IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ
The United States has launched retaliatory (報復性) strikes against Iran,
hitting port facilities, missile and drone sites, and air defence
installations on Tuesday evening — in response to Iranian attacks on three
commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
The website Axios reports the American military response far exceeded
previous exchanges between the two sides, while Iran's deputy foreign
minister has warned Tehran will take decisive measures.
Jagruti Dave in Washington says the conflict's impact on oil prices is a
growing concern in the United States, particularly with midterm elections on
the horizon.
Pakistan Cargo Plane Search Continues
A Pakistani cargo plane with five crew members is missing after rapidly
descending (下降) and losing contact with air traffic controllers.
Pakistan’s airport authority reported the incident late Tuesday off the coast
of Karachi.
The Boeing 737 reported a navigation system problem at 9:18 p.m. local time.
Radar data showed it rapidly descending and changing course at about 9:21
p.m. before losing contact about 287 kilometers west of Karachi.
Search-and-rescue operations are underway in the Arabian Sea.
France Le Pen to Run for Presidency
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen says she’ll run for the French presidency next
year despite being sentenced to wear a court-ordered electronic monitor for
embezzlement.
The decision by the 57-year-old veteran of three presidential races sets up a
fourth campaign like no other.
She potentially could be seeking votes while subject to electronic monitoring
and a judge’s determination (判定) of how, and for how long, the punishment is
applied.
Le Pen said she will appeal Tuesday's ruling to France’s highest court.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _.
－－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－
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1號訂房，享9折優惠，最高折千元
7號票券，享7%優惠，最高折300元
17號機票，享1.7%折扣，最高折千元
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Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened slightly (稍微) lower this morning at 46,537.
Turnover stood at 11-billion N.T. dollars.
The market closed lower Monday after an early rise.
Investors were worried that tech stocks had become too expensive.
That led to a large selloff (拋售) in the tech sector.
MAC claims China may be involved in attack on Japanese commentator
The Mainland Affairs Council says China may have been involved in an attack
on Japanese commentator (評論員) Akio Yaita.
A Hong Kong man was arrested on suspicion of punching Yaita after he gave a
speech in Taichung.
The attack led to claims on social media that China may have been involved.
The council says it warned other agencies that the case "could involve
transnational repression (跨國鎮壓)."
Yaita is the CEO of the Indo-Pacific Strategic Thinktank.
He had just finished giving a speech at an an event organized by the Spring
Rain Foundation at a hotel in Taichung when he was punched in the face as he
was making a phone call
Keelung to revoke preschool's license over child abuse case
The Keelung City Government says a preschool may lose its license (執照) as
early as tomorrow over a child abuse (虐待) case.
Officials will review the second stage of the investigation later today.
The city has released the names of two teachers found responsible for abuse.
The city also filed a criminal complaint last week.
Several children at the preschool in Qidu District were found with bruises
(瘀青) allegedly caused by abuse.
French President visits Syria after Assad's ouster
French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in Syria, becoming the first
major Western leader to visit since Bashar al-Assad's ouster (驅逐) in 2024.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited in April, but Macron is the
first from western Europe or North America.
His visit comes during a period of relative calm (相對平靜) in the Middle East
after the monthlong war in Iran and Lebanon.
Macron is also set to attend a NATO summit (高峰會) in Ankara, Turkey.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa is also expected to attend the summit and
hold a high-profile meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump's pardons for Jan. 6 rioters don't apply to DC pipe bomb suspect,
judge rules
A judge says US President Donald Trump’s pardons (赦免) for January 6th rioters
do not apply to a suspect in the D.C. pipe bomb case.
The case may now move toward trial.
Prosecutors say the suspect may have a link to the Capitol riot.
But that claim has not yet been tested in court.
AP correspondent Ed Donahue reports
Cuba hit by islandwide blackout
Cuba has been hit by an islandwide blackout (停電) as fuel supplies (燃料供應) run
low.
The country’s Electric Union reported the blackout Monday.
It says the cause is still under investigation.
Fuel has been running out since January, after U.S. President Donald Trump
threatened tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba.
Public transportation has largely stopped, and officials have canceled tens
of thousands of surgeries.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 116-points this morning from Friday's close, at 46,897
on turnover of 10.8-billion N-T.
The market ended marginally higher last Friday, after key AI related stocks
ended mixed on Wall Street overnight.
Tainted oil recall's 20% threshold based on 2017 guidelines
Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says the decision to order a precautionary
(預防性的) recall of processed foods containing at least 20-per cent
carcinogen-tainted cooking oil is based on food safety guidelines established
in 2017.
The statement comes after the Food and Drug Administration expanded its
recall order over soybean salad oil produced by Taichung-based Central Union
Oil.
The oil was found to contain excessive levels of a carcinogen late last week.
The expanded recall covers unprocessed oil sold in its original form, such as
soybean salad oil and blended oils; and processed foods containing 20-per
cent or more of the affected oil.
The contaminated batch totals about 1,300 metric tons and was supplied to
three companies before entering the downstream food supply chain.
CWA warns of extended heat in 2027 as Taiwan develops tiered response plan
The Central Weather Administration says Taiwan is likely to experience a
warmer-than-normal winter this year due to strong El Nino effects.
According to the administration, the extreme heat likely to extend into the
spring and summer of next year.
Data shows Taiwan experienced its most severe (劇烈) heat between 2020 and
2021, driven by the combination of an unusually strong subtropical
high-pressure system, La Nina conditions and regional sea surface temperature
changes.
Taipei recorded 100 days with temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius in 2020,
the highest annual total since records began.
EU Wildfires
Hundreds of firefighters are battling wildfires in Portugal, Spain and Greece.
Spain and Italy have sent reinforcements to Portugal, where a massive blaze
has been burning for more than three days.
In central Portugal, over 1,200 firefighters are fighting a fire that has
burned 12-thousand hectares since Thursday.
Meanwhile, in Greece, authorities have warned residents in parts of the
country's second largest city of Thessaloniki about toxic smoke from a
wildfire that engulfed a recycling plant.
A 76-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of starting the blaze.
Greece frequently (頻繁地) suffers devastating wildfires during its hot, dry
summers.
Trump's administration won't seek new bids to repair the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
The Trump administration says it will not seek new bids (投標) to repair the
Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
AP correspondent Donna Warder reports.
Canada to Choose Sub Contractor
Canada is expected today to choose between German and South Korean bids to
build a multibillion-dollar fleet (艦隊) of 12 submarines.
Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean are
competing for the contract to build 12 conventionally (傳統地) powered
submarines worth tens of billions of dollars.
The widely expected announcement will come just before Carney heads to the
NATO summit in Turkey as NATO allies boost defense spending.
Carney’s government has pledged to meet NATO’s higher defense spending
targets, committing to spend 5% of Canada’s gross domestic product on defense
by 2035 after reaching the alliance’s previous 2% benchmark this year.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _.
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Tai-ex Opening
Financial markets opened with the New Taiwan dollar at 31.92 against the U.S. dollar in the foreign exchange market today.
The NT was down 0.01 from the previous close.
The currency traded in a range of NT$31.92 to NT$31.93 per U.S. dollar in early trading.
Taipei shares also opened lower… The Taiex was down 199.02 points, and the index started the day at 46,545.14 points.
Turnover at the opening totaled NT$10.134 billion.
1,300 tonnes of tainted cooking oil products recalled
The Food and Drug Administration has recalled around 1,300 tonnes of cooking oil products (大豆沙拉油) after they were found to contain excessive levels of a carcinogenic compound.
The F-D-A says the affected soy-based cooking oil was produced by Taichung-based Central Union Oil and supplied to three major local food oil companies.
The affected oil was sold to the three companies between April 8 and April 10.
The F-D-A says the three companies immediately recalled the products after being notified by Central Union of the anomaly.
Central Union has been ordered to suspend (停產) production while authorities review its manufacturing processes (生產流程) to determine the cause of the problem.
CWA monitoring Typhoon Bavi
Typhoon Bavi is now a moderate typhoon (輕度颱風).
It is expected to continue intensifying into a strong typhoon by tonight.. and its likely to impact Taiwan later next week.
Independent meterologist Wu De Rong describes Bavi as a large and powerful typhoon typical of an El Niño (聖嬰年) year.
Wu said Bavi is expected to move west-northwestward reaching waters southeast of Japan's Ryukyu Islands (琉球群島) by the middle of next week.
Iran imposes new tanker routes
In interntaional news,
Iran’s joint military command is warning that all oil tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz must use its approved routes or face a “forceful response.”
Ship passage through the vital waterway is continuing to rebound (持續回升), even after Iran attacked two commercial vessels last week.
Karen Chammas reports.
Vatican excommunicates traditionalists
The Vatican has responded aggressively to a traditionalist society that consecrated bishops without the pope’s consent (同意).
The Vatican declared that the Society of St. Pius X had formally broken with the Catholic Church and it excommunicated (絕罰) its bishops.
It also warning its faithful they also could face the harsh sanctions.
The Vatican went above and beyond the minimal sanctions foreseen by the church’s canon law to respond to the consecrations Wednesday of four new bishops at the society’s seminary in Switzerland.
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Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 185 points this morning from yesterday's close, at
46,833, on turnover of 11.8 billion NT.
The market closed sharply (大幅地) higher on Wednesday.
The main board rose for a second day.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ended at the day's highest price, after
its American depositary receipts made strong gains in overnight (一夜之間的 / 隔夜的)
trading.
Presidential Order removes top trade representative from office
The Office of the President has issued a Presidential Order formally remove
the government's top trade negotiator from office.
The move comes after Premier Cho Jung-tai suspended (停職) Yang Jen-ni on
Monday.
An investigation (調查) found Yang had bullied her late deputy, Yen Huai-shing,
at work.
Yen died in March at the age of 53, shortly after resigning from her job as
the deputy chief of the Office of Trade Negotiations.
A Cabinet report said Yang created a difficult workplace for Yen.
Yang has repeatedly denied doing anything wrong.
She is threatening to take legal action, saying the case has hurt her
reputation (名譽).
Philippines extends 14-day visa-free entry for Taiwanese travelers
The Philippines has extended (延長) its 14-day visa-free entry program for
Taiwan passport holders (護照持有人) until June 30, 2027.
The Manila Economic and Cultural Office says the move gives Taiwan passport
holders the same special treatment (待遇) they received last year.
The office says the extension follows the Philippine government's order to
give equal visa-free benefits (好處 / 優惠) to Taiwan.
That is because Philippine passport holders can also travel to Taiwan without
a visa.
The Philippines first allowed Taiwan travelers to enter visa-free for up to
14 days on July 1, 2025.
The program was originally set to end on June 30 of this year.
Qatar declares 'positive progress' in indirect US-Iran talks
Qatar's Foreign Ministry says there has been "positive progress" in indirect
(間接的) talks between the United States and Iran in Doha.
Mediators (調停人 / 調解人) have been moving between the two sides to discuss
issues linked to a memorandum of understanding.
US President Donald Trump says denuclearisation is "moving along well."
But Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi says official talks have
not started yet, and working groups are still being formed.
The two sides seem to disagree on more than the main issues.
They also disagree on whether important topics have even been discussed.
Mitch Mccann reports from New York.
Ivory Coast floods kill 59
Floods in Ivory Coast have killed at least 59 people this year, according to
a government spokesperson.
The announcement came after a Cabinet meeting, where officials discussed the
high number of deaths.
On Monday, heavy rain caused floods and landslides (土石流 / 山崩) in the capitals
of Ghana and Ivory Coast.
At least 24 people died.
The government urged people to follow safety rules and evacuate (疏散 / 撤離)
high-risk areas.
The World Meteorological Organization says Africa is one of the parts of the
world most at risk from extreme weather.
But Africa produces only a small share of the world's greenhouse gas
emissions (排放).
Rising number of whales spotted off Brazil
A conservation (保育) group says humpback whales are now seen more often off
Rio de Janeiro.
It says their numbers are recovering after years of commercial whaling in the
past.
The Humpback Whale Project says the population (族群數量) has grown from about
2,000 to 35,000 in 40 years.
In 1982, the International Whaling Commission ordered a pause in commercial
whaling.
That pause began three years later.
Between June and November, humpback whales move through Brazilian waters.
Their return is helping tourism.
Some companies now offer whale-watching trips.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 108 points this morning from yesterday's close, at
46,234 on turnover of 19.1 billion N-T.
The market went solidly higher on Tuesday.
It also saw its third-biggest point rise during a trading day.
Investors were again interested in big electronics and semiconductor shares.
That helped push the main board higher.
MOFA stepping up official document security amid negligence accusation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it is taking steps to make its official
(官方的) document system safer.
The statement comes after a Control Yuan report accused the ministry of poor
handling of several possible document leaks (洩漏) in 2024 and 2025.
Foreign ministry spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei says the ministry has been
checking its electronic document rules.
He says it is also working to make the system safer after finding possible
leaks of official papers.
The Control Yuan report questioned some of the ministry's earlier responses
to the leaked documents.
Taipei Metro to accept credit cards and mobile pay starting today
And,
Passengers (乘客) on the Taipei Metro can use credit cards or digital wallets
linked to those cards starting today.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an announced the new payment (付款) service.
He said the move is meant to help Taipei follow international trends.
The metro operator says it will accept major international and Taiwan credit
cards.
It will also accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
The change follows the launch (推出) of Q-R code payments in January.
That system lets passengers use major electronic payment services to take
buses and M-R-T trains in Taipei and New Taipei.
Iran refuses direct talks with US in Doha
Iran says it will not hold direct talks (直接談判) with the United States in Doha
yet.
Iran says the current ceasefire agreement must first be fully carried out.
Qatar's Foreign Ministry also says Iranian officials and U-S envoy Steve
Witkoff will not meet face-to-face on Tuesday.
Washington had hoped to use the 60-day talks to pressure Tehran on its
nuclear program (核子計畫).
But Iran says the main goal is to make sure the U-S-Iran ceasefire continues.
Tehran is also calling for a three-country committee to help protect
Lebanon's sovereignty as part of the wider peace deal.
Nick Harper in Washington says Iran's refusal to talk directly with the
American team is making it harder for Washington to deal with the nuclear
issue during the 60-day period.
Thousands protest immigration in South Africa
Thousands of protesters (抗議者) have gathered in South Africa to protest
illegal immigration.
It is the country's largest protest about migration since 2008.
Activists blame migrants (移民) for joblessness and crime.
They gave the government until June 30 to remove all migrants staying in the
country illegally.
But the government rejected the deadline.
It says only officials can carry out immigration laws.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for peaceful protests.
Police have sent hundreds of officers to cities such as Johannesburg and
Durban to stop violence.
Past protests have led to attacks on migrants and damage to property.
Thousands of migrants are now leaving South Africa because they fear for
their safety (安全).
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 165-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
45,165 on turnover of 12.7-billion N-T.
The main board rebounded on Monday from Friday's slump on a mild technical
rebound, but turnover still shrank as many investors remain concerned about
possible volatility in the local market.
Premier suspends his top trade negotiator after bullying probe
Premier Cho Jung-tai has suspended the government's top trade negotiator
after an investigation found she had engaged in workplace bullying of her
late deputy.
The move comes after an an investigative committee found that Minister
Without Portfolio Jenni Yang bullied Yen Huai-shing.
Yen died in March at the age of 53, shortly after resigning (辭職) from her job
as the deputy chief of the Office of Trade Negotiations.
The investigation found that Yang dismissed Yen's opinions, creating an
"offensive and unfriendly" work environment that placed her under mental
pressure.
Cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee says the premier met with Yang before
suspending her from her duties.
Su Li-yang wins men's singles championship at the Yonex U-S Badminton Openin California
And,
Taiwan's Su Li-yang has won the men's singles championship at the Yonex U-S
Badminton Open in California.
Su is currently ranked No. 46 in the men's singles and he beat No. 38
Sri-kanth Kidambi of India 21-15, 16-21, 21-9 at the 17th Badminton World
Federation World Tour stop.
It was Su's first professional title, following two gold medal wins in B-W-F
junior competitions in 2018 and 2019.
Su took silver at the Taipei Open in 2023, as well as four runner-up titles
at lower-level B-W-F international challenges and series events.
Monaco Explosion Injures Three
A blast from an explosive device has seriously injured three people at a
residential building in Monaco.
Authorities said the attacker fled to neighboring France.
Monaco officials say the explosion occurred around 9 p.m. at the entryway
(入口通道) of a residence near the French border, injuring two adults and a child
who were taken to hospitals in France.
French and Ukrainian media reported that a Ukrainian construction tycoon and
his family were those injured.
One of the reports says he was targeted by Ukrainian sanctions in 2023 for
ties to Russia.
French and Monaco authorities are searching for the attacker, whose motive is
under investigation.
SUPREME COURT REFUSES TO HEAR TRUMP'S APPEAL AGAINST E. JEAN CARROLL SEXUAL
ABUSE VERDICT
The United States Supreme Court has refused to hear US President Donald
Trump's appeal against a jury finding that he sexually abused and defamed
(誹謗) the writer E. Jean Carroll, leaving a five-million-dollar civil judgment
intact.
None of the nine justices — including three appointed by President Trump
himself — issued a written dissent, and Carroll's lawyer said the ruling ends
the president's effort to avoid accountability.
President Trump responded on his Truth Social platform, calling the case fake
and vowing to continue fighting what he described as lawfare.
David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief for The Guardian, says the ruling will
shape how history regards the president.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 23-points this morning from Friday's close, at 44,594 on
turnover of 10.5-billion N-T.
The market suffered its third steepest point fall in history on Friday, as it
was dragged down by the bellwether electronics sector after heavy losses
among tech stocks on Wall Street overnight.
Water level meter installed at Hualien barrier lake to improve monitoring
The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency has installed a water level meter
at the barrier lake on the Wanli River in Hualien.
The agency says it will allow authorities to receive water-level data every
10 minutes to improve monitoring (監控) and emergency response times.
According to the agency, data is now being transmitted to the Ministry of
Agriculture's Forest Disaster Prevention Response and Barrier Lake Monitoring
System.
Installation of the water level meter comes amid concerns of the barrier lake
overflowing.
The Hualien County government has urged the public to stay away from the
Wanli River, Matai'an Creek and surrounding hazardous areas.
Nearly 200 residents of Wanrong and Fenglin townships have been evacuated as
a precaution.
First batch of Taiwan mangoes shipped to UK
A total of 500-kilograms of Taiwan Irwin mangoes has been air-shipped to the
U-K.
According to the Tainan City government, it is the first such shipment of the
popular (受歡迎的) fruit to the U-K.
The shipment of mangoes headed for the U-K is being transported using cold
packaging, which means they will be refrigerated in low temperatures during
the entire trip.
The mangoes have been transported to be Frankfurt Airport in Germany and been
transferred to Manchester Airport in northern England.
The total production of Taiwan mangoes in 2025 was 102,578 tons, of which,
836 tons were exported to different markets.
Along with the U-K, Taiwan's Irwin mangoes have been exported to France this
year.
Ukraine Intensifies Drone Attacks on Russia
Ukraine has intensified its drone attacks on Russia, setting fire to a major
oil refinery in the south and killing at least two people, according to
Russian authorities.
Kyiv's long-range strikes aim to disrupt Russian fuel supplies and military
deliveries, pressuring the Kremlin to negotiate.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the strike on the Slavyansk
refinery and claimed another hit in the Yaroslavl region.
Ukraine's campaign targets Russian military industries and energy facilities
to cut Moscow’s revenue and apply pressure.
The campaign has choked Russian fuel supplies, causing widespread shortages
and long lines at gas stations across the country and prompting (敦促，推動)
authorities in many regions to introduce fuel rationing.
According to Western analysts, it has also slowed Moscow’s efforts on the
battlefield, adding pressure on the Kremlin to come to the negotiating table.
France records around 1,000 additional deaths as extreme heat sets European records
France records around 1,000 additional deaths as extreme heat sets European
records (記錄).
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 67-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
46,189 on turnover of $10.9-billion N-T.
Downpours Cause Flooding in Tainan (10AM)
Authorities are warning residents to prepare for severe rainfall today and
Saturday, as strong winds and moisture from tropical storm Mekkhala trigger
torrential downpours across Taiwan.
From midnight to 8:00 a.m. today, Pingtung’s Wandan Township recorded a
maximum rainfall of 332 millimeters, while Tainan’s Guiren District logged
270 millimeters and Kaohsiung’s Xiaogang District saw 257 millimeters.
Flooding has been reported in several parts of Tainan, including the East,
Ren-de, and Yong-kang Districts, with water reaching up to waist-deep levels
in some areas.
Firefighters in the city are deploying inflatable boats to rescue trapped
residents and traffic is gridlocked (交通嚴重堵塞) around a major national highway
interchange.
The Taiwan Railway Corporation is also suspending services between Tainan's
Yongkang and Kaohsiung's Gangshan stations, after flooding along railway
tracks in southern Taiwan.
Independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong warns that the combination of an
approaching weather front and tropical moisture will bring severe weather,
including lightning strikes, strong wind gusts, and sudden downpours, across
the entire island through Saturday.
(NS)
More School and Work Closures Amid Downpours (10AM)
Meanwhile…
The persistent heavy rains have triggered localized flooding across Hsinchu
County, prompting two local schools to call off classes today.
The Hsinchu County Government announced this morning that Xinpu Junior High
School in Xinpu Township will suspend classes for the entire day and Taoshan
Elementary School in mountainous Wufeng Township has canceled classes as
well.
Overall rainfall levels across Hsinchu have not yet reached the official
thresholds for a county-wide closure, but officials note that under
government regulations, individual agency heads and school principals are
fully authorized to cancel work and classes independently based on immediate,
localized (本地化的) safety conditions.
Schools and offices are already closed today in Tainan, Kaohsiung and
Pingtung due to the rain.
(NS)
SCOTUS Allows End to Legal Protections for Fleeing Migrants from Haiti Syria
From the US…..
The Supreme Court is allowing the Trump administration to end legal
protections for migrants fleeing violence and natural disaster in Haiti and
Syria.
The decision Thursday blocks lower court orders and allows the Department of
Homeland Security to swiftly end temporary protected status.
That program protects a total of 1.3 million people from 17 countries, and
the move exposes hundreds of thousands more people to potential deportation.
The administration had argued that Homeland Security can revoke protections
without court interference.
Immigration lawyers say the decision to end the program ignored the law and
was tainted by racial animus (種族仇恨、種族敵意).
US Senator Warning on Planned Deportation of Unaccompanied Migrant Children
Meanwhile…
A US Senator is warning of a potential plan to deport unaccompanied (無人陪伴)
migrant children
AP correspondent Haya Panjwani reports
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 296-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
46,339 on turnover of 23.8-billion N-T.
The market plunged (暴跌) over 1,000 points on Wednesday after tech stocks
suffered heavy losses on Wall Street overnight.
FSC closely monitoring growing personal loans amid equity boom
The Financial Supervisory Commission says it's closely monitoring expanding
personal credit (個人信用貸款) as more and more retail investors (散戶投資人) are opting
to borrow money to invest in the local stock market amid the current equity
boom.
According to the commission's Financial Examination Bureau, it's now
conducting regular reviews of the local banking sector and will continue
monitoring lending activity.
The statements come amid concerns over possible risks caused by retail
investors using personal loans to buy stocks, and that once the stock market
faces volatility (波動), borrowers could fail to repay their loans, pushing up
the number of non-performing loans shouldered by banks.
CWA issues heavy rain warnings
The Central Weather Administration has issued rain warnings today.
Extremely heavy rain or torrential rain (豪雨；暴雨) advisories (警示) are in effect
for Kaohsiung, Pingtung and the Hengchun Peninsula.
Heavy rain or extremely heavy rain advisories have been issued for the North
Coast area, Taipei, New Taipei and Tainan.
While a heavy rain advisory is in effect for Keelung, Yunlin both Chiayi city
and county, mountainous area of Taitung, Penghu and Matsu.
All of the rain warnings are currently in effect through early tomorrow
morning.
White House asks Congress for USD$87.6B in supplemental spending for Iran
War, farm aid, and ebola response
The White House has asked Congress for 87.6 billion US dollars in emergency
spending, with the bulk of the money earmarked (指定用途) for the war in Iran.
Democrats have dismissed (駁回；不予理會) the request, with Senate Minority Leader
Chuck Schumer calling it an attempt to paper over the damage of what he
called a reckless war.
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy said the package appeared designed not to
pass.
The request comes a day after both chambers of Congress voted to rebuke (譴責)
US President Donald Trump over the conflict.
Mitch Mccann reports from New York.
Powerful earthquake rattles Japan
A powerful earthquake has struck off Japan’s northern coast but there was no
danger of a tsunami, the country’s meteorological agency said.
The Japan Meteorological Agency says the quake had a preliminary magnitude
(初步規模) of 6.9 and occurred off the eastern coast of Iwate at a depth of about
50 kilometers.
The U.S. Geological Survey also reported a magnitude of 6.9.
The rattling (搖晃；震動) occurred in the area where strong earthquakes have
repeatedly been reported in recent months.
The quake struck Japan’s northeastern region during rush hour this morning,
and also mildly shook Tokyo.
Some bullet trains and other local lines have been suspended for safety
checks.
Officials say nuclear power plants and facilities and a spent fuel
reprocessing plant in Aomori, have not reported any abnormalities (異常) from
Thursday's earthquake.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 190-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
46,909 on turnover of 17.6-billion N-T.
The market lost ground (下跌；走低) on Tuesday as semiconductor stocks, especially
memory chip suppliers came under heavy pressure as investors rushed to pocket
gains (獲利了結；把收益落袋) built in recent sessions.
Lai urges democracies to unite against transnational repression
President Lai Ching-te is once again calling for closer international
cooperation to counter (對抗；反制) transnational repression (跨國鎮壓) and describing
it as a growing challenge facing democracies around the world.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of a Global Cooperation and Training
Framework workshop in Taipei, Lai told attendees that threats facing
democratic countries today have gone beyond traditional military domains and
geographic boundaries (地理界線).
The workshop was titled "Building Resilient Democracies: Responding to
Transnational Repression."
Organizers say it brought together experts and scholars from 29 countries to
exchange views on safeguarding democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule
of law.
Oil tanker chartered by CPC expected to arrive in Taiwan in July
C-P-C has confirmed that a an oil tanker (油輪) it chartered (包租；租用) is
expected to arrive in Taiwan in mid-July after exiting the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the state-refiner, the "Dubai Energy" is carrying 2-million
barrels of crude oil.
The statements come after Reuters reported that the Dubai Energy left the
Strait of Hormuz and is bound for Kaohsiung.
The vessel had been stranded in the Strait for over three months due to the
Iran war.
C-P-C says the crude oil being shipped to Taiwan will be assigned to C-P-C's
refinery plants (煉油廠) in Kaohsiung and Taoyuan based on market demand.
NKorea Commissions New Destroyer
North Korea has commissioned (正式服役) a 5,000-ton destroyer that leader Kim
Jong Un touts as a symbol of the country’s growing naval and nuclear
capabilities.
North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency says Kim made the comments
Tuesday at a commissioning ceremony at the western port of Nampo.
Kim says that warships such as the Choe Hyon show that the nuclear armament
(核武裝) of his navy is progressing as planned.
State media says Kim during Tuesday’s speech said Kang Kon, a second
destroyer in the same class as the Choe Hyon, will also be entering service
soon.
North Korea also has separate plans to build a larger, 10,000-ton destroyer.
US Senate passes war powers resolution on Iran for first time
The United States Senate has voted to approve a war powers resolution
(戰爭權力決議) directing US President Donald Trump to withdraw American forces (撤軍)
from the conflict with Iran — the first time such a measure has passed both
chambers of Congress.
The White House has dismissed the vote as having no legal significance
(法律效力；法律意義), but four Republican senators broke ranks (倒戈；不跟隨所屬陣營立場) to
support the resolution alongside Democrats.
Mitch Mccann reports from New York.
That was Mitch Mccann reporting from New York.
Germany Trains Halted Amid System Malfunction
A problem with a communications system forced Germany’s railway system to
halt all trains, leaving passengers stranded (受困；滯留) across the country.
Trains were held at stations late Tuesday evening and would-be travelers
stood in long lines at information desks as they tried to figure out how to
get to their destinations.
The main national railway operator said shortly before 1 a.m., nearly
two-and-a-half hours after it first reported the outage (系統中斷；故障), that the
problem had been resolved and service was resuming “step by step.” (逐步恢復)
The company said there was a nationwide problem with a system which is used
for internal communication on the railway network.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 53 -points this morning from yesterday's close, at
47,795 on turnover of 21.5-billion N-T.
The market closed at yet another record high on Monday after surging more
than 1,200 points, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing smashed previous
closing levels amid ongoing optimism over global AI development.
Cancer remains No. 1 cause of death in Taiwan for 44th straight year
The Ministry of Health and Welfare says cancer remained the leading cause of death here
in Taiwan in 2025 - maintaining that trend for the 44th consecutive (連續的)
year.
According to the ministry, data shows cancer, heart disease, and pneumonia
remained the top three causes of death last year.
That was followed by cerebrovascular disease and diabetes.
Cancer claimed 54,838 lives in 2025 accounting for 27.5-per cent of all
deaths and the cancer mortality rate was 234.9 deaths per 100,000 people.
The average annual increase of cancer deaths over the past decade has been
1.5-per cent.
Lung, liver and colorectal malignancies remained the main causes of cancer
deaths in 2025 for the 22nd consecutive year.
Suspect in Taipei knife attack on cheerleader detained
A man suspected of carrying out a knife attack on C-T-B-C Brothers' Passion
Sisters cheerleading team member, Wang Ching-wen has been ordered detained.
The 52 year old man was detained after the Shilin District Court approved a
request for a detention order submitted by the Shihlin District Prosecutors'
Office.
The court says it accepted the request based on strong evidence of attempted
murder and assault (突擊), as well as the risk that he could reoffend.
Wang, who is known by her stage name Wen Wen, was taking part in a private
photo shoot at a photo studio in Taipei on Saturday when she was attacked by
a man with a knife.
The motive for the attack remains under investigation.
Iran Pushes Back on US Claims for Agreement on Nuclear Inspectors
Iran has pushed back against claims by US Vice President JD Vance that Tehran
agreed during talks in Switzerland to readmit international nuclear
inspectors — with Iran's foreign ministry saying cooperation with the UN's
atomic watchdog would continue under existing procedures.
Vance had described the opening round of negotiations at Bürgenstock as
"very, very good," but Tehran says substantive (實質Shízhì) discussions on the
nuclear issue have not yet begun.
The two sides have agreed a road map to reach a final deal within sixty days,
with Qatar and Pakistan acting as mediators.
Washington correspondent Kate Fisher says the lifting of sanctions on Iranian
oil presents a challenge for the US — because Washington will have far less
control over how Tehran spends the revenue it earns on the open market.
Egypt Detains Hundreds for Illegal Goldmining and Smuggling
Egyptian security forces have detained hundreds of people, including
foreigners, near the Sudan border.
They are accused of illegal gold mining and smuggling, according to the
Egyptian military.
The military said the detainees included 87 Egyptians and 136 foreigners.
Egypt's military said some surrendered (投降) and were sent home.
The operation seized large amounts of mining equipment.
The southern region of Egypt is rich in gold mines, including the Sukari
mine.
Sudan, also rich in gold, has seen much of its gold smuggled due to the war
there.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 214-points this morning from Thursday's close, at 4,6679
on turnover of 25.1-billion N-T.
The market smashed record closing levels once again last Thursday - the final
trading day of the national holiday shortened week - with large cap tech
stocks in focus as investors continued to focus on strong AI development.
Testing of MQ-9B 'SkyGuardian' drone underway in Taiwan
Reports says testing of MQ-9B "SkyGuardian" drones is already underway here
in Taiwan.
Four of the drones were ordered from the United States in 2020.
The U-S agreed to deliver the four MQ-9Bs to Taiwan in two batches in 2026
and 2027 and defense officials have not said how many of the drones were
included in the first shipment, which was recently delivered.
According to an anonymous source,the military and the drone manufacturer are
working together on assembly and will next proceed to ( 進行，繼續進行) flight
testing.
MQ-9Bs are capable of long-term, long-range surveillance.
Lin Yu-ting wins silver at World Boxing Cup in China
Olympic gold medalist Lin Yu-ting has won silver at the 2026 World Boxing Cup
stop in Guiyang, China, after losing to Kazakhstan's Viktoriya Grafeyeva in
the women's 60-kilogram final.
Lin's coach Tseng Tzu-chiang says the heavier weight class tested Lin's
stamina (耐力) and she appeared not to have fully recovered from her semifinal
against Chinese former world champion Yang Cheng-yu on Saturday.
Lin returned to the ring earlier this year after taking a 19-month break from
international competition amid uncertainty surrounding World Boxing's new
sex-testing regulations.
IRAN-US TALKS IN CRISIS AS TEHRAN DELEGATION REFUSES TO RETURN AFTER
A senior U.S. diplomat says negotiators anticipate working through the night
after U.S.-Iran talks on their interim deal to end the war had a tense start
in Switzerland.
Nuclear talks between the two sides were thrown into turmoil at the
Bürgenstock resort, with Iran's delegation refusing to return to the
negotiating table after a break, citing what Tehran called threatening and
insulting remarks by US President Donald Trump.
Trump said on Sunday the US might take over the Strait of Hormuz if no deal
is reached, and warned Iranian officials they would not have a country if
they closed the waterway.
The two sides have given sharply different accounts of events at the summit,
with deep mistrust evident (明顯) even before formal sessions began.
Allister Dsouza reports from Washington.
Bolivia Roadblocks Continue Amid Protests
Bolivia continues to clear roadblocks isolating its capital, La Paz, and
other cities.
This follows President Rodrigo Paz's state of emergency declaration, ratified
by parliament.
On Sunday, a tragic plane crash killed six people, including Bolivian Air
Force officers.
The aircraft was monitoring a blocked highway between La Paz and Cochabamba.
Although many blockades have been lifted, some persist in Cochabamba, led by
coca growers' unions allied with former President Evo Morales.
The government accuses Morales of instigating (煽動) protests to avoid legal
issues.
The state of emergency will last 90 days but could end sooner if violence
subsides.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up (上漲開盤) 95-points this morning from yesterday's close
(收盤), at 45,972 on turnover (成交金額) of $15-billion N-T.
----
90 percent of suspended social media accounts restored: MODA
The Ministry of Digital Affairs says Meta has promised to restore (恢復)
thousands of social media accounts wrongly suspended (被停用 / 被停權) over the
weekend, with nearly 90 percent recovered as of Wednesday afternoon.
Between 3,000 and 4,000 accounts were suspended late Sunday after a technical
issue caused Meta's system to mistakenly flag users as being under 13 years
old, part of a new age-verification mechanism (年齡驗證機制) the company rolled out
in May.
About 200 accounts belonged to media organizations and public figures, with
thousands more belonging to individual users.
The ministry instructed Meta to restore a list of nearly 100 accounts,
including those of major broadcasters and prominent political figures, by 6
p.m. Wednesday.
Meta also said its existing appeal mechanisms remain available for users
whose accounts are still suspended.
----
Banqiao man arrested after robbing bank with scissors
A 50-year-old man was arrested (被逮捕) Wednesday morning after robbing a bank
in New Taipei's Banqiao District with a pair of scissors.
Police said the robbery at the Taishin International Bank branch was reported
at around 10:15 a.m.
Officers arrived four minutes later to find the suspect (嫌犯), surnamed Wang,
seated in the customer area counting cash.
He was arrested on the spot.
Wang is being questioned on suspicion of robbery.
Investigators are working to determine whether any accomplices (共犯) were
involved and whether the crime was premeditated.
----
US and Iran digitally sign MOU to end war as Trump warns he'll resume
bombing if talks fail
US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have
digitally signed a fourteen-point memorandum of understanding (諒解備忘錄) to end
the war between the United States, Israel and Iran.
The deal calls for an immediate ceasefire (停火), the reopening of the Strait
of Hormuz and the lifting of sanctions (制裁) on Iranian oil exports, but
President Trump has warned the agreement is not final and the US would resume
military action if further talks fail.
A further round of negotiations is due to begin in Switzerland on Friday,
with those talks expected to conclude within sixty days.
Kate Fisher has more from Washington.
That was Kate Fisher in Washington.
----
UN Warns of Acute Hunger Across Global Hotspots
The United Nations’ food agencies warn that acute hunger (嚴重飢餓) is set to
worsen across 13 global hot spots in the coming months, calling for urgent
action.
Conflict, funding shortages, and climate shocks are pushing millions closer
to famine (飢荒).
A new joint report from the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World
Food Program highlights that conditions are expected to deteriorate between
June and November 2026.
Around 266 million people already face high levels of acute food insecurity
(糧食不安全).
The report says "Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, and Palestine" remain the
countries of greatest concern.
Nigeria and Somalia have been newly added to that category as conditions
worsen and famine risks rise.
UK Stonehenge "Prototype" Discovered
Archaeologists (考古學家) say they have discovered a structure near Stonehenge
that may have served as a “prototype” (原型) for the monument.
A team from Wessex Archaeology says the structure, found near Bulford,
predates Stonehenge by around 500 years.
It consisted of two wooden poles aligned with the sun during solstices (至日).
The site also revealed pottery, animal bones, and a rare knife, suggesting it
was a focus for religious gatherings.
The discovery was made as part of work for the British defense ministry.
Stonehenge remains a symbol of British culture and a major tourist attraction.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 124-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
45,685 on turnover of $8-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan extended momentum (延續動能) from a session earlier and closed
at the day's high Tuesday, led by the electronics and financial sectors amid
improved sentiment (市場信心改善) with the United States and Iran scheduled to sign
a peace agreement Friday.
Optimism toward geopolitics continued to drive the local main board higher,
but analysts say the gains lagged behind a strong rally in the United States
as some investors appeared reluctant to chase prices amid fears of possible
volatility (波動性) today, the settlement day of the June futures.
Kaohsiung hospital dengue cluster linked to imported case: CDC
The Centers for Disease Control says a dengue fever cluster (群聚感染) at
Kaohsiung Municipal Min-Sheng Hospital has been confirmed as linked to an
imported case from Vietnam.
A localized dengue cluster emerged at Min-Sheng Hospital after five
inpatients tested positive for dengue fever on June 12-th.
At a weekly briefing, the CDC said genetic sequencing (基因定序) showed all
infections in the cluster matched an imported case reported earlier this
month.
As of Monday, the cluster totaled six cases, with no new infections reported.
The CDC has since expanded testing to more than 1,400 people at the hospital,
but there is currently no evidence of broader community transmission (社區傳播).
The center is stressing that dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease and is
not transmitted from person to person, thus mosquito prevention remains the
most important measure.
FBI foil terror plot against White House UFC event
The FBI has arrested multiple people in connection with (與…有關) an alleged
(涉嫌的) terrorist plot to attack Sunday’s Ultimate Fighting Championship event
at the White House.
It was designed to coincide with (與…同時發生) Donald Trump's 80th birthday
celebrations.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Toronto Links Multiple Shootings to GunforHire Networks
Toronto police have linked multiple shootings, including one at the U.S.
Consulate in March, to complex gun-for-hire networks (受僱開槍犯罪網絡).
The Canadian city's police chief says young adults are being recruited
through encrypted messaging apps (加密通訊軟體) to carry out attacks.
Some firearms used in these shootings have been seized.
A veteran officer was killed last week during a related raid (突襲行動).
Toronto police, along with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and FBI, are
investigating who is funding these attacks.
Two firearms involved in over 25 shootings originated in the U.S.
A suspect remains hospitalized, and another is wanted in connection with the
consulate shooting.
Uffizi Repositions Botticelli Masterpieces
The Uffizi Gallery has repositioned (重新調整位置) Sandro Botticelli’s masterpieces
“The Birth of Venus” and “Primavera.”
Starting Tuesday, visitors can view “The Birth of Venus” in one room and then
turn to see “Primavera” in an adjoining space (相鄰空間).
The director of the famed musuem in Italy, says this update marks a new phase
in the ongoing renovation (持續進行的整修) of the Uffizi.
Previously, the paintings were displayed on adjacent walls, allowing both to
be viewed at once.
In earlier decades, they hung on opposite walls in the same room, leading to
crowding.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 103-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
45,500 on turnover of $14-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan surged more than 1,200 points and closed above the
45,000-point mark Monday on an announcement by the United States and Iran
that they have reached a peace deal slated to be signed Friday.
Contract chipmaker TSMC rose 2.81 percent, contributing about 520 points to
the Taiex's rise and sending the electronics index up 2.97 percent.
Analysts say buying also rotated to passive electronics component makers,
adding momentum to the tech sector.
TFDA confirms no contaminated forumla imported
The Food and Drug Administration is confirming that a contaminated (受污染的)
infant formula in the US was not imported into Taiwan.
The product came under scrutiny after three cases of infant botulism (肉毒桿菌中毒)
were reported in the US.
The US CDC found that all three affected infants had consumed the formula.
Taiwanese officials say that there are no import records for the product over
the past three years.
According to the U.S. FDA, the three illnesses began between April and May
2026.
Testing of the infant formula in question and related investigations remain
ongoing.
US & Iran sign peace deal, starting more negotiations
US President Donald Trump says Washington and Tehran have signed a deal to
end the conflict (衝突) and start further negotiations on Iran’s nuclear
program.
The two sides are scheduled to take part in a signing ceremony on Friday in
Geneva.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
UN Resolution Calls on Taliban to Reverse Crackdown on Women
The U.N. Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution calling on
Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers to swiftly reverse their crackdown on women.
China’s U.N. Ambassador, whose country sponsored the resolution, said the
hope is that the Afghan government will “take more proactive measures to
protect human rights, especially the rights of women, and project an image of
openness, inclusivity (包容性) and responsibility.”
The resolution adopted on Monday extends the U.N. political mission in
Afghanistan until June 17, 2027.
It authorizes the mission to support humanitarian aid deliveries and promote
national and local governance “without any discrimination based on sex,
religion or ethnicity, with the full, equal, meaningful and safe
participation of women."
1st Edition Wuthering Heights Up for Auction
A rare first-edition copy of Emily Brontë’s novel "Wuthering Heights" is up
for auction for the first time in over a century.
Christie's auction house announced Monday that this is the first copy in the
publisher’s original cloth binding to be auctioned since 1908.
Only about 250 copies of the first edition were printed, and this one has
been in a private library since shortly after (不久之後) its publication in 1847.
The book, along with a copy of Anne Brontë’s "Agnes Grey," is expected to
sell for up to $800-thousand US dollars at a June 30th sale in London.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 279-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
44,448 on turnover of $18.6-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed more than 1,000 points higher Friday with AI-related
stocks in focus amid improved sentiment after U.S. President Donald Trump
cancelled planned strikes against Iran.
Analysts say electronics heavyweights, notably in the semiconductor industry
simply followed suit and the momentum largely reflected optimism toward AI
development.
And select raw material stocks also moved higher in line with the Taiex.
Civil groups urge protections for migrant caregivers through agency hiring
Civil groups are urging the government to allow household migrant caregivers
to be hired and managed by long-term care agencies.
They say, the move would prevent overwork and better protect the interests of
both those providing and receiving care.
Protesters demonstrated at a rally outside the Ministry of Health and
Welfare, saying "exploitation (利用，剝削) is not a choice."
Advocates described facing long working hours, limited opportunities for rest
or leave, and increasing care responsibilities that often go beyond what one
person can do.
They noted that the rights to rest and take leave are "fundamental labor and
human rights," and emphasized that caregivers being overworked affected the
quality of care received by older adults.
MOHW officials say that the proposed change would require significant
regulatory changes and careful assessment.
2 Mercury viewing events coming up
The Taipei Astronomical Museum says, stargazers may be able to view Mercury
with the naked eye twice this week…
This month Mercury is visible low in the western sky after sunset and can be
seen more easily with binoculars.
The first event will occur tomorrow, with one of the best chances all year to
observe the planet.
Then on Wednesday, Mercury will join Venus, Jupiter, and a crescent moon in
the western sky,with all four objects forming a vertical arrangement.
The museum recommended viewing the events between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. from a
location with an unobstructed (無障礙的) view of the western horizon…
but they do warn of unstable weather affecting visibility.
Gaza latest
Gaza’s Health Ministry says the Palestinian death toll from the Israel-Hamas
war has surpassed 73,000.
The updated toll came as Israel has continued to strike what it says are
militant targets, often killing civilians, despite a fragile (脆弱的) ceasefire
deal reached in October.
Donna Warder again.
G7 Summit Protests
Thousands of demonstrators are converging in Geneva to show their discontent
with the G7 group of rich countries.
U.S. President Donald Trump and counterparts are set to hold a summit
starting today across Lake Geneva in France.
Environmentalists and feminists on Sunday joined protesters against
imperialism (帝國主義), defenders of independent media and supporters of
Palestinian rights and others in a lakeside park for a march across town.
The summit from Monday to Wednesday in Evian-les-Bains, France, will discuss
the Middle East, Ukraine and global economic issues.
Demonstrators have been gathering for days.
Switzerland Rejects Proposal to Cap Population
Swiss voters have rejected a proposal to cap the country's population at 10
million.
The initiative, led by the right-wing Swiss People's Party, was seen as a
move against migration.
Preliminary results showed nearly 55% opposed the measure, with a turnout of
almost 59%.
Critics warned it could harm Switzerland's ties with the European Union.
Switzerland isn't an EU member but is surrounded by EU countries.
The proposal's defeat reflects ongoing debates about immigration in Europe.
Swiss democracy allows voters to directly influence policy through
referendums, highlighting the country's unique approach to governance (治理).
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 438-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
43,588 on turnover of $22.6-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Thursday, as investors reacted to another sell-off
of artificial-intelligence stocks that dragged Wall Street down overnight.
The loses were far less than Thursday's sharp decline, but the main board
still closed lower.
Taiwan slips to 42nd in Global Peace Index
Taiwan ranks 42nd in terms of peacefulness in the 2026 Global Peace Index.
Taiwan has an overall score of 1.751 this year and fell from 37th place in
last year's report.
The report is published by the global Institute for Economics and Peace and
covers 163 countries.
The overall score measures a country's level of peacefulness, using 23
quantitative and qualitative indicators across three domains - those being
ongoing domestic and international conflict, societal safety and security,
and militarization.
Each indicator is weighted on a scale of 1 to 5, with lower scores indicating
greater peacefulness.
Although Taiwan ranks 42nd worldwide, it's listed in 9th place among the 19
Asian-Pacific countries in the report.
Iceland remained the most peaceful country in the world for the 19th
consecutive (連續的) year, with an overall score of 1.161, followed by New
Zealand, Switzerland, Slovenia and Ireland.
New Taipei launches new commuter bus routes over Danjiang Bridge
The New Taipei Transportation Department has launched (啓動，開始) four new bus
routes that cross that Danjiang Bridge.
The new routes provide 80 daily services between Banqiao and Tamsui, Tamsui
and Taoyuan International Airport, and Tamsui and Bali.
Route 988 connects Banqiao Bus Station and Danhai New Town with 20 services
each way on weekdays and 18 each way on weekends.
Airport routes 989 and 990, provide 10 services each way between Taoyuan
Airport and Danhai New Town, and Tamsui Metro Station.
The 115 route will operate as a commuter service between Tamsui and Bali on
weekdays and as a tourism-focused route on weekends and public holidays.
Philippine QuakeHit Town Pleads for Food Supplies
The mayor of a quake-hit southern Philippine town is pleading for air force
helicopters to transport food to stave off hunger in places isolated by
landslides.
The earthquake Monday off southern Sarangani province has left 47 people dead
with 31 others still missing and 45,000 displaced.
The mayor of the town of Glan says 10 villages remained isolated (被孤立) mostly
due to landslides.
He pleaded for the immediate deployment of air force helicopters to deliver
food to the stricken areas.
The town doesn't have power and phone service is unreliable.
UK Defence Secretary Resigns
The UK defence secretary has resigned. John Healey says the government's
plans for spending on defence 'falls well short of what's required.'
John Bevir reports.
Thailand Princess Dies Age 47
Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha "Pacha-raki-ti-ya-Pa" Mahidol, a lawyer
and the eldest of King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s children, has died at age 47.
The palace said she died Thursday.
She had been on life support after falling unconscious in 2022.
The princess was active in justice reform and known for her “Inspire” project
to rehabilitate (恢復正常生活，獲得改造) incarcerated women.
She had a doctoral degree from Cornell University, where scholarships to the
law school were established in her name.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 53-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
43,172 on turnover of 11.9-billion N-T.
The market tumbled (大跌、暴跌) on Wednesday after heavy selling in major tech
stocks triggered a decline that sent the benchmark index back to below its
monthly moving average and erased all of the previous session's gains.
Two leading House Republicans to meet with KMT chair
Two leading U-S House Republicans are meeting with K-M-T Chair Cheng Li-wun
in Washington,
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, and Young Kim, who leads
a subcommittee (小組委員會) overseeing East Asia policy have both said they will
sit down with Cheng.
Mast has admitted he doesn't have specific expectations for the meeting.
While a spokesperson for Kim, says the lawmaker plans to encourage Cheng and
the K-M-T to support more defense spending to show Taiwan's commitment to
self-defense and deterrence (嚇阻、威懾).
NGO warns large fish disappearing from Taiwan's coasts due to overfishing
Greenpeace Taiwan says research shows that smaller fish are making up an
increasing share of Taiwan's inshore and offshore catches (近海與離岸漁獲), a trend
the group says indicates larger fish are becoming rarer due to overfishing.
According to the study, the proportion of fish caught before reaching "Lm50"
— or the length at which 50 percent of a species reaches sexual maturity
(性成熟) — rose from 77.7-percent in 2022 to 93.3-percent in 2025.
Researchers say the survey points to severe overfishing and shows that
without effective management measures, fish populations could face bottleneck
effects (瓶頸效應) that result in progressively smaller fish.
Iran latest
Bahrain sounded its missile alert sirens (飛彈警報器) early Thursday morning after
Iran threatened to retaliate (報復、反擊) over a new round of U.S. airstrikes
targeting the Islamic Republic.
Bahrain's urged the public to seek shelter.
Iran’s paramilitary (準軍事的) Revolutionary Guard had threatened to strike
Bahrain over the attacks.
The second day of American strikes comes hours after Bahrain, Kuwait and
Jordan — all of which host U.S. troops — came under Iranian fire.
Iran has said it will close the Strait of Hormuz in response.
Congo Ebola outbreak spreads in the east
Congo's Ebola outbreak (疫情、爆發) has spread to another health zone in the
country's northeastern province of Ituri.
Health officials say the outbreak has now affected 26 health zones nationwide.
That includes 18 in Ituri where most of the confirmed cases (確診病例) have been
reported.
Officials reported 37 new confirmed cases and 12 deaths in the past 24 hours.
The outbreak has now recorded 635 confirmed cases and 127 deaths across three
eastern provinces.
It is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain (病毒株) of Ebola.
Officials say there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for that
strain.
Treatment activities are now underway at Ebola centers in two affected areas.
Pope Leo blesses Sagrada Familia's tallest tower
Pope Leo has blessed the newest tower of Barcelona's Sagrada Familia, making
it the tallest church in the world.
The 172-meter Tower of Jesus Christ is topped with a large ceramic cross
visible across the city.
Leo called the basilica an "architectural masterpiece" (建築傑作) during a Mass
attended by Spain's king, queen and prime minister.
The ceremony came 100 years after the death of architect Antoni Gaudi.
The pope also used his sermon (講道、布道) to say Christians "cannot believe in
Jesus and promote war."
Earlier in the day, Leo became the first pope to visit a Spanish prison.
He urged inmates at Brians 1 prison to make amends (彌補過錯、改過) and choose
better lives.
The Sagrada Familia was meant to be completed this year, but construction is
now expected to continue until 2035.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 122-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
44,581 on turnover of 8.6-billion N-T.
The market staged a technical rebound (技術性反彈) on Tuesday led by the
electronics sector, after tech stocks rallied on Wall Street overnight, while
buying also rotated to (輪動至) the financial sector, to give an additional
boost to the broader market.
Lai touts Shinzo Abe's legacy at Tokyo forum
President Lai Ching-te said Taiwan and Japan face identical security
challenges along the First Island Chain.
In a pre-recorded address at the inaugural (首屆的) Shinzo Abe and Modern Japan
International Research Forum in Tokyo, Lai said the late Prime Minister's
declaration that "a Taiwan contingency (緊急事態) is a Japanese contingency"
highlights the importance of continued peace and stability across the Taiwan
Strait.
The president also used the opportunity to thank Japan's Prime Minister Sanae
Takaichi for continuing Abe’s legacy.
The forum was cohosted by the National Chengchi University's Shinzo Abe
Research Center and the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals think
tank… it brought together experts from Taiwan, Japan and the U-S to discuss
Abe's legacy and strategy.
Hsinchu gas explosion cause under investigation
Fire investigators (調查人員) and police are looking into the cause of an
explosion that left two people dead and two others injured in Hsinchu City on
Tuesday.
The explosion ripped through (炸穿 / 猛烈摧毀) a lunchbox store on Gaocui Road in
the city's East District.
The blast collapsed a wall onto a neighboring bakery - where the two elderly
victims were sleeping.
Both were later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Firefighters believe the blast was due gas accumulating (累積 / 聚積) overnight
inside the lunchbox store after it closed.
US Launches New Attacks on Iran Following Helicopter Incident
Bahrain has sounded its missile alert sirens as Iran said it targeted the
island nation to retaliate (報復) for US strikes.
Iran said it had targeted the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain,
the island nation in the Persian Gulf off the coast of Saudi Arabia.
Bahrain’s Interior Ministry urged (呼籲) the public to seek shelter.
The US launched fresh strikes on Iran following the downing of an Apache
helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, putting any new peace agreement in
jeopardy (陷入危險).
Mitch McCann reports.
…
That was correspondent Mitch McCann.
Brazil Crackdown on Smugglers of Cuban Migrants
Brazilian police have rescued more than 100 Cuban migrants from human
smugglers (走私者 / 偷渡集團) at the northern border with Guyana.
Officials say the 108 migrants are in custody while authorities work to
regularize (使合法化) their immigration status.
Five people have been arrested on smuggling charges.
The smugglers, known as "coyotes," charged high fees and provided unsafe
travel conditions.
The operation, conducted Monday, marks the largest humanitarian rescue in the
state.
Cuban migration to Brazil has surged since 2022 due to Cuba's economic crisis
and U.S. sanctions.
More affluent migrants often fly to Sao Paulo, while others travel overland
through northern Amazon states.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 184-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
43,687 on turnover of 22.7-billion N-T.
The market recorded its third largest ever point decline on Monday as
investors reacted to plunge on Wall Street last Friday as big artificial
intelligence-related stocks fell.
MND calls China Coast Guard patrols 'provocative'
Defense Minister Wellington Koo is describing Chinese Coast Guard patrols in
waters east of Taiwan as being a "provocative act."
The statement comes after four Chinese ships, including three coast guard
vessels, sailed into Taiwan's restricted waters 30-nautical miles southwest
of the island's southern most tip on Sunday.
The Coast Guard Administration dispatched seven if its vessels the area to
warn away the Chinese ships.
According to the defense minister, China's actions were a form of cognitive
warfare, that was aimed at claiming Taiwan's eastern waters as belonging to
Beijing - which shows serious disrespect for Taiwan's national sovereignty.
MOJ seeking death for etomidate trafficking
Justice Minister Cheng Ming-chien says his office is taking steps to
reclassify etomidate, which is also known as "zombie vape."
According to Cheng, the Narcotics Review Committee will hold talks next week,
at which the drug could be upgraded from a Category 2 narcotic to Category 1
due to its potential for abuse.
Cheng says if the committee agrees to reclassify the drug, those convicted of
manufacturing, transporting or selling etomidate could face life in prison or
the death penalty.
The statements come after the National Police Agency recently reported that
large numbers of people have been arrested for driving under the influence of
etomidate in recent years.
Premier Cho Jung-tai last week told reporters that authorities will be
stepping up border inspections targeting the so called "zombie vapes."
Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Facilities
Ukrainian forces have struck oil facilities in Russia and occupied Ukraine as
part of their campaign to impose economic costs on Moscow.
Ukrainian and Russian officials confirmed the attacks on Monday.
Ukraine's President Zelenskyy has confirmed that Roman Abramovich acted as a
mediator between Kyiv and Moscow, delivering messages from Russian President
Putin.
Russia's Defense Ministry reported shooting down 310 Ukrainian drones
overnight.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's General Staff said Ukrainian forces targeted Russia’s
Krasnodar Krai region and Crimea, sparking fires at oil facilities.
Russian drone strikes injured civilians in several Ukrainian regions,
including Kharkiv and Odesa.
US Federal judge blocks Trump’s $100,000 visas for high skilled workers
A federal judge has blocked President Trump’s policy of imposing (推行，強制實行) a
$100,000 fee for H-1B visas - which are used to bring highly skilled workers
to the United States.
Toni Waterman has the details.
Germany Presidential Office Popup Art Show
A pop-up art show featuring contemporary works is set to open at the German
president's official residency this week before renovations (整修，裝潢) begin.
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed his support for the show on
Monday, emphasizing (強調) the importance of free art in democracy.
The exhibition will run for two weeks starting Friday and is organized by
Berlin's Academy of Arts.
Interest has been high, with the ticket website crashing last month.
The show includes works by artists like Katharina Grosse and Wolfgang
Tillmans.
Visitors can also interact with artists through performances and discussions.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 563-points this morning from Friday's close, at 44,507
on turnover of 31--billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Friday after big artificial intelligence-related
stocks saw sharp declines on Wall Street overnight, but financial stocks
helped stabilize (穩定) the main board.
Analysts says that decline came as many investors rushed to (趕往、衝向) pocket
recent gains built in the electronics sector in the wake of the U-S losses.
VP encourages tourists to visit Palau during 1st ally trip
Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim is urging more Taiwan tourists to visit Palau.
She made the call after snorkeling with Palau's President Surangel Whipps
during her first visit to the diplomatic ally as vice president.
Hsiao arrived in Palau on Saturday on a direct flight from Taiwan.
She joined Whipps on a boat trip Sunday morning to Big Drop Off, a renowned
snorkeling and diving site in the southern part of Palau's Rock Islands.
According to Hsiao, after working hard in their daily lives, people in Taiwan
deserve to arrange an island getaway to relax and recharge, and Palau is a
convenient (方便的) choice because it is close to Taiwan and served by direct
flights.
Taiwan's Japan rep. attends Tokyo Pride and highlights equality
Taiwan's representative to Japan, Lee Yi-yang has attended the Tokyo Pride
Parade.
Lee was invited to speak on the event's main stage by Britain's ambassador
to Japan, Julia Longbottom.
He was only official representative from an Asian country to do so.
Lee used his speech to tout Taiwan becaming the first country in Asia to
legalize same-sex marriage in 2019, describing the move as not only a legal
milestone but also a reflection of broader (更廣泛的) social progress.
Members of Team Taiwan, a group formed by the Taipei Representative Office in
Japan, the Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights and the Taiwan
AIDS Foundation attended the event.
Ebola latest
Officials of the Democratic Republic of Congo said that the number of
confirmed Ebola cases had increased to 515 after 27 new samples tested
positive in the previous 24 hours.
Government data showing the confirmed cases include 91 deaths.
Donna Warder has more on efforts to bring the epidemic to a head (達到緊要關頭).
Philippines 7.8Earthquake and Tsunami Warning
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake has shaken part of the southern Philippines, and a
tsunami was possible on some regional coasts.
Power outages were reported and people were urged to (力勸，強烈要求) go to higher
ground.
No further information on damage or casualties was immediately available.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the epicenter was
13 kilometers from General Santos city on the island of Mindanao.
It was just 10 kilometers deep and struck at 7:37 this morning.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said tsunami waves up to 3 meters were
possible on some coasts of the Philippines.
Waves up to 1 meter were possible in parts of Indonesia.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 58-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
45,620 on turnover of $18-billion N-T.
Premier talks lifetime license ban for fatal drug-impaired driving
Premier Cho Jung-tai says motorists who cause death or serious injury while
driving under the influence of drugs will face a lifetime license ban under
planned amendments to the law.
According to the Cabinet, the Ministry of Justice has been instructed to
draft amendments imposing harsher (更嚴厲的) criminal penalties for drug-impaired
driving as soon as possible.
The premier says Cabinet would discuss establishing a legal basis for rapid
saliva testing of suspected drug-impaired drivers and those tests could also
be used alongside existing urine tests in schools to strengthen anti-drug
efforts.
The premier also says authorities will step up border inspections targeting
vapes and that he's instructed the justice ministry to convene a narcotics
review committee to consider reclassifying etomidate from a Category 2 to a
Category 1 narcotic.
The proposed changes come after the Ministry of Transport earlier this week
unveiled a package of stricter administrative penalties that also covered
passengers riding with drug-impaired drivers and expanded license
revocations.
Taipei Zoo to receive two red pandas on Saturday: Officials
Taipei Zoo is scheduled to receive two red pandas from Shanghai Zoo tomorrow.
The red pandas are coming to Taiwan under an agreement signed at the 2024
Shanghai-Taipei Twin City Forum.
Taipei Zoo will be sending white‑handed gibbons to Shanghai Zoo instead of
African penguins as originally (起初) stated in the agreement.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan‑an says the red pandas are expected to make their
public debut after completing a one-month quarantine period following their
arrival.
Former Trump advisor John Bolton reportedly reaches plea deal
Donald Trump’s former national security advisor John Bolton has reportedly
agreed to plead guilty to mishandling classified misinformation, stemming
from a critical book he wrote about his time in the administration..
The case is part of the US President’s campaign to aggressively (激烈地，竭力地)
prosecute his perceived (認為) critics.
Ira Spitzer has more.
Somalia Opposition Clashes in Mogadishu
Somalia's opposition supporters and security forces have clashed in Mogadishu
for a second day ahead of a planned anti-government demonstration.
The United Nations and the United States called for restraint (克制) as the
government and opposition blame each other for the violence.
Residents reported heavy gunfire and explosions in several neighborhoods.
The clashes highlight growing political tensions over elections and the
constitution.
Gunfire subsides Thursday afternoon after mediation efforts.
Opposition figures say the rally protests constitutional violations and
efforts by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to extend his tenure.
The government rejects those allegations.
EU Expands Ocean Monitoring Network
The European Union is expanding its ocean monitoring network with underwater
drones and satellites as climate change intensifies heat waves and storms.
EU Commision President Ursula von der Leyen $107-million US dollars will fund
this effort.
Oceans are vital ecosystems covering about 70% of planet Earth, hosting
complex webs of life that generate oxygen and absorb (吸收) greenhouse gases
like carbon dioxide.
The EU aims to lead global ocean research and protection.
Funds will support oceanic technology incubators and the United Nations'
Global Ocean Observing System.
By 2035, the EU hopes to cover 35% of Earth's maritime monitoring network.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 95-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
46,364 on turnover of 13-billion N-T.
The market closed at yet another record high on Wednesday, it surpassed the
46,000 mark following an overnight rally among tech stocks on Wall Street -
which triggered buying, particularly in the bellwether electronics sector
(指標電子類股).
In news from and about Taiwan this morning,
Research group to work with US defense firm on drone development
The government-sponsored Metal Industries Research & Development Center has
signed a memorandum of understanding (合作備忘錄) with US-based defense technology
developer Anduril Industries for the development of unmanned aerial vehicles
(無人機).
The agreement was signed by Center Chairperson Liu Chia-ru and Anduril
founder Palmer Luckey in Taipei.
According to the center, cooperation will focus on the development of A-I
autonomous systems and key drone components and the two parties will
integrate the supply chains, promote localized production (在地化生產) and expand
technology exchanges.
2025 carbon reduction estimated at 9%, below 10% goal
Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming says Taiwan's greenhouse gas emissions
(溫室氣體排放) in 2025 are estimated to have been about 9-per cent below 2005
levels, narrowly missing the government's 10-per cent reduction target
(減量目標).
According to Peng, the official goal remain to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by 28-per cent, plus or minus 2 percentage points, by 2030 compared
with 2005 levels.
Peng says in order to meet the 2030 target, the government will need to
reduce emissions by nearly 20-per cent over the next five years.
Peng is describing that possibilty as being challenging, despite emissions
here in Taiwan being on a steady downward trend (下降趨勢).
House delivers bipartisan condemnation of Iran war
House lawmakers have delivered a bipartisan condemnation (譴責) of the Iran
war, passing a resolution to block U.S. President Donald Trump from ordering
further strikes.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington
Indonesia Arrests Nutrition Agency Head Over Corruption
Indonesia's former head of the National Nutrition Agency has been arrested on
corruption charges (貪污指控) related to a multibillion-dollar free-meals
program.
The initiative aimed to fight malnutrition (營養不良) by feeding nearly 90
million children and pregnant women.
President Prabowo Subianto fired Dadan Hindayana on Tuesday, replacing him
with the agency's deputy chief.
Investigators searched the agency’s offices early Wednesday.
Prosecutors also arrested two other officials.
The program, expected to cost $28 billion through 2029, has faced criticism
for high costs and food poisoning (食物中毒) cases.
WHO says Congo's Ebola outbreak testing is improving
The World Health Organization says Congo's Ebola outbreak (疫情爆發) had a head
start, but testing is improving, even as violence plagues the region.
Since mid-May, 344 cases and 60 deaths have been confirmed in three eastern
provinces.
The number of suspected cases (疑似病例) has dropped significantly.
Uganda has 15 confirmed cases, including one death.
The outbreak involves a rare Ebola type with no approved medicine or vaccine.
Limited testing and access issues make assessing the outbreak's extent
difficult.
The W-H-O says only 45-per cent of contacts have been traced, with insecurity
and displacement complicating efforts.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 103-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
45,660.
However, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing saw its share prices (股價) soar to
a record high (歷史新高) of 2,440 N-T with the opening minutes - and that
resulted in the main board making a significant gain of 841 points …
.. which pushed the market above the 46,000 point mark, as it reached 46,398.
Market watchers say the rises are due to investor optimism (投資人樂觀情緒) toward
A-I, as keynote speeches at Computex Taipei has boosted tech stocks values
both here in Taiwan and on Wall Street overnight.
Air Force grounds T-34C trainers follow crash
The Air Force has grounded (停飛) all of its T-34C trainers pending safety
checks (安全檢查) following a crash at the Gangshan Air Base in Kaohsiung that
left two pilots dead.
The two-seater aircraft crashed while conducting a routine simulated
engine-failure training exercise.
Both Lt. Col. Lu Chi-yu and Lt. Col. Kuo Chun-nan were pronounced dead at the
scene.
According to Air Force Chief Inspector Major General Chiang Yi-cheng, the
pilots reported no anomalies or malfunctions (故障) during the flight test and
weather conditions, including visibility, were suitable for flying.
The Air Force has formed a special task force to investigate the cause of the
crash.
Taiwan makes 1st large-scale shipment of summer fruits to Europe
Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih has overseen a send-off ceremony for the
first large-scale export (大規模出口) of Taiwan-grown summer fruits to Europe.
The 6 metric tons of mangoes, lychees and dragon fruit left Pingtung County
after meeting European Union import and quarantine requirements (檢疫規定).
Speaking at the ceremony Chen said Taiwan's fresh fruit exports to Europe had
previously been limited, but this latest shipment mark the start of a more
systematic push into the European market.
According to the exporter, the shipment is destined for Rungis, France's
largest wholesale fresh produce market (生鮮批發市場), which serves as a key
sourcing hub for Michelin-starred restaurants, hotels and major retailers.
Starmer's WhatApp messages set to disappear as Mandelson files deepen
leadership crisis
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesperson (官方發言人) has
confirmed the prime minister's WhatsApp messages are set to automatically
disappear (自動消失)…
A revelation that emerged after a cabinet meeting on the same day as the
release of around a thousand pages of documents related to the appointment
and dismissal of Peter Mandelson as British ambassador to Washington.
The opposition Conservatives say they are surprised by how little of the
prime minister's own communications feature in the release, and have accused
the government of a cover-up (掩蓋真相).
Olly Barratt reports from London.
Canada Calls on US Mexico to Renew FTA
Canada is calling on the United States and Mexico to renew (延長 / 續約) the free
trade agreement (自由貿易協定) between the countries for another 16 years just as
U.S. President Donald Trump revives talk of making Canada the 51st state.
Canada’s minister for U.S. trade sent a letter to United States Trade
Representative Jamieson Greer and Mexico’s Secretary of Economy Marcelo
Ebrard on Tuesday that conveys Canada’s recommendation.
The letter comes ahead of the scheduled July review of the United
States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
Its the latest version of free trade agreements among the U.S., Mexico and
Canada dating back to the early 1990s that have intertwined (緊密相連 / 交織在一起)
the economies of the three North American countries.
Trump posted “51st State!” on social media late Monday.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 51-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 45,388
on turnover of 19.1-billion N-T.
The market gained solid ground and closed above the 45,000-point mark for the
first time on Monday, amid investor enthusiasm over the artificial
intelligence boom.
The rise came as some of the world's leading tech companies are in Taiwan for
Computex this week - where they're expected to give solid guidance for A-I at
a series of forums and keynote speeches.
Analysts say Computex-driven business opportunities could help push the
market higher for much of this week.
Vystrcil says China cannot decide Czech-Taiwanese ties
Visiting Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil says China cannot tell the
Czech Republic whom to befriend (交朋友).
The statement came shortly after Vystrcil arrived in Taiwan on Monday heading
a delegation of around 40 people for a four-day visit at the invitation of
Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu.
Along with meeting with representatives from the K-M-T and the D-P-P,
Vystrcil is also slated to hold talks with President Lai Ching-te and other
senior government officials this week.
MOHW announces that foreign professionals and dependents eligible for long-term care services
The Ministry of Health says foreign professionals and their dependents will
soon be eligible for long-term care services.
According to the ministry, the move means foreign professionals with
permanent residency status along with their spouses, children under the age
of 18 will have access to the services beginning June 30.
Foreign professionals with permanent residency, dependants aged 65 or over or
with disabilities will also be eligible.
However, eligibilty only applies to those who have legally lived in Taiwan
for 10 cumulative years and spent at least 183 days per year here.
The health ministry says the move is expected to benefit (造福) between 100 to
200 people.
Israel UltraOrthodox Protests Against Military Enlistment
Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Israelis have demonstrated across the
country against mandatory military enlistment.
On Monday, they blocked roads and trains, lit cars on fire, and attacked a
soldier.
Police struggled to control the crowds with water cannons and horses.
The protest disrupted highways and public transportation in Jerusalem and Tel
Aviv.
Military service is compulsory for most Jewish men and women in Israel, but
ultra-Orthodox parties have historically secured exemptions.
Israel is currently maintaining a simultaneous (同時) military presence in
Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, in addition to fighting a war with Iran, which has
stretched its robust military to the breaking point.
The issue is tearing apart Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing
coalition, possibly moving elections up by several weeks this fall after the
ultra-Orthodox parties withdrew their support for Netanyahu.
Anthropic files for IPO
The artificial intelligence company Anthropic says it has filed paperwork for
an initial public offering, setting the stage for a blockbuster IPO possibly
later this year.
The maker of the chatbot Claude will be competing (競爭) with rival OpenAI, as
well as SpaceX, both of which are also planning to go public.
Ira Spitzer reports from San Francisco.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 139-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
44,872 on turnover of 22.5-billion N-T.
The market closed up over 1,000 points to hit another a new high on Friday as
buying focused on the bellwether electronics sector amid continued A-I
enthusiasm ahead of this week's Computex.
Summer electricity rates take effect today - pushing up average bills up
Tai-Power's summer electricity rates for residential customers (顧客) kick-in
today.
It means that the average household can be expected to pay about 446 N-T more
per month through the end of September.
According to Tai-Power, the seasonal rates will apply to about 15-million
residential and small commercial users from today through September 30.
Around 26,000 high-voltage and extra-high-voltage users are subject to summer
rates from May 16 to October 15.
Based on data from last year, the average monthly household electricity bill
rose to 1,084 N-T during the summer, nearly 70-per cent higher than in
non-summer months.
Taipei Zoo marks World Parrot Day,
The Taipei Zoo has marked World Parrot Day with a special educational event
featuring a sulphur-crested cockatoo.
The zoo used the occasion to urge the public not to abandon pet parrots and
to reject the illegal wildlife trade.
According to the zoo, parrots are popular companion animals because of their
colorful plumage (全身羽毛), ability to mimic sounds and strong learning skills,
but demand from the pet market has also fueled illegal capture and trade,
threatening wild populations.
To raise public awareness, the zoo held a pop-up educational session in the
Children's area, with a sulphur-crested cockatoo serving as a "teaching
assistant" to help visitors learn about parrot behavior and social habits.
Israeli Forces Kill Palestinian Man at West Bank Barrier
Israeli forces have shot and killed a Palestinian man at a barrier (障礙物)
separating the West Bank from Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian Health
Ministry.
The man, 26 years old, was shot in the thigh on Sunday and later died at a
hospital in Ramallah.
He was attempting to cross into Israel for work due to an economic crisis in
the West Bank.
Many Palestinians have tried to enter Israel illegally for jobs, especially
after access was restricted following the war in Gaza.
Unemployment has surged and many have been killed or arrested.
US Detention Center Curfew After ICE Clashes
From the US….
Newark's mayor has a curfew (宵禁) around an immigration detention center in
New Jersey after clashes between protesters and ICE.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
Colombia Presidential Election Results Contested
Iván Cepeda has refused to immediately accept the result of the first round
of voting in Colombia's presidential election, after falling behind
tough-on-crime outsider Aberaldo de la Espriella.
Cepeda and de la Espriella are slated to head to a run-off election June.
But Cepeda is now claiming without evidence that foreign actors (參與者、行動者)
manipulated the results of the election.
Cepeda said he was waiting for electoral authorities to scrutinise the
results before accepting the election.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 179-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
43,815 on turnover of $16.3-billion N-T.
Taipei logs hottest May temperature on record at 38.3°C
The Central Weather Administration says data shows temperatures at the Taipei
weather station hit 38.3-degrees on Wednesday afternoon - marking the hottest
May temperature ever recorded by the station since it was established in
1896.
According to the administration's forecast center, the temperature was
recorded shortly before 3PM at the station in Taipei's Zhongzheng District.
It surpassed the previous May record of 38.2 degrees, which was set twice, on
May 28, 2021 and May 27, 2018.
The forecast center is attributed the extreme heat to the combined effects of
a Pacific high-pressure system, reduced cloud cover and descending (下降) air
currents brought by southwesterly winds, which pushed temperatures higher
across the Taipei Basin.
The highest temperature on Wednesday islandwide was recorded in Tainan's
Yujing District, where the mercury hit 39.8-degrees.
Report: US & Iran reach initial agreement
The US and Iran have reached an agreement to extend (延長) the ceasefire and
open nuclear talks, according to the American news outlet Axios.
However, US President Donald Trump reportedly still needs to agree to the
plan.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
UN Sexual Violence Report Includes Israeli and Russian Forces
An annual United Nations report documenting sexual violence in conflicts
worldwide has included Israeli forces for the first time since the review
began more than 15 years ago for their treatment of Palestinian detainees.
Russian armed and security forces were also blacklisted for the first time
this year for sexual violence against prisoners of war and civilians detained
during the war in Ukraine.
Israel and Russia both deny the accusations (指控).
The 35-page report was shared by the Israeli mission to the U.N. late
Thursday ahead of its expected release Friday.
The report says the number of cases of sexual violence in conflicts rose
sharply in 2025 from 2024.
Both Israel and Russia were warned in last year's report by U.N.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that they could be put on the list.
The ambassadors of both countries expressed outrage at their inclusion and
lashed out at Guterres.
Canada on US New Partnership
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is calling for a new partnership with the
United States.
He is making the comments just weeks before President Donald Trump decides on
whether to renew the free trade agreement between the countries.
Carney says there should be a “true partnership” that reimagines cooperation
in specific sectors deeply challenged by global competition.
But warned “we live in a world where integration has been weaponized (武器化)”
and noted that is why Canada is diversifying away from the U.S. and signing
trade deals with countries around the world.
Carney made a speech at the Economic Club of New York.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally down this morning from yesterday's close, at
44,240 on turnover of 12.7-billion NT.
The market closed above the 44,000-point mark for the first time on Wednesday
after the bellwether electronics sector rebounded following a rally on Wall
Street overnight led by US tech stocks.
Nvidia's Jensen Huang touts Taiwan as being the 'epicenter of AI revolution'
Visiting Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is describing Taiwan as being the "epicenter
(中心) of the AI revolution" and at the center of nearly everything his company
does.
Huang made the statement at a company employee gathering celebrating Nvidia's
planned Taiwan headquarters at the Beitou-Shilin Technology Park in Taipei.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an also attended the event, at which he presented
Huang with a Key to the City to welcome Nvidia to Taipei.
Chiang told attendees that the world is watching how Nvidia shapes the future
of A-I and Taipei was proud to be part of that future.
Construction of the new Nvidia headquarters is scheduled to begin at the end
of this year and be completed in 2030.
Canada Day celebrations to mark 159th birthday set for late June
And,
The Canadian Trade Office in Taipei has announced that Canada Day
celebrations will be taking place at the Hakka Cultural Park in Taipei once
again this year on June 27.
According to the office, the festival has become "a very important
celebration not just for Canadians living in Taiwan, but also for people in
Taipei and throughout Taiwan who travel to the capital to join the
festivities (節慶活動)."
Celebration Canada festival is free and will be taking place from 1 to 9PM on
Saturday June 27.
The annual Taipei event has long been touted as being the largest Canada Day
celebration outside of Canada.
White House dismisses Iranian reports of draft deal as Trump says he
doesn't care about the midterms
Iran’s state TV says Tehran has obtained a draft of an unofficial framework
for a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. to end the war.
But the White House has dismissed the report as a complete fabrication (純屬虛構)
and during a cabinet meeting President Trump expressed indifference (冷漠) to
the political pressure caused by the unpopularity of the conflict.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington
Brazil Announces Highway Investment
Brazil’s government has announced a $75 million investment in the BR-319
highway, a move environmentalists fear could speed up Amazon deforestation
(森林砍伐).
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva claims it will be the most
environmentally advanced road in the world.
The highway, linking Amazonas and Rondonia, remains mostly unpaved since its
1976 inauguration.
The government also unveiled an environmental protection plan that includes
monitoring and conservation units.
Critics argue the project lacks necessary safeguards and could worsen
deforestation.
The Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest, plays a critical role in
regulating the global climate.
The road cuts through one of the biome’s (生態群系) most well-preserved regions,
home to dozens of protected areas and Indigenous territories.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 316-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
43,842 on turnover of 26.4-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Tuesday, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing's
share price fell from its day's high on technical corrections after a recent
rally, pushing the broader market to negative territory - despite it briefly
breaching the 44,000 point mark.
Ex-Czechia official to speak at democracy forum in Taipei
Former foreign ministers from the Czech Republic and the Philippines will be
speaking at the inaugural Forum for Democratic Cooperation in Taipei today.
The event has been organized by the Forum 2000 Foundation and has received
government backing here from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Speaking to reporters in Taipei, foundation executive director, Jakub Klepal,
said Taiwan was chosen as the forum's first stop given the growth of A-I and
the restructuring (重組) of the global economy, in which Taiwan plays crucial
roles.
The Forum 2000 Foundation was created by the late Czech President Vaclav
Havel and seeks to get democratic actors to address shared challenges in "an
increasingly contested global environment."
CWA heat alerts remain in effect
The Central Weather Administration says hot weather is expected across Taiwan
once again today.
"Red" heat alerts - meaning maximum temperature could reaches 38-degrees for
three consecutive days - have been issued for the Tainan and Pingtung areas.
"Orange" heat alerts are in effect in Keelung, Taipei, New Taipei, Changhua,
Yunlin, Chiayi, Kaohsiung, Hualien and Taitung - where the mercury could
reach a daily maximum temperature of 38-degrees today, or reach 36-degrees
for three consecutive days.
While a "yellow" heat alert has been issued for Taoyuan - where the
temperatures is forecast to reach 36-degrees today.
All of the heat alerts are currently (現在) in effect through this afternoon.
NASA announces next steps for planned 'moon base'
The US space agency NASA has unveiled plans for a permanent (常駐) base on the
moon, with the first missions set to launch later this year.
The announcement comes just days after China sent three astronauts into orbit
as part of its own push to reach the lunar surface by 2030.
Ira Spitzer has more.
Canada Germany on Possible Deal to Export LNG
A person familiar with the matter says Canada has reached a deal to export
liquefied natural gas to Germany from a planned Pacific Coast terminal.
The official confirmed Canada will sign the agreement with Germany’s leading
utility company "Securing Energy for Europe", from a proposed (建議的，提議的)
export facility on the coast of British Columbia.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to
speak ahead of today’s announcement.
The official said up to million metric tons of liquefied natural gas per year
will be exported. Prime Minister Mark Carney has set a goal to double
non-U.S. trade in a decade.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 64-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 43,708
on turnover of 16.2-billion N-T.
The market closed sharply higher on Monday as the main board registered its
fifth ever largest point gain amid continuing investor interest in A-I
development related stocks and decreasing concerns over the ongoing conflict
in the Middle East.
Lawmakers set to visit Dongsha Island
A group of lawmakers are set to visit the Dongsha Island in the South China
Sea this summer.
If the trip takes place, it will mark the first visit the island by lawmakers
in eight years.
K-M-T lawmaker Liao Hsien-hsiang says the trip is scheduled for July 9 and
lawmakers will inspect Coast Guard personnel stationed on the island and
facilities at Dongsha National Park.
The group will receive a briefing on the government's latest conservation
(保護) and management efforts on the island, visit a water treatment plant and
the Dongsha Post Office, and have a guided tour of Dongsha Wharf.
Dongsha Island is located about 450 kilometers southwest of Kaohsiung.
Jensen Huang to attend employee meeting in Taipei tomorrow
Visiting Nvidia C-E-O Jensen Huang will be attending an employee meeting in
Taipei tomorrow to celebrate the launch of the company's Taiwan headquarters
project.
According to Nvidia, the event will be taking place at the the site of the
company's planned headquarters at the Beitou-Shilin Technology Park.
Known as the Nvidia Constellation, the headquarters will be located on the
T-17 and T-18 plots in the technology park, which is located the Taipei's
Beitou District.
Nvidia has reportedly not yet applied for a construction permit for the site,
but the Taipei City Construction Management Office says landowners or
developers can still hold ceremonial (儀式的) groundbreaking events without
formal approval.
Pope calls for regulation of AI
Pope Leo the fourteenth is calling for the robust (強壯的) regulation of AI in a
manifesto that touches on the future of humanity.
AP correspondent Paolo Santalucia reports.
That was Paolo Santalucia.
Brazil Commits Funds for Ecological Investment
The Brazilian government has committed $617.5 million to boost ecological
investment in the Amazon.
Eight banks have pledged an additional $2 billion. Announced Monday, this
funding supports sustainable tourism, infrastructure and the bioeconomy.
The Eco Invest program, designed to reduce investment risks, has already
committed $28 billion.
Brazil aims for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
However, recent legislative moves threaten (威脅) environmental policies.
The lower house approved bills that weaken efforts against illegal
deforestation.
These measures still need Senate approval.
Despite setbacks, Brazil's environment minister insists the country remains
committed to reducing deforestation.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 399-points this morning from Friday's close, at 42,667
on turnover of 27.5-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Friday to rebound to back over the 42,000 point
mark following a losing run - as regional markets advanced following modest
gains on Wall Street overnight after pressure from the bond market eased and
oil prices fell.
Lai touts his child allowance proposal during visit to Chiayi temple
President Lai Ching-te has been touting (宣傳) his proposal to boost childcare
benefits and increases to farmers’ allowances.
Speaking during a visit to the Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, Lai said
families will receive 5,000 N-T per month for each child from birth through
the age of 18 starting from next January.
According to Lai, that will ensure (確保) that payments for each child between
those ages will reach 1.08-million N-T by adulthood if payments continue
through the full period.
Lai said parents will be advised to set aside part of the allowance for the
children's college or future business plans.
THSR original schedule cancelled from 8AM due to signal problems
The High Speed Rail Corporation cancelled it regular scheduled trains at
8AM today following a signal malfunction on Miaoli section of line.
According to the network operator, three trains are running per hour and will
depart from Nangang Station southbound and Zuoying Station northbound,
stopping at each station.
Departure times from the terminal stations are on the hour, 20 minutes past
the hour, and 40 minutes past the hour.
The High Speed Rail Corporation says signal anomaly occurred during
pre-operational preparations (準備工作) earlier this morning and repairs are
ongoing and it will release updates on the status of services when they are
available.
US Downplays Hopes for Iran Deal
U.S. leader Donald Trump said he had told his representatives not to rush
(急速行進) into any deal with Iran, as his administration played down hopes of
an imminent breakthrough in the three-month-old war that had been raised a
day earlier.
Trump indicated the U.S. blockade on Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz
would "remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached,
certified, and signed."
Joe Federman has details.
That was Joe Federman.
Madrid Protests Against Rising Housing Costs
Thousands have rallied in central Madrid against spiraling housing costs that
have priced many Spaniards out of the market.
Protesters chanted slogans and held banners highlighting their right to
housing.
The country has a tradition of homeownership and limited public housing
(公共住宅), with rents driven up by tourism and immigration.
Last month, Spain’s government passed a 7 billion euro plan to build more
public housing.
However, a decree to extend temporary rent freezes did not pass Parliament.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 80-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 41,448
on turnover of $12.8-billion N-T.
The market rebouded on Thursday after losing ground for five consecutive
sessions following a solid earning's report from Nvidia, which lifted
investor interest in tech stocks.
Taiwan targets 100,000 monthly drone output and export growth
The Ministry of Economic Affairs says the island's drone industry is expected
to expand significantly (顯著地) by 2030.
According to the ministry's Industrial Development Administration, Taiwan's
drone output value grew 2.5-fold last year to 12.9-billion N-T under a
government program to develop the unmanned vehicle sector.
The administration says current monthly drone production capacity is about
15,000 units, but the industry can quickly scale-up as demand increases,
This means capacity is projected to exceed 100,000 units per month by 2030
and 50-per cent of that total will be exported.
Exports of Taiwan-made drones currently account for just over 20-per cent.
The top buyers are the Czech Republic, Poland and the United States.
Elderly anteater missing from Taipei Zoo
The Taipei Zoo is asking for public help in finding a lesser anteater that
escaped from its enclosure (圍起來的區域) earlier in the week.
According to the zoo, the anteater has not been seen since Monday and 65
staff members have been searching for the 12-year-old animal.
She was last seen on surveillance cameras around 6:55PM on Monday near a
visitor walkway in a bromeliad garden.
Zookeepers are speculating that a banana tree inside the enclosure may have
snapped under the animal's weight while she was climbing, creating a "bridge"
to an adjacent artificial rock formation, allowing her to escape.
The zoo says lesser anteaters are nocturnal and tend to hide in dense
vegetation during the day, which makes the search efforts difficult.
The searches so far have been focused on the zoo's rainforest zone, nearby
trails, and hillsides around the giant panda exhibit.
Israel Releases Gaza Flotilla Activists
Israel says it has released and deported hundreds of activists who took part
in a flotilla attempting to breach Israel's naval blockade (海上封鎖) of Gaza.
About 420 activists placed on a flight to Turkey landed Thursday in Istanbul.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said all foreign activists had been deported.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the deportations after criticizing
Israel's national security minister for taunting detained activists.
The flotilla, with over 50 boats, left from Turkey to draw attention to
Gaza's conditions.
US House to vote on limiting Trump's Iran war power
The US House of Representatives is expected to vote on legislation that would
severely (程度很深，嚴重) limit president Donald Trump’s ability to continue to wage
war against Iran.
A similar war powers resolution passed the Senate earlier this week.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Mexico US Homeland Security Sec Visiting
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said that she and the U.S. Homeland
Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin agreed to maintain bilateral cooperation
rooted in mutual respect.
Mullin's two-day Mexico visit follows tensions over the deaths of two CIA
agents at Mexico’s northern border and U.S. indictments against 10 Mexican
officials.
Sheinbaum's administration has emphasized cooperation while maintaining
sovereignty.
Mullin, who assumed the position in March after Kristi Noem’s departure
(離開), is also scheduled to meet with Mexico’s Security Cabinet.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 242-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
40,263 on turnover of 14.-billion N-T.
The market lost ground for a fifth consecutive session on Wednesday, after
Wall Street stumbled overnight and gave back more of its record-setting rally
as invertors shunned tech stocks.
CDC raises Ebola travel advisory for DRC and Uganda
The Centers for Disease Control has raised the level of its Ebola travel
advisory for Congo and Uganda and is urging hospitals and doctors clinics to
ask patients about their travel and exposure history.
The C-D-C has raised its travel advisory for Congo and Uganda from "watch" to
the second-level "alert."
That advisory level urges travelers to "take enhanced precautionary (預防性的)
measures" in regions experiencing Ebola outbreaks.
However, the C-D-C is stressing that it considers the Ebola outbreak's threat
to Taiwan relatively low.
Detection of hidden camera in Taichung store triggers more inspections
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen says inspections of retail spaces will extend to
17 big-box and department stores starting from tomorrow.
The statement comes after a camera invading customers' privacy (隱私) was found
in a fitting room at a local store.
According to Lu, citywide inspections for illegal hidden cameras had
previously focused on cosmetic surgery clinics, sports facilities with
changing rooms, and saunas ..
.. but they will now be expanded to department stores and other big-box
stores with fitting rooms, as they could be "hot spots" for covert filming.
The move is in response to the discovery of a surveillance camera pointing
toward a mirror inside a fitting room at the Under Armour store in Mitsui
Shopping Park LaLaport in Taichung.
US indicts former Cuban president Raul Castro
The US Justice Department has field criminal charges against Raúl Castro, the
94-year-old former president of Cuba.
He’s been charged with murder and a conspiracy (陰謀) to kill U.S. citizens
stemming from the fatal downing of two planes 30 years ago.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington
UN Votes for Climate Change Resolution
The U.N. General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to support strong action
to prevent climate change.
The 193-member world body approved a nonbinding resolution Wednesday
endorsing the landmark advisory opinion by the U.N.’s top court last July
that called failure by countries to protect the planet from climate change a
violation of international law.
The measure was opposed by the U.S., Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia — some of
the highest oil-producing nations and major emitters (發出者) of greenhouse
gas.
The text includes adopting a national climate action plan to limit global
temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, phasing out subsidies for
fossil fuel exploration, production and exploitation (開發利用, 不公平地使用); and
urging those in violation to provide “full reparation” for damage.
The U.N. resolution had initially included stronger language from the
International Court of Justice opinion that called for establishing an
“International Register of Damage” to record evidence and claims, but it was
removed after nearly a dozen consultations in order to receive more support.
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Tai-Ex opens higher
The Tai-Ex opened higher (開高) this morning.
It was up 28 points at 40,204.
Turnover (成交量) was 9.1-billion NT.
The market fell on Tuesday for a fourth day in a row.
Investors sold tech shares because of worries about the war with Iran.
Some investors moved their money into non-tech shares (科技股).
Government to expand parental leave and family support measures
Premier Cho Jung-tai has announced new plans to help families.
The measures are aimed at Taiwan's falling birth rate (出生率).
They include longer parental leave (育嬰假) and tax breaks (稅務優惠) on housing for
parents.
Cho says the government wants to support children from birth to age 18.
The plan would cover childbirth, child care and education.
It is expected to go to the Cabinet for approval on May 28.
CDC confirms first mpox clade Ib case
The Centers for Disease Control has confirmed (證實) the first m-pox clade Ib
case in Taiwan.
Officials say the case was imported (境外移入病例).
It involves a man in his 20s.
Another new mpox case this month involves a man in his 40s in northern Taiwan.
The CDC says neither man had been vaccinated (已接種疫苗) against mpox.
Mpox became a notifiable disease in Taiwan in 2022.
Israeli Airstrikes in Lebanon Leave Over Dozen Dead
Lebanon's Health Ministry says Israeli airstrikes (空襲) in southern Lebanon
have killed at least 19 people.
The dead include four women and three children.
The strikes come as fighting continues between Israel and Hezbollah.
That is despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire (停火).
Israel says it is targeting Hezbollah infrastructure.
Hezbollah is both a militant group and a powerful political group in Lebanon.
More than one million people in Lebanon have been displaced (流離失所的).
US government drops tax claims against Trump as part of IRS lawsuit deal
The U.S. government has agreed to drop tax claims (稅務索賠) against President
Donald Trump.
The deal is part of Trump's 10-billion U.S. dollar lawsuit (訴訟) against the
IRS.
The lawsuit is about the leak of Trump's tax returns.
The settlement (和解協議) could protect Trump from more review of his finances.
It also creates a fund of nearly 1.8-billion U.S. dollars.
The money would go to people who say they were targeted for political reasons.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally lower this morning from yesterday's close, at
40,883 on turnover of 11-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Monday, as investors reacted to a decline on Wall
Streeet at the end of last week and opted to shun big tech stocks.
With analysts saying the decline cames as the market is pulling back from
recent record highs and moving into consolidation mode.
MOFA talks hopes for Trump to talk with Lai
Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi says the government would welcome a
direct call between U-S President Donald Trump and President Lai Ching-te.
The statement comes as Chen told reporters that Trump's recent remarks that
arms sales to Taiwan could be used as a bargaining chip with China and he was
still undecided on new arms sales to the island.
Trump also appeared to suggest that he was seeking to speak with Lai about
the issue - albeit (雖然，儘管) without actually naming him.
According to Chen, Trump's remarks had "caused some unnecessary concern" in
Taiwan, despite the government believing that "nothing has changed."
The deputy foreign minister is also stressing that the government is seeking
confirmation from Washington about whether Trump wants to speak to Lai and is
also using all available channels to understand what the U-S side is actually
thinking.
Taiwan students win eight awards at world robotics competition
Taiwan students have won eight awards at this year's Robofest World
Competition - which took place at the Lawrence Technological University in
Michigan.
They bagged two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze at the international
robotics competition.
Dozens of Taiwanese elementary, junior high, and senior high school students
competed against teams from 25 countries.
Taiwan's representative office in Chicago has presented congratulatory
messages to the award-winning students, commending (讚揚) their dedication
(奉獻、投注（時間、精力等）) and encouraging them to continue striving for excellence in
their future endeavors.
Israel Intercepts Flotilla Headed to Gaza
The Israeli military has intercepted boats in international waters off the
coast of Cyprus, part of a flotilla attempting to break Israel's naval
blockade of Gaza.
More than 50 vessels departed from Turkey last week.
Organizers say the boats were intercepted Monday 250 nautical miles from
Gaza's shores.
Cypriot authorities confirmed the interceptions on Monday took place outside
its territorial waters.
Israel's Foreign Ministry called the flotilla a provocation (挑釁) while Turkey
condemned the intervention as piracy.
The blockade has been in effect since 2007, restricting movement in and out
of Gaza.
Previous attempts to breach the blockade have failed.
Organizers hope to draw attention to Gaza's living conditions.
Tanzania's President, Dangote hold talks in Dar es Salaam amid refinery debate
Tanzania’s President held investment talks in Dar es Salaam amid growing
regional competition over a refinery project’s location (地點).
Isaac Lukando reports.
Mexico Uruguay Aid Arrives in Cuba
A ship carrying humanitarian aid from Mexico and Uruguay has arrived in
Havana to help ease Cuba’s spiriling crises.
The ship, which left from a Mexican port, includes food and personal hygiene
items, according to a government statement.
Cuba’s food industry minister says the aid arrives during a time of great
economic hardship, worsened by the U.S. blockade.
The aid will prioritize children, the elderly, and vulnerable (易受影響的，易受傷害的)
families.
Cuba’s economic and electric crises have deepened this year after the U.S.
invaded Venezuela in January, halting (停頓) critical oil shipments.
A severe gas shortage and widespread blackouts continue across the island.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 76-points this morning from Friday's close, at 41,095
on turnover of 9.8-billion N-T.
The market lost 1.39-per cent on Friday after falling back close to the
41,000 point mark, as U-S President Donald Trump wrapped up his summit in
Beijing with China's Xi Jinping.
FM in Geneva for WHA sidelines events
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung will be attending events organized by the
government and N-G-O's in Geneva this week to coincide with the upcoming
World Health Assembly.
The trip means that Lin is Taiwan's first top diplomat to have visited the
Swiss city during the annual meeting of the global health body.
Lin says he has already attended two events there with Health Minister Shih
Chung-liang.
Taking to Facebook, the foreign minister said he attended an annual symposium
organized by the European Federation of Taiwan Health Alliance and a banquet
(宴會) hosted by the health ministers and permanent representatives of allied
nations in Geneva.
Taiwan's representative office in Geneva, says Lin and Shih also held a press
event on Sunday to release a government-produced promotional video calling
for Taiwan's inclusion in the W-H-A.
Japan variety goods chain 3coins to open 1st shop in Taiwan in August
And,
Japanese discount variety goods chain, 3 coins, is slated to open its first
outlet here in Taiwan in August.
The company says its first store will open in an Eslite Spectrum outlet
located on Wuchang Street in Taipei's Ximending business district.
3coins' has a pricing strategy in Japan of charging only 300 Japanese yen, or
about 60 N-T for most of the products it displays
The retailer provides a wide range of products, from kitchenware to cosmetics
and beauty goods, and seasonal (季節性的) merchandise.
Competing Discount Japanese variety chain, Daiso, opened its first shop in
Taiwan in the early 2000s.
Ukraine conducts large-scale drone strikes on Russia, killing 4 and wounding a dozen others
Ukraine conducts large-scale drone strikes on Russia, killing 4 and wounding
a dozen others.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
Canada Confirms Hantavirus in One from Cruise
Canada's national health agency confirms that one of four Canadians returning
from a cruise ship with a hantavirus outbreak has tested positive.
The Public Health Agency of Canada announced the positive test Sunday,
following initial reports from the public health officer for the province of
British Columbia.
The individual, part of a couple in their 70s from the Yukon, is hospitalized
in Victoria.
The other three travelers are also in isolation.
The outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius has resulted in three deaths and
10 confirmed cases.
The agency states the risk to the general Canadian population remains (保持)
low and is working with the World Health Organization on the investigation.
Oldest Surviving English Poem Discovered
Researchers in Dublin have uncovered the oldest surviving English poem in a
Roman library.
The poem, "Caedmon’s Hymn," was composed in Old English by a Northumbrian
worker in the seventh century.
It appears within the Latin text "Ecclesiastical (教會的) History of the
English People" by the monk known as the Venerable Bede.
The discovery highlights the diffusion of the English language centuries
earlier than previously believed.
The manuscript had a complex history, traveling across Europe and the
Atlantic before being found in Rome's public library.
The library's digitization (數位化) efforts may lead to more discoveries.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 79-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 41,830
on turnover of $17.7-billion N-T.
The market closed higher on Thursday as the electronics sector was in focus,
but the gains were capped by technical resistance ahead of the 42,000-point
mark - as the main board followed a rally on Wall Street overnight, led by
large-cap AI-related electronics stocks.
Taipei Zoo otter arrives in New Zealand for conservation program
The Taipei Zoo says one of its Asian small-clawed otters has arrived at New
Zealand's Auckland Zoo to participate in an international conservation
program aimed at contributing to biodiversity.
According to the zoo, the otter departed for Auckland on Tuesday evening to
participate in the program, which is being coordinated by the European
Association of Zoos and Aquaria.
The program selected the Taiwan-born otter to help conserve the Asian
small-clawed otter population by contributing to genetic diversity through
its transfer (搬遷) to the New Zealand zoo.
The otter is currently undergoing quarantine procedures in Auckland, after
which it will join the zoo's Asian small-clawed otter family.
The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest otter species and is commonly
found in the wetlands, rivers, and lakes of Southeast and South Asia.
It is listed as "vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of
Nature Red List of Threatened Species.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister says India's mediator role would be welcome
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister says he told top Indian officials that Tehran
would welcome any diplomatic initiative (新措施) by New Delhi regarding the
West Asia war.
This comes as the Foreign Ministers of BRICS nations, which include India,
Russia, China, Iran, and the UAE are meeting in New Delhi.
Ishan Garg tells us more.
Bolivia Clashes Erupt as Miners Protest in Capital
Clashes have erupted in Bolivia's capital as police use tear gas to disperse
miners trying to breach the government palace.
The miners set off small dynamite charges, a tactic that's become common
during this second week of nationwide unrest.
The unrest challenges President Rodrigo Paz, who was sworn in late last year,
marking a new era after nearly 20 years of one-party rule.
Thousands of miners descended (降臨) on downtown La Paz to demand labor
reforms and fuel.
As the hours passed, they began chanting for the president’s resignation.
Blockades and marches have paralyzed the Bolivian capital in recent days.
Austria Eurovision Heads into Finale
The Eurovision Song Contest final lineup is set after Thursday's second
semifinal.
Fifteen countries competed for 10 spots in Saturday's finale, with votes from
national juries and viewers worldwide deciding the outcome.
Denmark, Australia, and Bulgaria are among those advancing.
The U.K., France, Germany, Italy, and host Austria automatically qualify.
Political tensions are clouding the pan-continental pop contest, with
protests against Israel's participation and a five-country boycott.
Despite challenges, Eurovision plans to expand with a spinoff (分支，番外篇)
in Asia later this year. Organizers also hope Hungary will return to the
contest for the first time since 2016.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 121-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
41,496 on turnover of 18.4-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply lower on Wednesday, as the bellwether electronics
sector was dragged down following losses by U-S tech companies on Wall Street
overnight amid a surge in inflation in America.
Gov't touts Taiwan as a full APEC member
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is insisting that Taiwan remains a full APEC
member.
It comes after China's Taiwan Affairs Office said Taiwan's participation in
the forum is conducted under the "one-China principle."
China is hosting this year's APEC events.
The foreign ministry here in Taipei says Taiwan formally became a full APEC
member economy in 1991 under the name "Chinese Taipei" through the signing of
an accession (正式加入) MOU.
The ministry is also calling on Beijing to "fulfill its duties and
commitments as APEC host in accordance with APEC guidelines, standards, and
practices."
Taipei expands rat control measures, seeks national monitoring model
And,
The Taipei City Government's Department of Environmental Protection says its
stepping up efforts against rodent infestations by expanding tracking methods
…
.. while also call central government to establish a unified national
monitoring system to better assess (評估) pest control effectiveness.
According to the department, until such a system is established, the city
will expand its use of the "trap-night" method, while also tracking active
rat burrows and public reports as indicators of infestation trends.
The department also says it currently has more than 80 disinfection
specialists, each assisted by one or two cleaning workers, which should be
sufficient to meet current demand.
Russia Launches Massive Drone Attack on Ukraine
Russia has launched a massive daytime drone attack on Ukraine, firing at
least 800 drones across 20 regions of the country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says at least six people were killed
and dozens wounded, including children.
Wednesday’s targets included the cities of Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa.
Zelenskyy is warning of possible cruise and ballistic missile attacks by
Moscow following the drone barrage (猛烈的攻擊).
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have
suggested the war could be nearing an end.
However, they provided no evidence or details to support those statements.
BRICS Foreign Ministers meet in New Delhi amid internal rift
BRICS foreign ministers are arriving in India today ahead of a key meeting
later this week - with the grouping facing fresh internal strain.
The Iran conflict is casting a shadow over the bloc - even as New Delhi looks
to keep the focus on economic cooperation and Global South priorities.
Ishan Garg reports from New Delhi.
UK King Outlines Gov Plans
King Charles III has outlined the British government's legislative plans as
Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces pressure to stay in power.
In a ceremonial speech to Parliament, the king emphasized the U.K.'s focus on
energy policy, defense, and national security amid the conflicts in Iran and
Ukraine.
He also pledged action against antisemitism, highlighting British values of
decency (正直) and tolerance.
Starmer's leadership is under scrutiny (密切觀察，詳細檢查) after significant
losses in local elections.
Some Labour Party members have urged him to set a departure timetable, and
Health Secretary Wes Streeting might challenge him.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 102 points this morning from yesterday's close, at
41,795.
Turnover (成交金額) stood at 12.8 billion NT.
The market rose again on Tuesday after briefly reaching the 42,000-point mark.
The rise was led by major electronics stocks (電子類股), after U.S. tech
shares gained on Wall Street overnight.
Lai says obstruction of Eswatini visit proof of consolidating
authoritarianism
President Lai Ching-te says China’s alleged obstruction (阻撓) of his state
visit to Eswatini shows that authoritarian governments are becoming more
united.
Lai made the comments in a pre-recorded speech for the Copenhagen Democracy
Summit.
He said the world is now at an important turning point in the competition
between democracy and authoritarianism (威權主義).
Lai said authoritarian governments are using military threats, economic
pressure, cyberattacks, and grey zone tactics.
He said these actions are creating serious challenges for peace, stability,
and democracy.
Lai also said China is willing to damage aviation safety and order for
political reasons.
CDC to purchase over 7-million trivalent flu vaccines
The Centers for Disease Control says it plans to buy more than 7 million
trivalent (三價的) flu vaccine doses (疫苗劑量) this year.
That is 35,000 more doses than last year.
The CDC says the vaccines will include about 6.85 million standard flu
vaccine doses and about 200,000 enhanced immune-response vaccine doses.
This is the first time the CDC has bought enhanced immune-response flu
vaccines for the government-funded immunization program (免疫接種計畫).
The vaccines are being bought from GSK, Sanofi, Adimmune, and TTY Biopharm.
The first phase of the free government flu vaccine program will begin as
usual on October 1.
Lebanon Militant Group Calls for Withdrawal from Israel Talks
The leader of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah is calling on Lebanon to
withdraw (退出) from direct talks with Israel.
Naim Kassem said the talks are a concession (讓步).
He said Lebanon should hold indirect talks instead, through a third party.
Lebanon and Israel are set to hold another round of talks in Washington
starting Thursday.
The talks will focus on how to end the war and discuss future relations.
Although the U.S. helped arrange a ceasefire (停火) on April 17, Hezbollah
and Israel have continued to attack each other every day.
Hezbollah confirmed that one of its commanders was killed in an airstrike
near Beirut last week.
Lebanon’s health minister says 380 people have been killed since the
ceasefire.
That brings the total death toll to more than 2,800 since the war began in
March.
Modi heads to UAE and Europe with energy and trade on agenda
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the Middle East and Europe
this week.
The trip is being seen as one of his most important diplomatic visits
(外交行程) of the year.
Energy and trade (貿易) are expected to be major topics during the trip.
Ishan Garg has more from New Delhi.
Eurovision Down to Final 10
Ten countries have moved on to the Eurovision Song Contest final after the
first semifinal (準決賽).
They include Finland, one of the favorites, and Israel.
Israel’s participation has led five countries to boycott (抵制) the contest.
Israeli singer Noam Bettan heard both cheers and protest shouts when he
performed the rock ballad "Michelle."
Moldova, Croatia, and Sweden also made it to the final.
Estonia, Georgia, Montenegro, Portugal, and San Marino were eliminated.
The second semifinal will be held Thursday.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators (示威者) are planning to protest Israel’s
participation before Saturday’s final.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 90-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 41,880
on turnover of 18.5-billion N-T.
The market closed higher once again on Monday, but the gains were muted after
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing saw losses following a the Wall Street
Journal report that Apple could shift its orders to Intel.
Statute of limitations for child sex crimes to be extended
The Ministry of Health has announced draft amendments to Sexual Assault Crime
Prevention Act and the Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act.
According to the ministry, the planned revisions seek to change the starting
point for the statute of limitations in sexual assault cases involving minors
to when a victim turns 20.
The head of the ministry's Department of Protective Services says the
proposed amendments are aimed at ensuring victims can seek justice after
gaining a better understanding of their victimization (受害) and having
greater resources to speak out.
Under current regulations, the statute of limitations begins from the date
the offense was committed, making it difficult for victims abused as minors
to pursue legal action after reaching adulthood.
Taipei conducting 5-day cleaning drive to counter 'rat problem'
The Taipei City government is continuing a cleaning and sanitation (衛生)
drive across all 12 administrative districts this week, as it seeks to combat
concerns about recent increases in rat sightings.
According to the city government, the cleaning drive that began last Friday
in Zhongshan District is is now being expanded to other city districts
through Thursday.
City officials say sanitation work will focus on Nangang, Wenshan and Neihu
districts today.
It will continue tomorrow in Songshan, Daan and Xinyi districts, before
concluding on Thursday in Shilin and Beitou districts.
US Passengers exposed to Hantavirus arrive back in US
US health officials say eighteen passengers from a cruise ship linked to a
hantavirus outbreak have now been flown back to the US and placed under
monitoring.
One passenger who tested positive for the rare virus strain is being treated
in a biocontainment (生物隔離) unit.
Ira Spitzer has more.
Indigenous Orgs Urg UN Protections Against Organized Crime
Indigenous organizations from across the Amazon and Latin America have sent a
letter to the United Nations warning that organized crime — including
illegal mining, drug trafficking and logging — is driving violence and
environmental destruction in Indigenous territories.
The groups urged governments to avoid heavily militarized responses and
instead strengthen Indigenous-led protections.
Leaders from Peru’s Amazon warned criminal networks are increasingly
recruiting Indigenous youth, exploiting girls and expanding influence in
remote communities where state presence is weak.
Signatories say the expansion of organized crime is undermining Indigenous
governance systems and threatening communities that have long acted as
stewards (管理員) of some of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems.
The letter calls on the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to conduct
a dedicated study on organized crime and illicit economies in Indigenous
territories and urged U.N. agencies to include Indigenous perspectives in
anti-crime and anti-corruption policies.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 110-points this morning from Friday's close, at 41,714
on turnover of 19.5-billion N-T.
The market closed lower on Friday amid re-emerging concerns over tensions in
the Middle East after the U-S and Iran exchanged fire in the Strait of
Hormuz.
However, the main board still managed to close the day above the 41,000 point
mark.
Taiwan's top envoy in US warn China against attacking Taiwan ahead of Trump-Xi meeting
Taiwan's top envoy (最高代表) to the U-S, Alexander Yui has told Fox News
that any attempt by Beijing to take Taiwan by force would severely disrupt
global trade (擾亂全球貿易).
According to Yui, China needs to be aware that other countries with interests
in the region could respond to such an attack.
Yui said the Lai administration remains open to dialogue with China, but any
cross-strait talks must be based on mutual respect (相互尊重) and the US
position on Taiwan remains unchanged ..
….. as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are beneficial to all
relevant parties, including the U-S, China, Taiwan, and Japan.
The interview comes as U-S President Donald Trump is slated to travel to
China Wednesday evening for talks with Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Tuvalu delegation visiting Taiwan for tech and energy talks
A delegation (代表團) led by Tuvalu's transport, energy, communications, and
innovation minister has arrived in Taiwan for a five-day visit.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Simon Kofe is leading a
four-member delegation for talks on digital infrastructure (數位基礎建設),
communications, and energy security (能源安全).
The ministry says the delegation is slated to meet with several government
agencies and private sector companies to discuss information and
communications technology, digital governance, network resilience, and energy
development.
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung traveled to Tuvalu in March, where he held
talks with Tuvalu's Prime Minister Feleti Teo.
Those talks included a submarine cable project, Taiwan-Tuvalu cooperation on
digital resilience, and secure network infrastructure.
Remains of US soldier who went missing during military exercises in Morocco
have been recovered
The remains (遺骸) of one US soldier who went missing during military
exercises in Morocco has been recovered (尋獲).
AP's Lisa Dwyer reports.
Iran Nobel Laureate Transfered to Hospital
Nobel Peace laureate (得主) Narges Mohammadi has been transferred to a Tehran
hospital after collapsing (昏倒) in prison.
Her foundation says this comes after days of pleading by her family and
others.
Mohammadi has been granted a prison sentence suspension on bail.
She had been imprisoned since December.
She lost consciousness twice and was transferred to a local hospital on May 1.
Her foundation says the suspended sentence is not enough and that Mohammadi
needs permanent, specialized care.
The statement calls for her unconditional freedom (無條件釋放) and the
dismissal of all charges.
French President Visting Kenya
French President Emmanuel Macron has kicked off (展開) a visit to Kenya ahead
of a two-day Africa Forward Summit.
The gathering, which starts today, is meant to showcase France’s new policy
for the continent, in what Paris describes as a partnership of equals
(平等夥伴關係).
The summit comes after French troops completed their withdrawal (撤軍) from
West Africa last year.
On Sunday, Kenya and France signed 11 agreements involving investments in
various sectors, including an ambitious nuclear energy plant, modernized
transport, and sustainable agriculture.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 48-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
41,886 on turnover of $11-billion N-T.
The market continued to rally on Thursday - with the main board briefly
surpassing the 42,000-point mark for the first time to hit yet another new
intraday high, as investors were buoyed by hopes the Strait of Hormuz will
soon reopen to shipping.
Government seeking separate, tougher penalties for drug driving
Transport Minister Chen Shih-kai says the government is considering treating
drug-impaired driving as a distinct offense separate from drunk driving -
potentially leading to harsher penalties.
According to Chen, officials from the transport and interior ministries are
scheduled to meet next Monday to discuss possible amendments to current laws,
including tougher penalties and joint liability provisions for drug-impaired
driving.
Chen says while drug use itself is already a criminal offense, driving a
vehicle under the influence of narcotics - especially when it results in
injury or death - should carry tougher penalties than drunk driving.
The statements come amid growing concern over a recent spate of (一連串)
serious traffic accidents involving drivers under the influence of narcotics.
Those incidents include a drug-driving crash on May 4 that resulted in the
deaths two people.
Several lawmakers have voiced their support for criminal liability for drug
driving to be made different from that for drunk driving.
Iran Creates Gov Agency to Control Tax Vessels in Strait
Iran has created a government agency to control and tax vessels passing
through the Strait of Hormuz.
That's according to the shipping data company Lloyd's List Intelligence,
which reported the move Thursday.
The Iranian effort to formalize control over the channel raised new concerns
about international shipping as hundreds of commercial ships remained bottled
up (圍困，困住) in the Persian Gulf, unable to reach the open sea.
A spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry said officials in Tehran are still
reviewing messages from Pakistan, which is mediating peace proposals between
the Islamic Republic with the U.S.
Court strikes down Trump 10% global tariffs
A US federal trade court has struck down President Donald Trump's global 10%
tariff, declaring it illegal.
The White House imposed (強制實行,) the rate in February after the Supreme
Court ruled against the administration's Liberation Day tariffs.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
El Salvador News Outlet Assets Froze
Salvadoran investigative news outlet El Faro has announced that its members’
assets have been frozen.
The outlet on Thursday accused the government of President Nayib Bukele of
escalating political persecution.
El Faro has clashed (不相容，相牴觸) with Bukele over its investigations into
corruption, including alleged negotiations with gangs.
Bukele, who came to power in 2019 on an anti-corruption platform, has faced
criticism for cracking down on dissent.
The outlet learned of the asset freeze through a bank and property registry.
El Faro has been audited (查賬目) since 2020 over alleged tax evasion, which
it denies.
Many of its members now live in exile.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened 121 points higher this morning at 41,259.
Turnover reached $20.3 billion NT.
On Wednesday, the market set more closing records.
Tech stocks helped support the market after a rally (上漲) on Wall Street overnight.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing closed unchanged (持平).
But investors bought other chip stocks (晶片股), which gave the market strong support.
MOFA says Taiwan is working with allies to build drone supply chain center
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Taiwan is working to become the Asia-Pacific center for the democratic drone (無人機) supply chain (供應鏈).
The head of MOFA's Drone Diplomacy Task Force, Chiang Zhen-wei, made the statement at the Taiwanese-German Aerospace Conference in Taipei.
Chiang said Taiwan plays an important role in the global "non-red" drone supply chain because of its strong manufacturing abilities.
He said the task force is using Taiwan's experience in "chip diplomacy" to help develop the drone industry.
He added that drones could become an important part of Taiwan's national defense (國防).
At the same time, Taiwan is working with allies and like-minded countries to promote drone-related projects.
Lai gives top honor to Michael Fonte for supporting Taiwan-U.S. ties
President Lai Ching-te has given one of Taiwan's highest honors (榮譽) for foreign nationals (外國人士) to Michael J. Fonte.
Fonte is a former head of the DPP's mission in the United States.
He received the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon at a ceremony at the Presidential Office.
Officials said Fonte was honored for his important work in promoting Taiwan-U.S. relations.
Fonte first came to Taiwan in 1967 as a missionary (傳教士).
He worked with farmers in Taichung, Changhua, and Miaoli.
White House says deal may be coming to end Iran conflict (衝突)
U.S. President Donald Trump says talks with Iran are making progress.
Reports say a one-page memo (備忘錄) is being prepared. It could help end the war in the Middle East.
But Trump is also warning that he could resume (恢復) attacks on Iran.
His comments came 24 hours after his Secretary of State said Operation Epic Fury had ended.
Simon Marks reports from Washington.
Search continues for missing U.S. soldiers in Morocco
More than 600 military personnel (軍事人員) from several countries are searching for two U.S. soldiers missing in Morocco.
They disappeared during U.S.-African military exercises.
The search is now in its fifth day. Teams are looking in underwater caves and along the Atlantic coast near the training area.
Officials believe the soldiers may have been on a recreational hike (休閒健行) and may have fallen into the ocean.
The African Lion military drills include more than 7,000 personnel from over 30 countries. The drills are set to end Friday.
Moroccan and U.S. forces are taking part in the search, along with aircraft and vessels (船隻).
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened 213 points higher this morning at 40-983.
Turnover reached $21.3 billion NT
On Tuesday, the market continued to set new closing records.
Investors bought shares across different sectors.
But gains were limited because Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing entered a
period of consolidation.
MOFA says Paraguay president's visit shows strong ties
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Paraguay President Santiago Pena will
visit Taiwan later this week.
The ministry says the visit shows that ties (關係) between Taiwan and
Paraguay remain strong, despite pressure from China.
Pena will lead a group of business representatives to Taiwan for a four-day
visit. He will meet with President Lai Ching-te and other senior officials.
Officials say the talks will focus on investment, international cooperation
(合作), and ways to strengthen relations between the two sides.
The visit comes after reports that Beijing has been pressuring Paraguay to
cut ties with Taiwan and recognize China instead.
Taipei to launch new anti-rat campaign
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says the city will launch a new round of
sanitation (環境衛生) measures to deal with rat problems.
The city will also introduce "rodent control specialists" to help residents.
The move comes after many people posted online about seeing more rats in
parts of Taipei.
Chiang says households will be able to apply for a specialist to visit their
home.
The specialist will check for signs of rats and give advice on prevention
(預防) and control.
Officials say the specialists will help find where the rats are coming from,
improve home environments, and support better pest control.
Trump pauses Project Freedom, citing progress on Iran deal
U.S. President Donald Trump says the U.S. is pausing (暫停) Project Freedom.
The project has involved the U.S. Navy escorting (護送) ships through the
Strait of Hormuz.
Trump wrote on social media that the pause is because of "great progress" on
a possible deal with Iran.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Princess of Wales to make first overseas trip since cancer treatment
Britain's Princess of Wales will travel to Italy next week.
It will be her first official overseas visit since her cancer diagnosis
(診斷) and treatment.
Kensington Palace says Kate will spend two days in Reggio Emilia in northern
Italy.
The visit will focus on her work in early childhood development.
The trip will highlight the "Reggio Emilia approach."
This is an educational idea that focuses on relationships, the learning
environment, and the community in a child's development.
Kate said in 2024 that she was receiving chemotherapy (化療) for cancer.
Last year, she said she was in remission (病情緩解).
She has slowly made more public appearances since then.
But this will be her first overseas trip without Prince William.
Early childhood development is one of Kate's main areas of work.
She launched the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in 2021.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at
40,708 on turnover of 8-billion N-T.
The market posted a record daily gain of more than 1,700 points on Monday to
close above the 40,000-point mark for the first time.
Analysts says buying in the semiconductor industry was sparked by massive
spending proposed by major U-S cloud service providers last week and Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing was the largest beneficiary of that on Monday ..
… and saw its share price rose 6.56-per cent to close at a high of 2,275
N-T.
Premier directs ministries to assist shipping companies
Premier Cho Jung-tai has instructed government agencies to coordinate
assistance for Taiwan shipping company whose vessels are stranded due to the
blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the Cabinet, the directive was issues after the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs released data showing of the about 1,600 vessels from various
countries currently stranded (受困), eight are operated by Taiwan firms.
The Cabinet says Cho has asked the Ministry of Transport to coordinate with
the foreign ministry in contacting foreign governments and Taiwan shipping
firms, to offer assistance measures to enable the vessels to resume normal
operations as soon as possible.
However, the Cabinet has not released any details concerning how such
measures could be adopted.
Hon Hai's 2nd generation satellites launched successfully
Two second-generation satellites developed by Hon Hai has been launched
successfully into orbit from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
According to Hon Hai, the low-Earth orbit satellites PEARL-1A and PEARL-2B
have entered their intended orbits for expected on-orbit mission durations of
between one to three years.
The satellites have been primarily designed for payload technology
verification (驗証，確認) in communication and space science.
Hon Hai co-developed the satellites with the National Central University.
China Fireworks Explosion
State media in China says an explosion at a fireworks plant in a central
Chinese province has killed at least 21 people and injured 61 others.
China’s official news agency Xinhua says the blast occurred at a fireworks
plant in Changsha city of Hunan province on Monday afternoon.
Nearly 500 rescuers were deployed to the scene and evacuations were conducted
in danger zones.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the blast.
19 people jailed in France for facilitating a network of migrant smugglers
19 people in France received jail terms for facilitating (促進) a network of
migrant smugglers operating along the northern French coasts.
Prosecutors at the trial in the northern city of Lille (LEEL) said those
convicted worked as lookouts, masterminds, and drivers for smuggling gangs.
Ross Cullen reports.
Mauritania Lawmakers Sentenced for Insulting President
Two female opposition lawmakers in Mauritania have been sentenced to four
years in prison for insulting the president and inciting (煽動) violence.
Their lawyers say Monday that the charges stem from social media posts
accusing the president of discrimination against Black people and descendants
(後人) of slaves.
Last month, Marieme Cheikh Dieng and Ghamou Achour were charged with
“attacking the symbols of the state.”
Mauritania outlawed slavery in 1981 but human rights groups report around
149-thousand people remain in modern slavery in the country.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 301-points this morning from last Thursday's close, at
39,228 on turnover of 15.3-billion N-T.
The market fell on Thursday with a dramatic 922-point intraday swing amid
analyst warnings about overheating in the market, which surpassed the
historic 40,000 threshold just three prior to that.
Taiwan deepens medical cooperation with Eswatini, eyes AI integration
Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says Taiwan is expanding its long-standing
medical cooperation with Eswatini, with future efforts to focus on digital
health and artificial intelligence applications.
Shih made the remarks on the sidelines of a health forum in Taipei as
President Lai Ching-te is continuing a state visit to Southern Afican
kingdom.
According to Shih, Taiwan's medical mission in Eswatini has operated for
years, initially focusing on clinical services (臨床服務 ) and personnel
training with support from Taipei Medical University.
The health minister says the next phase will center on adopting Fast
Healthcare Interoperability Resources, an international standard for medical
records that could help Eswatini develop AI-assisted healthcare systems.
83-year-old arrested after Tainan arson and axe attack
Police in Tainan have arrested an 83-year-old man after he set fire to a
relative's home, attacked three people with an axe and stole an ambulance.
The city's Fire Bureau says firefighters were attacked by the man when the
entered the townhouse on Xinle Road in the city's South District after
arriving at the scene and finding smoke pouring out of the building.
Two emergency service personnel and one female resident of the building were
injured in the attack and taken to the National Cheng Kung University
Hospital for treatment (治療).
The man ran out of the building and jumped into an empty ambulance before
fleeing the scene.
Police followed the stolen ambulance to the Yongkang District before
arresting the suspect.
Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship Kills 3
The World Health Organization says that a suspected hantavirus (漢他病毒)
outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has killed three people and
sickened at least three others.
In a statement to The Associated Press on Sunday, the WHO said an
investigation was ongoing but that at least one case of hantavirus had been
confirmed.
One of the patients was in intensive care in a South African hospital, the
U.N.’s health agency said.
The company that runs the cruise said it was trying to evacuate two crew
members who were sick and still onboard.
The outbreak happened on the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius cruise ship.
US on WH Correspondents Dinner Attack
Authorities have more details about last weekend's White House
Correspondents' dinner attack.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports on what
Shakira Free Concert in Rio
Shakira has performed a free concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro.
The Brazilian city's mayor said 2 million people attended the event on
Saturday night.
It was part of her “Women No Longer Cry” world tour.
The performance is part of Rio’s effort to boost the economy after major
festivities such as the famous Carnival and New Year’s Eve festivities and
before the monthlong Saint John’s Day celebrations in June.
The mayor said the show could generate (產生) significant financial returns.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 267-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
39,571 on turnover of 16.8-billion N-T.
The market bucked rises registered in other neighboring markets and lost
ground on Wednesday, as investors reacted to a slump in A-I related stocks on
Wall Street.
Premier guarantees minimum wage to exceed NT$30,000 next year
Premier Cho Jung-tai is guaranteeing that the monthly minimum wage will
exceed 30,000 N-T next year.
Cho made the pledge (保證) during an award ceremony honoring model workers.
According to Cho, he's guaranteeing the monthly minimum wage will exceed
30,000 N-T in 2027 based on the rapid development of the island's economy and
markets across the country showing strong momentum.
The current monthly minimum wage is 29,500 N-T, while the current hourly
minimum wage to 196 N-T.
Baristas to compete as 'Chinese Taipei'
The Taiwan Coffee Association says competitors will be competing under the
name "Chinese Taipei" in events organized by the World Coffee Championships.
Competitors in the event have participated under the name "Taiwan" since 2007.
According to the association, the change is an unavoidable (不可避免的)
condition to safeguard participation rights and the new rules must be
followed to ensure continuing participation in international events.
Baristas from Taiwan regularly takes part in six major World Coffee
Championship events.
Two Jewish men stabbed in London
Two Jewish men have been stabbed in North London in what police are
describing as a terrorist incident.
Counterterrorism police are investigating possible links to recent arson
attacks on synagogues (猶太教堂).
Lara Bentley reports from London
SAfrica Protests Against Illegal Immigration
Hundreds of South Africans have protested in Johannesburg against illegal
migration.
Demonstrations have been held across the country, including Pretoria, with
anti-migration groups demanding stricter immigration enforcement
(執行，執法).
South Africa is a major economic hub that attracts many migrants seeking
opportunities.
Estimates of undocumented immigrants range from 3 to 5 million.
Protesters claim illegal immigration causes urban overcrowding, labor
tensions, and security threats.
The protests led to shop closures amid fears of looting.
The U.N. secretary-general has expressed concern over xenophobic (仇外的)
attacks.
South Africa plans to rebuild its busiest land ports to enhance security and
reduce illegal migration.
Thailand Thaksin to be Released Next Month
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to be released from a
Bangkok prison next month after a Justice Ministry panel decision to grant
him parole (假釋).
The Corrections Department announced on Wednesday that the 76-year-old
Thaksin will be released from Klong Prem Central Prison on May 11.
He has completed two-thirds of his one-year sentence, the minimum required by
law.
Thaksin was sentenced in 2023 for abuse of power.
His release marks the end of a legal saga that began when he returned to
Thailand after more than a decade of self-imposed exile.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 345-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
39,176 on turnover of 19.3-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Tuesday after selling set in just off the
40,000-point mark as investors remained cautious ahead of key U-S tech
earnings this week.
KMT-TPP alliance backs Lee Shu-chuan for New Taipei mayoral race
Former Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Shu-chuan of the K-M-T has been selected as
the joint nominee for New Taipei mayor after beating Taiwan People's Party
Chairman Huang Kuo-chang in a poll conducted by the two parties.
The results found Lee leading D-P-P candidate Su Chiao-hui in both surveys
Lee says the results marked "the beginning of responsibility" and he's
pledging (保證) to honor agreements between the K-M-T and the T-P-P -
including incorporating policy proposals put forward by Huang.
While Huang is pledging his full support for Lee's campaign, saying the
process reflected democratic values through dialogue and fair competition.
High speed rail to install platform doors at all stations
The High Speed Rail Corporation has announced plans to install platform
screen doors at all of its stations.
According to the company, construction is underway at its Hsinchu and Banqiao
stations - where the new screen doors are expected to be operational
(運作中的) in the fourth quarter of this year.
Screen doors will be next installed at Taichung, Taoyuan, Miaoli, Changhua,
Yunlin, Chiayi and Tainan stations.
Full installation of platform screen doors across the network is scheduled
for completion in the first quarter of 2028
The project is costing the corporation about 2-billion N-T.
Ukraine Accuses Israel of Allowing Russia Imports of Stolen Grain
Ukraine is accusing Israel of allowing the import of grain it claims Russia
stole from occupied areas.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says a vessel carrying grain arrived at an
Israeli port, calling the trade illegal and warning of sanctions.
Israel denies the vessel entered the port, although tracking shows it in
Haifa for days.
Israel's foreign minister dismissed (不理會，不考慮) the comments as "Twitter
diplomacy” and says Ukraine hasn't provided enough information.
kraine's Foreign Ministry says more vessels have arrived with grain it
describes as stolen.
Kyiv urges Israel to stop these imports, warning it could harm relations
between both countries.
Taylor Swift concert terror plotter stands trial
A man accused of plotting a terror attack at a Taylor Swift concert in
Austria is set to stand trial from today.
The 21-year-old is alleged to have planned to target a venue in Vienna in
August 2024. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted (被定罪的).
Europe correspondent William Denselow reports
Australia Proposes News Tax on Digital Giants
Australia is proposing to tax digital giants Meta, Google and TikTok a
proportion of their revenue (收入) to pay for news reporters.
The government released draft legislation Tuesday that it intends to
introduce to Parliament by July.
It would create a financial incentive (財務誘因) for the social media
companies to strike deals with news organizations to pay for journalism.
The platforms’ have said the proposal was a “digital services tax” that
misunderstood the evolving advertising industry and would fail to deliver a
sustainable news sector.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says a monetary value needs to be
attached to journalists’ work.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 84-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
39,531 on turnover of 24-billion N-T.
The market closed nearly 2-per cent higher on Monday, despite pulling back
after topping the 40,000-point mark for the first time in history.
New CEC chair outlines agency's key priorities
The newly appointed chair of the Central Election Commission has been
sworn-in.
Speaking at a handover ceremony, Michael You thanked President Lai Ching-te
and Premier Cho Jung-tai for their support and he pledged to lead the
commission as a neutral, fair, objective (客觀的) and professional body.
You also outlined the agency's key priorities - those being upcoming
elections, referendum procedures, absentee voting (缺席投票) and the
political rights of naturalized Chinese spouses.
You was a member of the D-P-P before leaving the party in 2019 and previously
served as the chairman of the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation.
Man filmed holding sea turtle on Taiwan island may face fine
The Pingtung District Prosecutors' Office says a man filmed holding a sea
turtle while visiting Xiaoliuqiu is facing a fine of up to 300,000 N-T.
The statement comes after the man was reported by a member of the public on
Sunday afternoon after he was seen touching a sea turtle near Vase Rock.
According to the Coast Guard Administration, the person who reported the
incident also provided video footage of the encounter and officers later
identified the man based on his clothing in the video.
He was found by Coast Guard personnel near the shoreline (海岸線) and taken
in for questioning.
Coast Guard officials say the man, in his 50s, is a Chinese national who is
visiting relatives in Taiwan.
British King & Queen arrive in DC
Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilia have arrived in the US for a
4-day visit, which will include a state dinner at the White House and an
address to Congress.
The royal visit is seen as an opportunity to smooth over (緩和) tense
relations and bolster ties between the UK and US.
Toni Waterman has more from Washington.
Canada PM Announces Gov Investment Fund
Canada's prime minister says the country is developing a government-owned
investment fund.
The fund will invest in major Canadian industrial projects in areas like
energy, infrastructure, mining, agriculture and technology.
It will start at $18 billion.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday that the federal government will
provide funds alongside private investors.
The money will help fund projects that Carney's government is focused on
building as Canada seeks to diversify away from the United States.
Sovereign wealth funds invest in assets such as stocks, bonds and real
estate.
They are typically funded by a country’s budgetary surplus (預算盈餘), which
Canada currently doesn't have.
The announcement came a day before Carney's government is due to announce its
spring economic update.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 926-points this morning from Friday's close, at 39,858
on turnover of 26.4-billion N-T.
The market surged more than 3-per cent Friday as Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing closed at a new high after the Financial Supervisory Commission
raised the investment ceiling for the stock by active exchange-traded funds.
Yilan village chief recalled over mining project in Indigenous territory
A village chief in Yilan has been recalled following controversy over his
handling of a mining project in an Indigenous traditional territory.
The recall vote against Lunpi Village chief Wu Ping-tsung in Datong Township
passed with 214 in favor of the recall, 120 against, and four invalid
ballots.
Accordibg to the Yilan County Election Commission, votes in favor accounted
for 35.31-per cent of the village's 606 eligible voters, exceeding both the
legal threshold and the number of opposing votes.
Initiators of the recall argued that Wu ignored local opposition to the
mining project and instead supported the developer under the guise of
(假借…的名義，以…為藉口) administrative neutrality.
They also says the recall was aimed at protecting future generations from
potential environmental harm.
Wu said in a Facebook post in March that the project proceeded in accordance
with the Indigenous Peoples Basic Law and he denied claims he supported the
company that won the bid.
Rain expected later next week
The Central Weather Administration says temperatures will rise further today,
with clear skies are forecast a across much of the island both today and
tomorrow.
However, new frontal system combined with a cloud system moving eastward from
southern China, is expected to pass Taiwan on Wednesday and Thursday.
That front is expected to bring cloudy skies and brief showers or
thunderstorms to the west on Wednesday, while eastern parts of the island
will scattered showers.
Showers are likely to continue across much of the island on Thursday.
The rain is forecast to ease off on Friday as northeasterly winds weaken and
we'll see mostly cloudy to sunny skies islandwide.
Russia Ukraine Strikes Leave Over Dozen Dead
Strikes across Ukraine, Russian-occupied territory and Russia have killed at
least 16 people.
The attacks on Sunday coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl
disaster, prompting warnings about risks near the plant.
Ukrainian forces struck an oil refinery in Russia, sparking fires.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russian attacks risk
repeating history.
Rafael Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency stresses the need for
immediate (即時) repairs to Chernobyl's protective shell.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development estimates (估計) that
the repairs will require at least $586 million US dollars.
Death toll from bus bombing in southwest Colombia rises to 20 during a waveof violence
The death toll has risen in the weekend bombing attack on a bus in Colombia.
AP correspondent Donna Warder reports.
Japan Earthquake Hits but No Damage Reported
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake shook part of northern Japan early today, but no
damage or casualties have been reported.
No tsunami advisory was issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the epicenter was west of the small town of
Sarabetsu on Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido.
The USGS said the magnitude was 6.1 and the quake was about 81 kilometers .
A week ago, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake prompted Japan to issue an advisory
(公告，警告) of a slightly higher risk of a possible megaquake for the
nation’s northeastern coastal areas.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 93-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 37,971
on turnover of 12.9-billion N-T.
The market closed at another new high on Wednesday as buying in the
electronics sector continued amid strong global demand.
Analysts say the local main board kept moving higher, led by tech stocks on
the back of continuing strong global demand for A-I applications resilient to
geopolitical unease.
LY committee slams China after Lai forced to cancel Eswatini visit
The Legislative Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee has passed a
resolution condemning Beijing for allegedly coercing three African countries
into revoking overflight permits for President Lai Ching-te's planned trip to
Eswatini, forcing the trips cancellation.
The motion denouncing Beijing's "coercion" of third countries to revoke
(撤銷) overflight permits for Taiwan's head of state was introduced to the
committee by D-P-P lawmakers
The proposal received cross-party backing and passed without objection.
According to D-P-P lawmaker Puma Shen, China used economic leverage to force
other countries to revoke flight permits in direct interference in matters of
national sovereignty.
Economics minister touts Taiwan now sourcing 60% of crude oil from US
Economics Minister Kung Ming-hsin says the government has significantly
increased its reliance on the U-S for crude oil imports -- which now account
for about 60-per cent of total supply.
The move marks a sharp rise from previous levels.
According 2024 data, about 30-per cent of Taiwan's crude oil imports
previously came from the U-S, with most of the remainder sourced from the
Middle East.
Speaking at a legislative committee heairng, Kung said C-P-C and Formosa
Petrochemical have both adjusted shipping routes, with most cargoes now
avoiding the Persian Gulf and instead transiting through the Red Sea and
other export channels.
The economics minister went on to stress that Taiwan currently maintains
(維持) crude oil reserves equivalent to about 140 days of consumption.
EU envoys agree on Ukraine loan
European Union ambassadors have agreed on a loan (借款) for Ukraine worth
more than 100 billion dollars.
The announcement came after Kyiv said that Russian oil is once again flowing
through a pipeline connecting Hungary and Slovakia.
William Denselow reports from Brussels.
Canada PM Defends Policy on US Trade
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says that Washington cannot dictate
(決定，規定) the terms of the continental trade deal known as USMCA.
He spoke to reporters on Wednesday in Ottawa and acknowledged (承認) the
challenges ahead of the agreement's review in July.
The deal has linked the North American economies since the 1990s but faces
issues due to the Trump administration's tariff policies.
Carney stresses the need for negotiations to address trade irritants
(刺激物).
He responded to reports of U.S. demands for concessions, highlighting
Canada's strengths and diversification efforts.
Carney also defended Canada's trade policies, including protecting dairy and
opposing the "Buy Canadian" policy criticism.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 22-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 37,627
on turnover of 8.3-billion N-T.
The market closed at yet another record high on Tuesday after tech stocks
soared on the back of continuing investor optimism over the development of
artificial intelligence infrastructure and applications.
Lai says Taiwan's wishes to Eswatini's King 'unaffected' by trip cancellation
President Lai Ching-te says "Taiwan's sincere wishes" to Eswatini's King
Mswati III on his Ruby jubilee will not be affected, despite political
interference by China forcing him to cancel his planned visit to the African
diplomatic ally.
Taking to social media, Lai said he "regretted" to inform the public that he
had to suspend his trip on the advice of his national security team, but
Taiwan continues to cherish its friendship with Eswatini …
… and he will send special envoys to attend events marking the 40th
anniversary of the monarch's accession (登基) to the throne and the king's
58th birthday."
The Presidential Office is blaming "economic coercion" by China the
cancellation after the Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar rescinded (撤銷)
overflight permission for Lai's chartered plane.
General budget plan advances to committee review
The Cabinet's 2026 general budget proposal has been sent to committee review
after Premier Cho Jung-tai briefed lawmakers on its planning.
The budget had been stalled in the Legislature for more than six months,
prior to Cho briefing lawmakers on the compilation (編輯;編製) of the budget
and answering questions during a legislative hearing on Tuesday.
According to the premier, certain budget items have been deferred due to
concerns over parity among public servants and constitutional issues.
Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang presided over the hearing - after
which he announced that the proposal would be sent to the Finance Committee
and distributed to other committees in accordance with a set schedule.
Teenager Charged After Synogogue Arson Attack
A teenage boy has been charged following an alleged (據稱) arson attack on a
synagogue in northwest London.
Police say the incident is the latest in a series of attacks targeting Jewish
sites across the capital.
Mike Jagassar reports from London.
Spain Approves Plan to Tackle Housing Crisis
Spain's government has approved a major plan to tackle (處理) the country's
housing crisis.
Rising rental and housing costs have priced many Spaniards out of the market,
despite a recent economic boom.
The new plan, worth 7 billion euros, triples government investment in public
housing over the next four years.
It ensures subsidized housing cannot be reclassified after a few years.
It also includes help for young renters and home buyers.
About 40% of the money will grow the public housing supply, while 30% will go
toward property renovations.
The rest will focus on subsidies, especially for young people.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex jumped 700-points in early trading this morning after opening up
92-points from yesterday's close, at 37,051 on turnover of 11.2-billion N-T.
The main board added 739-points by 9:05 to reach to a high of 37,730 before
falling back to 37,689-points.
The rise came after market heavyweights Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing,
Hon Hai and Delta Electronics all made solid gains, as investors are eyeing
pending earnings reports from Intel, Microsoft, and Apple.
China's Liaoning aircraft carrier passes through Taiwan Strait
The Ministry of National Defense says it closely monitored the movements of
China's aircraft carrier, the Liaoning as it passed through the Taiwan Strait
yesterday.
The ministry has released a black-and-white surveillance photograph showing
an aerial (空中的,) view of the vessel - which shows several fixed-wing
aircraft and helicopters on the carrier's flight deck.
Defense officials have not specified where or when the photo was taken .. and
have also not disclose whether it was taken by a drone, an aircraft, or radar
system.
The last time the defense ministry reported a Chinese aircraft carrier in
the Taiwan Strait was mid-December of last year - when China's newest and
most advanced carrier, the Fujian, passed through the waterway.
Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage ends after eight-day procession
And,
The palanquin carrying two statues of sea goddess Mazu from Bai-sha-tun
Gongtian Temple in Miaoli County returned home on Monday.
It concluding an eight-day pilgrimage to Chiaotian Temple, also a Mazu
temple, in Yunlin County and back again.
The statues were escorted into the main hall and formally seated in the
Gongtian Temple on their return by tens of thousands of devotees (虔誠信徒).
The Bai-sha-tun Mazu pilgrimage set off on April 13 from Tongxiao Township,
led by a palanquin carrying three Mazu statues, one of which was from
neighboring Shan-bian Mazu Temple.
Organizers say this year's procession was joined by a record 460,000-plus
devotees.
UK PM: Officials deliberately withheld Mandelson security failure
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he takes "responsibility" for
appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, but insists he only became aware
that Mandelson had failed security checks last Tuesday.
Starmer faced calls to resign after it became public that UK Security Vetting
had advised denying clearance to the associate (朋友, 夥伴) of convicted sex
offender Jeffrey Epstein's associate in January 2025.
Lara Bentley reports from London.
Japan Approves Scrapping Ban on Lethal Weapons Exports
Japan has endorsed (合法化) scrapping a ban on lethal weapons exports.
The approval Tuesday by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet of the new
guideline clears a final set of hurdles for Japan’s postwar arms sales.
The move comes as the country accelerates its military buildup in the face of
growing security challenges in the region.
It's a major change of its postwar pacifist policy as the country seeks to
build up its arms industry and deepen cooperation with defense partners.
While the change of policy met with China’s criticism, it has been largely
welcomed by Japan’s defense partners like Australia and attracted interests
from Southeast Asia and Europe.
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Environment minister eyes 'urban forest' plan to expand city shade
Veteran cinematographer Lai Cheng-ying dies at 95
US backs a South Africa project to extract rare earths despite a diplomatic clash
Canada PM on Economy
Hong-Kong Fire Aftermath with Residents Returning
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 14-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 37,146
on turnover of $8.7-billion N-T.
The market continued to make solid gains on Thursday - as it closed above the
37,000-point mark for the first time as investor sentiment improved amid
hopes that the U-S and Iran will resume peace negotiations.
Market watchers say the rise came as investors here seized on (抓住) the
momentum of a rise on Wall Street overnight to raise their holdings, and
buying continued to focus on the electronics sector.
Social worker sentenced to 2 years in 'Kai Kai' infant abuse case
The Taipei District Court has sentenced a social worker to two years in
prison for negligent homicide over the failure to report suspicious behavior
in the case of a 1-year-old boy who died after repeated abuse by his foster
caregiver.
The court's ruling against Chen Shang-chieh, a social worker for the Child
Welfare League Foundation is the third conviction stemming from (源於，源自)
the December 2023 death of an infant known as Kai Kai.
The court faulted Chen in its verdict for what it called "passive inactivity"
in her role overseeing the child's case, despite being the person
best-positioned to "piece together the truth" that he was being abused.
The ruling can be appealed.
Agencies gear up for Dajia Mazu pilgrimage starting April 17
Local government agencies and the Taiwan Railway Corporation has been
stepping preparations for the annual Dajia Mazu pilgrimage which begins this
evening in Taichung.
The Taiwan Railway Corporation has scheduled 38 additional train services on
April 17 and 26 in order to better handle a huge increase in passenger
volume.
Meanwhile, police in Changhua have signed agreements with local temples and
organizations to ensure orderly conduct (行為) during the pilgrimage and are
pledging "high autonomous management, zero street brawls, low environmental
hazards and smooth traffic."
The theme of this year's Dajia Mazu pilgrimage is "kindness" - with
organizers highlighting the collective spirit of participants, volunteers and
support stations that provide food, messages and medical services along the
route.
Haiti Hunger Levels Drop but Remain Critical
A new report states that the number of people facing high levels of hunger in
Haiti is expected to drop slightly, although officials say the situation
remains critical.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification said Thursday that more
than 5.83 million Haitians are expected to face acute levels of hunger from
March to June, representing more than half the country’s population.
Meanwhile, nearly 1.9 million people are expected to face emergency levels of
hunger, just down from the projected 2 million people.
But the report said limited improvements are “insufficient" (不足的), and
points out that any small gains might soon be erased because of soaring oil
prices linked to the war in Iran.
US Federal agency approves concept for Trump's plan for a Triumphal Arch in Washington
And from the US….
A federal agency approves a concept (概念) for Donald Trump's Triumphal Arch.
AP correspondent Mike Hempen has the latest.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 37-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 36,759
on turnover of 8.4-billion N-T.
The market closed at yet another record high on Wednesday- led once again by
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing amid optimism over a new round of US-Iran
peace negotiations.
T-S-M-C, which accounts for over 40 percent of total market value, closed up
1.22-per cent at 2,080 N-T and its gains contributed about 200 points to the
Tai-Ex's overall rise.
TPP's Hsu Chung-hsin to replace Li Chen-hsiu in Legislature: CEC
The Central Election Commission has announced that Hsu Chung-hsin of the
Taiwan People's Party will replace the vacant at-large legislative seat
following the removal of Li Zhen-hsiu.
Li was expelled from the T-P-P earlier this week and subsequently lost her
legislative seat.
Hsu will serve for the remainder of the current term of the 11th Legislative
Yuan.
Li took office in February but faced controversy due to questions over
whether she had completed the legal process of renouncing (放棄) her China
nationality.
The T-P-P later expelled Li after she made comments the party said harmed the
party's reputation and unity.
Frontal system to bring wet weather in coming days
The Central Weather Administration says a weather front that began to affect
the island yesterday will have a bigger impact today and as the system
strengthens, rainfall will become more noticeable and extend southward to
Chiayi County.
However, the administration's forecast center says the front will be
relatively weak and will only lower temperatures slightly in north.
Another weather front is expected to approach Taiwan tomorrow - but the
forecast center says it is not likely to bring much rain or a significant
drop in temperatures.
However, seasonal wind system forecast to arrive over the weekend is expected
to bring a noticeable (顯而易見的) fall in the mercury in the north - but
that weather pattern is not expected to have much of an effect in the center
and south.
Nigeria Intelligence on Planned Attacks in Abuja Niger
An internal memo obtained by the Associated Press shows that Nigeria's
security forces have received intelligence on planned attacks on the capital
city, Abuja, and neighboring Niger state by terrorist groups.
According to the memo, the planned targets are the international airport, a
prison and a military detention center.
And the attacks would be carried out by Boko Haram and and sleeper cells of
its breakaway faction, known as ISWAP.
Nigeria is battling a complex security crisis, especially in the north, where
there is a decade-long insurgency (叛亂，造反) and several armed groups that
kidnap for ransom.
Last week, the U.S. authorized its non-emergency government employees and
their families to leave the Abuja embassy owing to a spike in terrorist
attacks, kidnapping, and violent crimes in the country, especially in the
north.
The embassy has been shut.
British lawmakers are in a jam over changes to the definition of marmalade
And finally…
British lawmakers are in a jam (陷入困境) over changes to the definition of
marmalade
AP correspondent Ed Donahue reports
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Lawmakers to negotiate the general budget and special defense bill
Termites blamed for exploding pavement in Banqiao
Lebanon and Israel hold first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington
Ukraine to produce drones in Norway
250 missing after Rohingya boat capsizes in Andaman Sea
Britain's King Charles to head to US
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 127-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
35,584 on turnover of $12.3-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed slightly up at a new closing high Monday after
recouping earlier losses, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to
blockade the Strait of Hormuz after failing to reach an agreement with Iran.
The market moved underwater during most of Monday's session in the wake of
Trump's threats, but bargain hunters turned active in the late session,
helping the Taiex recover its earlier downturn, with contract chipmaker
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in focus.
Analysts say investors also have high hopes that TSMC will provide positive
leads at its investor conference slated for Thursday, after it reported a new
high in sales for the first quarter.
Tony Leung in Xinyi for Masterclass
Hong Kong actor Tony Leung drew a crowd of fans and industry insiders to
Taipei's Xinyi district last night for a masterclass at the Golden Horse
Fantasy Film Festival.
The multiple Golden Horse best actor winner was accompanied by his wife
actress Carina Lau, as fans gathered outside the venue carrying movie posters
and merchandise hoping for autographs.
The masterclass was open only to film and television industry professionals
and students in related fields. Of the one thousand people who applied, just
300 were selected to attend.
Following the masterclass, Leung took part in a post-screening discussion
alongside Hungarian director Ildiko Enyedi, whose new film "Stille Freundin"
features (由…主演) Leung in a lead role.
The two shareed their experiences preparing for the film with the audience.
(NS)
French cement giant Lafarge found guilty of financing terrorism
A court in Paris has found the cement giant Lafarge guilty of financing
terrorism.
The company was ruled to have paid armed groups protection money to maintain
its business in Syria after the outbreak of civil war.
Ross Cullen reports.
Haiti Arrests Suspects in Fatal Stampede
Authorities in Haiti have arrested seven suspects, including five police
officers, after a fatal stampede (獸群或人群因恐懼引發的奔逃) killed at least
25 people at a historic mountaintop fortress over the weekend.
A police statement issued on Monday says that among the arrested are two
employees of Haiti’s Institute for the Preservation of National Heritage.
The institute oversees La Citadelle, a fortress in the northern town of Milot
built in the early 1800s where Saturday’s stampede occurred.
Dozens of people were injured, with 30 reported to still be in hospital on
Sunday.
It's not clear what caused the stampede. Authorities say the investigation is
ongoing.
Colombia to Cull Wild Hippos
Colombian officials have authorized a controversial plan to cull (限量捕殺)
dozens of wild hippos that are descendants of animals brought to the country
in the 1980s by notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar.
They have been roaming freely around one of the country’s most fertile
areas, threatening villagers and displacing local species.
The animals are not native to South America.
Escobar brought in hippos as he built a private zoo at a gigantic ranch that
served as his rural abode.
Colombia's authorities say previous attempts to control the hippos'
population have been expensive and unsuccessful.
Because Colombia’s hippos come from a limited gene pool and could carry
diseases, taking them back to their natural habitat in Africa has been
considered unfeasible (不可行的).
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 5-points this morning from last week's close, at 35,422
on turnover of $5.9-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed at a historical high Friday with large-cap tech
stocks in focus after Israel said it was seeking direct talks with Lebanon.
Analysts say market sentiment improved around the region and in Taiwan,
investors rushed to buy into tech stocks.
Southern Taiwan Sees High Temps
Southern Taiwan is seeing summer-like heat today, ahead of a series of
weather fronts moving in later this week.
The Central Weather Administration has issued heat advisories for Tainan,
Kaohsiung, Pingtung, and Taitung, warning of temperatures at or above 36
degrees around midday.
Taitung County is also on alert for foehn wind conditions.
Independent meteorologist Wu De-rong says today and tomorrow will be sunny
and stable (穩定) across the island, with morning fog possible in some areas
and afternoon heat comparable to midsummer.
Wu says a weak front is forecast to drift near northern Taiwan on the 15th
and 16th, bringing occasional brief showers to the north while the rest of
the island stays mostly sunny.
And another weak front is expected to brush through on the 17th and 18th,
bringing intermittent showers to the north and east, with the central and
southern regions staying partly cloudy and hot.
(NS)
Easter truce that wasn't
Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of violating (違反) a
Kremlin-declared Easter ceasefire as Orthodox Christians gathered to
celebrate the holiday.
The armed forces on both sides said they had recorded thousands of ceasefire
violations…
Donna Warder again.
Cuba President: US No Valid Reasons to Attack
Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel said the U.S. has no valid reason to
attack the island or to try to depose him.
In an interview aired Sunday, he warned that an invasion would be costly and
affect regional security.
He said Cubans would defend themselves if necessary.
The interview comes amid ongoing tensions between the two countries.
Diaz-Canel has accused the U.S. of a hostile (敵對的) policy and expresses
willingness for dialogue without conditions.
Cuba blames a U.S. energy blockade for its deepening woes, with a lack of
petroleum affecting the island's health system, public transportation and the
production of goods and services.
The arrival of a Russian tanker carrying 730,000 barrels of crude oil in Cuba
in March marked the island's first oil shipment in three months.
Russia has promised to send a second tanker.
UK Olivier Awards
The Olivier Awards have recognized top achievements in London theater, opera,
and dance for 2026.
"Paddington The Musical" wins big, taking home awards for New Musical,
Actor-Musical, Supporting Actress-Musical, Supporting Actor-Musical,
Director, Set Design, and Costume Design.
"Punch" is named Best New Play, while "Oh, Mary!" wins for New Entertainment
or Comedy.
Rosamund Pike and Jack Holden are honored as Best Actress and Actor in a
Play.
The Special Award goes to Elaine Paige.
The awards were handed out on Sunday, celebrating excellence across various
(各種各樣的) categories in the performing arts.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up nearly 90-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
34,951 on turnover of $10-billion NT.
Market optimism over prospects for a Middle East ceasefire lifted U.S.
stocks, carrying the momentum into Taiwan's market today.
Electronics and semiconductor indices both rose over 1-percent%, while
financial stocks bucked the trend, slipping around 0.4-percent.
Among heavyweight stocks, TSMC opened with a gain of 1.28-percent.
And memory chip duo Winbond Electronics and Nanya Technology both climbed
more than 3-percent.
(NS)
Potential typhoon will not affect Taiwan: CWA
A tropical storm southeast of Guam is expected to strengthen into a typhoon
— but the Central Weather Administration says it poses (構成) no threat to
the island.
The CWA says "Sinlaku" is the fourth tropical storm of the season, and is
projected to continue heading north before becoming a typhoon.
Forecasters say it will remain far from Taiwan and have no direct impact.
Closer to home, temperatures are forecast to hit 30 degrees Celsius across
Taiwan today, and foehn winds in Taitung could push temperatures above 36
degrees.
The hot weather continues through Tuesday, when an arriving weather front
will cool northern and central Taiwan.
Conditions will otherwise remain mostly sunny and stable through Monday,
with afternoon showers possible in mountainous areas.
Kuwait Accuses Iran and Proxies of Drone Attacks
Kuwait has accused Iran and its proxies of launching drone attacks targeting
it on Thursday despite the two-week ceasefire in the Iran war.
Saudi Arabia also says recent attacks damaged a key pipeline in the kingdom.
The statement from Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry about attacks on "vital Kuwaiti
facilities" put new pressure on the ceasefire ahead of planned talks Saturday
between the United States and Iran in Islamabad.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s state-run Saudi Press Agency, quoting an anonymous
official, acknowledged a recent attack in the war that damaged its crucial
(至關重要的) East-West pipeline.
That pipeline carries oil out to the Red Sea and avoids the Strait of Hormuz,
which Iran maintains a chokehold (實體控制) on despite the pause in the
fighting.
Artemis II astronauts describe their lunar voyage as surreal and profound ahead of Earth return
The crew of Artemis II is speeding towards home after their historic (歷史性)
trip around the moon.
AP correspondent Jennifer King reports.
UK Sea Creature Fossil Not Oldest Octopus
Scientists have found evidence that a 300-million-year-old sea creature
previously thought to be the world's oldest octopus is actually a nautilus
(鸚鵡螺) relative.
University of Reading zoology lecturer Thomas Clements led the research,
which found that the fossil, originally identified in 2000, had too many
teeth to be an octopus.
The creature, about the size of a human hand, was found in Illinois and had
puzzled scientists for years, because it is much older than the next-earliest
known octopus.
The findings, published this week, mean Guinness World Records will no longer
list the specimen (樣本) it as the earliest known octopus.
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New Taipei to help victims seek compensation in food poisoning case
THSR to add trains for Mother's Day weekend
Sunny and stable weather over next five days
US-Iran ceasefire in jeopardy over Strait
Venezuela to increase wages
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Vietnamese man identified as victim of fatal New Taipei semi-truck crash
Mercury to hit 33°C starting tomorrow
Taiwan Lottery introduces four new scratch cards
Oil slides after US-Iran ceasefire deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz
China and Russia veto UN resolution on Hormuz
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 99-points this morning from last week's close, at 32,671
on turnover of 5.9-billion N-T.
The market slumped 600 points last Thursday before the long-weekend holiday -
despite Wall Street moving higher overnight.
Republican congressional delegation visits Taiwan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says a U-S Republican congressional
delegation led by Zach Nunn is visiting Taiwan this week for a seven trip and
will meet with President Lai Ching-te.
Nunn is the chairman of the Republican Study Committee's National Security
Task Force.
Along with meeting Lai, the delegation will also be holding talks with other
senior officials to discuss Taiwan-US relations, regional security, economic
and trade cooperation, and developments in the Taiwan Strait.
Plastic supplies to remain sufficient amid oil concerns
The Ministry of Economic Affairs says supplies of plastic products remain
stable despite rising oil prices.
The statement comes amid concerns over potential shortages (短缺) of plastic
items and higher prices caused by the war against Iran and subsequent closing
of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the economics ministry, inventory checks across 350 shopping
districts around Taiwan had found plastic bag shortages in 42 districts and
in 284 of 1,033 markets.
The ministry is urgung consumers and businesses not to panic-buy plastic
products and is insisting that C-P-C- will boost production to ease (緩解)
fears of shortages.
Moscow says "no comments" on Trump's threats to Iran over the Strait of Hormuz
The Kremlin says it would to comment on the US President Donald Trump's
statements on the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump earlier warned Iran it will see major US attacks if no deal is reached
with Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday.
Our correspondent Daria Bondarchuk reports from the Russian capital.
Afghanistan Flooding
Afghanistan's disaster management authority says extreme weather has caused
widespread flooding and landslides, killing at least 110 people.
Another seven are missing.
Storms began about 12 days ago, affecting most of the country’s provinces.
Over the past 24 hours, 11 people have died, and six have been injured. T
he Defense Ministry used a helicopter to rescue two people stranded (被困住)
by floodwater in Herat.
Authorities issued weather warnings for Tuesday, urging people to avoid
rivers and flood-prone areas.
Two major highways remain closed due to landslides.
Canada BC VW Prank
Authorities in British Columbia have urged people to stay away from a rock
face above a highway in the Canadian province where a Volkswagen Beetle shell
was suspended (暫停) in an apparent prank (惡作劇) by engineering students.
Officials say the area around the Stawamus Chief rock formation is a “sacred
place” with deep cultural meaning to the Squamish Nation.
They say the Beetle was expected to be removed within the week.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and park rangers have been asked to
investigate.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 169-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
31,892 on turnover of 7.8-billion N-T.
The market tumbled nearly 800 points on Tuesday, led by the electronics
sector, amid weakening market sentiment as Donald Trump's war with Iran
continues.
Report say South Korea set to revise Taiwan e-arrival card designation
South Korea's Yonhap News Agency is reporting the Seoul is taking steps to
revise its electronic arrival card following call from Taiwan to change the
island's designation.
The system has listed Taiwan as "China (Taiwan)" in dropdown menus in its new
online entry system.
Reports say South Korea's foreign ministry now plans to remove the "previous
departure place" and "next destination" fields from the system.
The move comes after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here in Taiwan said it
would temporarily hold off on taking retaliatory (報復性的. ) adjustments -
citing South Korea's ongoing review and its expectation of a positive
response to its concerns.
The foreign ministry had said it would consider retaliatory adjustments to
how South Korea is labeled in Taiwan's electronic arrival system if no
response from Seoul was received by March 31.
CDC to buy record 7.05 million flu vaccines for free annual program
The Centers for Disease Control plans to purchase over 7-million flu jabs for
its annual publicly-funded vaccination campaign.
According to C-D-C Director-General Philip Luo, the government will purchase
a record 7.05-million doses of flu vaccine for this year's free flu
vaccination program in order to provide coverage (覆蓋範圍) for around 30-per
cent of the population.
The purchase has an estimated budget of 1.78-billion N-T and is expected to
be finalized later this month.
The C-D-C director-general says the government will once again be purchasing
trivalent vaccines for the fall flu season - meaning vaccines that protect
against two A and one B flu strains.
UAE Bars Iranians from Entering or Transiting
The United Arab Emirates has barred Iranians from entering or transiting
(過境) the country as the war rages.
That's according to three major airlines.
The long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad, as well as the lower-cost airline
FlyDubai, made the announcements today on their websites.
Authorities offered no official comment.
But the change comes as Dubai already has shut down the Iranian Hospital and
Iranian Club in the city, two institutions in the city-state dating back to
the time of the shah.
US journalist kidnapped in Iraq
An American female journalist has been kidnapped (被綁架) in Iraq.
The Iraqi interior ministry says one suspect had been arrested.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
King Charles April State Visit to US
King Charles III is going ahead with a state visit to the United States in
April, despite calls for the ceremonial (儀式的) event to be called off due
to U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated criticism (批評) of the British
government for failing to support the war in Iran.
Buckingham Palace said Tuesday that the king would travel to the U.S. in late
April to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Trump put the dates as April 27-30.
The king also will travel to Bermuda in conjunction with the U.S. trip, his
first visit to the overseas territory as monarch.
The visit follows Trump’s state visit to the U.K. in September, seen as part
of Britain’s effort to shore up the relationship between the two countries.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 99-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
32,419 on turnover of 9.3-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply lower on Monday as yet another a spike in crude oil
prices led investors to trim their holdings of large-cap stocks, particularly
those in the electronics sector.
KMT chair 'gladly accepts' Xi's invitation to visit China next week
K-M-T Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun has announced that she's "gladly accepted" an
invitation from Xi Jinping to visit China next week.
Speaking at a press conference after news of the invitation was released,
Cheng said she believe the two sides of the Taiwan Strait must firmly pursue
a path of peace to ensure regional stability, and the well-being of future
generations.
Cheng told reporters that the trip will "show the people of Taiwan and the
world that the two sides of the Strait are not destined for war, nor do they
need to remain on the brink of (處於邊緣) military conflict.
The six-day trip includes stops in Jiangsu, Shanghai and Beijing.
CPI will rise 1.9% in 2026 if oil prices average US$100
Central Bank Governor Yang Chin-long is warning that the consumer price index
is likely to jump 1.9-per cent this year, if international crude oil prices
increase to an average of 100 U-S dollars per barrel.
Speaking at a meeting of the Legislative Financial Committee, Yang said
although the projected 1.9-per cent growth in the consumer price index is
higher than the central bank's recent estimate of 1.8-per cent, it is still
below a 2-per cent alert level.
Yang also told lawmakers that the central bank will raise interest rates to
deal with inflationary pressure - and if inflationary concerns take hold, the
bank will also take steps to tighten its monetary (金融的) policy.
White House says it's not changing Cuba policy after allowing Russian oil delivery
The Trump Administration says its fuel sanctions on Cuba have not been
lifted, despite allowing a Russian oil tanker to make a delivery to the
island.
The US cut off shipments from Venezuela after deposing (罷免) the country's
president and threatened steep tariffs on countries that sent fuel to Cuba
-in a bid to pressure the government to collapse.
Toni Waterman has more from Washington.
Spain Catholic Church Takes Steps Towards Compensation for Sexual Abuse Victims
Spain’s Catholic bishops and the government have taken another step toward
compensating victims of sexual abuse by clergy members who have died or whose
possible crimes are too old to be prosecuted.
Spain's Catholic bishops agreed in January to let the Spanish government’s
ombudsman have the final say in the church’s compensation of such victims.
The government and Spain’s bishops signed paperwork on Monday detailing how
the new church-state reparation system would work.
The president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference Archbishop said that the
system would take effect April 15-th.
The text won't include amounts or scales for the compensation (賠償) that
sexual abuse victims would be entitled to (有權獲得/享有).
Compensation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 102-points this morning from Friday's close, at 33,009
on turnover of 8.4-billion N-T.
The market slumped on Friday, closing down 225-points, or 0.68-per cent,
after Wall Street had its worst day since the start of Donald Trump's Iran
war over growing doubts about a de-escalation and oil prices have gained more
than 1-per cent
Cancer treatment cost NHI record NT$156 billion in 2025
The National Health Insurance Administration says National Health Insurance
spending on cancer treatment rose to a record 156.7-billion N-T last year.
That was an increase of 26.5-billion N-T from 2020.
According to the administration, the number of patients seeking cancer
treatment increased to 970,104 in 2025, reflecting an average annual increase
of 5-per cent over the past five years.
Data shows breast cancer accounted for the largest number of cases.
The administration says the rising costs are mainly driven by Taiwan's aging
population and expanded cancer screening programs, reflecting increased
health investment and improved access (通路) to care.
CWA warns of aftershocks from Pingtung earthquake
The Central Weather Administration's Seismological Center is warning of
possible aftershocks over the coming week following Sunday's magnitude 4.7
earthquake the rattled (使慌亂，使緊張) the south Sunday morning.
That quake was centered some 29-kilometers south-southeast of Pingtung County
Hall at a depth of 23-kilometers and was felt across parts of Pingtung,
Taitung, Kaohsiung, Tainan and Chiayi.
According to the Seismological Center, the quake could result in aftershocks
of between magnitudes 4 and 5 on the weather administration's intensity
scale.
The center says the quake was caused by the Eurasian Plate subducting beneath
the Philippine Sea Plate along Taiwan's Chaozhou Fault zone.
Trump Fine with Russia Delivering Oil to Cuba
US President Donald Trump says he has “no problem” with a Russian oil
tanker off the coast of Cuba delivering relief to the island, which has been
brought to its knees (使陷入困境，打敗) by a U.S. oil blockade.
Trump told reporters as he flew back to Washington, that "they have to
survive".
Tracking data shows the oil tanker carrying approximately 730-thousand
barrels of oil, was just off the eastern tip of the island on Sunday night
and slated to land in the city of Matanzas by Tuesday.
Trump has effectively cut Cuba off from key oil shipments in an effort to
force regime change.
Island-wide blackouts have roiled Cubans already grappling with years of
crisis, and lack of gasoline and basic resources has crippled hospital and
slashed public transport.
Iran warns the US against a ground invasion as regional powers meet in Pakistan
Iran threatens the US as Pakistan says it will host talks between the
countries in a bid to broker an end to the war.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
Egypt Imposes Early Closing to Cut Energy Costs
Egypt is imposing early closing times for shops, cafes and restaurants to cut
oil use as energy prices surge (猛漲的) during the war.
The rules were enacted nationwide Saturday and are forcing most businesses to
shut by 9 p.m. for a month.
The government is also dimming (使變暗) streetlights and advertising.
Offices in the capital close by 6 p.m.
Some civil servants work from home one day a week.
Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly says Egypt faces soaring import costs for
fuel.
Tourist areas are exempt.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 70-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
33,267 on turnover of $5.6-billion N-T.
The market closed lower Thursday after giving up earlier gains amid lingering
concerns over the situation in the Middle East.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, which accounts for over 40-per cent of
total market value, lost 0.27-per cent and its decline cost the Tai-Ex about
200 points.
According to market watchers, foreign institutional investors have stood on
the sell side for most of the recent sessions and if such selling continues,
large-cap stocks could suffer further.
2,642 flu vaccine doses recalled over discoloration
The Centers for Disease Control has ordered the recall of over 2-thousand
doses of a government-funded flu vaccine following the discovery of a
discolored vial at a clinic in New Taipei.
The dose was manufactured by G-S-K and was found to be cloudy and white
during a routine pre-vaccination inspection.
The vial was reported and later classified as a defective product by the Food
and Drug Administration.
It was not administered.
The C-D-C says it traced the batch and found that 2,642 doses remained unused
across 14 jurisdictions (管轄權), including Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan and
Taichung.
However, about 545,280 doses from the same batch have already been
administered.
According to the F-D-A, the cause of the discoloration is under investigation
and the manufacturer has been asked to conduct a prompt probe under defective
product reporting mechanisms.
Maduro Back in Court Amid Dispute Over Legal Fees
Venezuela's former President Nicolas Maduro returns to a New York court on
Thursday, almost three months after US forces captured him in a dramatic
nighttime raid in Caracas.
Maduro's trial could be years away, but the court has to deal with a number
of issues first including whether the Venezuelan government should be allowed
to fund (提供資金) his legal defense.
Mitch McCann reports:
EU Investigating Snapchat
EU regulators are investigating Snapchat over fears it's not doing enough to
protect children from online harm.
The European Commission opened a formal case on Thursday under the Digital
Services Act.
Regulators say Snapchat’s age checks may not stop users under 13, or spot
users under 17.
Officials also worry that adults can pose as minors.
The commission says Snapchat may not stop grooming or criminal recruitment.
Snapchat said it has been fully cooperating with the Commission's
investigation.
Also Thursday, the commission accused four major porn sites of failing to
protect children from accessing (進入，使用) adult content.
Olympic IOC Excludes Transgender Women Athletes
Transgender women athletes are now excluded from the Olympics after the IOC
agreed to a new eligibility policy.
It aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order on women's
sports ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The International Olympic Committee says “eligibility for any female
category event at the Olympic Games or any other IOC event, including
individual and team sports, is now limited to biological (生物學上的)
females.
The committee says this will be determined by a mandatory gene test once in
an athlete's career.
It is unclear how many, if any, transgender women are competing at an Olympic
level.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 136-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
33,575 on turnover of 10.6-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher by 826 points on Wednesday after U-S
President Donald Trump claimed peace talks with Iran were underway.
The rally was the seventh largest point gain in the Tai-Ex's history and
helped it overcome (克服) technical resistance ahead of the five-day moving
average of 33,201.
Taipei District Court to hand down Ko Wen-je verdict this afternoon
The Taipei District Court is slated to hand down its verdict (判決) in former
Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je's corruption case.
The court session has been scheduled for 2:30PM.
Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of 28 years.
The case centered on allegations Ko accepted 17.1-million N-T in bribes from
Core Pacific Group Chairman Shen Ching-jing to approve the expansion of the
floor area ratio at his Core Pacific City project.
Ko has faces charges of embezzling political donations and of campaign
finance irregularities.
He has persistently denied any wrongdoing is all of the cases brought against
him.
$39 NT FamilyMart receipt wins invoice lottery's $10 million prize
And,
The Ministry of Finance says a 39 N-T receipt for two bottles of tea at a
FamilyMart was among the 10-million N-T special prize winners in the
January-February uniform invoice lottery.
The winning lottery numbers were released yesterday.
FamilyMart says two of the 10 million N-T winning receipts, two 2-million
grand prize winning receipts and three 200,000 N-T first-prize winning
receipts were issued (發出) at its stores.
While 7-Eleven is reporting that three 10-million N-T winning receipts and
three 2-million N-T grand prize winning receipts were issued at its stores.
TSA acting administrator: US airports have highest wait times in history
Airports in the United States are experiencing "the highest wait times in
history" according to the acting head of the Transportation Security
Administration.
During congressional testimony, Ha Nguyen McNeill said more than 480 agents
have quit after more than a month without pay under the partial (部分的)
government shutdown.
To try to address the airport lines President Trump has reassigned
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to support the TSA.
Kate Fisher reports
Mexico to Continue Cuban Doctor Program
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country would continue to have
Cuban doctors work in Mexico.
It comes a time when other nations across the Americas have ditched their
agreements with Cuba’s government in the face of mounting U.S. pressure.
The leader’s support of the Cuban medical program comes as President Donald
Trump has sought to isolate the Caribbean nation in an effort to push for
regime change.
The U.S. wants to end such missions, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio
calling it “forced labor” and a “form of human trafficking.”
Sheinbaum on Wednesday defended the program, pointing to all the help Cuban
doctors have offered during the COVID-19 pandemic and in rural (鄉下的) areas
across the country.
It's unclear exactly how many Cuban doctors currently work in Mexico.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 113-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
32,725 on turnover of 8.2-billion N-T.
The market bucked a regional upturn on Tuesday - after giving up initial
gains as investors rushed to take profits and opted to ignore comments by U-S
President Donald Trump that talks with Iran are underway.
MOFA thanks US senators for marking Taiwan election anniversary
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been thanking a bipartisan group of U-S
senators for introducing a resolution commending (讚揚) Taiwan on the 30th
anniversary of its first direct presidential election.
The resolution was proposed by senators Tammy Duckworth, Tim Kaine and John
Curtis.
The resolution commemorated Taiwan's first direct presidential election on
March 23, 1996, and praised Taiwan for setting an example of self-governance
for the Pacific region and beyond.
The foreign ministry says it welcomes the international community to continue
supporting democratic Taiwan with concrete actions, and that it will continue
working with the U-S and democracies worldwide to promote regional peace,
stability and prosperity.
Asustek warning that PC prices are expected to rise by 25-30% in Q2
And,
Asustek Computer is warning that P-C prices here in Taiwan are expected to
rise by between 25 and 30-per cent in the second quarter of the year.
The technology company is attributing (歸因) the price hikes to a sharp rise
in the cost of components, especially memory chips.
According to Asus Technology, P-C brands faced higher costs in the first
quarter, and prices will continue to rise in the second quarter due to a
global supply shortage of dynamic random access memory chips and solid state
drive hard disks.
Reports says that retail prices for P-Cs sold by leading brands rose by
between 10 and 15-per cent in the first quarter.
NTSB: Air Traffic controls doing the job of multiple people on night of deadly LaGuardia crash
A preliminary investigation into the deadly Air Canada crash at New York
City's LaGuardia Airport has found that the air traffic controllers on duty
were doing the job of multiple people.
But the head of the National Transportation Safety Board cautioned against
"pointing fingers" (指責，互相怪罪) saying many things must have gone wrong.
Toni Waterman has the details
Brazil Bolsonar to Serve Sentence at Home for Health
Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro will continue to serve his 27-year
sentence for a coup attempt at home instead of in prison due to failing
health.
A Supreme Court Justice says he will review the case within 90 days, but
allowed the 71-year-old to return to his residence in capital Brasilia after
he is discharged (出院) from hospital.
The judge also ruled that Bolsonaro will wear an ankle monitor and is not
allowed to use cellphones.
Local police will surveil his house in a gated community, where protesters
are not allowed to gather.
The embattled leader has been hospitalized since March 13-th for pneumonia,
one of several health problems he has faced since he was stabbed by a man in
2018 before he was elected president.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 340-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
33,062 on turnover of 9.5-billion N-T.
The market tumbled over 800 points on Monday as investors reacted to claims
by U-S President Donald Trump's that he plans to "obliterate" Iran's power
plants if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened by Monday evening.
Control Yuan calls for tougher sentences for China spying cases
The Control Yuan is calling on courts to hand down tougher sentences for
military personnel convicted of spying for China and violating national
security laws.
It comes after the government watchdog investigated two cases involving
military personnel.
The investigations were carried out by the Control Yuan's Foreign Affairs and
National Defense Committee and Judiciary and Prison Administration Committee.
According to the committees, such sentences handed down by district courts
averaged 12.8 months, those handed down by the High Court averaged 18.1
month, while the average sentence handed down by the Supreme Court stood at
27.8 months.
And the government watchdog says the light sentences for violating national
security laws do not act as deterrent (威懾力、阻嚇物).
FM confirms Eswatini has invited Lai to visit
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says President Lai Ching-te has been invited
to make a state visit to Eswatini.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Eswatini Cultural Fair in New Taipei,
Lin said the Kingdom has invited Lai to attend events marking the 58th
anniversary of Eswatini's independence and King Mswati III's 58th birthday.
Lin also said this year marks 58th anniversary of Eswatini's establishing
ties with Taiwan.
According to the foreign minister, he was hugley impressed when he visited
the Southern African country in April of last year - and that trip took place
as the two sides are expanding trade and investment and Taiwan establishes an
industrial innovation park there.
The Presidential Office has not released any information concerning (有關)
Lai's possible trip to Eswatini.
Flights slowly resume at LaGuardia after deadly plane crash
Flights are slowly resuming at New York City's LaGuardia airport after an Air
Canada jet struck a fire truck on the runway late Sunday night, killing the
plane's pilot and co-pilot.
During a press briefing, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reiterated
(重申) that he's been asking Congress for more money for air traffic control.
Mitch McCann has more from LaGuardia.
Australia EU Sign FTA
The European Union and Australia have agreed on the final text of a free
trade agreement.
This comes two years after negotiations broke down over Australian demands
for more red meat market access and complaints about Australian products
labeled with traditionally European names.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Australian Prime
Minister Anthony Albanese signed the agreement today at the Australian
Parliament House after protracted (延長的) negotiations that began in 2018.
The breakthrough comes as both the EU and Australia seek to diversify
(多樣化) their trading networks and reduce their economic reliance on China
and exposure to uncertain U.S. tariffs.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 209 -points this morning from Friday's close, at
33,334 on turnover of 10.2-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Friday due to the ongoing military conflict in the
Middle East, but losses were capped as bargain hunters turned active to pick
up large-cap tech stocks towards the end of the trading day.
FM warns designation on arrival cards will be changed from "Republic of Korea" to "South Korea"
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung is reiterating (重申) that if Seoul continues
to ignore a request to alter its e-arrival card system by March 31, his
office will change South Korea's designation on Taiwan's arrival cards from
"Republic of Korea" to "South Korea."
It comes after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week changed the
designation of South Korean nationals in government-issued A-R-Cs in
response to Seoul's mislabeling (把…錯誤地列為) of Taiwan in its e-arrival
card system.
Taiwan is listed as "China (Taiwan)" in dropdown menus for both "place of
departure" and "next destination."
The foreign ministry has said Seoul has ignored repeated requests from to
change the designation.
CPC hikes gasoline and diesel prices
C-P-C has opted to raise gasoline and diesel prices at the pump amid
continuing surges (急劇上升) in international crude oil prices.
Gasoline prices have risen by 1.8 N-T per liter.
While diesel prices are up by 1.4 N-T per liter.
C-P-C says it's adhering to government policy to keep prices at the pump
lower than in neighboring countries, and will absorb the increase as part of
the government's efforts to stabilize consumer prices.
The state refiner says it has absorbed an estimated 3.43-billion N-T in fuel
costs under its price stabilization mechanism since February 28, in a bid to
cushion the impact on consumers and industry while maintaining stable
domestic prices.
Cuba Restoring Power After Third Collapse
Cuba begins to restore (恢復) power after third nationwide collapse in a month
AP correspondent Donna Warder reports
Syria Protests Alcohol Restrictions
Crowds of Syrians have rallied to protest authorities’ efforts to limit the
sale and consumption of alcohol in Damascus.
Hundreds of protesters entered a grassy square in a Christian neighborhood of
Damascus to urge the government to safeguard personal liberties and religious
minorities (宗教少數群體).
The decision on alcohol limits comes as the interim government of President
Ahmed al-Sharaa faces growing pressure from hard-liners to impose more
conservative religious values.
Chile Protests on World Water Day
Thousands of people march across Chile to mark World Water Day and protest
President Jose Antonio Kast’s rollback of environmental rules
On Sunday, crowds fill a long stretch of Santiago’s main avenue, and
organizers say 15 other cities also join in.
Activists say 1.4 million people still lack drinking water.
They accuse Kast of putting big business first and treating nature like a
commodity.
Kast has halted 43 protections signed by ex-president Gabriel Boric.
The rules cover wildlife, parks, pollution plans, and plant emissions
(排放物).
The government says it is a routine technical review.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 30-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 33,720
on turnover of $8-billion N-T.
The market fell by over 650 points on Thursday on the back of a sell-off
sparked by a spike in international crude oil prices duen to Donald Trump's
Middle East war and the U-S Federal Reserve's alert over rising inflation.
Taiwan rated second freest country in Asia by Freedom House
Taiwan maintained its status as a "free" country and the second freest in
Asia in the latest annual report released by the US-based democracy watchdog
(監督組織), Freedom House.
Taiwan has an overall score of 93 out of 100.
That was down one point from last year.
Taiwan also ranked second in Asia behind Japan, which scored 96.
The "Freedom in the World 2026: The Growing Shadow of Autocracy" report
assessed access to political rights and civil liberties in 195 countries and
13 territories from January 1 to December 31 last year.
Taiwan scored 38 out of 40 in political rights and 55 out of 60 in civil
liberties.
Freedom House says Taiwan's vibrant (活躍的) and competitive democratic
system has enabled regular, peaceful transfers of power since 2000, while
protections for civil liberties remain generally strong.
However, it also flagged concerns, including insufficient protections for
migrant workers and efforts by the China to influence policymaking, media,
and democratic institutions.
Kremlin:US-mediated Russia-Ukraine talks are on Pause
The Kremlin says US-mediated Russia-Ukraine talks have been put on pause, but
bilateral talks between Moscow and Washington continue.
As the focus of the White House appears to have shifted to the Middle East in
recent weeks, fears are rising the situation around Iran may distract
(使分心) it from Kiev's urgent needs for Western arms supplies.
Daria Bondarchuk reports from Moscow.
NKorea Kim and Daughter Ride Tank
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his teenage daughter have ridden a tank
together, days after they watched rocket launches and fired pistols.
The official Korean Central News Agency reported Friday that Kim oversaw
(監督) training involving tank units and infantry troops on Thursday.
KCNA images showed Kim and his daughter, both wearing black leather jackets,
riding in an olive-green tank.
The images show the girl sticking her head out of the tank'ss hatch, while
Kim sitting on its top.
The girl has accompanied her father to many high-profile events since 2022,
sparking outside speculation that she is her father's likely heir.
Brazil Enforcing Internet Laws
Brazil now enforces a sweeping new law that aims to make the internet safer
for children and teens.
On Tuesday, the digital statute takes effect after Congress backs it and
President Lula signs it in September.
The law requires accounts for minors under 16 to link to a legal guardian.
It also bans addictive design tricks like endless scrolling and autoplay.
Platforms must use real age checks, not just a box that says “over 18.”
Lula says online abuse and exploitation (剝削) can no longer hide behind “freedom.”
WhatsApp and Google already roll out (推出) parent tools.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 69-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
34,279 on turnover of 8.2-billion N-T.
The market rose by more than 500 points on Wednesday, as buying was triggered
by lingering enthusiasm toward global A-I development, which pushed up tech
stocks higher.
KMT and TPP approve cooperation pact for local elections
The K-M-T and the Taiwan People's Party have approved a cooperation agreement
for November's local elections.
The agreement was separately passed by the K-M-T Central Standing Committee
and the T-P-P's Central Committee and means that two party's will jointly
field (選派…上場) candidates.
Under the pact's "nominate first, coordinate later" model, the two parties
will prioritize incumbent mayors or county magistrates seeking re-election.
A joint KMT-TPP campaign group will also be established to support candidates
nationwide.
CPC absorbs NT$3.3 billion in fuel costs amid Middle East tensions
The Ministry of Economic Affairs says C-P-C has absorbed about 3.3-billion
N-T in fuel costs over the past two weeks to help stabilize domestic prices
due to the US-Isreal war with Iran.
According to Vice Economics Minister, Lai Jien-hsin, the government has been
prioritizing price stability as global energy supplies face disruptions
(破壞) from the conflict.
Under a price-stabilization mechanism, C-P-C absorbs at least 60-per cent of
cost increases while keeping domestic fuel prices among the lowest in
neighboring markets.
Saudi Arabia Criticizes Iran After Overnight Attacks
Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister offered harsh criticism Thursday of Iran
following overnight attacks on his country, saying: “What little trust there
was before has completely been shattered.”
Prince Faisal bin Farhan offered the comments after a meeting between foreign
ministers of the Gulf Arab states and others over the Iranian attacks
targeting the wider Middle East.
He criticized Iran’s attacks on Riyadh, the capital hosting the meeting.
Iran also attacked Saudi Arabia's vast Eastern Province, home to many of its
oil fields, as well as Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
The minister says Saudi Arabia will use "every lever (手段，把柄)",
"political, economic, diplomatic and otherwise, to get these attacks to
stop”.
US Lawmakers Demand Answers from Attorney General Over Epstein Files
A US congressional committee is demanding that the US Attorney General face
questions over her handling of the Epstein files, a move the Justice
Department is pushing back (反對) on.
Mitch McCann reports:
World Happiness Report: Decline in Happiness Due to Social Media
The latest World Happiness Report 2026 says that heavy social media use has
contributed to a stark (嚴重的 ) decline in well-being among young people,
with the effects particularly worrying in teenage girls in English-speaking
countries and Western Europe.
The annual report, published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the
University of Oxford, also found that Finland is the happiest land in the
world for the ninth year in a row.
Other Nordic countries such as Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway ranked
among the top 10 countries.
But it highlighted how life evaluations among under 25-year-olds in the
United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have dropped over the past
decade.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 92-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 33,929
on turnover of 12.4-billion N-T.
The market closed higher on Tuesday led by the electronics sector, after
Nvidia C-E-O Jensen Huang's gave an upbeat keynote address G-T-C global
artificial intelligence conference in San Jose.
Black box of missing F-16 retrieved after long search
The Air Force Command Headquarters says it has found and retrieved the flight
data recorder of the F-16V fighter jet that disappeared off the east coast in
January.
According to defense officials, the flight data recorder will now be sent it
to its manufacturer in the U-S to decode the data to determine the cause of
the plane's disappearance.
The single-seat F-16V went missing on January 6 after taking off from Hualien
Air Base on a routine nighttime training mission.
The pilot reported that the aircraft was losing altitude shortly before
(快要…之前) he was about to eject from the aircraft.
The fighter jet's signal disappeared from radar eight seconds later off the
coast of Fengbin in Hualien.
MOL rolls out free video legal consultation service for workplace gender bias
The Ministry of Labor has launched a free video legal consultation service
for workers facing suspected pregnancy or gender-based workplace
discrimination.
According to the ministry, it hopes to provide a consultation channel that is
professional, private and convenient and believes it will make workers less
likely to feel intimidated (受到恐嚇) about seeking help than other channels.
The free video legal consultation service has been established partnership
with the Legal Aid Foundation.
Migrant workers and foreign nationals who do not speak Mandarin are also
eligible for the service - with the Legal Aid Foundation saying
interpretation assistance provided if needed.
Iran pushing up oil and traveler costs
Oil prices remain volatile (不穩定的) amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle
East, forcing up travel costs.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Ecuador Rejects Colombia Bombing Accusations
Ecuador’s president rejected allegations that his country is bombing targets
in neighboring Colombia.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa said Tuesday that his government “is
fighting narco terrorism in all its forms” and “bombing places that serve
as hideouts (藏身處) for those groups, of which many are Colombian," but only
within Ecuadorian territory.
On Monday night, Colombian president Gustavo Petro accused Ecuador of bombing
targets on Colombia’s side of the border, saying a bomb was found by
Colombian officials, but provided no evidence to back up his claim.
The dispute comes as Colombia prepares for presidential elections in May, and
relations deteriorate between Colombia and Ecuador, two neighboring nations
that were once close commercial and security partners.
Colosseum Restoration Recreates Marble Columns
The Colosseum has a bright new look following a restoration using the same
travertine marble (洞石，石灰華) of ancient Rome to recreate parts of columns
from 2,000 years ago.
The project focused on a semicircular piazza outside the arena, where Roman
spectators crowded under two arcades comprised of marble columns stretching
up to 50 meters high.
The columns collapsed a long time ago, but but now, tourists will be able to
sit on large travertine marble slabs where the columns once stood and read
reproductions (複製品) of the Roman numerals that indicated seat sections.
The Colosseum is Italy’s most popular tourist destination, with 9 million
visitors in 2025 alone.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 38-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 33,380
on turnover of 7.6-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Monday as investor sentiment remained muted due the
impact of the US-Israel war against Iran, which has resulted in rises in
international crude oil prices.
Lai urges supply chain cooperation among democracies
President Lai Ching-te is calling for closer cooperation among democratic
partners to strengthen supply chain and economic resilience.
Speaking at the opening of the Yushan Forum in Taipei, Lai said his
administration wants to work with like-minded countries to form
"international teams" with them …
.. and intends to leverage (善用) the many advantages of these partners to
deepen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
According to Lai, his government will form national teams in specific fields
to keep making Taiwan stronger, while also go beyond that, by building
international teams to keep leveraging the power of solidarity with other
nations.
The two-day Yushan Forum runs through today.
Over 400 households and business affect by power outage in Taichung's Beitun District
Tai-Power says electricity has been restored to over 400 households and
business affected by a power outage last night in Taichung's Beitun
District.
The affected business included the Costco north Taichung Warehouse.
According to Tai-Power, electricity was restored to all households and
businesses by 10PM after emergency repairs were carried out and cause of the
outage is under investigation.
Tai-Power says an initial investigation has found that a fuse box (保險絲盒)
failure in the underground substation of a residential building was likely
the cause of the power outage.
The faulty equipment is being disassembled for inspection.
UAE Lifts Brief Airspace Closure
The United Arab Emirates lifted a brief airspace closure this morning after
the country faced incoming Iranian attacks.
The state-run news agency quoted the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority
as saying the closure had ended.
The authorities said “the situation stabilized,” allowing flights to
resume.
The earlier closure announcement showed the balancing act Emirati authorities
face in trying to keep their long-haul carriers, Emirates and Etihad, flying
as Iranian attacks continue to target the country.
On Monday, an Iranian drone attack set a fuel tank ablaze (燃燒) at Dubai
International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel.
UK WORKING WITH ALLIES TO RE-OPEN STRAIT OF HORMUZ
The UK is working with all of its allies to re-open the Strait of Hormuz,
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said at a press conference this morning.
He also announced a government contribution of over $70million to support
British households (家庭) with rising oil costs.
Lara Bentley reports from London
Spain King on Conquest of Americas
Spain’s King Felipe says Spain’s conquest of the Americas involved abuse
and ethical controversy, as Spain and Mexico remain at odds over calls for an
apology.
On Monday, Felipe made the remarks during a visit to a museum exhibition in
Madrid.
He told Mexico’s ambassador to Spain that parts of the conquest do not make
Spain proud by today’s values.
Mexico has demanded a formal apology for years, which Spain has refused to
do.
Mexico’s president said she needed to review Felipe's comments but
acknowledged similar conciliatory (願意和解的，安撫的) remarks made last year
by Spain's foreign minister.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 140-points this morning from Friday's close, at 33,541
on turnover of 13.5-billion N-T.
The market closed lower on Friday due to the ongoing military conflict in the
Middle East, but losses were capped as bargain hunters turned active to pick
up large-cap tech stocks.
Taichung mayor says US trip aims to build goodwill for Taiwan
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen has visited New York City as she continues her
11-day trip to the U-S.
Speaking in the city this past weekend, Lu said her trip has three main goals
- deepening city-to-city exchanges, engaging with overseas Taiwanese
communities, and reinforcing (強化) Taiwan-US relations.
Lu arrived in New York following a stop in Boston.
She visited the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association in Manhattan's
Chinatown and later traveled to Columbus Park to lay flowers at a statue of
Sun Yat-sen.
Lu is scheduled to travel to Washington, D.C. this week.
Taiwan twins win badminton doubles title at BWF Swiss Open
And,
Twin brothers Lee Fang-ren and Lee Fang-zhi beat their Danish opponents
21-18, 21-13 to win the men's badminton doubles title at the BWF Super 300
Swiss Open in Basel.
The Taiwan pair started the first set trailing 4-7 but quickly stabilized and
took the lead.
After a brief break, the twins maintained at least a two-point advantage and
closed out the set 21-18.
In the second set, they quickly pulled ahead 5-1 and despite some errors, the
brothers responded with six consecutive (連續的) points, shutting down the
Danish pair's comeback and clinching their first title of the year.
The twin brothers won their first BWF Super 300 men's doubles title at last
year's Canada Open.
Tehran denies seeking U.S. ceasefire after Trump says Iran was Decimate
Iran's Foreign Minister is rebuffing any suggestion his government has asked
the United States for a ceasefire, as the conflict in the Middle East enters
its third week.
It follows President Trump posting on social media at the weekend that Iran
was beaten and completely decimated (毀滅) militarily, economically, and in
every other way.
Mitch McCann reports:
Mexico City Sets Record for Soccer Class
Mexico City set a world record on Sunday with the largest soccer class ever,
with 9,500 participants in the capital’s Zocalo square as the country
prepares to host the opening match of the World Cup in June.
The city’s main square became a massive open-air training ground with crowds
practicing soccer drills under the guidance of instructors.
Participants kicked balls and followed coordinated exercises to promote
(推動) sport and community engagement.
A Guinness World Records official confirmed the new historic mark during the
event.
Organizers said the turnout surpassed (超越) the previous Guinness record set
in Seattle in June 2025, when a soccer class brought together 1,038
participants.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 366-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
33,216 on turnover of $16-billion N-T.
Pedestrian lights to cancel fast-walking signal
The Ministry of Transport says it plans to phase out faster-paced walking
animation on some pedestrian signals islandwide by the end of this year.
According to the ministry, the move is aimed at discouraging pedestrians to
run across intersections.
The ministry's Department of Railways, Highways and Road Safety says the
decision was made during a road safety briefing at the Cabinet earlier this
week.
Department head Wu Dong-ling says while the flashing green signal that
appears in the final seconds of a pedestrian light will remain, the
faster-paced walking animation used in some areas will be removed.
Wu also says the Cabinet has asked the transport ministry to coordinate with
local governments on the adjustments and ensure that signal designs are
standardized nationwide by the end of the year.
Only Chiayi County, Kinmen and Matsu don't use the fast-walking signal.
Iraq plan to get oil flowing
As the War in Iran continues to disrupt global oil flows, Iraq is trying to
strike a deal that would allow its oil to flow through the autonomous
Kurdistan Region.
But Iraqi Kurds want something in return.
Olly Barratt explains from the region's capital -
Canada to Spend Billions on Northern Military Operating Locations
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says he is putting an additional $32
billion into military forward operating locations in the North to assert
sovereignty over the increasingly contested region.
The prime minister made the announcement in Yellowknife, the capital city of
Canada’s Northwest Territories, before he takes off for his planned visit to
Norway where he will observe a NATO exercise.
The additional funds comes as U.S. President Donald Trump called earlier this
year for the U.S. to take control of Greenland, the Inuit self-governing
territory of the kingdom of Denmark.
Trump has also talked about making Canada the 51st state.
Cuba Announces Prisoner Release
Cuba’s government says it will release 51 people from the island’s jails in
an unexpected move.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the release in the upcoming days stems
from a spirit of goodwill and close relations with the Vatican.
The government did not identify who it would release (釋放), except to say
that “all have served a significant (相當長的時間) part of their sentence
and have maintained good conduct in prison.”
The government said it has granted pardons to 9-thousand-905 inmates since
2010.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 298-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
33,816 on turnover of 16.3-billion N-T.
The market posted its second-largest daily point gains on Wednesday, as a
decline in investor concerns over the Middle East saw the bellwether
electronics sector attract strong buying.
Analysts say the combined gains from Tuesday and Wednesday helped the main
board completely recover losses seen on Monday, when investors were spooked
(受到驚嚇) by reports the US-Israel war against Iran could drag on for weeks.
Economics minister says No. 3 nuclear plant could be restarted in 2028
Economics Minister Kung Ming-hsin says Tai-Power will submit a plan later
month to re-start the decommissioned Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant in
Pingtung.
According to Kung, that means the plant could begin generating electricity as
early as 2028.
The statement came after as the economics minister was being questioned
during a Legislative hearing as to whether the government is considering
(考慮) using nuclear energy as a stable energy source in the event of a
wartime blockade.
The Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant was decommissioned on May 17 of last year.
Taichung mayor leaves for 11-day US visit
And,
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen left for an 11-day visit to the United States
late yesterday evening.
She was seen off at Taoyuan International Airport by several K-M-T lawmakers.
Prior to boarding her flight, Lu told reporters that trip to the was
primarily (主要地，首先) focused on city-level diplomacy, but given Taiwan's
current situation, her delegation will take the opportunity to advocate for
the island's rights and interests.
Lu's March 11 to 21 has planned stops in Boston, New York City, Washington,
D.C., and Seattle.
The Taichung mayor has said the issues to be discussed with U-S officials
include energy stability, regional security and global trade.
IEA greenlights record release of 400m barrels from emergency reserves
The International Energy Agency has greenlit the release of a record 400m
barrels of oil from emergency reserves in a bid to curb (抑制) rising prices
sparked by the war in Iran.
Instability around the Strait of Hormuz - a key oil shipping route off Iran's
coast- has brought tanker traffic to halt.
Toni Waterman has more from Washington.
Czech Republic Keeps Defense Spending Below NATO Target
Czech lawmakers have approved a 2026 budget that keeps defense spending below
NATO’s 2% target, despite pressure from the United States.
They voted Wednesday to fund the Defense Ministry at just over 1.7% of GDP.
The new government of populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis says the state
budget is strained (勉強的) and it has other priorities, including health
care.
Czech spending rises above 2% only if other ministries’ projects count too.
President Petr Pavel urges a bigger budget and cites Russia’s war in
Ukraine.
The U.S. ambassador warns that the Czech decision hurts the whole alliance.
Ecuador Preps for Crackdown on Criminal Groups
Ecuador's interior minister says the country is preparing a major crackdown
on criminal groups set to begin this weekend with logistical support from the
United States.
Ecuador's interior minister told local media that the government wants to
avoid civilian casualties.
He is also urging people to follow a nightly curfew from March 15th to March
30th.
It covers three of the country's most violent provinces.
The minister says roads need to stay clear for troop movements and equipment.
Ecuador has faced rising organized crime since 2021 that officials link to
(與…有關聯) drug cartels.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 356-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
33,128 on turnover of 10.8-billion N-T.
The market rebounded on Tuesday and added 661-points on Tuesday, but
investors remained wary of the continuing tensions in the Middle East,
despite international crude oil prices finally falling.
Taichung to head to US for 11-day US visit tomorrow
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen is heading to the U-S today for an 11-day visit.
Lu has said the trip is aimed at strengthening city-to-city exchanges and
engaging with (與…互動) Taiwan expats.
According to Lu, her March 11 to 21 trip will cover five states, primarily on
the U-S East Coast, with planned stops including Boston, New York City,
Washington, D.C., and Seattle.
Lu is slated to meet members of the U-S House of Representatives and sign a
memorandum of understanding with the Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce of North
America.
Lu also says the issues to be discussed with U-S officials include energy
stability, regional security and global trade.
Brief snow on Jade Mountain as mercury hit -8.9
The Central Weather Administration says there was brief snowfall on Jade
Mountain earlier this morning -- as the mercury at its weather stations there
dropped to minus 8.9-degrees.
The weather administration says accumulated snow was only minimal (極少的)
and quickly turned to ice or frost.
However, the administration has issued cold surge advisories today.
Very cold or cold advisories are in effect for areas of New Taipei, Taoyuan,
Hsinchu County, Miaoli County, and Kinmen - where there's the chance of
temperature remaining, or dropping below 10-degrees.
The advisories are in effect through late this morning.
US Claims Irainian Vessels Taken Out
The U.S. says it has taken out multiple Iranian vessels as the Islamic
Republic vows to block the region’s oil exports.
The U.S. destroyed 16 mine-laying Iranian vessels, though President Donald
Trump said in social media posts that there were no reports of Iran planting
explosives in the Strait of Hormuz.
The American military released the figure, along with unclassified (非機密的)
footage of some of the vessels, after Trump earlier warned Iran against
laying mines in the strait.
The escalation came Tuesday as concerns grew about Iran's threats to stop
tankers from using a waterway through which 20% of the world’s oil is
shipped.
DRC Landslide at Mine Leaves Dead and Missing
A landslide at a mining site in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo
has forced hundreds of people to flee the area.
Locals say nine people have died and several houses have been destroyed.
The landslide was triggered by (觸發於) heavy rainfall at the Rubaya coltan
mines.
Chris Ocamringa has more from Kinshasa…
Americas Press Freedom Drops in 2025
A monitoring watchdog says press freedom across the Americas dropped sharply
in 2025, with more killings, arrests and intimidation (恐嚇) of media
workers.
The Inter American Press Association on Tuesday released its annual
Chapul-tepec Index of Freedom of Expression and the Press covering 23
countries.
It ranked Venezuela and Nicaragua as countries without freedom of speech.
The group links rising attacks to more authoritarian leaders.
It says Venezuela sees widespread self-censorship, and Nicaragua locks
censorship into law.
It says El Salvador uses lawsuits and probes to pressure reporters.
It describes worsening violence in Ecuador and Haiti.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 581-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
32,692 on turnover of 12.7-billion N-T.
The market posted heavy declines on Monday, as the main board plunged nearly
1,500 points on the back of investor concerns over major spikes in
international crude oil prices amid the US-Israel war with Iran.
FM meets Australian lawmaker during stopover
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has met with an Australian lawmaker during a
stopover in Australia on his way home from Tuvalu.
Taking to Facebook, Lin said he met with Hugh McDermott of the Australian
Labor Party.
McDermott also took social media to say he was pleased to meet with the
foreign minister alongside (與…一起) parliamentary colleagues and
representatives from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia …
… and he also posted a photo of himself shaking hands with Lin in Australia
last Friday.
However, neither McDermott or Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs have
specified where the meeting took place in Australia during Lin's transit
stop.
Lin Chun-yi wins Taiwan's 1st men's singles title at All England Open
Lin Chun-yi has won the men's singles competition at the 2026 All England
Open Badminton Championships.
The 26-year old, who is currently ranked world No. 11, beat his Indian
opponent 21-15, 22-20 in a 57-minute final at the Utilita Arena in the city
of Birmingham.
The result means Lin has become the first Taiwanese male shuttler to top the
podium (領獎台，前三名) in the men's singles event at the annual tournament.
Lin's world ranking is expected to break into the top 10 for the first time,
when the Badminton World Federation updates its standings later this week.
He is ranked as Taiwan's No. 2 male badminton player.
Anthropic sues Trump administration
Artificial intelligence firm Anthropic has sued the Trump administration
after it placed the artificial intelligence company on a national security
blacklist (黑名單).
The Pentagon has designated Anthropic as a supply chain risk, after it
refused to remove guardrails against using its AI for autonomous weapons or
domestic surveillance.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington
Australia Grants Asylum to Iraninan Soccer Team
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says that Australia has granted
asylum to five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team who were visiting
the country for a tournament.
The women were transported from their hotel in Gold Coast, Australia “to a
safe location” by Australian federal police officers in the early hours of
Tuesday morning local time.
There, they met with Burke and the processing of their humanitarian visas
finalized (完成), the minister told reporters in Brisbane hours later.
An official team list numbered 26 players, plus coaching and other staff.
Burke didn’t detail what threats the players faced in Iran.
The Iranian team arrived in Australia for the Women’s Asian Cup last month,
before the Iran war began.
The team was knocked out of the tournament over the weekend and faced the
prospect (可能) of returning to a country under bombardment.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex tumbled 1,244-points this morning from Friday's close, at 32,354
on turnover of 27.6-billion N-T.
The market fell just over 70-points on Friday, as investors remained worried
about geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that have sent the price of
oil on an upward climb, to hit its highest level in nearly two years.
Lai says supporting women makes Taiwan 'more powerful'
President Lai Ching-te says he believes Taiwan will become "more powerful" if
women have more support and choices from society.
Taking to Facebook to mark International Women's Day, Lai said when a society
is willing to give women more support and room for choice, Taiwan will not
only become kinder, but also more powerful.
Noting that the theme of this year's International Women's Day is "Give To
Gain," Lai said he hopes every Taiwanese woman, whether striving (努力) in
the workplace or cultivating family life, can "freely become her ideal self."
Lai's Facebook post went on to say his government has promulgated Taiwan's
first national action plan on gender-based violence prevention …
.. and that plan aims to integrate violence-prevention resources to "build a
more comprehensive and complete gender equality protection network."
Japanese-style Mazu float headlines parade at Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi
A Japanese-style lantern float featuring Mazu headlined the national baseball
team parade at the Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi County this past
weekend.
The large art piece was a Japanese Nebuta, a traditional lantern float
handmade from wood, metal wire, and paper.
The float was crafted domestically (國內的) in Taiwan by Nebuta artists
Makoto Suwa and Hiromi Hayashi, from Japan's Aomori City.
They were invited by the General Association of Chinese Culture to serve as
resident artists for this year's Lantern Festival.
The float headlined the parade to celebrate Taiwan at the 2026 World Baseball
Classic.
Iranian foreign minister says no plans to increase range of its ballistic missiles
Iran's foreign minister says the country currently has no plans to increase
(增加) the range of its ballistic missiles.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
US SKorea Begin Drills
The United States has begun a large military exercise with South Korea
involving thousands of troops while also waging an escalating war in the
Middle East.
The Freedom Shield exercise that began Monday runs through March 19.
South Korea has said about 18,000 Korean troops will take part, while the
U.S. hasn’t confirmed the number of American troops participating in the
training in South Korea.
The allies’ combined exercise comes amid South Korean media speculation
(猜測) that Washington is relocating some assets from South Korea to support
fighting against Iran.
Canada PM Calls for Special District Elections
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called special elections for three
districts that, if his party wins, would give the Liberals a majority
government (多數政府).
The prime minister announced votes will be cast on April 13-thth
The Liberals currently have 169 Members of Parliament in the House of
Commons, but they need 172 to secure a majority government which would allow
them to pass any bill without the support of an opposition party.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 189-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
33,484 on turnover of $9.9-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan rebounded sharply Thursday, posting the fifth-largest
single-day gain on record, as bargain hunters returned after reports the
United States and Iran could enter negotiations eased geopolitical concerns.
Among major technology stocks, chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
rose 1.88 percent to close at $1,900 NT, and other large-cap tech firms also
advanced.
Memory-related stocks staged a strong rebound as well, while shipping stocks
moved in the opposite direction.
Analysts say investors will continue to monitor developments in the Middle
East, including the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, while the long-term
growth outlook for Taiwan's artificial intelligence supply chain remains
intact (完好) despite potential technical corrections.
Taiwan signs double taxation pact with Tuvalu
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has signed an agreement to avoid double
taxation and donate funds to cover the maintenance costs of Tuvalu's first
undersea cable.
Lin is currently visiting Tuvalu as a special envoy of President Lai Ching-te.
According to the foreign minister, the agreement was signed during a banquet
hosted by Tuvalu's Prime Minister Feleti Teo, and is expected to boost trade
and encourage Taiwanese investment in Tuvalu.
Lin also donated funds to cover the maintenance costs for Tuvalu's first
undersea cable, to help ensure (確保) the country's communications resilience
during the banquet.
Lin and his delegation arrived in Tuvalu on Wednesday on what is his third
trip to the Pacific ally.
Ukraine Sharing Expertise on Shahed Drones
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the United States and its allies
in the Middle East are seeking Ukraine’s expertise in countering (對抗)
Iran’s Shahed drones.
Zelenskyy says various countries, including the United States, have
approached Ukraine for help in defending against the Iranian drones.
He said he has spoken in recent days with the leaders of the United Arab
Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait about possible cooperation.
Russia has fired tens of thousands of Shaheds at Ukraine since it invaded its
neighbor just over four years ago.
Iran has responded with the same type of drones to joint U.S.-Israeli strikes
on Iranian targets.
Pentagon officially labels Anthropic a supply chain risk
The US Defense Department has formally labelled (標記為) the artificial
intelligence firm Anthropic a supply chain risk, following a dispute over its
efforts to limit how the government could use its products.
Anthropic has said it intends to challenge the label in court.
Ira Spitzer reports from San Francisco.
Cuba Power Outage Continues
Swaths of Cuba remain without power nearly a day after a massive blackout hit
the western part of the island in the latest outage blamed on a fragile
(脆弱的) electric grid and a lack of fuel.
Crews worked overnight to repair a broken boiler at one of Cuba’s largest
thermoelectric plants.
Officials have warned that it could take three to four days for power to be
fully restored.
State media reported on Thursday that 52% of customers in Havana have power,
as well as 30 hospitals and 10 water supply stations.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 791-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
33,620 on turnover of 19.1-billion N-T.
The market plunged over 1,400 points on Wednesday as escalating tensions in
the Middle East spooked investors and triggered heavy selling across the
board.
Large-cap tech stocks bore the brunt of (首當其衝) the decline.
However, all eight major industrial sectors finished lower, with plastics,
electric machinery, cables and glass stocks posting steep losses.
Prosecutors indict 62 individuals and 13 companies in Prince Holding Group Case
The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted 62 individuals and 13
companies in connection with its money laundering investigation into the
Cambodia-based Prince Holding Group.
Prosecutors says the network laundered more than 10.7-billion N-T in Taiwan.
The individual and companies have been charged with violating the Organized
Crime Prevention Act, the Money Laundering Prevention Act, and the Criminal
Code with intent to profit from gambling.
Prosecutors are also seeking court approval to confiscate (沒收) the full
10.7-billion N-T in alleged criminal proceeds held in Taiwan.
Authorities have so far seized more than 5.5-billion N-T in Prince Group
assets (資產) during raids last year and they include 24 luxury properties,
35 high-end vehicles, 337 financial accounts, cash and designer goods.
Dozens injured in raucous Lantern Festival events in Tainan and Taitung
At least 47 people have been injured while attending Lantern Festival-related
folk events in Tainan and Taitung.
Both of the event saw participants forming processions and braving
(勇敢面對（困難/危險）) barrages of bottle rockets or firecrackers.
Officials in Tainan says 30 people suffered burns after being hit by dense
barrages of bottle rockets, while six were injured stemming from falls
at the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival on Monday and Tuesday.
While officials in Taitung say 11 people were taken to the city's MacKay
Memorial Hospital on Tuesday after suffering injuries on the first day of the
Bombing of Master Han Dan Festival.
US submarine sinks Iranian warship
At least 80 bodies have been recovered by Sri Lankan authorities after a
torpedo fired by a US submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said it was the Islamic Republic's prize
ship. And the first such strike since World War 2.
Kate Fisher has more from Washington
Africa Clean Energy Fund to Double Financing
Africa’s flagship clean energy fund says it plans to more than double its
financing to $2.5 billion over the next two years, as momentum builds behind
the continent’s energy transition.
The African Development Bank bank approved slightly fewer renewable energy
projects last year but succeeded in increasing its funding.
The lender's Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa has mobilized about $1
billion in commercial capital alongside its own commitments.
Based on projects in the pipeline, that figure is expected to reach $2.5
billion within the next two years.
The public-private finance facility supports utility-scale and decentralized
projects, facilitating deals and supporting pan-African renewable energy
investment platforms.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 94-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
34,228 on turnover of 11.1-billion N-T.
The market plunged more than 700-points on Tuesday following a sell-off
sparked by sky-rocketing international crude oil prices due to the U-S and
Israel's war with Iran.
Economics minister dismisses power rationing concerns
Economics Minister Kung Ming-hsin says the government has secured sufficient
natural gas supplies for this month and there will "absolutely be no power
rationing."
The statement comes amid concerns that escalating hostilities in the Middle
East could trigger rationing.
According to Kung, gas shipments for early March have already passed through
the Strait of Hormuz, while supplies for the second half of the month have
been secured from "alternative (可供替代的) markets."
Speaking at a legislative hearing, Kung told lawmakers that he hopes the
conflict will be short-lived and the government use of coal-fired power
generation will be "a last resort."
CDC warning Japan-bound WBC fans of infectious disease risks
And,
The Centers for Disease Control is advising people heading to Tokyo to attend
World Baseball Classic games to take precautions against measles, flu and
infectious gastroenteritis.
The C-D-C is citing elevated disease activities in Japan for the warning.
According to C-D-C spokesman Lin Ming-cheng, travelers should be aware of a
rise in measles cases in Japan, which have reached their highest cumulative
(累計) total for the same period since 2020, while flu activity in Japan also
remains at a high level.
Lin is also warned travelers about infectious gastroenteritis in Japan,
saying the country recorded an average of 8.02 cases per clinic in the eighth
week of the year, the highest for the same period in five years.
US to offer insurance, escort to tankers traveling through Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump says the US will start offering insurance and navy
escorts to tankers travelling through the Strait of Hormuz, as oil and gas
prices spike due to the war in Iran.
About 20% of the world's oil and roughly (大概) a third of its Liquefied
Natural Gas passes through the narrow waterway off of Iran's coast.
Toni Waterman has more
Argentina Navy Trial for Sinking of Sub
Four former Argentine navy officers are on trial for the 2017 sinking of the
ARA San Juan, which killed 44 crew members.
Prosecutors say the officers neglected duties and ignored serious maintenance
problems.
The submarine vanished (消失了) on Nov. 15, 2017, during a trip after a
training exercise.
The crew reported water entering batteries, then lost contact.
Investigators say water reached a battery tank and triggered a short circuit
and fire.
The submarine then plunged and imploded (內爆) at extreme depth.
Relatives of the deceased crew members argue that the current trial falls
short of achieving true justice.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at
35,106 on turnover of 8.9-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Monday, as investor sentiment took a dive on the
back of concerns about global oil prices after the U-S and Israel attacked
Iran over the weekend.
MOEA talks boosting energy imports due to Middle East tensions
The Ministry of Economic Affairs says it plans to increase energy imports in
response to the current situation in the Middle East.
According to the ministry, it will diversify import sources and strengthen
energy supply security.
The ministry says although the conflict is effecting some shipments oil and
gas import coming through the Strait of Hormuz, short-term energy shipment
arrivals remain unaffected and long-term contingency plans are in place to
maintain a stable power supplies.
The economic ministry's statements come as Premier Cho Jung-tai has been
meeting with senior government officials for talks on the impact of higher
international oil prices.
Cho says C-P-C has been asked to ensure uninterrupted supplies, and Vice
Premier Cheng Li-chiun will convene a series of price stabilization meetings.
Man detained over Taipei Main Station bomb and death threats
A man has been ordered detained following his arrest for allegedly sending
threats in late February to set fires, plant bombs and kill people at Taipei
Main Railway Station.
Prosecutors say they secured court approval to detain the Changhua County
resident - who police say admitted making the threats due to stress and being
in a bad mood.
The Taiwan Railway Corporation and the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation
received separate threats on February 25 and 26, respectively.
Police heightened security measures as the threats were made just ahead of
the 228 Memorial Day long weekend holiday.
The suspect was arrested following a raided (襲擊) his residence on the night
of February 27 and taken into custody.
He is facing charges of public intimidation.
Trump: Iran operations to last 4 to 5 weeks or "far longer"
US president Donald Trump says American operations against Iran could last
four to five weeks, but warned the US had the capability to go "far longer
than that".
He promised Washington would "prevail" (戰勝) after news that a fourth US
service member has died.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Cuba Detains Panama Citizens for Propaganda
Cuba’s government says it has detained 10 Panamanian citizens it accused of
creating subversive propaganda in the latest international incident involving
the Caribbean island.
Monday's announcement comes just days after a fatal shooting involving a U.S.
boat in Cuban waters.
The government said that according to initial statements from those detained,
the Panamanians were ordered to leave Cuba “once the objective was
achieved,” and that they would receive between $1,000 and $1,500 each upon
their return.
Officials did not provide further details, including the nature of the
alleged (被指控的，據稱) propaganda.
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All 3,000 Taiwanese in the Middle East safe following US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran
Natural gas prices to rise by 3% on average in March
Iran says its open to negotiations
Middle East stuck travelers
Milan fashion week Armani
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 44-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 35,457
on turnover of 10.4-billion N-T.
The market closed at year another record high on Wednesday, as the main board
jumped more than 700 points after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing breached
the 2,000 N-T mark for the first time.
T-S-M-C gained 2.54-per cent to close at 2,015 N-T after its American
depositary receipts rose 4.25-per cent overnight.
The stock contributed about 400-points to the Tai-Ex's overall rise and sent
the electronics index up 2.45-per cent.
Civic groups to mark 228 Memorial Day with march tomorrow
More than 60 civic groups have announced plans to hold a joint 228 Memorial
Day commemorative event in Taipei tomorrow.
The annual action was launched in 2017 by the Nylon Cheng Liberty Foundation
and the Tsai Rui-yue Dance Foundation.
However, it has expanded this year to include dozens of participating
organizations.
Organizers say the event will begin with a march at 1:30PM at the Taipei
Municipal Rixin Elementary School, pass several sites linked to the 228
Incident, and conclude in front of the Cabinet Building.
Lai awards top honor to SVG ambassador Bowman
And,President Lai Ching-te has bestowed one of Taiwan's highest honors on Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador Andrea Bowman in recognition of her
contributions (貢獻) to bilateral ties.
Lai has confered the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon on Bowman.
Speaking at a ceremony at the Presidential Office, Lai thank Bowman for her
outstanding contribution to deepening diplomatic ties between the two sides.
Lai also noted that Bowman became the Caribbean island nation's first
ambassador to Taiwan in 2019 and established the country's first permanent
embassy in Asia, "marking a milestone in bilateral relations."
Cuban troops kill 4 in US speedboat
Cuban border troops have killed four people in a US speedboat which entered
the island's territorial waters.
The Cuban government says the people in US boat fired first.
Nick Harper reports from New York.
Peru Declares State of Emergency Over Rains
Peru has declared a state of emergency across more than 700 districts after
heavy rain triggered floods and landslides linked to El Nino Costero.
On Wednesday, a decree signed by interim President Jose Maria Balcazar speeds
up funding for local governments.
Officials are focusing on protecting residents and securing (固定) bridges,
roads, water and electricity.
Although rains have intensified (加劇) in the past days, the new government
was unable to implement the decrees until now.
President Balcazar only swore in his Cabinet on Tuesday, ending a period
without ministers that began on Feb. 17 following the removal of his
predecessor, Jose Jeri, who faces an investigation into corruption and
influence peddling.
Mexico Approves Initiative to Reduce Work Week
Mexican lawmakers have approved President Claudia Sheinbaum’s initiative to
gradually reduce the work week from 48 hours to 40 hours.
The constitutional reform now goes to state legislatures for approval, where
Sheinbaum’s governing party controls the majority.
It passed the lower chamber of the Congress early Wednesday with 411 votes in
favor and 58 against.
The Senate had already approved it earlier this month.
The change will be implemented (實施的) gradually, trimming (減少) two hours
per year beginning in 2027 and reaching a 40-hour work week in 2030.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 52-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 34,753
on turnover of 11.3-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Tuesday as investors shrugged off losses
on Wall Street overnight and rushed to buy electronics stocks related to the
A-I boom.
Lai reiterates 'status quo' at China-based Taiwanese event
President Lai Ching-te is reiterating his commitment to "maintaining the
status quo" in cross-strait relations.
Speaking at a Lunar New Year event in Taichung attended by China-based
Taiwanese businesspeople, Lai described "maintaining the status quo" as "key"
to safeguarding national security and preserving cross-strait stability and
peace in the Indo-Pacific.
The annual event is organized by Straits Exchange Foundation and saw around
300 attendees.
Compared with his speech at the same event last year, Lai this year did not
mention the term Republic of China during his speech.
He used the term multiple times last year and reiterated the position that
the R-O-C and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate (從屬的) to
each other.
MOL releases forced labor prevention guide for businesses
The Ministry of Labor has released a reference guide to help local businesses
prevent forced labor and "reduce operational (工作的) risks"
According to the ministry's Workforce Development Agency, the guide is
intended to help businesses build "effective mechanisms" to prevent forced
labor and embed (把…嵌入) "respect for human rights" in supply chain
management.
Agency head Lydia Huang, says there have been multiple cases showing that
once forced labor conditions arise in a company or its supply chain, it can
face consequences such as product detention, import bans or even the return
of shipments.
Huang also says the guide introduces the International Labour Organization's
11 forced labor indicators, including signs of forced labor such as debt
bondage, restriction of movement, excessive overtime and retention of
identity documents.
Guthrie family offers $1m reward for missing mother
The family of Nancy Guthrie is offering a reward of up to $1million US
dollars for any tips (秘密消息) that lead to her recovery.
The mother of TV news anchor Savannah Guthrie was taken from her home in
Arizona more than three weeks ago.
Nick Harper has been following the latest developments from Washington.
Norway King Admitted to Hospital
Norway's royal palace says King Harald has been admitted to a hospital in
Spain’s Canary Islands during a winter vacation there.
It said that Harald, who turned 89 on Saturday, was admitted to the hospital
on Tuesday evening and was being treated for an unspecified
(未說明的) infection and dehydration.
It added that he was reported to be in good condition.
The palace said the king’s personal physician will travel to the Canary Islands and an
update on Harald’s health will be issued today after he has assessed the
situation.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 247-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
34,020 on turnover of 14-billion N-T.
The market closed higher on Monday, as the market reopened following its
11-day Lunar New Year holiday, but the gains were capped amid concerns over
U-S tariff policies.
Opposition calls for talks on format of Lai's legislative report
Opposition parties are calling for cross-party negotiations over how
President Lai Ching-te should deliver a national affairs report at the
Legislative Yuan.
The statement comes after Lai announced that he's willing to deliver (發表) a
national affairs report at the Legislative Yuan "in accordance with
constitutional procedures" following a meeting with the heads of the five
branches of government at the Presidential Building.
K-M-T and Taiwan People's Party lawmakers are seeking a question-and-answer
format.
Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu proposed a questions-first-answers-second
format after Lai hosted the meeting - saying he invited the president to
personally explain issues of concern to lawmakers.
According to Han, Lai "gladly accepted" the invitation.
Lunar New Year ER visits down as more clinics stay open, UCCs expand
The Ministry of Health says visits to emergency rooms over the Lunar New Year
period were down from last year as more clinics stayed open and urgent care
centers expanded capacity.
According to the ministry, data shows there were 232,397 visits to hospital
ERs from February 14 to 21 - and that total was down by 22.5-per cent from
the number of visits reported during the same holiday period of last year.
Visits to the hospital ERs over the holiday period this year were closely
watched after what happened last year - when ERs across Taiwan became so
overcrowded that the Taiwan Society of Emergency Medicine called the
situation "unprecedented (史無前例的)".
The government spent 1.6-billion N-T in funding to encourage medical
providers to stay open during this year's holiday.
Trump threatens higher tariffs for countries who "play games" after Supreme Court ruled tariffs illegal
US president Donald Trump has threatened (威逼) to put higher tariffs on
countries that want to "play games" after a key U.S. Supreme Court tariff
ruling.
Kate Fisher report from Washington
Canada Calls OpenAI Reps to Ottawa
The Canadian government has called representatives of ChatGPT-maker OpenAI to
Ottawa.
The company says it considered but did not alert Canadian police about the
activities of a person who months later committed one of the worst school
shootings in the country’s history.
Canada's artificial intelligence minister says he expects the company’s top
safety representatives to explain its protocols and how it decides to forward
cases to law enforcement when he meets with them today.
OpenAI said last June that the company identified the account of Jesse Van
Rootselaar via abuse detection efforts.
The 18-year-old killed eight people in a remote (偏僻的) part of British
Columbia this month and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 57-points this morning following an 11-day Lunar New
Year holiday, at 33,663 on turnover of 37.9-billion N-T.
Australian warship transits Taiwan Strait, tracked by China's navy
The Ministry of National Defense says it closely monitors the skies and
waters around Taiwan and that the Taiwan Strait is an international waterway
for which all countries enjoy the right of freedom of navigation.
The statement comes after an Australian warship sailed through the Taiwan
Strait.
Reports are citing sources as saying that the Royal Australian Navy
Anzac-class frigate, Toowoomba conducted a routine (常規) transit through the
Taiwan Strait" on Friday and Saturday as part of a "Regional Presence
Deployment in the Indo-Pacific region."
The defense ministry says it will not proactively disclose the movements of
aircraft and ships of friendly allied countries.
Taipei's Grand Hotel warns of possible data breach after cyberattack
The Grand Hotel in Taipei is warning customers a possible data breach.
The statement comes after the hotel discovered unauthorized access to its
information systems last week.
According to the hotel, it has issued the notice as a precaution (範圍), as
the scope and targets of the attack have yet to be fully assessed.
The hotel has also issued apology to the members of the public for any
concern caused by the situation.
The hotel says it activated its highest-level cybersecurity response measures
after discovering the attack.
Customers are being urged to remain on the alert against suspicious emails
and to verify any messages requesting payment or personal financial
information.
Secret Service shoots, kills armed man at Mar-a-Lago
Secret service agents and other law enforcement officials shot and killed an
armed man who entered the perimeter (防衛線 / 外圍) of US President Donald
Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Ira Spitzer has more.
Mexico El Mencho Killed in Military Operation
The Mexican army says it has killed the powerful leader of the Jalisco New
Generation Cartel in a military operation.
On Sunday, troops targeted Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El
Mencho,” in the western state of Jalisco.
The operation set off hours of roadblocks (路障) and burning vehicles in
Jalisco and other states.
Officials say cartels often use these tactics to slow down or block military
moves.
The U.S. State Department has offered a reward of up to $15 million dollars
for information leading to El Mencho's arrest.
Milan Olympics Officially Closed
The twin Olympic cauldrons in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo have been
extinguished, signaling the end of the Winter Games.
International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry declared the 2026
Games over in remarks to the closing ceremony in Verona.
A total of 116 medal events have been held in eight Olympic sports across 16
disciplines, including the debut of ski mountaineering this year, over the
course of 17 days of competition.
The next Winter Games will be held in neighboring (鄰接) France, which
received the Olympic flag in the official handover earlier in the ceremony.
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Shield AI and Taiwan's NCSIST team up on AI drones
Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology and American
defense company Shield A-I have signed a contract to advance the development
of AI-piloted unmanned systems.
The systems are reportedly capable of continuing operations in compromised
communications environments.
According to Shield AI President Brandon Tseng, the partnership will enable
(使…能夠) drone forces being produced in Taiwan to include cutting-edge AI
pilots that will allow the U-A-V's to operate while G-P-S and communications
are jammed.
Shield AI last year announced a teaming agreement with Taiwan's state-backed
Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation and opened a new office at the
Taipei 101.
CDC reporting first measles case this year after Vietnam trip
The Centers for Disease Control is reporting Taiwan's first measles case of
this year.
According to the C-D-C, the case involves an eight-month-old baby boy who
lives in northern Taiwan, who traveled with his family to Vietnam and
returned in late January.
The boy developed a fever, a persistent (持續的) cough and other symptoms in
early February and was hospitalized last Friday after developing a rash.
The C-D-C says the infant's family members and 395 others suspected contacts
are now being monitored.
They will continue to be monitored until February 28.
The C-D-C has issued measles travel alerts for Vietnam, Indonesia, India,
Angora, Mexico, Yemen and Pakistan, and placed 30 other countries on its
watch list.
Health authorities are advising parents to ensure their young children
receive their measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
US Trump Administration to Wind Down Immigration Surge in Minnesota
The Trump administration says it will end its immigration enforcement (執行)
operation in the state of Minnesota, claiming the state is now safer because
of their work.
This comes after the deaths of at least two people, both shot by immigration
or federal border agents.
Mitch McCann reports:
UNICEF: Haiti Armed Groups Increasingly Recruiting Children
UNICEF says that the recruitment of children by armed groups in Haiti tripled
last year as poverty and violence deepens across the troubled Caribbean
country.
The surge reported Thursday comes as gang violence displaces a record 1.4
million people across Haiti.
More than half of them are children whom experts say are left exposed and
vulnerable (易受傷害的; 易受攻擊的).
The U.N. estimates that 30% to 50% of members of armed groups are children,
with recruiting (招募) starting as young as 9 years old.
UNICEF’s representative in Haiti, said boys generally act as spies, carry
ammunition and weapons while girls often face sexual violence and are tasked
with domestic work.
France Prosecutors Investigating Ticketing Fraud at Louvre
Paris prosecutors say police are detaining nine people in an investigation
into a long-running ticket fraud scheme at the Louvre museum.
Prosecutors say the arrests happened on Tuesday.
The museum had filed a complaint in December 2024.
Investigators found tour guides repeatedly reuse the same tickets for
different visitors.
Prosecutors say guides also split groups to avoid a required speaking fee.
Two Louvre employees allegedly helped skipping (略過) ticket checks in
exchange for cash.
The prosecutors' office estimates losses top 10 million euros over a decade.
Prosecutors also mentioned similar suspicions regarding a ticket fraud at the
Palace of Versailles, without providing details.
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Taipei signs NT$12.2 billion Nvidia deal
The Taipei City Government has signed a 12.2-billion N-T agreement with
Nvidia for the T-17 and T-18 plots of land at the Beitou-Shilin Technology
Park.
Mayor Chiang Wan-an says construction on the U-S technology company's new
Taiwan headquarters could now begin as early as June.
The deal grants Nvidia 50-year land surface rights, extendable by up to 20
years and Chiang is describing the agreement as a major milestone and is also
pledging (保證) full municipal support.
Under Nvidia's investment plan, more than 40-billion N-T will be spent during
construction, and operations are expected to create over 10,000 jobs.
Nvidia C-E-O Jensen Huang is scheduled to visit Taiwan from June 2 to 5 for
Computex Taipei.
TSMC shares surge almost 69% in 'Year of Snake'
Shares in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing soared almost 69-per cent in the
Year of the Snake.
T-S-M-C shares closed at a record high of 1,915 N-T on Wednesday - the final
trading day of the Year of the Snake - despite coming off
off a historic intraday high of 1,925 N-T early in the session.
The chipmaker's share price jumped 780 N-T during the Year of the Snake and
contributed about 6,262 points to the Tai-Ex's overall rise for the year.
The strong showing raised T-S-M-C's market capitalization by more than
20-trillion N-T during the year.
Taipei Zoo to renovate its tropical rainforest area
And,
The Taipei City Zoo has announced plans to renovate its tropical rainforest
area.
According to the zoo,the renovations will improve animal welfare, update some
of its aging facilities and are in line with (與…一致,符合,按照)
international trends in professional zoo development.
The Asian tropical rainforest area opened in 1997.
The zoo will be relocating its Asian elephants Yu-Hsin and Yu-Kai to the
African animal area later this year during the renovation period.
The zoo will also be transfering other animals, such as the Malayan tiger,
sun bear, and leopard, following the elephants' move.
Republicans join Democrats to rebuke Trump's Tariffs on Canada
US lawmakers have voted to terminate President Donald Trump's tariffs on
Canada - with six Republicans joining Democrats in the House of
Representatives.
The resolution passed 219 to 211 - sending the bill to the Senate where a
similar (相似的) measure passed last year.
Toni Waterman has more.
Sci Initiative Finds HumanCaused Climate Change Drove Wildfires
A team of researchers say that human-caused climate change had an important
impact on the recent wildfires that engulfed parts of Chile and Argentina’s
Patagonia region.
That's according to a report released Wednesday by World Weather Attribution,
a scientific initiative that investigates extreme weather events.
The report says the hot, dry and gusty weather that fed last month’s deadly
wildfires in central and southern Chile was made around 200% more likely by
human-made greenhouse gas emissions.
Ande the high-fire-risk conditions that fueled (激起，助長) the blazes still
racing through southern Argentina were made 150% more likely.
World Weather Attribution says “These trends are projected to continue in
the future as long as we continue to burn fossil fuels.”
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at
33,086 on turnover of 12.1-billion N-T.
The market ended at a high of just over 33,000 points on Tuesday as Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing registered strong gains after its American
depositary receipts closed at a record price overnight.
MOEA sets aside NT$30 billion to cushion auto industry amid US tariff deal
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has set aside 30-billion N-T to support
Taiwan's automobile industry as it prepares for changes to tariffs under a
Taiwan-US trade agreement,
According to Economics Minister Kung Ming-hsin, initial assessments indicate
that the impact on domestic industrial output could exceed (超過) 1-per cent
but will remain "manageable."
Kung says the funding will help the automobile and auto parts industry absorb
(吸收)shocks, advance transformation and upgrading, and strengthen
independent research and development and exports.
Kung also says any tariff arrangements will apply only to US-made vehicles
and such vehicles will be defined only if they meet country of origin and
value-added content requirements consistent with existing international
standards.
Population declines for 25th consecutive month
The Ministry of the Interior says the island's population fell for a 25th
consecutive month in January -- with the number of live births falling by 304
from December of 2025.
According to the latest data, as of the end of January, the population
totaled 23,289,045, down 10,087 from December.
A total of 8,723 babies were born in January, 304 fewer than in December and
772 fewer than a year earlier.
The interior ministry says that translates to roughly one birth every 5.1
minutes and an annual crude birth rate (粗出生率) of 4.41 per 1,000 people.
Deaths totaled 17,529 in January, or about one every 2.5 minutes and the
crude death rate was 8.86 per 1,000 people
White House defends Trump Canada bridge attack
The White House has defended US President Donald Trump's threat to block the
opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Ontario with
Michigan.
Trump has told Canada his administration needs to be "fully compensated for
everything", despite (儘管) both countries co-owning the bridge.
Nick Harper reports from Washington on the White House press secretary
Karoline Leavitt's comments.
Chile Launches OpenSource AI Language Model for Latin American Culture
Chile has launched the first open-source AI language model trained on Latin
American culture.
Called Latam-GPT, the two-year effort is led by Chile's National Center of
Artificial Intelligence and supported by over 30 institutions.
It aims to reflect regional realities in AI.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric emphasized the importance of Latin America's
role in the AI revolution.
Latam-GPT, announced at the February 2025 Artificial Intelligence Action
Summit in Paris, addresses linguistic biases (語言的偏誤) in models trained
mainly on English data.
It uses Latin American data and will initially operate in Spanish and
Portuguese, with plans to include Indigenous languages later.
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Tai-Ex opens higher on Wall Street rally
The Tai-Ex opened up 35 points this morning from yesterday's close, at 32,440
on turnover (成交額) of $5.9 billion NT.
Shares in Taiwan closed more than 600 points higher Monday, as a strong rally
(大漲) in the United States late last week prompted investors to buy
large-cap (大型股) electronics stocks.
Contract chipmaker TSMC failed to hold onto all of its earlier gains, with
analysts saying investors turned cautious ahead of the Lunar New Year
holiday, amid concerns over possible negative developments overseas.
Old-economy stocks (傳產股) were largely overshadowed by the technology
sector, although some industries tied to AI development attracted interest.
TaiDoc union protests interference; company blames 'outsider' involvement
The union at TaiDoc Technology protested Monday outside the Ministry of Labor.
It's accusing the medical device maker of undermining (破壞) its operations,
including illegally dismissing its chair, Filipino worker Elizabeth Basas.
Notices posted around the workplace allegedly humiliated her and warned other
employees against joining the union.
Union director Lennon Wang said the group, formed six months ago with about
30 Filipino members, has faced ongoing pressure from management and claimed
the company forced employees to join the union, announcing over 100 new
members unilaterally (單方面地).
TaiDoc's chair has denied the accusations, calling Wang an "outsider"
illegally interfering (非法干預) and questioning the legitimacy (合法性) of a
recent strike vote.
The Ministry of Labor said it has received a request to investigate the
allegations and urged employers to respect union independence (工會自主權)
and avoid improper interference (不當干預).
Taiwan's Zhang Bo-ya wins gold at Asian Indoor Athletics Championships
Taiwan's top hurdler Zhang Bo-ya (張博雅) secured gold in the women’s
60-meter hurdles at the 2026 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Tianjin,
setting a new national record of 8.12 seconds.
The 22-year-old star broke her own national record twice in a single day.
After an initial record-breaking run in the heats, Zhang surged past her
Japanese competitors in the final to take Taiwan’s first gold of the meet.
Her victory capped off a successful weekend for the national team, which
earned one gold and three silver medals.
Notable performances included Chen Wen-pu (陳玟溥), who smashed a 38-year-old
national record in the men’s 60-meter sprint, alongside silvers from long
jumper Lin Yu-tang (林昱堂) and sprinter Liao Yan-jun (廖晏均).
Coach Wang Kuo-hui (王國慧) said the result confirms Zhang’s peak condition
as she prepares for the upcoming outdoor season and Asian Games qualifiers
(亞運資格賽).
Maxwell remains silent to Epstein questions, pleads for clemency
In international news,
Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted sex trafficker for Jeffrey Epstein, has
refused to answer US lawmakers' questions at a closed-door hearing, asserting
her Fifth Amendment right (保持緘默權).
She used the session to ask for clemency (寬赦), saying she would "speak
fully" if pardoned (特赦) by US president Donald Trump.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Cuba Aviation Officials Warn of Fuel Shortage
Cuban aviation officials have warned airlines of a fuel shortage (燃料短缺)
for refueling on the island.
This is part of energy rationing (能源配給) as the Trump administration cuts
Cuba off from its fuel sources.
The shortage stems from U.S. political pressure severing Cuba’s access to
oil from Venezuela and Mexico.
Shorter flights may not be affected, but long-haul routes face challenges.
The energy crisis has led to reduced bank hours, suspended cultural events
and halted public transport.
U.S. sanctions (制裁) have long impacted Cuba, but recent measures have
intensified the situation.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 173-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
31,956 on turnover of $10.4-billion N-T.
Cross-border effort leads to Taiwan fugitive's arrest in Philippines
A 33-year-old Taiwanese fugitive has been arrested in Metro Manila following
a joint operation between Philippine and Taiwanese authorities.
The suspect, surnamed Chien (簡), had been on the run since August 2023, when
an arrest warrant was issued by the Miaoli (苗栗) District Prosecutors Office
on theft charges.
Philippine immigration officials say Chien was also classified as an
“undesirable (不受歡迎的) alien” after overstaying his temporary visitor
visa.
He is currently being held at a detention facility pending deportation.
Since the start of 2025, officials have successfully tracked down and
arrested 22 wanted Taiwanese fugitives in the Philippines through
intelligence sharing and other forms of cooperation.
Airport MRT to run 5 a.m. express train from Feb. 12-22 for LNY
Taoyuan Airport MRT is adding an early morning express train service from
Taipei Main Station to handle (應付) increased outbound travel over the Lunar
New Year holiday.
According to the operator, the train will run from February 12th to the 22nd
… and depart at 5 AM … reaching Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 2
Station within 41 minutes.
On the way, it will call at A3 New Taipei Industrial Park, A8 Chang Gung
Memorial Hospital, and A12 Airport Terminal 1 stations — as usual for the
express train.
To support the service, Taipei Main and New Taipei Industrial Park stations
will open earlier — at 4:30 AM.
In-town check-in at Taipei Main will also be available at that time.
While the other stations it stops at will open at 5 AM.
Japan PM Party Secures Supermajority
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s governing party has secured a
two-thirds supermajority in a parliamentary election.
Takaichi told public broadcaster NHK later that she is ready to pursue (實行)
policies to make Japan strong and prosperous.
TV networks cited preliminary results from Sunday's vote in reporting that
Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner won 352 seats
in the 465-seat lower house.
The huge jump from the previous parliament could allow Takaichi to make
progress on a right-wing agenda that aims to boost Japan’s economy and
military capabilities as tensions grow with China and she tries to nurture
ties with Washington.
US FBI concluded Jeffrey Epstein wasn’t running a sex trafficking ring for
powerful men, files show
From the US….
Files show the FBI concluded Jeffrey Epstein wasn’t running a sex
trafficking ring for powerful men.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
Venezuela Gov Releases Opposition Members from Prison
Venezuela’s government has released (釋放) several prominent opposition
members from prison, including one of the closest allies of Nobel Peace Prize
laureate Maria Corina Machado.
These releases come as acting President Delcy Rodriguez faces pressure to
free those detained for political reasons.
The move follows a visit from representatives of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights.
On Sunday, Foro Penal confirmed the release of at least 30 people.
Machado’s ally Juan Pablo Guanipa, a former governor, and her attorney,
Perkins Rocha, were among the released.
The ruling party-controlled National Assembly is debating an amnesty bill
that could lead to more releases.
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Trump says he spoke with Xi about Taiwan and April China trip
Typhoon Penha forms east of the Philippines, no direct threat to Taiwan
US proposes preferential trade bloc for critical minerals
US-brokered Ukraine-Russia talks open in Abu Dhabi as fighting continues
US and Iran set Oman talks as agenda dispute continues
Smithsonian's National Zoo welcomes first Asian elephant calf in nearly 25 years
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Education Ministry freezes university fees for 3 years
Cold wave forecast as tropical storm forms near Philippines
Abe shooter appeals life sentence in Japan
US shoots down Iranian drone
French police raid X office as Europe probes Grok deepfakes
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KMT in New Taipei to pick mayoral nominee by Feb. 15
Jensen Huang to return to Taipei in June for Computex
LINE Pay Money fixes nationality option for residence permit users
UN to send ceasefire monitors to eastern Congo after Doha talks
Trump says US-India trade deal cuts tariffs to 18%
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Cabinet outlines upgrades to conscription training
Taipei Zoo says panda Yuanzai passes full health check
Another cold surge could bring plains lows near 8°C
Iran warns of wider war as it labels EU armies "terrorists"
Britain's Prince Andrewcan't escape Epstein's shadow
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Family of murdered Malaysian student criticizes death penalty ruling
The mother of a Malaysian student murdered in Taiwan says she cannot accept a
court’s decision to spare her daughter’s killer from the death penalty.
In a statement released Thursday, the mother criticized the Kaohsiung High
Court for overturning the death sentence previously given to Liang Yu-chih.
The court ruled that the 2020 rape and murder did not meet the legal
threshold for the "most serious" of crimes.
The mother argued that the court focused too much on the possibility of
rehabilitation (（囚犯）獲得改造).
She noted that professional psychiatric assessments found the killer had a
high risk of committing another crime, and urged the judiciary to consider
public safety and the protection of future victims in its sentencing.
Liang had been sentenced to death in three previous trials.
The court now says life imprisonment and psychological treatment are
sufficient because the murder was not proven to be premeditated.
The Taiwan High Prosecutors Office says it plans to appeal the new ruling.
Olive oil importer fined over mislabeled products, 3,202 bottles recalled
Authorities have recalled more than 3,200 bottles of olive oil after
discovering a major food fraud operation that blended expensive oil with
cheap canola oil.
The Taipei Department of Health fined Rong & Chyi International $4-million NT
for mislabeling.
The Investigation Bureau says the scheme involved two companies that
allegedly mixed up to 500 liters of canola oil for every 50 liters of olive
oil.
Investigators raided a manufacturing site in New Taipei and found equipment
used to mix the oils.
The bureau estimates the operation made about $15-million NT in illegal
profits.
Health officials have notified online platforms and local authorities in 17
cities and counties to remove the product from shelves.
The heads of both companies have been released on bail as the fraud (騙局)
investigation continues.
DRC Measles Deaths from Low Vaccine Coverage and Conflict
Health officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo say 24 people have died
of measles across the country since the beginning of this year.
Most victims are young children due to low vaccination coverage (疫苗接種率).
The hardest-hit areas are in the country's east where an armed conflict has
been raging between government forces and the M23 rebels since 2021.
Chris Ocamringa reports
UN Criticizes Haiti for Stalled Political Transition
The U.N. Security Council has criticized Haitian authorities for the lack of
progress in achieving a political transition and reforms to tackle (應對)
increasing violence.
The council condemned the upsurge in violence by gangs and criminal groups,
pointing to human rights violations and widespread abuses.
The council resolution was co-sponsored by the United States and Panama and
adopted unanimously (一致地) Thursday.
It extends the U.N.’s political mission in Haiti until Jan. 31, 2027.
The resolution also revises the mission's mandate to focus on facilitating a
“national dialogue” to support efforts to hold municipal, parliamentary and
presidential elections.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 24-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
32,828, on turnover of $11-billion N-T.
The Taiwan stock market hit a record high today as shares of chipmaker
T-S-M-C soared to a new peak, and memory chip suppliers also saw big gains.
Analysts say the surge was driven by investor optimism over the artificial
intelligence boom and upcoming earnings reports from U.S. tech giants like
Microsoft and Meta.
Beyond tech, petrochemical stocks rose because of higher crude oil prices and
tensions in Iran, while electric machinery companies also gained value as the
government works to improve the national power grid.
However, some analysts warn the market could face resistance as it approaches
the 33,000-point mark.
(NS)
Prosecutors Seek Taiwan Man Detention for Alleged Money Laundering
Prosecutors are seeking to detain the Taiwanese manager of a gambling ring
accused of laundering money from China through local shell companies.
The Taipei District Prosecutors Office says a Chinese national set up several
companies in Taiwan starting in 2016.
The group allegedly hired engineers to design gambling software for overseas
markets, then used fake transactions and false invoices to move illegal
profits back into Taiwan.
On Tuesday, authorities searched four locations and questioned 12 people,
including accountants and engineers.
Nine suspects were released on bail.
But prosecutors are asking the court to hold the Taiwanese manager without
bail, citing the risk that he might collude (串通) with others.
(NS)
Russia Warn on Ukraine Casualties Could Hit 2Million
A new report warns that combined (合併的) war casualties in Russia's war on
Ukraine could soon hit 2 million
AP correspondent Laurence Brooks reports
Germany Deutsche Bank Searched in Money Laundering Probe
German investigators searched the offices of Deutsche Bank, Germany’s
largest, on Wednesday in connection with an investigation into possible money
laundering.
Prosecutors in Frankfurt said that the probe focused on the bank’s prior
(事先的) business relationships to foreign entities which were in turn
suspected of being used to launder money.
Offices were searched in Frankfurt, where the bank is headquartered, and in
Berlin.
The bank said it was cooperating with investigators.
Rwanda Suing UK for Cancelled Migrant Deal
Rwanda has said it is suing the United Kingdom to seek payments over an
aborted, controversial migrant deal under which the East African nation was
to host deported asylum seekers from the European country.
The migrant deal entered into force on April 25 2024.
In July 2024, shortly after taking office, Prime Minister Keir Starmer
announced that the deal was “dead and buried.”
In 2023, the UK Supreme Court found the deal between Rwanda and the UK to be
“unlawful,” ruling that it violated both UK law and international law and
ordering it to be scrapped.
Some legal experts have questioned whether parties to an unlawful contract
can seek financial remedies (補救措施).
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 64-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 32,381
on turnover of $8.5--billion N-T.
With contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing regaining its
footing and rebounding from a session earlier, shares in Taiwan closed at
another record high Tuesday.
The buying in TSMC shares spread to other semiconductor stocks, with
investors betting that orders for more mature chip processes would shift, as
TSMC cuts that capacity (生產能力) in favor of more advanced chip
manufacturing.
Some flight cancellation fees increased to 30%
The Civil Aeronautics Administration says that cancellation fees for domestic
offshore flights during holiday periods will be raised to up to 30% of the
ticket price.
The new tiered (分層的) fee system will take effect in March, and be applied
for the first time on the Labor Day long weekend.
Under current rules, domestic offshore tickets sold for holidays for three
days or more carry restrictions (限制)…
such as "valid only for the booked flight" or "expired if unused" with
cancellation fees capped at 10% if refunds are requested before departure.
But under the new rules, cancellation fees will vary based on how close the
refund request is to the flight's departure time.
Officials say, the changes are intended to curb seat hoarding (囤積) during
peak travel periods…
as some passengers book multiple flights and cancel later.
Spain to Grant Legal Status to Immigrants
Spain will grant legal status to potentially hundreds of thousands of
immigrants living and working in the country without authorization.
Spain's migration minister says the government plans to amend immigration
laws by expedited (加急的) decree, offering legal residency and work permits
for up to one year.
This applies to those who arrived before Dec. 31, 2025, and have lived in
Spain for at least five months without a criminal record.
The minister says the measure could benefit an estimated 500-thousand people.
Many are from countries in Latin America and Africa and work in agriculture,
tourism or service jobs, backbones of Spain’s booming economy.
Landmark social media trial underway in California
Social media giant TikTok has settled a lawsuit claiming the platform
deliberately addicts and harms children.
However, Meta and YouTube are still facing similar claims as a landmark
(具有重大意義的，標誌性的) trial gets underway in Los Angeles.
Ira Spitzer reports.
BAFTA Nominations Announced
and finally…..
Paul Thomas Anderson’s politically charged action thriller “One Battle
After Another” leads the race for the British Academy Film Awards, with 14
nominations including acting nods for five of its cast.
Ryan Coogler’s blues-steeped vampire epic “Sinners” is close behind with
13 nominations, while Chloe Zhao’s Shakespearean tragedy “Hamnet” and Josh
Safdie’s ping-pong odyssey (漫長而驚險的旅程) “Marty Supreme” have 11
apiece.
The winners will be announced at a Feb. 22 ceremony in London.
The U.K. prizes — officially called the EE BAFTA Film Awards — often
provide clues about who will triumph at Hollywood’s Academy Awards.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 31-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 32,095
on turnover of $9.3-billion N-T.
The market smashed closing records on Monday after breaching the 32,000-point
mark as buying rotated to the old economy sector.
Analysts say the main board's momentum extended from the recent significant
gains, as raw material suppliers attracted strong investor interest, while
interest in tech stocks saw a downturn.
Japanese artists to build lantern floats for Taiwan Lantern Festival
Two Japanese Nebuta artists will be crafting (手工製作) the large lantern
floats for this year's Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi County.
Artists Makoto Suwa and Hiromi Hayashi from Japan's Aomori City were invited
to create the lantern floats for the General Association of Chinese Culture.
Nebuta are traditional lantern floats handmade with wood, metal wire and
paper.
According to the association, the two artists will create nebuta for Chiayi County's Pei Tien Temple, featuring the deities Mazu and Hu Ye, for Lantern Festival - which will be taking place from March 3
through 15.
Both Suwa and Hayashi have previously visited Taiwan to exhibit their nebuta
works, but this will be the first time they produce nebuta from scratch in
Taiwan.
The floats will be taking part in the festival parade on the evening of March
7.
UN Aid Delivered to Kobani Syria
A U.N. aid convoy has delivered humanitarian supplies to Kobani in northeast
Syria.
This marks the first aid delivery since fighting began between Syrian
government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces earlier this
month.
A ceasefire, announced Tuesday and extended Saturday, is mostly holding
despite sporadic skirmishes (斷斷續續的小規模戰鬥).
Kobani residents have faced electricity and water cuts and shortages of
essentials (必需品).
The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said 24 trucks
delivered supplies, including food and medical kits.
The fighting has displaced over 173-thousand people.
A new agreement aims to merge SDF fighters with government forces.
UK and EU Countries Join Wind Power Project
The UK is among ten other European countries to work on a clean energy scheme
(方案) by producing more wind farms in the North sea.
The aim of the project, to be agreed at a summit in Germany, is to
move away from fossil fuels and strengthen energy security.
Lara Bentley reports
Canada Last Captive Whales May Be Exported to US
Canada’s last captive whales have a received a reprieve from death after the
Canadian government conditionally approved a plan to export them to the
United States.
The country's fisheries minister met with officials from Marineland, the
shuttered theme park and zoo in Niagara Falls, Ontario, to talk about its
proposed plan to move the animals south.
The park is in discussions with four U.S. institutions to take its 30 belugas
and four dolphins.
The park had said it was running out of funds and the animals would be
euthanized (安樂死) if the export permits were not authorized by Jan. 30-th.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 41-points this morning from Friday's close, at 32,002 on
turnover of 7.2-billion N-T.
The market closed at yet another high on Friday as Wall Street made gains
overnight after U-S President Donald Trump rescinded his tariff threats on
European countries over the pursuit of Greenland.
Subject: E*Taiwan to list Nipah virus as Category 5 disease after India outbreak
Return to Table of contents
The Centers for Disease Control says it plans to list Nipah virus infection
as a Category 5 notifiable disease following a recent outbreak of the virus
in India.
According to the C-D-C, it released a proposed change to its measures on
controlling infectious diseases on January 16 -- which would list Nipah virus
infection as a Category 5 disease.
The measure now has to undergo a 60-day period during which members of the
public can comment on it before it can take effect.
The Nipah virus has only been under priority surveillance (監視) in Taiwan
since 2018.
The Nipah virus can infect humans through contact with infected bats or
animals such as pigs.
CAA probes Starlux flight to Kobe after hard landing
The Civil Aeronautics Administration is investigating a Starlux Airlines
flight from Taichung to Kobe after it experienced a hard landing.
The incident occured on January 20 and the C double A has grounded the crew
pending the outcome of the investigation.
According to the administration, the flight exceeded vertical G-force limits
during its landing, meaning the aircraft touched down with a
stronger-than-normal downward force.
Starlux says the flight encountered a sudden gust of wind on approach, which
triggered (觸發) abnormal system readings, but has not released any further
details of the incident.
Philippines Ferry Sinking
An inter-island ferry with more than 350 on board has sunk in the southern
Philippines after midnight.
Rescuers have saved at least 244 passengers and retrieved 13 bodies.
Officials say the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, a cargo and passenger ferry, was
sailing to southern Jolo island in Sulu province from the port city of
Zamboanga with 332 passengers and 27 crew members when it apparently
encountered (遭遇) technical problems and sank.
Coast guard and navy ships, along with a surveillance plane, an air force
Black Hawk helicopter and fleets of fishing boats were carrying out search
and rescue operations off Basilan.
Officials say the cause of the ferry sinking was not immediately clear and
there will be an investigation.
Federal and state officials both claim moral high ground in immigration crackdown after shooting
Protests continue in Minneapolis following a second fatal (致命的) shooting
by federal law enforcement.
AP correspondent Donna Warder reports
France President Wants Social Media Ban FastTracked
French President Emmanuel Macron says he wants to fast-track a ban on social
media for teenagers under 15.
He aims for the law to take effect in September.
Macron made the announcement in a video released over the weekend.
He emphasized that children's emotions and minds should not be manipulated by
(受到操縱 / 操控) social media platforms.
This move follows the British government's consideration of a similar ban.
France's health watchdog reports that many teenagers spend hours daily on
social media, leading to negative effects like low self-esteem and exposure
(接觸) to harmful content.
Macron's office confirmed the bill will be discussed today.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 43-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
31,789 on turnover of $6.4-billion N-T.
Premier thanks Japan for swift response to helicopter crash
Premier Cho Jung-tai is expressing his thanks to Japanese government for
their swift and comprehensive rescue operation after a helicopter carrying
two Taiwanese tourists and a Japanese pilot went missing near one of Japan's
most active volcanoes.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has arranged for the Taiwan victims' families
to travel to Japan following the accident.
Authorities say the helicopter lost contact during what should have been a
10-minute flight over Mount Aso in southern Japan on Monday.
Rescuers on Wednesday said they'd spotted wreckage believed to be from the
sightseeing helicopter inside the crater (火山口) of one of Mt. Aso's five
peaks.
However, officials had said bad weather and high levels of volcanic gases
were hampering the rescue operation.
The helicopter's operating agent has said the two tourists from Taiwan were a
41 year old man and a 36 year old woman.
Alex Honnold to scale Taipei 101 on Saturday
American free solo climber, Alex Honnold will be attempting to scaling the
Taipei 101 tomorrow.
Taipei 101 chairwoman Janet Chia has led a bilingual blessing ceremony for
the American climber ahead of his historic free solo climb.
Honnold will scale all 101 floors of the structure (結構) without ropes or
safety equipment.
He's attempting what organizers a describing as potential milestone in human
achievement.
The climb will be broadcast live by Netflix.
Ukraine President Criticizes EU for Slow Response to Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is criticizing European allies for
their slow and fragmented response to Russia's invasion.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he highlighted Europe's
inadequate (不足) support compared to the U.S. push for peace.
Zelenskyy met with U.S. President Donald Trump, calling the talks productive.
He urges Europe to become a global force, contrasting its response to
Washington's actions in Venezuela and Iran.
Despite European support, internal disagreements and slow responses frustrate
Kyiv.
Zelenskyy stresses the need for Western weaponry and international focus on
the war as Russia's influence persists.
Minnesota judge overturns block on agents using force on protesters
A US appeals judge has overturned a ruling that blocked federal agents in
Minneapolis from using force against peaceful protesters.
The city has seen several weeks of protests against the government's
immigration crackdown (鎮壓), and the killing of a woman by an immigration
agent.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Olympic Flame to Pass Through Venice
The Olympic flame makes a landmark run through Venice, gliding on boats down
the Grand Canal and across St. Mark’s Basin.
The flame will arrive toward dusk (黃昏) at "Piazzale Roma", crossing the
"Ponte delle Guglie" and the Rialto Bridge.
Venice is the 46th stage of the 63-day torch relay covering 12-thousand
kilometers.
The relay started in Rome and will wind through (蜿蜒穿過) all 110 Italian
provinces before reaching Milan’s San Siro Stadium for the opening ceremony
on February 6.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 124-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
31,371 on turnover of 9.7-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply lower on Wednesday following heavy losses on Wall
Street overnight.
Analysts say investors opted to dump their holdings in panic as sentiment was
hit by the big losses on U-S indexes overnight.
While Wednesday was also the settlement date for January futures contracts,
so selling increased, with foreign institutional investors holding more
short-position contracts than long-position ones … and tech stocks remained
the targets of the sell-off.
DPP finalizes candidates for Chiayi County, Tainan and Kaohsiung elections
The D-P-P has finalized its candidates for key mayoral positions in southern
Taiwan.
According to the party, it has approved Lai Jui-lung as the D-P-P's candidate
for the Kaohsiung mayoral election, Tsai Yi-yu as its candidate for the post
of Chiayi County magistrate, and Chen Ting-fei as its Tainan mayoral
candidate,.
Final approval for all three candidates was made during a meeting of the
D-P-P's s Central Executive Committee.
President Lai Ching-te, who doubles as the party chairman, says he hopes the
candidates will integrate (整合) local efforts and support other party
members seeking office in November's local elections.
Rescuers spot wreckage from Japanese sightseeing helicopter carrying 2 Taiwanese tourists
Rescuers in Japan have spotted wreckage (殘骸) believed to be from a
sightseeing helicopter that was carrying two Taiwanese tourists and a
Japanese pilot that went missing near one of Japan's most active volcanoes
Authorities say the helicopter lost contact during what should have been a
10-minute flight over Mount Aso in southern Japan on Monday.
According to local police, the wreckage, possibly of the missing helicopter,
was spotted inside the crater of Nakadake, one of Mt. Aso's five peaks.
However, officials had said bad weather and high levels of volcanic gases
were hampering (阻礙) the rescue operation.
Taiwan's representative office in Fukuoka says it was notified of a
helicopter crash involving the two Taiwanese tourists immediately after the
accident occurred.
Supreme Court looks set to reject Trump's bid to control Fed
US President Donald Trump's bid to control the US central bank looks set to
be rejected by the Supreme Court.
During arguments on Wednesday, justices from across the ideological spectrum
(政治光譜) appeared concerned that the president's efforts to fire one of the
Federal Reserve's leaders, could imperil its independence.
Kate fisher reports from Washington
Peru President Facing Scrutiny for Meetings with Chinese Business Owners
Peru's interim President Jose Jeri is facing scrutiny (細看，仔細審查) for
unregistered meetings with two Chinese business owners.
On Wednesday, he appeared before a congressional oversight committee to
address these encounters, which have sparked a criminal probe and calls for
his removal.
Jeri denies wrongdoing and claims the opposition's actions are a
destabilizing maneuver ahead of the April 12 election.
Earlier this week, Peru’s attorney general’s office said it has launched a
preliminary investigation against Jeri for the alleged crimes of influence
peddling and illegal lobbying.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally lower this morning from yesterday's close, at
31,749 on turnover of 8.5-billion N-T.
The market closed at yet another new record high on Tuesday, as Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing recouped its early losses on the back of investor
optimism over the company's fundamentals.
Analysts say T-S-M-C continued to attract bargain hunters and that resulted
in the chipmaker's share price rising by 0.85-per cent to close at 1,775 N-T.
No invite for Taiwan to Honduras presidential inauguration
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has not received an invitation to the
inauguration of Honduras' president-elect Nasry Asfura.
The statement comes amid reports that President Lai Ching-te had expressed an
interest in attending the January 27 event.
According to the foreign ministry's Department of Latin American and
Caribbean Affairs, the lack of (沒有…) an invitation is due to Taiwan not
having official diplomatic ties with Honduras.
The department has not said whether or not it approached members of the
incoming Asfura administration for an invitation.
Asfura pledged to restore ties with Taipei if he was elected president during
his campaign.
Epidemic flu period may begin this week, peak around Lunar New Year
The Centers for Disease Control was warning that Taiwan could enter a flu
epidemic as early as this week, as case numbers are continuing to rise ahead
of Lunar New Year holiday.
According to the C-D-C, outpatient and emergency visits for flu-like
illnesses reached 104,348 from the week of January 11 to 17.
That figure marked a second consecutive weekly increase and was an increase
of 11.9-per cent from the previous week.
The C-D-C says the number of weekly visits for flu-like illnesses could climb
to as high as 140,000 during the peak period (高峰期).
Health officials say 458 severe flu cases and 88 flu-related deaths have been
recorded so far this flu season.
The C-D-C is urging people in high-risk groups to get vaccinated as soon as
possible.
Trump: "you'll find out" how far he'll go to acquire Greenland
US President Donald Trump says people will "find out" how far he's willing to
go to acquire Greenland.
It comes as he prepares to meet worried European allies on Wednesday in
Davos, who are becoming increasingly vocal (直言不諱的) in their push back
against the President's plans.
Nick Harper reports from Washington
NZ PM Announces National Election Date
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced a national
election will be held Nov. 7th.
New Zealand elections are held every three years with the government
selecting the date.
Voters choose which party they prefer to see in government and also select a
local candidate to represent their constituency (選區) in parliament.
Luxon, who is leader of the center-right National party, became prime
minister in 2023.
His chief opponent is Chris Hipkins, leader of the center-left Labour party.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 54-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
31,584 on turnover of 11-billion N-T.
The market hit yet another new closing high as Monday on the back of
continuing strong shows by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.
T-S-M-C saw its share price climb to a record high of 1,780 N-T in intraday
trading, before closing 1.15-per cent higher at 1,760 N-T.
Defense Minister briefs lawmakers on weapons procurement plans
Defense Minister Wellington Koo has briefed members of the Legislative
Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee on weapons systems the
military hopes to procure under the 1.25-trillion N-T special defense budget.
According to Koo, the defense ministry is seeking to purchase more than
200,000 U-A-Vs, as well as precision artillery (精準火炮), long-range
missiles, air defense missiles and anti-tank missiles
Koo told lawmakers during the closed-door session that he will be given a
detailed explanation in regards the weapons systems being eyed by the defense
ministry, when the special defense budget has been referred to committee
review.
Lows of 8-degree as cold air mass moves in
And,
The Central Weather Administration says, a strong continental cold air mass
will send temperatures drop to as low as 8-degrees in some areas this week.
The cold front will move south from this afternoon and strengthen from
tomorrow through Thursday.
Lows tomorrow and Thursday in the north are forecast to fall to between 12
and 13 degrees.
While the mercury could drop to between 13 and 14 degrees overnight in the
center and south.
The cold air mass is expected to weaken starting Saturday - when daytime
temperatures will rebound (反彈).
Iran Protests Leave Over 4000 Dead
Activists say the bloody crackdown on demonstrators taking part in nationwide
protests in Iran killed at least 4,029 people.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency offered the toll today, saying more
than 26-thousand people have been detained in the crackdown.
It said of the dead, over 3-thousand-700 were demonstrators, and nearly 30
were children.
It fears many more may have been killed.
The agency has been accurate (準確的) in previous unrest in Iran and relies
on a network of activists on the ground to confirm each death.
This comes as a U.S. aircraft carrier, which days earlier had been in the
South China Sea, passed Singapore overnight to enter the Strait of Malacca.
This puts it on a route that could bring it to the Middle East.
US FBI asking agents to volunteer for Minnesota deployment: reports
The FBI is reportedly asking agents to volunteer for a deployment to
Minnesota, as clashes between anti-ICE protestors and federal agents
intensify.
The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security have beefed
up (加強) their presence in Minneapolis after an immigration officer shot and
killed Renee Good - a US citizen and mother of three - in her car two weeks
ago.
Toni Waterman has the story.
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Magnitude 4.3 quake rattles mountainous areas of south and center
TVGH suspends 3 doctors after video shows vendor taking part in surgery
Europe won't be blackmailed
High-speed train derails in southern Spain
Suspected gang members in Guatemala's capital kill seven police officers
--
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 34-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 30,845
on turnover of $8-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Thursday as investors awaited the outcome of Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing's investor conference - which began after the
trading day ended.
Danjiang Bridge to host opening events in both April and May
Events are slated to take place to mark the completion of the Danjiang Bridge
in the lead-up to its officially opening on May 12.
Both the New Taipei City Government and the Highway Bureau will be hosting
events from between April 25 and May 9.
The bridge will be open to the public to walk across on April 25 and the
Highway Bureau will be holding a parade on the bridge the following day
featuring performances by musical groups.
A concert will also be taking place in May 2 and the bridge will be open for
a public picnic day on May 3.
Construction of the 920-meter-long bridge is due to be completed in April and
when completed, the Danjiang Bridge will become the longest
asymmetric (不對稱的) single-tower cable-stayed bridge in the world.
Officials say the bridge will cut the travel time between Tamsui and Bali by
about 25-minutes.
Trump threatens to send troops to Minnesota as tensions rise following second ICE shooting
US president Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to
deploy troops to Minnesota in response to rising tensions between protesters
and federal agents.
His warning came just hours after a man was shot and wounded (受傷的) by an
immigration officer who had been attacked with a shovel and broom handle in
Minneapolis.
Kate fisher reports from Washington
UN SecretaryGeneral Criticizes Violations of Intl Law and Concentration of Wealth
The United Nations chief is lashing out at countries that violate
international law and calling the concentration of power and wealth by the
world’s richest 1% “morally indefensible.”
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke to the U.N. General Assembly on
Thursday at the start of his final year at the helm (領導地位) of the United
Nations.
He said the U.N.'s 193 member nations are facing “a world marked by
self-defeating geopolitical divides, brazen violations of international law,
and wholesale cuts in development and humanitarian aid.”
He said all these forces are shaking the foundations of global cooperation at
a time when it is needed most.
Guterres warned of the dangers of a concentration of power and wealth in the
world's richest 1%, who hold 43% of global financial assets.
He also criticized countries that don’t pay their U.N. dues on time —
another jab at the Trump administration, which did not pay its mandatory dues
to the U.N.’s budgets in 2025.
Wikipedia Partners with AI Companies
Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia written by volunteers, is embracing
artificial intelligence to mark its 25th anniversary.
The site has signed up new AI partners, including Meta and Microsoft,
alongside existing ones with companies like Google.
These companies are paying to access Wikipedia content, supporting its
nonprofit mission.
Founder Jimmy Wales welcomes AI training on Wikipedia data, emphasizing
(強調) its human-curated nature.
The Wikimedia Foundation urges AI developers to pay for access, as bots
heavily tax (使負重擔) its servers.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 194-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
30,746 on turnover of 11.3-billion N-T.
The market gained ground again on Wednesday as buying rotated to select tech
stocks that had been lagging behind semiconductor shares in recent sessions.
Presidential impeachment hearings begin
Lawmakers have begin public hearings to discuss impeaching President Lai
Ching-te.
The first hearing took place yesterday and a second hearing is scheduled for
today as part of the legislature's impeachment review process.
The Committee of the Whole Yuan will then hold formal (正式的) review
meetings on January 21 and 22.
The lead sponsors will use those meetings to explain the grounds for
impeachment and Lai will be invited to give a 15-minute statement followed by
questioning by lawmakers.
A second review meeting is scheduled for May, after which the impeachment
case will be put to a vote in the Legislative Yuan on May 19.
The impeachment needs a two-thirds majority of lawmakers for it to pass.
Taiwan passport rises three spots in global ranking
Taiwan's passport has risen three place in the latest Henley Passport Index
to move up to 33rd spot.
The rise means it returned to the same place it was in the rankings in
January of last year.
The index rank passports by the number of destinations its holder can travel
to without a visa.
The latest survey shows that Taiwan passport holders can travel to 139
countries and territories without a visa.
The Singaporean passport was ranked (排名) the most powerful with visa-free
access to 192 destinations out of a total of 227.
US to freeze visa processing for 75 countries
The Trump Administration says it will indefinitely halt visa processing for
immigrants from 75 countries, including Brazil, Russia and Iran.
The State Department says this latest restriction - which kicks in next week
- is aimed at people trying to quote .. "extract (強索) wealth from the
American people."
Toni Waterman has more from DC
Canada BC Ends Experiment Decriminalizing Limited Drug Possession
Canada’s Pacific coast province of British Columbia is ending its three-year
experiment in decriminalizing possession (擁有) of small amounts of drugs.
British Columbia's health minister says the province is not seeking an
extension (延伸) of its agreement with Canada’s federal health agency that
allowed the decriminalization of small amounts of drugs for personal
possession.
The three-year pilot project, slated to end Jan. 31st, initially allowed
adults to possess up to 2.5 grams cumulatively of opioids, crack and powdered
cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA.
But in 2024, the exemption was amended to restrict such possession to private
homes and places where homeless people are legally sheltering, as well as
designated health-care clinics and overdose prevention, drug checking and
supervised consumption sites.
The minister says the goal was to make it easier for people o come forward
and seek help, but it "hasn't delivered the results" officials hoped for.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 35-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 30,742
on turnover of 7.5-billion N-T.
The market closed at yet another new high on Tuesday as Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing extended its momentum from a session earlier amid optimism over
global demand for A-I applications.
Cabinet refusing to comment on reports of US tariff deal
The Cabinet is refusing to comment on reports that Taiwan and the U-S are
close to completing a trade deal.
Reports have been suggesting the deal will reduce the U-S tariff rate on
Taiwan products will from 20 to 15-per cent, and commit Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing to invest significantly more in the U-S.
Cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee says Taiwan and the U-S have already reached
"broad consensus (共識)" on related issues, and are currently discussing the
timing of a wrap-up meeting.
And according to Lee, any confirmed arrangements will be announced publicly.
T-S-M-C has not commented on the report, but is expected to address the issue
at its investor conference tomorrow.
Former Legislative Speaker Su Jia-chyuan named SEF chairman
Former Legislative Speaker Su Jia-chyuan has been appointed as chairman of
the Straits Exchange Foundation.
Su had long been widely tipped for the post after his predecessor, Frank Wu,
announced his resignation on December 18.
According to Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo, President Lai
Ching-te invited Su to take the post, citing his "extensive (全面的)
political experience and successful track record in international exchanges."
Kuo says Lai is expressing his hope that Su will strengthen the Straits
Exchange Foundation's operations and help promote "positive and healthy"
cross-strait exchanges.
Su most recently served as chairman of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association
for more than three years.
Iran Protest Death Toll Surpasses 2Thousand
Activists say the death toll from nationwide protests in Iran has surpassed
2,000 people.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate
(準確的) in previous unrest in recent years, gave the latest toll.
It says most of the dead over more than two weeks of protests were protesters
and 135 were government-affiliated.
With the internet down in Iran, gauging the demonstrations from abroad is
difficult.
The demonstrations began a little over two weeks ago in anger over Iran’s
ailing economy and theocracy, particularly the country's Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency warns that the death toll will rise.
US Justice Department Prosecutors Resign Over Minnesota ICE Shooting Investigation
From the US….
Justice Department prosecutors are resigning amid turmoil (動盪) over
Minnesota ICE shooting investigation
AP correspondent Ed Donahue reports.
France Le Pen in Court to Appeal Embezzlement Conviction
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has returned to court to appeal an
embezzlement (挪用公款) conviction that risks affecting her 2027 presidential
ambitions.
She denies any wrongdoing.
She was found guilty in March of misusing European Parliament funds and
sentenced to a five-year ban from holding office, among other penalties.
The appeal trial involving Le Pen and 10 others opened on Tuesday and is set
to last five weeks.
The verdict is expected possibly before summer.
Le Pen argues the funds were used appropriately (適當地).
The case weighs heavily on her political future, as she has worked to bring
the far right into France’s mainstream politics.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 63-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 30,630
on turnover of 8.2-billion N-T.
The market closed higher yesterday as buying was sparked by gains posted on
Wall Street at the end of last week.
However, the main board declined from the day's high of 30,681 after
profit-taking set-in late in the session, as investors turned cautious ahead
of the anticipated U-S Supreme Court ruling later this week on Donald Trump's
sweeping tariffs.
Taiwan F-16s return to the sky after no-flight order lifted
The Air Force says its fleet of F-16s jet fighters have now resumed regular
training operations following safety checks.
The fleet was grounded in response to the disappearance of an F-16V and its
pilot going missing in waters off the east coast last Tuesday.
According to the Air Force, all of its F-16s passed inspections, with pilots
and ground crews completing simulation (模擬) and maintenance training,
respectively.
The Air Force also released photos of a group of four F-16Vs making
preparations for takeoff, with one piloted by Maj. Gen. Hu Chung-hua -- the
chief of the Air Force's 5th Tactical Mixed Wing based in eastern Hualien
County.
Taipei to launch 'smoke-free city' plan this year
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says his administration is looking at various
options to limit smoking in public places and some version of the policy is
likely to be implemented this year.
According to Chiang, a "Taipei smoke-free city" plan is expected to be
launched by the end of this year.
Chiang says city officials are studying the establishment of designated
(指定的) smoking areas in Tokyo, which has cut down on secondhand smoke and
cigarette litter in the Japanese capital.
The Taipei mayor also said that it's very possible the city will make
reference to examples abroad, such as using designated smoking areas or
booths to improve the quality of public spaces.
US Trump Administration Sends Hundreds More Agents to Minneapolis
Hundreds more federal agents are being deployed (部署) to Minneapolis by the
Trump administration.
It comes amid protests after a woman was shot and killed by an Immigration
and Customs Enforcement officer in the city.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington
Iran Protest Death Toll Rises
Activists say the death toll from Iran’s nationwide protests has reached at
least 646 people with the number expected to rise further.
The toll as of Tuesday comes from the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News
Agency, which has been accurate (準確) throughout multiple years of
demonstrations.
According to the Associated Press, the agency relies on a network of
activists inside Iran that confirms all reported fatalities.
Iran’s government has not provided casualty figures for the
demonstrations, as all communications remain blocked in the country.
Pope Meets with Venezuela Opposition Leader Machado
Pope Leo XIV has met with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado
at the Vatican.
During Monday's meeting, which was not previously announced, the Venezuelan
leader asked the pope to intercede (調解) for the release of hundreds of
political prisoners held in Venezuela and for a swift transition to
democracy.
Machado is touring Europe and the United States after escaping Venezuela in
early 2025.
The pope called for Venezuela to remain independent and urges the protection
of human rights following the capture (捕拿) of former President Nicolas
Maduro by U.S. forces.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 183-points this morning from Friday's close, at 30,472
on turnover of 10.8-billion N-T.
The market closed lower on Friday, but remained above the 30,000 point mark
on the back of investor optimism that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
would report strong sales for 2025 after the main board closed.
Lai announces approval of NT$2.94 billion 'smart health' subsidies
President Lai Ching-te says his administration has approved 197 subsidy
programs worth about 2.94-billion N-T under a plan to encourage medical
institutions to adopt 'smart health care' technologies.
The subsidy programs are part of the five-year 48.9-billion N-T Healthy
Taiwan Cultivation Plan, which the government launched last year.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Nobel Health Care Forum in
Taipei, Lai said the subsidy programs are designed to leverage
(利用，發揮（優勢）) the advantages of smart health care to strengthen
medical services.
According to Lai, although average life expectancy in Taiwan is currently
above 80, people spend an average of 8.4 years in poor healthand that means
"about 10-per cent of the average lifespan is unhealthy," with some people
bedridden, using wheelchairs or needing daily care.
HPA to publish new dietary guidelines in Q2 2026
Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says the Health Promotion Administration
will issue new daily dietary guidelines in the second quarter of this year.
It will be the first such update since 2018.
A draft of the new guidelines was completed late last year.
According to Shih, eggs will be promoted more than in the past, given the
growing body of research (大量的研究成果) showing they are an excellent
source of nutrition.
And while earlier guidelines only recommended skim or low-fat milk, the
updated guidelines recognize that whole milk contains important nutrients, as
long as it is consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
US Minnesota More Immigration Arrests
Minnesota braces for what's next amid (…之中) more protests and
immirgration arrests
AP's Lisa Dwyer reports
Italy Olympic Venue Guard Death
Authorities have confirmed the death of a guard at construction site near a
2026 Winter Olympic venue in the mountain resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo.
The death occurred during a frigid overnight shift, when temperatures plunged
to minus 12 degrees Celsius.
Italy’s infrastructure minister has called for a full investigation into the
circumstances surrounding the 55-year-old worker’s death.
Italian media reported that the death happened on Jan. 8, outside Cortina’s
ice arena, and Milan Cortina organizers said that the worker died of a heart
attack.
City officials expressed deep sadness and concern (憂慮) over the incident.
The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are scheduled for Feb. 6-22.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 10-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 30,370
on turnover of $6.5-billion N-T.
FDA announces recall of Nestle formula powder over potential contamination
The Food and Drug Administration says Nestle has preemptively recalled 83,496
cans of baby formula powder over potential contamination (污染) of the toxin
cereulide.
The move comes amid a global recall of the food company's baby formula
products earlier this week.
According to the F-D-A, Nestle Taiwan self-reported that two batches of its
products sold in Taiwan may have used potentially contaminated ingredients.
Those products are batches (批次) of it Illuma Infant Growth Formula and
Illuma Toddler Growth Formula.
Nestle Taiwan says it initiated voluntary recalls as a precaution to
safeguard consumer health and safety.
The company says it has lso set up a dedicated hotline to handle returns and
exchanges.
The F-D-A is urged consumers who have purchased the products to stop
consumption and return the product.
MOEA updates guidelines for foreign students interning in Taiwan
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has updated guidelines to protect the rights
of foreign students interning in Taiwan.
The updated Guidelines Governing the Application of Foreign Students to the
ROC in the Capacity of Interns in Enterprises and Organizations includes
clearer rules on student eligibility, internship stipends and working hours.
Under the revised rules, students must be enrolled (已註冊) at overseas
universities officially listed by the Ministry of Education, the and the
economic ministry's Department of Investment Review.
Students must have completed at least one semester of study before coming to
Taiwan and be of an age appropriate for their program.
They must also be studying a field related to their internship and have basic
Chinese or English communication skills to ensure the quality and
effectiveness of the internship.
US Withdraws from dozens of international bodies and organisations
The United States is withdrawing from dozens of international organizations
and bodies, many of which are associated with the United Nations, in the
latest sign of Washington stepping back from multilateralism (多邊主義).
Mitch McCann reports:
Philippines Garbage Mound Collapse Leaves Dead and Missing
A huge mound of garbage has collapsed in a waste segregation facility in a
central Philippine city, killing one person and leaving at least 27 others
missing.
Police say that firefighters and disaster-mitigation personnel retrieved
eight people, including workers at the facility, who were trapped (被困)
Thursday afternoon in the avalanche of trash and debris in the village of
Binaliw in Cebu city.
Local officials say one of those rescued, a female worker at the landfill,
died while being brought to a hospital.
Authorities and officials at the waste management facility, which has 110
employees, are to hold an emergency meeting today
UN Forecasts Global Growth Slightly Lower This Year
The United Nations is forecasting that the global economy will grow by 2.7%
this year.
That's slightly lower than last year’s estimate, citing the impact of higher
U.S. tariffs, economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions.
U.N. economists predict that growth will edge up to 2.9% in 2027.
That’s still well below the average 3.2% growth between 2010 and 2019,
before the COVID-19 pandemic hurt economies around the globe.
The U.N. economists say there was “unexpected resilience" to sharp increases
in U.S. tariffs last year.
They are pointing to solid consumer spending and easing inflation, which
helped sustain (維持) growth..
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 104-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
30,330 on turnover of 12-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Wednesday, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
pulled back on profit taking after hitting a record closing level a session
earlier - but the main board remained above the 30,000 point mark.
Air Force to call on US to speed-up collision-avoidance system work following F-16V incident
The Air Force is urging the U-S to expedite work to install automatic ground
collision avoidance systems on its F-16V fighter jets and hopes the process
(過程) can be completed sooner than initially planned.
It comes after an F-16V jet went missing off of Hualien on Tuesday evening.
Authorities are still searching for the missing aircraft and its pilot.
The incident has led to concerns about the speed in which automatic ground
collision avoidance systems are being installed on Taiwan's F-16Vs.
The project was initially slated for completion in 2028.
However, the Air Force says it now hopes it can completed by the end of this
year.
Subject: E*MOEA gives final approval for Nvidia's Taipei headquarters
Return to Table of contents
The Taipei City Government says the Ministry of Economic Affairs has given
its final approval for Nvidia to build its overseas headquarters at the
Beitou-Shilin Technology Park.
Nvidia is now set to submit its investment proposal to the city government
later this month.
Nvidia C-E-O Jensen Huang is expected to visit Taiwan later this month to
attend (出席) the signing ceremony.
The Nvidia headquarters will be designed by local architect Kris Yao.
Yao's previous projects include the China Steel Corporation Headquarters in
Kaohsiung and the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum in Chiayi.
WH: US has started marketing Venezualan oil on the global marketplace
The White House says the US has already started marketing Venezuelan oil in
the global marketplace.
It comes as President Trump says Venezuela has agreed to make up to 50
million barrels of crude (原油) available to the US.
Jagruti Dave has more from Washington
Canada PM to Visit China Next Week
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit China next week where he will
meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping as Canada looks to reduce its reliance
(依賴) on the United States.
The visit, announced on Wednesday, is the first to China by a Canadian prime
minister in more than eight years.
Xi invited Carney to China when they met during an Asia-Pacific summit last
fall and it comes as the two countries move to restore stronger ties after
years of tensions.
Carney will travel to China from Jan. 13 to 17.
EU Snow and Ice Hampering Travel
Snow and ice are hampering travel in parts of Europe as flights have been
grounded and roads clogged (堵塞).
More than 1,000 passengers spent the night at Amsterdam's airport as staff
worked to clear snow from runways.
At least 800 flights were canceled at the airport on Wednesday.
France's weather service has issued alerts for snow and black ice.
People were urged to work from home.
Swedish and Finnish cities also faced disruptions with trams and buses
halted.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 163-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
30,412 on turnover of 23-billion N-T.
The market closed above the 30,000 point mark once again on Tuesday, as
buying was further boosted by investor optimism over Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing's sales amid the current A-I boom.
Analysts say investors are betting that T-S-M-C will deliver positive leads
(商機線索) at its investor conference next Thursday.
NSB says Beijing paired Taiwan drills with cyberattacks and cognitive warfare
The National Security Bureau says Beijing paired military drills against
Taiwan with information operations and cyberattacks from between December 29
and January 2.
According to the bureau, the move resulted in the spreading of more than
19,000 "controversial" messages and the launch of millions of hacking
intrusions (入侵).
In a report submitted to the Legislative Yuan, the N-S-B says the online
activity involved 799 abnormal accounts and focused on amplifying skepticism
about the U-S, Taiwan's military and President Lai Ching-te, referring to
concerns about Taiwan's ability to defend itself.
CDC warns that influenza epidemic to hit late January and peak over Lunar New Year
The Centers for Disease Control says it expects to see a rise in flu cases in
the later this month and a further increase around the Lunar New Year holiday
period.
According to the C-D-C, a total of 82,161 people sought medical treatment for
flu-like illness from the week of December 28 to January 3 - and that level
remains about the same as the previous week.
The C-D-C is projecting that Taiwan will again enter a flu epidemic ( 流行病)
period in the latter half of this month, following a previous period from
late September to late November this winter and it's likely to peak around
the nine-day Lunar New Year holiday, which begins on February 14.
UN Human Rights Office Expresses Renewed Concern Over U.S. Actions in Venezuela
The UN Human Rights office says it's concerned America's military action in
Venezuela is going to make the situation (情況) in the country even worse,
and that US actions undermined international law.
Mitch McCann reports from the United Nations in New York:
Canada FM and Governor General to Visit Greenland
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says his foreign minister and the
governor general will visit Greenland in early February in the wake of
renewed threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to annex the Danish territory.
Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Governor General Mary Simon are
expected to open a consulate in Nuuk, Greenland,
Simon became Canada's first Indigenous governor general in 2021 and
previously served as Canada's ambassador to Denmark.
Carney says the future of Greenland and Demark are decided solely
(唯一地，完全) by the people of Denmark.
He spoke while meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at the
Canadian Embassy in Paris.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 171-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
29,933 on turnover of 14-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Monday - as it closed above the
30,000-point mark for the first time as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
smashed closing records on the back of investor optimism toward demand for
its high-end processes.
Three individuals and Tokyo Electron Taiwan indicted over new TSMC trade secret theft
The Taiwan High Prosecutors' Office Intellectual Property Branch has indicted
three individuals and Tokyo Electron Taiwan for stealing Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing's 14-nanometer technology secrets.
Those indicted include Chen Li-ming, a former T-S-M-C engineer who worked at
Tokyo Electron Taiwan, a T-S-M-C employee and a Tokyo Electron employee.
Two of the individuals have been charged with reproducing trade secrets
relating to national core (核心) key technologies under the National Security
Act.
While the other individual and Tokyo Electron Taiwan have been charged with
destroying evidence in a criminal case.
All three individuals and Tokyo Electron Taiwan have also been indicted in a
seperate investigation into the theft of T-S-M-C's 2-nanometer technology.
Tourism authority issues guidelines to protect foreign accommodation interns
The Tourism Administration has issued updated guidelines to better protect
foreign interns in the accommodation/hospitality sector.
It comes after the government opened the sector to foreign students enrolled
in overseas schools last year to help address labor shortages.
The administration says more than 1,900 students came to Taiwan to work as
interns last year, but there were concerns over inadequate (不足)
protections.
Under the updated guidelines, foreign interns who perform work beyond their
training must receive payment equivalent to at least the minimum wage,
training must not exceed more than eight hours a day or 40 hours a week …
… and it cannot be scheduled between 10PM and 6AM, without the individual
intern's consent.
Iran Protest Death Toll Rises to at Least 35
Activists say the death toll in violence surrounding (周圍的) protests in
Iran has risen to at least 35.
The figure came from the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which
said more than 1,200 people have been detained in the protests, which have
been ongoing for more than a week.
It said 29 protesters, four children and two members of Iran’s security
forces have been killed.
The semiofficial Fars news agency, believed close to Iran’s paramilitary
Revolutionary Guard, says some 250 police officers and 45 members of the
Guard’s all-volunteer Basij force have been hurt.
UK Gov to Seize Illegal Migrants Phones
Mobile phones will now be seized from illegal migrants entering the UK
without arrest.
The country's government says the new powers will help gather more
information on smuggling (走私) gangs organising the Channel crossings.
Lara Bentley has more…
Auschwitz Survivor Eva Schloss Obit
Auschwitz survivor Eva Schloss, stepsister of Anne Frank, has died at 96.
The Anne Frank Trust UK, where she was honorary president, said she died
Saturday in London.
King Charles III praised Schloss for her lifelong dedication to overcoming
hatred and prejudice (偏見).
Born in Vienna in 1929, Schloss fled to Amsterdam and became friends with
Anne Frank.
Both families hid from the Nazis but were eventually captured.
Schloss survived Auschwitz and later moved to Britain.
She became a prominent Holocaust educator, speaking worldwide and writing
books.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 429-points this morning from Friday's close, at 29,779
on turnover of 15.7-billion N-T.
The market closed at a new high Friday,as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
continued to break records amid the current A-I boom.
MOFA welcomes new SVG leader's pledge to maintain diplomatic ties
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs say it welcomes a recent pledge (保證) by
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' new prime minister that his government will
maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Godwin Friday assumed office in late November and he made the Taiwan comments
during a recent radio interview.
Friday has been quoted as saying that diplomatic relations with Taiwan
remain, as do relations with all countries with which Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines has diplomatic ties.
According to the foreign ministry, it will continue close communications with
the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' government to deepen bilateral
cooperation for the benefit of both peoples.
Panama-flagged cargo ship refloated off Hualien without oil spill
A Panama-flagged bulk carrier that ran aground off Hualien County on New
Year's Day has been successfully refloated and towed into Hualien Port.
Authorities says no oil pollution has been detected.
The C-S-E Prosperity Express was refloated by two tugboats under coast guard
escort after passing hull inspection and safely berthed (停泊) at Wharf No.
22.
According to the Maritime Port Bureau, no oil leakage was observed during or
after the operation, despite the ship carrying more than 200-metric tons of
residual fuel.
The carrier is operated by China Steel Express.
US Rebuts Russian Claims of Ukrainian Attack on Putin Residence
U.S. national security officials have determined that Ukraine did not target
a residence belonging to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a drone attack
last week.
That's according to President Donald Trump.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov last Monday said Ukraine launched
(發射) a wave of drones at Putin’s state residence in the northwestern part
of Russia.
The allegation came just a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
had traveled to Florida for talks with Trump.
Trump initially appeared to take the Russian allegations at face value and
said he was angry.
Maduro Case to Revive Legal Debate Over Foreign Leaders Immunity
Venezuela's Interim President Delcy Rodriguez has taken the place of her ally
President Nicolas Maduro who was captured by the United States in a nighttime
military operation.
Legal experts say Maduro's case will revive a legal debate over immunity
(豁免) for foreign leaders tested in another trial.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
SKorean Star Ahn Sung-ki Obit
A Seoul hospital says prominent South Korean movie star Ahn Sung-ki has died.
He was 74.
The hospital says Ahn died this morning.
Ahn has been fighting blood cancer for years.
Ahn is one of South Korean cinema’s most beloved (被喜愛的) and respected
stars.
His 60-year extensive career and positive, gentle public image earned him the
nickname “The Nation’s Actor.”
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 53-points this morning on the new year's first trading
day, at 29,016, on turnover of 6.5-billion N-T.
Taiwan shares closed the final trading session of 2025 at a record high
Wednesday, led by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, as the benchmark index
capped a second straight year of historic gains fueled by strong demand tied
to artificial intelligence infrastructure.
For the full year, the benchmark surged nearly 26 percent, surpassing the
rise recorded in 2024 and setting a new record for annual point gains for the
second consecutive year.
The index has now risen more than 20 percent for three straight years.
Lockheed gets Taiwan contract
The Pentagon says Lockheed Martin has been given a contract involving foreign
military sales to Taiwan to meet what Washington is describing as an "urgent
operational need" of Taiwan's Air Force.
The contract has a ceiling value of 328-million U-S dollars.
According to the Pentagon, the contract is for the procurement (採購) and
delivery of 55 Infrared Search and Track Legion Enhanced Sensor Pods,
processors, pod containers and processor containers.
The work is expected to be completed by June of 2031
First official record of Formosan black bear entering worker's hut in Alishan
The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency says a Formosan black bear broke
into a worker's hut in Alishan's Dabang Village and ate food
from a refrigerator and from canned goods.
According to the agency's Chiayi branch, personnel were sent to inspect
(察看) the site and set up infrared cameras to track the bear after receiving
the report.
The agency has released photos showing an open refrigerator, broken eggs in a
carton, and empty food cans inside the hut - which sits at an elevation of
1,190-meters in Alishan.
Experts found footprints near the worker's hut and, based on the damaged
canned food, concluded that a Formosan black bear was responsible.
Although Formosan black bears are occasionally sighted in the Alishan area,
the Dabang Village incident marks the first officially recorded case of a
bear entering a worker's hut and eating food.
Iran Protests Leave at Least 3 Dead
Protests over Iran's struggling economy have spread into rural areas, with at
least three people killed.
Authorities reported the fatalities on Wednesday and Thursday in cities home
to Iran’s Lur ethnic group.
The demonstrations are the largest since 2022.
The protests began due to economic pressures, with Iran's currency rapidly
depreciating (貶值).
Demonstrators have also chanted against the country’s theocracy.
Trump delays tariff hike on furniture and kitchen cabinets as affordabilitycrisis bites
The White House says planned tariff hikes on items like furniture and kitchen
cabinets are being pushed back one year.
The delay comes as the administration insists its trade strategy is working -
even as high prices continue to frustrate (感到煩躁) voters.
Toni Waterman has more from Washington.
Anthony Joshua to Stay in Nigeria After Release from Hospital
British boxer Anthony Joshua is initially staying in Nigeria as he
recuperates from injuries sustained after a deadly crash.
A vehicle carrying the former heavyweight champion and two of his associates
crashed (撞擊) into a stationary truck on Monday on a local highway.
The two associates were killed.
Joshua was released from a Lagos hospital on Wednesday afternoon and he paid
his respects to his deceased friends at the morgue.
His promoter, Matchroom Boxing, told The Associated Press that Joshua will
remain in Nigeria over the coming days.”
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 16-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 28,723
on turnover of 5-billion N-T.
The market closed lower on Tuesday after Wall Street fell overnight as
heavyweight tech stocks lost ground from last week's big gains, but the
downturn was limited due to government-led funds picking up large cap stocks
to minimize volatility.
MND highlights China's disinformation during large-scale drill
The Ministry of National Defense's Political Warfare Bureau says it
identified 46 pieces of disinformation related to China's military exercise
on Monday and Tuesday.
According to the bureau, the disinformation mainly focused on attacking the
Lai administration's policies, slandering (誹謗) the armed forces, and
eroding (逐漸毀壞) trust in the United States.
Defense ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang says that every major Chinese military
exercise since August 2022 has combined military and non-military actions
aimed at influencing public opinion here in Taiwan, as well as in neighboring
countries and Taiwan-friendly countries.
President Lai Ching-te urged the public in a social media post to be mindful
of disinformation accompanying the exercise.
Lawmakers pass law amendments to Fraud Crime Hazard Prevention Act
Lawmakers have passed amendments to the Fraud Crime Hazard Prevention Act.
The revisions increase penalties for for high-value fraud and also offer
sentence reductions for offenders who voluntarily surrender to authorities
and pay full restitutions (歸還,賠償) to their victims.
Under the amended Act, judicial and prosecutorial authorities are also
authorized to notify financial institutions and virtual asset service
providers to flag bank accounts, e-payment accounts, credit cards and virtual
asset accounts suspected of being linked to fraud.
And the amendments also add new penalty tiers (等級).
Those found guilty of high-value fraud exceeding 10-million N-T face a prison
sentence of up to 10-years
While for fraud cases exceeding 100-million N-T, the statutory prison term
has been increased to 7 years.
Trump confirms US has bombed Venezuelan port, adds new sanctions
US President Donald Trump says the US has struck an alleged drug loading dock
inside Venezuela, marking the first strike on Venezuelan soil in his
months-long pressure campaign against the government of Nicolas Maduro.
Toni Waterman has more from Washington.
Italy Approves 2026 Gov Budget
Italy’s Parliament has approved the government’s 2026 budget, which
includes deficit-cutting measures.
The budget aims to reduce the 2026 deficit to 2.8% of GDP, aligning with the
European Union's demands.
Premier Giorgia Meloni's conservative coalition won the final vote on
Tuesday.
Meloni describes the budget as serious and responsible, focusing on families,
work, businesses and health care.
However, the center-left opposition criticizes it for not addressing poor
salaries and high taxes.
About 25% of the budget’s funding comes from the financial sector, with tax
hikes on banks and insurance companies.
The European Central Bank warns these levies (課稅) could reduce credit flow.
Germany bank Theft
Police in Germany say thieves stole tens of millions of euros worth of
property from safety deposit boxes inside a bank vault that they drilled into
during the holiday lull (暫時平靜[).
Some 2,700 bank customers were affected by the theft at the bank branch
Monday in Gelsenkirchen.
Investigators believe the theft to be worth somewhere between 10 and 90
million euros.
German news agency dpa reported that the theft could be one of Germany’s
largest heists (搶劫).
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 87-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
28,723 on turnover of 6.4-billion N-T.
The market closed higher on Monday as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing saw
its share price hit a new record high on the back of reports the company
plans to raise prices for its advanced chips.
China carrying out live-fire drills around Taiwan
China is carrying out live-fire military drills around Taiwan today and has
said they will be taking place until 6 o'clock this evening in five
designated maritime and airspace zones.
The exercises are code-named "Justice Mission 2025."
According to coordinates provided by China's Eastern Theater Command, the
drills were to be staged (舉辦) in the sea and in the airspaces north of
Keelung, east of Taitung, south of Pingtung, southeast of Penghu, and
northwest of Taoyuan.
The Ministry of National Defense says all five of the drill zones are within
Taiwan's territorial waters.
According to the ministry, the island's armed forces have established an ad
hoc emergency operations center and are respond to developments.
Cause of Taichung power outage under investigation
Tai-Power says the cause of a power outage that affected over 9,000
households in Taichung's Beitun District is under investigation.
The outage began at around 8:55 last night and power was restored (恢復) by
10:30.
According to the Tai-Power, the outage not only affected households, but also
large numbers of businesses and several fire stations located in the
district.
Tai-Power says repair teams arrived at the scene and found that the fault was
located in the power distribution room.
The state generator says personnel carried out repairs, before carrying out
two power transfer operations to isolate the fault area.
Repair teams also reduced the power outage in order to minimize the number of
households affected.
Israel PM to Meet Trump in Florida
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is scheduled to meet President Trump in
Florida later today for talks that are expected to (預計，預期) focus on the
Gaza peace plan, Iran and Lebanon.
Blake Sifton reports from Tel Aviv
China Condemns Panama Monument Demolition
China has condemned the demolition (拆除) of a monument honoring the Chinese
community in Panama.
Panama’s president echoed the condemnation, blaming local authorities and
pledging the monument would be rebuilt.
Overnight, videos circulated on social media showing large excavators tearing
down the monument.
The Chinese Embassy in Panama accused the local authorities of having
“brazenly (明目張膽) and forcibly demolished” the monument and “seriously
damaged the friendly sentiments of the Chinese people towards the Panamanian
people.”
It's the latest development as the Trump administration in the US pushes for
the Central American nation to distance itself from Beijing.
Turkey Armenia to Simplify Visa Procedures
Turkey and Armenia have agreed to simplify visa procedures to normalize ties,
according to Turkey's Foreign Ministry.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said electronic visas will be available for both
countries' passport holders starting Jan. 1-st.
Relations have been strained by historic grievances (不平，委屈) and
Turkey’s alliance with Azerbaijan.
The countries have no formal diplomatic ties, and their border has been
closed since the 1990s.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 106-points this morning from Friday's close, at 28,662
on turnover of 4.6-billion N-T.
The market closed out last week higher, as investors continued to pick up
tech heavyweights, while turnover remained moderate, despite many foreign
institutional investors being away for the holidays.
Analysts say then lack of foreign institutional investors saw local investors
dominating the trading day, and they tended to buy large cap electronics
stocks, in particular Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.
Lai says Taiwan must raise cost of war and build indigenous defense to deter China
President Lai Ching-te says his administration will continue to raise the
cost of aggression and strengthen the island's indigenous defense
capabilities to deter China.
Speaking in a an exclusive interview with Sanlih E-Television News, that
aired on Sunday, Lai repeated previous comments that peace can only be
secured (保護，使…穩固) through strength.
Lai also reiterated that his administration will not provoke China and
remains "firmly committed to maintaining the status quo."
And he stressed that peace "must be backed by real strength," rather than
relying on an agreement or the goodwill of an aggressor.
Snow-chasing rider fined for bringing horse onto public road in Wuling
And,
A man who rode a horse in Wuling in the Hehuanshan area has been fined by
police on Sunday for violating traffic regulations.
While national park authorities says that are reviewing whether additional
penalties will apply.
Police say the man was riding his horse on public road at Wuling in an
apparent (明顯的) attempt to see snowfall and was issued fine for violating
the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act.
The incident drew widespread public attention after the man and his horse
were spotted in a parking lot in the Hehuanshan area.
Subject: E*NKorea Claims Missile Launch to Test Nuclear Deterrence
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North Korea says it fired long-range strategic cruise missiles into the sea
to test the country’s nuclear deterrence.
The official Korean Central News Agency reports that the missile launches
occurred off the country’s west coast on Sunday in the presence of leader
Kim Jong Un.
The launches were the latest weapons display by North Korea ahead of its
planned ruling Workers's Party congress early next year.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it was aware of several cruise
missile launches made from North Korea's capital region on Sunday morning.
It said South Korea maintains a readiness to repel any potential North Korean
provocations (激怒, 挑撥) through its alliance (聯盟) with the United States.
Last week, North Korea test-launched new anti-air missiles off its east coast
and unveiled apparent progress in the construction of its first
nuclear-powered submarine.
Trump and Zelensky meet but report no major breakthroughs
US President Donald Trump said a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia
was "a lot closer" after he met with Ukrainian leader Volodomyr Zelensky in
Florida.
However, the meeting didn't appear to yield (產生) any major breakthroughs on
key sticking points.
Ira Spitzer reports.
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Police investigating note posted on Eslite memorial wall
KMT and TPP propose 'Taiwan Future Accounts' for children
Tai-Ex opening higher
Turkey busts Islamic State group
Britain's King delivered 2025 Christmas speech
--
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 73-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 28,384
on turnover of $4.9-billion N-T.
Analysts say with foreign institutional investors absent, major local
investors seized the opportunity to control the session by buying TSMC, after
a U.S. tech rally.
TSMC's gains offset losses suffered by other tech heavyweights.
And when many large-cap tech stocks trade in weakness, local investors parked
their money in smaller tech stocks.
Taipei Public Asked Not to Leave Food and Drinks at Attack Memorial Space
Taipei Metro is asking the public not to leave food or drinks at a memorial
space for victims of a random knife attack last week.
The memorial located at Taipei Main Station Exit M7 honors 57-year-old Yu
Jia-chang, who was killed on December 19th while attempting to stop the
attacker.
Transit officials say the hallway near the exit is narrow and they are asking
that visitors only leave flower bouquets.
Workers will inspect the site daily and remove any food, drinks, or
inappropriate (不當) messages after the station closes each night.
Taipei Metro also says says it plans to build a permanent monument to
recognize Yu's bravery.
The Taoyuan City Government also announced it will honor Yu by enshrining him
in the Taoyuan Martyrs' Shrine.
(NS)
5 undersea cables planned to boost communications resilience: Minister
The Minister of Digital Affairs says Taiwan will add two international and
three domestic undersea communications cables as part of its efforts to
strengthen communications resilience.
Minister Lin Yi-jing says the new undersea cables will be hardened with an
"armor-like" protective layer, so they will not be easily damaged.
According to Lin, the planned undersea cables are part of the ministry's
"three-dimensional defensive communications network" initiative, which aims
to strengthen Taiwan's communication from land, air and sea.
The MInister says the initiative also includes the addition of an Amazon
low-earth-orbit satellite constellation and the inauguration of a high-orbit
geosynchronous (地球同步) satellite being built by American manufacturer
Astranis.
On land, the ministry will plan disaster-resilient base stations, expand its
existing fleet of vehicles with satcom-on-the-move capability, and procure a
large number of mobile diesel generators.
Supreme Court blocks Chicago National Guard deployment
The US Supreme Court has issued a preliminary ruling blocking the Trump
administration from deploying National Guard troops to Chicago.
The decision is a rare setback for the administration from the
conservative-leaning court, which has largely sided with President Trump so
far in testing the limits (試探底線) of executive power.
Ira Spitzer reports.
Egypt Musem Begins Reassembling Phraoah's Boat
The Grand Egyptian Museum has begun reassembling (重新組裝) a boat belonging
to Pharaoh Khufu in its exhibition hall.
The cedarwood vessel, one of two found with King Khufu, started coming
together on Tuesday as visitors watched.
The project is expected to take around four years, according to the museum.
King Khufu ruled over 4,500 years ago and built the Great Pyramid of Giza.
The museum, located near Cairo, houses nearly 50-thousand artifacts.
Experts believe the boats were used for Khufu’s funeral or his afterlife
journey.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 104-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
28,253 on turnover of $6.4-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed sharply higher Monday, led by the electronics sector,
after artificial intelligence-related stocks surged in the United States at
the end of last week.
Momentum continued yesterday as contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing pushed the broader market ahead, and memory chip suppliers
continued moving upwards due to a supply shortage.
Buying also spread to non-tech stocks with the electric machinery industry in
focus, providing more support to the Taiex.
Taiwan cracks down on threats following Taipei attack
Authorities are intensifying (強化) actions against online threats, following
Friday's deadly knife and smoke bomb attacks in Taipei, which killed 3.
Taichung prosecutors say a man was ordered detained and held incommunicado
after he posted online referencing plans for large-scale attacks.
Investigators searching his home and seized his phone.
The Criminal Investigation Bureau said that about 20 online posts involving
threats or calls for indiscriminate attacks had been identified nationwide as
of Sunday.
Hualien man fined after ostrich runs wild
In Hualien's Yuli township, a man has been fined after his pet ostrich
escaped its enclosure and was spotted running among motorists on Provincial
Highway 9.
Authorities in the township say that one officer was conducting (進行) an
"online patrol" yesterday morning when they came across photos of the loose
ostrich on social media.
Officers were able to find the owner, surnamed Huang, who said he usually
kept the bird in an enclosure.
But yesterday morning, the bird was apparently scared by something and took
off running down the highway…
running a red light and continuing south to a factory near Yuli Senior High
School.
All in all, it ran about 2.5 kilometers.
After questioning Huang, police issued him a citation under the law…
which stipulates a fine of 300-600 NT.
Denmark summons US ambassador over Greenland appointment
Denmark has summoned the US ambassador after Donald Trump's appointment of a
special envoy to Greenland.
The US president has repeatedly expressed (表達) interest in taking over the
island, angering the Danish government, which has controlled Greenland for
centuries.
Ira Spitzer reports.
Nigeria Abducted Children and Teachers Released
Nigerians have welcomed back 130 children and teachers who were released
after being seized in one of the largest mass abductions (綁架) in the
country’s history.
Some of the children appeared to be malnourished or in shock on Monday as
they arrived at a government ceremony.
Police said they were freed Sunday, a month after gunmen stormed their
Catholic school in Niger state’s Papiri community in a predawn attack.
Authorities said plans were underway to reunite the children with their
families before Christmas.
Officials did not say whether a ransom — common in such abductions — had
been paid.
France Cyberattack Knocks Out Postal Service
A suspected cyberattack has knocked France’s national postal service and its
banking arm offline during the busy Christmas season.
La Poste said Monday the attack disrupted package deliveries and online
payments, but customer data was not impacted (受影響).
At a Paris post office, employees turned away frustrated (惱怒的，不滿意的)
customers trying to send or retrieve packages.
Customers of the bank were blocked from using the application to approve
payments or conduct other banking services.
The bank redirected approvals to text messages.
It said teams are working to resolve the situation quickly.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 290-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,987 on turnover of $10.5-billion N-T.
The market ended up last week Friday, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
last week recorded an increase in shareholders to the highest number in
almost eight months.
Analysts say TSMC is expected to continue to benefit from strong global
demand for its high-end processes to meet strong global demand for artificial
intelligence applications.
Air pollution warning issued for sensitive groups
The Ministry of Environment is warning that northeasterly monsoon winds will
continue to bring increased pollution to southern and central parts of the
island today.
The ministry says pollutants from overseas are forecast to bring air quality
to an orange alert level in those areas and sensitive groups are advised to
avoid outdoor activities.
Under the ministry's Air Quality Index system, during an orange alert, people
with heart, respiratory, or cardiovascular conditions, as well as children
and the elderly, are advised to reduce physical exertion (體力消耗/勞動) and
limit outdoor activity or wear a mask when going out.
According to the environment ministry, the concentrations of fine particulate
matter are being brought to Taiwan by a northeasterly monsoon from China's
Shanghai and Shandong areas.
The impact of transboundary pollution is expected to ease later today.
Coast Guard is pursuing another tanker allegedly helping Venezuela skirt sanctions
US officials say the Coast Guard is pursuing another tanker is says is
helping Venezuela skirt (避開，繞開) sanctions.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
Israel Approves Settlements in West Bank
Israel’s far-right finance minister says the Cabinet has approved 19 new
Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The decision announced Sunday is part of a broader push by the government to
expand settlements, which threatens the possibility of a Palestinian state.
The Peace Now anti-settlement group says the approval increases the number of
settlements in the West Bank by nearly 50% during the current government’s
tenure (任期).
Settlements are widely considered illegal under international law.
The decision comes as the U.S. is pushing Israel and Hamas to advance a Gaza
ceasefire plan that includes a possible pathway to a Palestinian state.
France to Build New Aircraft Carrier
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to build a new aircraft
carrier.
The vessel will have the capacity for 30 fighter jets and 2,000 sailors.
Macron described it as a display of national power.
The announcement was made to French troops in Abu Dhabi.
The new carrier is set to replace the aging Charles de Gaulle by 2038.
It will be nuclear-powered and equipped with Rafale M fighter jets.
The project is expected to benefit (對……有益) many small- and medium-sized
businesses.
Macron has also announced increased military spending, aiming for 64 billion
euros by 2027.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 217-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,685 on turnover of $8.7-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Thursday as renewed concerns about an artificial
intelligence bubble drove Wall Street down overnight.
Analysts say renewed fears over an A-I bubble triggered selling in large-cap
AI-related stocks and investors seized on the lead as an excuse (藉口) to
pocket recent gains.
However, the Tai-Ex still recovered from its initial downturn by the end of
the session and the index saw strong technical support ahead of the
27,400-point mark - which is around the 60-day moving average.
Central bank leaves interest rates unchanged for 7th straight quarter
The central bank has opted to leave its key interest rates unchanged after
wrapping up (結束) it final quarterly policymaking meeting of this year.
The market had widely anticipated the bank would leave interest rates
unchanged for the seventh consecutive quarter - despite the U-S Federal
Reserve cutting rates for the third straight policymaking meeting last week.
The decision by the central bank means that the discount rate remains at
2-percent and that's still the highest level in 15 years.
Economists have said it's currently difficult for the central bank to follow
the U-S Fed's lead and cut interest rates as the local economy remains strong
and inflation stable.
According to government estimates, the island's economy will grow 7.37-per
cent for the whole of this year, largely on the back of an increase of
8.21-per cent in the third quarter due strong global demand for artificial
intelligence applications.
EU Delays FTA with SAmerican Countries Amid Protests
The European Commission says the European Union is delaying a massive
free-trade deal with South American countries after fiery protests by farmers
and last-minute opposition by France and Italy.
Top EU officials had hoped to sign the EU-Mercosur in Brazil this weekend,
after more than 25 years of negotiations.
Instead Commission chief spokesperson Paula Pinho confirmed that the
signature had been put off until January.
Experts say the delay will dent the EU’s negotiating credibility globally as
it seeks to forge (創造) new trade ties amid commercial tensions with the
U.S. and China.
USTrump signs executive order that could reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order labeling (標示，標籤)
marijuana a less dangerous drug.
AP Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports
Italy Monument Outside PM Office Restored
Italian restorers have used laser beams to clean an ancient Roman marble
column in the piazza outside the prime minister’s office, removing layers of
dust and grime that had covered the monument for decades.
The 47-meter-tall column, built between A.D. 180 and 193, features a relief
that spirals (盤旋上升) upward and recounts the battles of one of Rome’s
best-known emperors, Marcus Aurelius.
During the column’s last restoration, in the 1980s, restorers used tiny
brushes to remove the dirt.
The $2.3-million dollar restoration is funded by the post-pandemic European
recovery fund, and includes a new system to illuminate (照亮) the column at
night.
Work began in April and the restoration (恢復) is expected to finish in June.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 77-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,447 on turnover of 9-billion N-T.
The market closed marginally lower on Wednesday as Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing saw its early gains eroded due to futures-led selling on the
settlement day for December futures contracts.
US official says Taiwan made 'essential contributions' at Pax Silica summit
The U-S Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the
Environment says Taiwan made essential contributions after being invited to
participate in the first summit of the US-led AI supply chain strategy
initiative.
The inaugural Pax Silica summit took place in Washington D.C. last Friday.
According to Jacob Helberg, Taiwan was at the table and was absolutely
present in all of the sessions in which one would expect Taiwan to play an
important role, and Taiwan participated in discussions on manufacturing and
semiconductors.
The statement comes after the U-S State Department didn't list Taiwan as
being includes on a list of participants and guest contributors (貢獻者)
slated to meet for the summit.
Taipei City Government hoping to sign Nvidia land deal before LNY
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says the city government is hoping to sign a land
rights agreement with Nvidia before the Lunar New Year holiday.
According to Chiang, his administration initiated (發起) the urban planning
change process last week and a public exhibition period is set to end within
one month.
Chiang made the statements while inspecting the T-17 and T-18 sites at the
Beitou-Shilin Technology Park, where the Nvidia headquarters will be built.
Chiang also said he believes Nvidia's headquarters at the technology park
will prove to be transformative development that will establish Taipei as a
major artificial intelligence hub.
Israel Fires Mortar into Palestinian Residential Area in Gaza Strip
Israel’s military says troops fired a mortar shell into a Palestinian
residential area in the Gaza Strip, in the latest incident to rock the
tenuous (脆弱的) ceasefire with Hamas.
Health officials on Wednesday said at least 10 people, were wounded, and the
army said it was investigating.
The military said the mortar was fired during an operation in the area of the
“Yellow Line,” which was drawn in the ceasefire agreement that divides the
Israeli-held majority of Gaza from the rest of the territory.
The military said the mortar had veered from its intended target, which it
did not specify.
UK TO Rejoin EU's Erasmus Program in 2027
UK students will once again have access to the European Union's "Erasmus"
programme, which allows students to study at a university in a different
country for part of their degree.
London has paid around $760 million dollars to join the scheme (方案) for the
2027-2028 academic year at a 30% discount. But future participation will
depend on further negotiations.
Stuart Smith has more from London.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 59-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 27,596
on turnover of 5.7-billion N-T.
The market tumbled once again on Tuesday, ahead of the release of U-S
employment and inflation reports that could drive the direction of interest
rates.
While mixed performances for artificial intelligence-related stocks on Wall
Street overnight also did nothing to lift investor concerns about an A-I
bubble.
Lawmakers pass amendments strengthening undersea cable protections
Lawmakers have passed amendments to four separate acts governing ships,
ports, meteorological facilities and telecommunications (電信).
Passage of the amendments is part of the Cabinet's moves to update Taiwan's
so-called "seven undersea-cable laws."
The changes to the Law of Ships, Meteorological Act, Telecommunications
Management Act and Commercial Port Law are aimed at strengthening protections
for submarine cables …
…. which the government has said could pose a threat to national security
if cut or otherwise damaged.
MOTC's new vehicle window tinting rules to take effect next year
The Ministry of Transport has announced that new regulations governing tinted
vehicle windows will be taking effect in the first quarter of next year.
According to the ministry, owners of new vehicles must ensure that the tint
on the front windshield has visible light transmission (透射) of no less than
70-per cent, while front, side windows must allow at least 40-per cent light
transmission.
The new regulations are being introduced as part of proposed amendments to
the Road Traffic Safety Rules to address concerns over safety risks posed by
tinted windows.
The proposed amendments will apply to all newly registered and licensed
vehicles.
US military blows up 3 more alleged drug boats as Trump weaponizes fentanyl
The US military says it has blown up three more alleged drug boats in the
Eastern Pacific - killing eight people.
The total death toll in the Trump Administration's revamped war on drugs is
now closing in on 100.
The latest strikes come as the Trump Administration ramps up its war on
drugs, designating illicit (非法的) fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.
Toni Waterman
Private Canada Delegation Barred from West Bank
Israel has barred a private Canadian delegation that included six members of
Parliament from entering the occupied West Bank.
The Israeli Embassy in Canada said the group was denied entry on Tuesday
because of its links to Islamic Relief Worldwide, a nongovernmental
organization that Israel lists as a terror group.
Ontario Member of Parliament, who was part of the delegation, said she was
shoved several times by Israeli border officials at the Allenby crossing
between Jordan and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said in a post on social media that
Canada has expressed its objections (反對) over the barring.
Jane Austen 250th Bday Celebration
Fans of Jane Austen are celebrating the author's 250th birthday with events
in Britain and beyond.
Austen enthusiasts gathered Tuesday for a church service in her home village
and festive visits to her house.
A virtual birthday party allowed fans worldwide to join in.
Thousands have participated in a yearlong celebration of the author, known
for "Pride and Prejudice" and "Sense and Sensibility."
Jane Austen’s House in the southern English village of Chawton hosted talks,
tours, and performances.
Fans have marked the occasion (慶祝/紀念這個時刻) with Regency balls and
festivals in the U.K., U.S., and elsewhere around the world.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 145-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,721 on turnover of 7.5-billion N-T.
The market took a beating on Monday, on the back of a decline in investor
interest in artificial intelligence-related stocks, as selling followed heavy
losses on Wall Street last Friday amid lingering concerns of an A-I bubble.
MAC voices regret over Jimmy Lai conviction in Hong Kong
The Mainland Affairs Council is expressing his "deep regret" over the
conviction of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai under the territory's national
security law.
The council says it "strongly condemns the Hong Kong government for using the
malicious (惡意的) national security law to curb freedom of speech and press
freedom, and to politically persecute pro-democracy figures."
The statement issued by the council also says the ruling was "tantamount to
declaring to the world" that Hong Kong's freedom, democracy, and judicial
independence have been "gradually eroded."
MOEA to invest NT$2.5 billion to boost adoption of artificial intelligence
The Administration of Commerce has announced plans to invest at 2.5-billion
N-T over the next two years to expand support for the adoption of artificial
intelligence within the island's commercial service sector.
According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the program will targets
businesses in wholesale, retail, food and beverage, and logistics as more
companies in those fields are seeking to adopt A-I tools.
The ministry says it expects to help over 30,000 businesses adopt A-I through
the funding program.
The Department of Commerce says the service will help businesses evaluate A-I
adoption conditions and provide guidance (指導) based on scale and digital
capability.
US foils New Year Eve's terror bomb plot
US authorities have arrested four people who were allegedly planning a New
Year's Eve terror plot (陰謀) in southern California.
Nick Harper reports.
Mexico Plane Crash Kills Seven
A small plane has crashed in central Mexico while attempting an emergency
landing, killing at least seven people.
Mexican officials say the accident happened Monday in an industrial area near
Toluca airport.
The plane had taken off (起飛) from Acapulco.
Authorities say the private jet had eight passengers and two crew members,
but only seven bodies have been recovered.
The plane apparently tried to land on a soccer field but hit a nearby
business, causing a large fire.
The crash is under investigation, and the fire forced the evacuation of about
130 people.
SSudan Grounds UN Aircraft
South Sudan’s government has grounded four aircraft registered under the
United Nations mission there, alleging that they were used for illegal
surveillance and smuggling.
The U.N. denied it.
South Sudan’s foreign minister said a government committee was examining the
aircraft after intelligence reports raised security concerns, and two were
found with advanced (先進的) surveillance and intelligence recording systems.
A U.N. mission spokesperson said the mission has been talking with South
Sudan’s government “for a while now to resolve this issue” and said the
mission works transparently (透明地) with it on U.N. operations.
South Sudan's government in 2017 grounded U.N. aircraft after peacekeepers
were deployed to guard the country's main airport.
The government said that was not part of their mandate.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 78-points this morning from Friday's close, at 28,119
on turnover of 5-billion N-T.
The market closed higher on Friday, after Wall Street's rose to more record
highs overnight, despite a sell-off for Oracle as investors worries persist
about a potential bubble in artificial-intelligence technology.
Newly delivered M1A2T tanks to undergo month-long tests
A batch of 42 M-1-A-2-T Abrams main battle tanks delivered by the United
States in July will begin a month-long testing program today.
According to reports, the testing will be taking place at an Army base in
northern Taiwan and include multiple live-fire drills using the tanks'
120-millimeter main guns.
The tanks were recently deployed to an Army training ground in Hsinchu County
for training sessions ahead of the testing phase.
The testing program is set to focus on evaluating the tanks' observation and
targeting (靶向) systems, as well as their integration with the ammunition
system.
Reports say the month-long tests are expected to conclude by the end of
January, after which the tanks will enter active service with the Army.
Police seize NT$100 million worth of mephedrone in Kaohsiung
Law enforcement agencies in Kaohsiung have raided (突襲、掃蕩) a mephedrone
manufacturing site - arresting three suspects and seizing drugs with an
estimated market value of 100-million N-T.
According to Kaohsiung City Police Department's Renwu Precinct, the site was
located in the city's Dashu District and was being used to produce "meow
meow."
The raid was led by the Ciaotou District Prosecutors' Office.
Police say they seized drug manufacturing equipment, more than 47-kilograms
of finished mephedrone, and about 300-kilograms of unfinished product during
the raid.
The case has been transferred to prosecutors for potential indictments under
the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act.
Ukraine President Offers to Drop NATO Bid but Rejects Ceding Territory
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is offering to drop Ukraine’s NATO
bid in exchange for security guarantees.
AP correspondent Rica Ann Garcia reports
Australia Bondi Beach Shooting Leaves Over a Dozen Dead
Two gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney's Bondi beach,
killing 15 people, including a child.
Officials say one gunman, a 50-year-old man, was fatally shot by police.
The other shooter, his 24-year-old son, was wounded and was being treated at
a hospital.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called an act of antisemitic terrorism that
struck at the heart of the nation.
Those killed were aged between 10- and 87-years-old.
At least 42 others were being treated at hospitals as of this morning,
several of them in a critical condition (命危).
Police said one gunman was known to security services, but authorities had no
indication of a planned attack.
It was the deadliest shooting in almost three decades in a country with
strict gun control laws.
Chile Conservative Opposition Wins Presidential Runoff
Chile’s ultra-conservative opposition candidate, Jose Antonio Kast, has
secured a victory in the presidential runoff election.
He defeated the candidate of the left-wing governing coalition by over 15
percentage points on Sunday, setting the stage for the country’s most
right-wing government in 35 years of democracy.
According to electoral results with over 95% of the vote counted, Kast won
more than 58% of the vote.
Chilean voters embraced his pledge to crack down on increased crime, deport
(驅逐出境) hundreds of thousands of immigrants without legal status and
revive the sluggish (遲緩) economy of one of Latin America’s most stable and
prosperous (繁榮) nations.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 73-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 28,098
on turnover of $5.9-billion N-T.
The market joined other regional indexes and lost ground on Thursday, despite
Wall Street closing higher after the U-S Federal Reserve opted to cut
interest rates.
While some leading tech companies saw sharp declines after Oracle, a
bellwether in the artificial intelligence sector, reported weaker than
expected earnings - which dented investor sentiment.
Cabinet seeks to establish agencies for seniors and children
The Cabinet says it's finalized proposals to create two new agencies to
strengthen services for children, families and seniors.
The proposals will now be sent to the Legislature for review.
Under the proposals, a Long-term Care and Social Development Agency will be
created to handle matters related to the elderly, people with disabilities,
women.
That agency will also oversee (監督) the National Pension system.
While a Child and Family Support Agency will be established to oversee
policies related to the welfare of minors and to provide support for families
with children.
The Cabinet says both new agencies will be under the supervision of the
Ministry of Health.
According to Health Minister Shih Chung-liang, the proposed Long-term Care
and Social Development Agency is being designed to address Taiwan's rapidly
aging society and declining birthrate.
Thailand PM Receive Royal Permission to Dissolve Parliament
Thailandˇs Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul received royal permission
today to dissolve (解散) Parliament, setting up general elections early next
year.
The election for the House of Representatives would be held 45 to 60 days
after the Royal Decree, a period while Anutin will head a caretaker
government with limited powers and cannot approve a new budget.
Anutin posted on his Facebook late Thursday that ¨Iˇd like to return power
to the people.〃
The move comes at a tricky political moment, as Thailand is engaged in
large-scale combat with Cambodia over long-disputed border claims.
About two dozen people were reported killed in the fighting this week, while
hundreds of thousands have been displaced on both sides.
Anutin has been prime minister for just three months, succeeding Paetongtarn
Shinawatra, who served only a year in office.
Questions over the legality of Donald Trump new golden visa
Legal observers are raising questions over Donald Trump's golden visa scheme
(方案), in which foreign nationals can pay a million dollars to begin the
path to US citizenship.
Mitch McCann reports:
Canada Conservative Lawmaker Defects to Liberals
A Canadian Conservative lawmaker has defected from his party and joined Prime
Minister Mark Carneyˇs governing Liberals.
The move by Michael Ma leaves the Liberal Party just short of a simple
majority of the seats in Parliament.
Ma, who represents MarkhamUnionville, is the second Canadian Conservative
lawmaker to join Carneyˇs Liberals in just over a month.
Ma said he entered politics ¨to focus on solutions, not division (分歧)〃.
The move puts the Liberals one shy of a majority government and being able to
pass any bill without the support of an opposition party.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginal down this morning from yesterday's close, at
28,385 on turnover of 4.1-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Wednesday, as investors were optimistic that the
U-S Federal Reserve would cut its key interest rates for a third time this
year following its policy making meeting.
While reports that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing will produce Nvidia's
high-performance H-200 A-I chips and they will be made here in Taiwan also
drove investor confidence higher.
MOFA thanks allies for their support at annual Interpol meeting
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has thanked eight formal diplomatic
allies for supporting Taiwan's bid to participate in Interpol during the
agency's annual General Assembly in Morocco late last month.
According to the ministry, senior officials from the Marshall Islands,
Belize, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Guatemala, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent
and the Grenadines, Paraguay, and Eswatini all spoke up on Taiwan's behalf.
The foreign ministry says it delayed publicly thanking the allies until now
because the assembly was held in a closed-door format (模式，格式), and it
needed time to collect information on their respective addresses.
Former digital minister warns TSMC faces rising cybersecurity risks
Former Digital Affairs Minister Huang Yen-nan is warning that cyberattacks
could be the most effective way for hostile actors to damage Taiwan's
semiconductor advantage.
According to Huang, companies such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing need
to strengthen precautions.
The former digital minister now heads (領導) Academia Sinica's Taiwan
Information Security Center.
Speaking at a conference on geopolitics and chip strategy, Huang said
T-S-M-C's global influence has grown with A-I, making it "too big to fail,"
as any disruption to its production a national security concern.
Venezuela Opposition Leader Appears in Public
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has appeared in public for
the first time in 11 months.
She appeared on a hotel balcony in Norway's capital early this morning and
waved to supporters.
Her daughter accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf (代表她) a day
earlier.
Machado had been in hiding since Jan. 9 after being briefly detained during a
protest in Caracas.
She was expected to attend the award ceremony Wednesday in Oslo but couldn’t
make it in time.
EU leaders reject Trump "weak" comment
European leaders have rejected claims (聲稱) from U.S. President Donald Trump
that the continent is run by weak people.
William Denselow reports from Brussels.
Study: HumanClimateChange Caused Deadly Rainfall in Asia
New analysis suggests that ocean temperatures warmed by human-caused climate
change fed the intense rainfall that triggered deadly floods and landslides
across Asia in recent weeks.
The rapid study by World Weather Attribution focused on heavy rainfall from
cyclones Senyar and Ditwah in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka
starting late last month.
The analysis found that warmer sea surface temperatures over the North Indian
Ocean added energy to the cyclones.
Floods and landslides triggered by (觸發於) the storms have killed more than
1,600 people, with hundreds more still missing.
The cyclones are the latest in a series of deadly weather disasters affecting
Southeast Asia this year, resulting in loss of life and property damage.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at
28,190 on turnover of 3.8-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Tuesday as it followed most other regional markets
and closed lower after Wall Street sank overnight as investors await the
outcome of Wednesday's meeting of the U-S Federal Reserve and expectations of
more interest rate cuts.
MOFA protests South Korea listing it as part of China
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is continuing to urge South Korea to amend
its electronic entry card system that lists Taiwan as part of China.
The ministry says it has yet to receive a direct response from Seoul on the
matter after highlighting (突出顯示) the error in its newly launched
e-Arrival card system earlier this month.
Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Director-General Liu Kun-hao is
expressing the need for a correction - saying revising the island's
designation underscores the importance of longstanding economic, cultural,
and tourism exchanges between the two sides.
Liu says there are serious concerns about the improper designation and the
government is reviewing its overall relationship with South Korea - noting a
large and long-standing trade deficit that highlights what he's describing as
an unequal relationship.
Taiwan raises long-term care tax deduction to NT$180,000
Lawmakers have approved an amendment that will raise the annual long-term
care deduction to 180,000 N-T.
The deduction previously stood at 120,000 N-T and the amendment to Article 17
of the Income Tax Act is aimed at easing (減輕) the financial burden of
households supporting a dependent who requires long-term care.
The change will apply retroactively from January 1 of this year and start to
take effect in tax filings in May of 2026.
Under Article 17 of the Income Tax Act, taxpayers may claim the deduction to
taxable income for themselves, their spouses, or dependents officially
recognized by the Ministry of Health as requiring long-term care due to
physical or cognitive impairment.
Zelenskyy refuses to cede land to Russia as he rallies European support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country will not cede (放棄)
territory to Russia.
AP correspondent Charles de Ledesma reports
<
Canada Ambassador to US Resigning Next Year
Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. for the last six years says she’s resigning
next year as the two major trading partners review the free trade agreement.
Ambassador Kirsten Hillman said Tuesday it is the right time to put in place
someone who will see a review of the free trade agreement through to
conclusion.
Canada’s free trade deal with the U.S. is up for review in 2026.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says Hillman “prepared (準備) the
foundations for Canada in the upcoming review" of the agreement.
Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Hillman in 2017.
She was the first woman appointed (任命) to the role.
Hillman helped lead the trade negotiations during U.S. President Donald
Trump’s first term and worked with U.S. and Chinese officials to win the
release of two Canadians detained in China.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 60-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 28,364
on turnover of 10.5-billion N-T.
The market gained solid ground on Monday after surpassing the 28,000 point
mark in early trading on the back of strong investor interest in electronic
and semiconductor heavyweights.
US Congress revises bill allocating Taiwan security funding
The U-S Congress has released a new draft of the National Defense
Authorization Act - which includes up to 1-billion U-S dollars in funding for
Taiwan-related security cooperation in 2026.
The new draft removes earlier language that would have invited Taiwan to
participate in the US-led Rim of the Pacific Exercise.
The bill will require the U-S defense secretary to "enable fielding of
uncrewed (無人的) and anti-uncrewed systems capabilities" with Taiwan by
March 1 of next year, and those systems must comply with the Taiwan Relations
Act and be usable by both U-S and Taiwanese forces.
The compromise version was produced after the U-S.Senate and House of
Representatives reconciled their separate versions into a unified bill.
Taiwan forms clinical trial alliance to accelerate access to new medicines
Taiwan has launched a new clinical trial alliance aimed at coordinating
medical institutions nationwide to help patients gain faster access to
promising but not yet approved medicines.
The Taiwan Alliance of Clinical Trial Centers has been initiated by the
Taipei Medical University.
It brings together 32 medical and research institutions nationwide and is
backed by the government and aims to pool resources (共用資源), strengthen
coordination and enhance Taiwan's international competitiveness.
Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says the alliance is expected to boost
international collaboration by encouraging pharmaceutical companies to choose
Taiwan as a base for research and development.
Japan Tsunami Warning Lifted After Quake
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake has struck off northern Japan, injuring at least
30 people and triggering (觸發) a tsunami.
The quake hit late on Monday, about 80 kilometers off the coast of the Aomori
region.
The public broadcaster NHK says all tsunami warnings have now been lifted,
while waves up to 70 centimeters were reported.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency says people were mostly injured by
falling objects.
Nuclear power plants are conducting safety checks, and some train services
are suspended.
The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of possible aftershocks and an
increased risk of a megaquake.
Supreme Court weighs whether President Trump can fire heads of independent agencies
The US Supreme Court is hearing arguments on whether President Donald Trump
has the authority to fire a top Federal Trade Commission official - in a case
that could have far reaching consequences for independent regulators.
FTC commissioner Rebecca Slaughter was ousted earlier this year - told that
her service was "inconsistent (不一致的) with the Administration's
priorities".
Toni Waterman reports
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 53-points this morning from Friday's close, at 28,034 on
turnover of 6.4-billion N-T.
The market closed higher on Friday as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
rebounded from an early low, boosted by growing expectations the U-S Federal
Reserve will cut interest rates later this week.
Six injured in Banqiao restaurant suspected gas explosion
Six people have been injured following a suspected gas explosion at a
restaurant in New Taipei's Banqiao District.
The second floor resturants is located in Banqiao's Fuzhong Shopping District.
According to the city's fire department, two restaurants were damaged in the
blast and the six people were injured by flying debris.
Police say of the six people injured, five were passersby (路人) and one was
resident of a nearby building.
One person with minor injuries refused medical treatment, while the others,
who also also suffered minor injuries were treated at the
Shuang Ho Hospital and Far Eastern Memorial Hospital.
The cause of the blast is still under investigation.
New device installed near Matai'an barrier lake to boost monitoring
The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency says micro-seismometer has been
installed near the Matai'an Creek barrier lake in Hualien to strengthen
monitoring of landslides and potential flood surges in the area.
The move come a after an overflow triggered (觸發) deadly flooding in
September.
According to the agency, the micro-seismometer has been installed by a
four-member team from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and was
airlifted to a slope about 1-kilometer south of the lake by National Airborne
Service Corps.
The agency says it will enable real-time alerts and help determine whether
debris has blocked the creek or if a barrier lake dam is about to overflow.
US Judges deal setback to Justice Department effort to seek new indictment against Comey
From the US…..
There's been a setback (挫折) for prosecutors seeking a new indictment
against former FBI Director James Comey.
AP correspondent Donna Warder reports
Indonesia First Giant Panda Cub in Good Health
The first giant panda cub born in Indonesia is noisy, nursing well and
showing other signs of good health.
Indonesian Safari Park released video and photos Sunday showing the fuzzy
newborn in an incubator (保溫箱) and squirming and squealing while being
cuddled by his mother.
Hu Chun gave birth to Satrio Wiratama — nicknamed Rio — on Nov. 27 at the
zoo in West Java province.
The zoo said it was prioritizing the health and welfare of the mother and
baby and he would not yet be accessible (可接近的) to the public.
The adult pandas arrived in Indonesia in 2017 on a 10-year conservation
partnership with China.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 0.7-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,796 on turnover of $4.99-billion N-T.
Government to ban food-waste pig feeding from 2027, with 1-year transition
The Cabinet has approved a plan to phase out the use of food waste in pig
farming by December 31 of next year - paving the way (為…鋪路) for a full
ban starting in 2027.
The move is part of the government's efforts to prevent African swine fever
outbreaks.
Under the policy, food-waste feeding will be permitted only under strict
conditions during that period, after which it will be fully prohibited.
Farmers will be given a one-year grace period and financial incentives to
switch to commercial feed.
During the transition year, farms may use food waste only with local
government approval and after they meet several requirements - including
installing heat-treatment and video monitoring systems and adding G-P-S
tracking to transport vehicles.
Only business-generated food waste, animal by-products and slaughterhouse
scraps (廢料，廚餘) will be allowed - and all household food waste will be
banned from use on pig farms.
Taiwan and Czech institutes launch African medical aid procurement program
Taiwan's Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry has signed an
agreement with the Czech Health Technology Institute to jointly launch an
African medical aid procurement program.
The institutes have been working to help a range of Taiwanese medical
products, including handheld (手持式) ultrasound devices, microplate readers
and electrocardiography systems, enter Eastern European markets through
various projects since 2023.
According to the Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry, the
latest partnership is aimed at further strengthening ties through the launch
of the African medical aid procurement program.
The institute says the program will source a range of medical equipment from
Taiwan to bolster primary healthcare, maternal and child care, and the
resilience of regional and central hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa.
US Reviewing Tanzania relationship following election violence
The United States is "reviewing" its relationship with Tanzania in the wake
of violence that marred the country's elections in October.
United Nations experts estimate that hundreds of protesters were killed
during the brutal (嚴酷的) election crackdown.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
UN Security Council Delegation Visits Syria
A United Nations Security Council delegation has visited Syria for the first
time since the council's founding in 1945.
The visit, on Thursday, comes just before the one-year anniversary of former
President Bashar Assad's fall.
It marks Syria's reintegration (重新融入) into the international community
under interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa.
The Security Council president, says the delegation aims to build trust.
They met with Syrian leaders, civil society, and communities affected by
violence.
Discussions included justice, reconciliation, and economic development.
Syria's state-run news agency notes that Security Council visits are rare,
requiring unanimous agreement.
Eurovision Countries Drop Out Amid Israel Participation
At least four countries have announced they are pulling out of next year’s
Eurovision Song Contest.
This decision follows the organizers' choice to allow Israel to compete,
despite concerns over its conduct in the Israel-Hamas war.
Dutch, Spanish, Irish and Slovenian broadcasters announced plans to sit out
the context in Vienna next May.
It came after the European Broadcasting Union, which runs Eurovision, voted
to adopt tougher voting rules after allegations of Israel manipulating (操縱)
votes.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 19-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,773 on turnover of 5.8-billion N-T.
The market gained ground again on Wednesday, on the back of investor interest
in tech and electronic market heavyweights and after
Wall Street held steady overnight.
Premier claims opposition demand for President to be questioned over special budget unconstitutional
Premier Cho Jung-tai says a demand by opposition lawmakers that President Lai
Ching-te face questions in the Legislative Yuan related to his 1.25-trillion
N-T special defense budget is "unconstitutional."
The statement comes after lawmakers from the K-M-T and the Taiwan People's
Party blocked a bill authorizing the special defense budget from being placed
on the agenda for tomorrow's Legislative plenary session.
K-M-T caucus whip Fu Kun-chi has said while the party's supports protecting
Taiwan, they believe Lai should report to the Legislature and explain the
necessity of the expenditure.
Taiwanese accounts unaffected in Coupang's recent data leak
The Ministry of Digital Affairs says there is no evidence to suggest that
Coupang users here in Taiwan were affected by a large-scale personal data
leak recently reported by the South Korean e-commerce giant.
According to the ministry, it contacted Coupang in late November after
learning of the incident and was informed that the breach occurred mainly in
South Korea and, based on checks carried out so far, no leaks involving
Taiwanese accounts have been found.
The ministry says it will continue monitoring the case and maintain
communication with Coupang to ensure (確保) the protection of local users'
personal information.
South Korean media has reported that personal information of around
33.7-million users was exposed.
Hong Kong fire death toll hits 159 after towers searched
The death toll from Hong Kong's worst fire in decades rose to 159.
Police said they have completed a search inside all seven of eight high-rise
buildings ravaged (嚴重破壞、毀壞) in the fire that first broke out last
Wednesday and took until Friday to be extinguished.
About 30 people remain missing.
Laura Westbrook reports.
Moldova Bomb Disposal Deployed
Police in Moldova have deployed bomb disposal experts to a community miles
from the Ukrainian border after a resident mistook (誤以為) a grounded drone
for “a toy” and took it home.
Police on Wednesday said the drone did not contain explosives or pose a
danger, and urged the public to “not touch or attempt to transport fallen
drones or similar objects.”
Authorities did not say where the drone came from.
They said it was a Gerbera-type drone.
Russia has used those in Ukraine.
A number of drones have been found on Moldovan territory since Russia’s
full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Greece Farmer Protests
Farmers in northern Greece have blocked border crossings with North
Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey as part of a growing protest over delays in
farm subsidy payments.
The demonstration on Wednesday comes amid a major subsidy fraud scandal
(醜聞) that led to the resignation of five senior officials.
Tractor convoys caused significant traffic disruptions and forced vehicles
onto long detours.
Government officials say they are open to negotiations but will not allow key
transport corridors, ports or rail hubs (中心) to be shut down.
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Lai tells reservists there's no room for compromise on Taiwan's security
MOFA open to restoring ties with Honduras
South Korea prosecutors say they won't detain former deputy PM
Arizona sues Chinese online retailer Temu
Rare Faberge egg sells for more US$30 million at auction in London
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 207-points this morning from yesterday's close at 27,550
on turnover of 8.8-billion N-T.
The market tumbled nearly 300 points on Monday amid investor concerns over an
A-I bubble - which triggered heavy selling in the bellwether electronics
sector, to pull the broader market into negative territory.
Top trade negotiator claiming Taiwan 'very likely' to secure stacking relief from US
The government's top trade negotiator says the U-S and Taiwan are in the
final stages of trade negotiations and the outcome will "very likely" result
in Taiwan obtaining tariff stacking relief.
According Yang Jen-ni, she firmly believes the negotiating team will achieve
such that goal, as it has been working to ensure that any adjusted tariff
rate for Taiwan will not be added to the existing ones.
Yang says Taiwan might also obtain most favored nation status under Section
232 of the U-S Trade Expansion Act.
She's also denying reports the U-S government is seeking a commitment from
Taiwan to train American workers in the semiconductor manufacturing sector
and other tech industries as part of the trade deal.
CDC marks World AIDS Day with a drag show to fight HIV stigma
And,
The Centers for Disease Control marked World AIDS Day by inviting drag queens
for a performance it says was aimed at breaking down stigma (汙名) against
people living with HIV.
Held under the theme of "Breaking Myths, Keeping Love on Track," the event
featured performances by several local drag queens.
C-D-C Director-General Philip Luo says more than 1,000 HIV infections were
reported last year, and Taiwan's policies on testing, follow-up, and
treatment are on the right track, which has led to a decline in new
infections this year.
Luo also says HIV testing has been more active this year than last year and
the C-D-C has forecast that new HIV infections this year will fall below 900,
to a 22-year low.
Hong Kong arrests more suspects in fire probe as death toll hits 151
Hong Kong authorities said on Monday they had arrested 13 people for
suspected manslaughter (誤殺) in a probe into the city's worst fire in more
than half a century.
At least 151 people are now known to have died.
Laura Westbrook reports.
Congo Declares Ebola Outbreak Over
A recent Ebola outbreak (爆發) in southern Congo has been declared over by
health officials, after no new cases were reported for 45 days.
Congo's health minister says the outbreak resulted in 53 confirmed cases and
43 deaths.
The government announced the latest outbreak of the virus in September in the
southern Kasai province town of Bulape, and it spread from there to at least
four other towns.
It was Congo's 16th outbreak of the disease since it was first reported in
the country in 1976.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 47-points this morning from Friday's close, at 27,674 on
turnover of 7.5-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher Friday, as positive investor sentiment
carried over from the previous session amid hopes that the U-S Federal
Reserve will cut key interest rates later this month.
Taiwan's ambassador meets with new SVG leader
Taiwan's ambassador to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has met with the
newly elected prime minister of the Caribbean ally, Godwin Friday, to convey
(傳達) congratulations from President Lai Ching-te.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Ambassador Fiona Fan delivered Lai's
message during their meeting, and that the prime minister asked her to relay
(傳達) his thanks in return.
The ministry has not said when the meeting took place or provided any further
details.
However, the meeting took place as Friday's New Democratic Party has
previously proposed switching recognition from Taiwan to Beijing.
CAA confirms that local airlines have completed Airbus A320 software fix
And,
The Civil Aviation Administration has confirmed that local airlines completed
the required software restoration on Airbus A320-series aircraft before a 7AM
deadline on Sunday.
The software restoration followed an emergency directive (指示) issued after
a technical failure in the U-S.
Airbus announced on Friday that around 6,000 A320-family jets worldwide must
undergo software updates and may not be operated without the fix.
The announcement come after reports of a flight-control system malfunction
linked to solar flare interference.
Honduras Presidential Vote
Hondurans are voting to elect new president in a close race under shadow of
Trump’s surprise intervention (干涉).
AP correspondent Rica Ann Garcia reports
Report: Global Arms Producers Saw Revenue Increase
A new report says that the world’s biggest weapons-producing companies saw a
5.9% increase in revenue from sales of arms and military services last year
as demand was fed by (由…供給/提供) the wars in Ukraine and Gaza as well as
countries’ rising military spending.
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute says today that the
revenues of the 100 largest arms makers grew to $679 billion in 2024, the
highest figure it has recorded.
The bulk of the increase was down to companies based in Europe and the United
States, but there were increases around the world — except in Asia and
Oceania, where problems in the Chinese arms industry led to a slight fall.
Italy Digital Copies of Masterpieces for Museum Funds
Italian cultural officials are offering digital copies of Italian
masterpieces as part of a new project to help museums raise money.
The nonprofit Save the Artistic Heritage, with its technical partner Cinello,
is behind this initiative.
They provide digital projections of Italian masterpieces, complete with
certificates of authenticity (真正的，真實性).
Participating museums receive 50% of the profits.
Over two years, Save the Artistic Heritage has contributed about
$347-thousand US dollars to Italian museums.
Each digital artwork is sold in a limited series of nine.
The project aims to help museums access new income streams and expand
globally, including plans for the United States.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 12-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,566 on turnover of $8-billion N-T.
NIA to offer e-Gate access to New Zealand passport holders from tomorrow
The National Immigration Agency says holders of New Zealand biometric
passports will be able to access Taiwan's Automated Immigration Clearance
e-Gate system from tomorrow.
The move reciprocates New Zealand's decision to grant the same access to
Taiwanese travelers on October 13.
According to the immigration agency, eligible travelers from New Zealand will
be able to use Taiwan's 121 installed e-Gates when entering the country for
leisure (休閒), business or study.
Travelers must also complete the online Taiwan Arrival Card before entry.
The old paper arrival cards were abolished on October 1.
Putin says Russia will stop fighting when Ukraine withdraws from Donbas
Russian President Vladimir Putin said fighting in Ukraine will cease once the
Ukrainian Army withdraws from the territories Moscow claims it now controls.
Putin adds that Moscow is open to discussing some elements (要素，部分) of
the U.S. plan to end the war in Ukraine, but more talks are needed.
Daria Bondarchuk reports from Moscow.
Israeli Forces Kill Palestinian Men Appearing to Surrender
Israeli forces killed a pair of Palestinian men in the occupied West Bank
after they appeared to surrender to troops, drawing Palestinian accusations
that the men were executed “in cold blood.”
The Israeli military said it was investigating.
The killings, captured in a pair of videos shown on two Arab TV stations,
came as Israel pressed ahead (推進、推動) with its latest offensive in the
West Bank, where the army has stepped up its activities over the past two
years.
Israel says it is cracking down on militants.
Palestinians and rights groups accuse Israel of using excessive force and say
dozens of unarmed civilians have been killed.
Canada Alberta to Build Pacific Coast Oil Pipeline
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and the premier of Canada’s oil rich
province of Alberta have agreed to work toward building a pipeline to the
Pacific Coast to diversify the country’s oil exports beyond the United
States.
The memorandum of understanding signed Thursday would also adjust an oil
tanker ban off parts of the British Columbia coast if a pipeline comes to
fruition (實現，完成).
Carney’s support for it led to the resignation of one of his cabinet
ministers.
The minister said in a statement that the pipeline could cross the Great Bear
Rainforest and that it would increase the risk of a tanker spill on the
coast.
But he said he understands why Canada needs to remain united and said he will
stay on as a Liberal Member of Parliament.
Carney has set a goal for Canada to double its non-U.S. exports in the next
decade.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 107-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,517 on turnover of 8.3-billion N-T.
The market gained solid ground once again on Wednesday - rising by nearly
500-points - after Wall Street surged overnight on hopes the U-S Federal
Reserve will soon opt to cut interest rates.
Lai unveils plan to budget NT$1.25 trillion to bolster defense
President Lai Ching-te is proposing a 1.25-trillion N-T special defense
budget to fund the construction of a multilayered T-Dome air defense network
and strengthen Taiwan's overall defense posture over the next eight years.
Speaking at the Presidential Office, Lai said the T-Dome will provide all
altitude air defense, incorporate artificial intelligence to improve
detection and decision-making and enhance Taiwan's ability to intercept
(截距) threats to protect military assets, critical infrastructure and
civilians.
Lai also called on opposition lawmakers to support his plan saying the
proposed military investment is "necessary" given the growing threat Taiwan
was facing from China and he hopes opposition parties can support Taiwan's
national security regardless of political stance (政治立場).
Government to tighten cosmetics controls after Sudan dyes found in cosmetic
products
Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says the government plans to add Sudan dyes
to its routine post-market inspections and tighten controls on cosmetic
products.
The statement comes after the banned colorants were detected for the first
time in cosmetic (化妝品) items sold domestically.
According to Shih, the health ministry will also fully implement mandatory
Good Manufacturing Practice requirements for all cosmetics manufacturers
starting from July 1 next year - which will strengthening oversight of
production processes.
The issue came to light after authorities traced problematic Chinese cosmetic
products sold online and found that a local importer had sourced raw
materials from Singapore that contained Sudan dyes.
HK Fire Continues Burning
Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in years is still burning.
It has left at least 44 people dead and 279 reported missing with rescuers
pulling residents from blazing (炙熱的，強烈的) high-rise apartment buildings
into the morning.
Police had arrested three men on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with
fire which began Wednesday afternoon in a housing complex in Tai Po district,
a suburb in the New Territories.
By this morning local time, the fire was yet to be put out and rescues
continued with the death toll reaching 44.
Hundreds of residents were evacuated as the fire spread across seven of the
eight buildings in the complex.
Authorities suspected some materials on the exterior walls of the high-rise
buildings did not meet fire resistance standards, as the rapid spread of the
fire was unusual.
US Thanksgiving travel hit by winter storms
In the United States Thanksgiving travelers are facing added delays (延誤)
this year from winter storms and freezing weather.
Millions are under weather alerts amid the country's busiest travel period.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 151-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,063 on turnover of 6.5-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Tuesday - adding just over 400-points - on
the back of investor hopes that the U-S Federal Reserve will initiate more
rate cuts next month and that led to a surge in interest for large cap
semiconductor stocks.
Panama lawmakers arrive in Taiwan despite reported China pressure
A group of Panamanian lawmakers have arrived in Taiwan in apparent defiance
of reported Chinese requests that they cancel the trip.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the nine-member delegation (代表團) will
meet with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu and
attend a banquet hosted by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung during their stay.
An Associated Press report citing a Panamanian daily newspaper as saying
Chinese embassy staff in Panama asked a total of 10 lawmakers to "immediately
cancel" plans to visit Taiwan.
The foreign ministry here is condemning (譴責) Beijing for trying to
intervene in what it's calling Taiwan's "normal exchanges with other
countries."
Tropical storm forms over Philippine waters; no direct impact on Taiwan
And,
The Central Weather Administration says Tropical Storm Koto will not have a
direct impact on Taiwan.
The storm formed yesterday evening and is currently located west of the
Philippines.
Based on the weather administration's latest tracking chart, the storm will
approach (逼近) the coast of Vietnam in the coming days before veering in a
northerly direction towards China's Hainan Island on Saturday.
Koto is the 27th tropical storm of this year Pacific typhoon season.
Trump sending envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss possible Ukraine peace deal
with Putin
Donald Trump says he's sending his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to Russia to
meet with President Vladimir Putin - as he tries to finalize a Ukraine peace
deal.
The US president says he believes a deal is close, but that he won't
personally (親自) meet with the leaders of Ukraine or Russia until the deal
is final or in its final stages.
Toni Waterman has more.
Italy Approves Law Adding Femicide to Criminal Law
Italy’s parliament has approved a law that introduces femicide (殺害女性)
into the country’s criminal law and punishes it with life in prison.
Tuesday's final vote saw bipartisan support.
The law is backed by the conservative government of Premier Giorgia Meloni.
It comes in response to a series of killings and other violence targeting
women in Italy.
Italy’s statistics agency recorded 106 femicides in 2024, with over half of
them committed by partners (伴侶) or former partners.
The law includes stronger measures against gender-based crimes including
stalking and revenge porn.
While the center-left opposition supported the law in parliament, it stressed
that the government approach only tackles the criminal aspect of the problem
while leaving economic and cultural divides unaddressed.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 491-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
26,995 on turnover of 9.8-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher on Monday, despite investors opting to dump
large-cap tech stocks before regular index adjustments by M-S-C-I went into
effect after the market closed.
FM touts increase in US state engagement
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung is touting an increase in U-S state engagement
in Taiwan.
Speaking at reception hosted by the American State Offices Association in
Taipei, Lin said there has been a significant increase in engagement from U-S
state governments ..
… as more representative offices are opening in Taiwan and a growing number
of trade missions (貿易代表團) are visiting the country.
According to Lin, there were currently 26 U-S state and territorial offices
in Taiwan, over half of which opened or reopened in the last three years -
while Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Idaho opened offices this year.
The foreign minister says he believes the trend reflects the building
momentum between Taiwan and American state governments.
Dust storm in China to worsen Taiwan's air quality from today
And,
The Ministry of Environment says a dust storm in Inner Mongolia is expected
to worsen Taiwan's air quality today and is advising the public to reduce
(減少) outdoor activities and wear face masks.
According to the ministry, pollutants carried from Inner Mongolia and the
Shandong-Shanghai corridor by monsoon winds are expected to push PM2.5
readings in northern Taiwan to 30 to 50 micrograms per cubic meter this
morning …
…. rising to between 100 to 150 micrograms per cubic meter in the afternoon.
The center and south are set to be affected from the afternoon through to the
evening.
The air quality is expected to improve to a "good" or "moderate" level by
Saturday.
China Warns Nationals in DRC
China has urged its citizens living in the east of the Democratic Republic of
Congo to immediately leave due to the ongoing conflict in the region.
Fighting between Congolese forces and rebels has intensified (加劇的) in the
mineral-rich region where Chinese firms are engaged in mining rare earth
minerals.
Chris Ocamringa has more from Kinshasa…
Sudan Rejects Mediators' Ceasefire Proposal
Sudan’s top general has rejected a ceasefire proposal from U.S.-led
mediators, calling it “the worst yet.”
The proposal aimed to halt a devastating (毀滅性的) war that has gripped
Sudan for over 30 months.
General Abdel-Fattah Burhan accused the mediators of being “biased
(有偏見的)”.
Sudan plunged into chaos in April 2023 due to a power struggle between the
military and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
The conflict has killed at least 40,000 people and created a massive (大量的)
humanitarian crisis.
The mediators, known as the Quad, comprise the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and
the UAE, and have been working for over two years to end the fighting.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 161-points this morning from Friday's close, at 26,596
on turnover of 7.2-billion N-T.
The market took a hit Friday, falling almost 1,000 points after heavy losses
on Wall Street overnight.
National Archives draws nearly 10,000 visitors on opening day
The National Archives officially opened this past weekend - drawing nearly
10,000 visitors on its first day.
According to National Development Council Deputy Minister Peng Li-pei, the
archives will follow the principle of "maximum openness, minimum
restrictions" in promoting public access to records.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Peng said the archives is an important
public infrastructure project that reflects the government's long-term
efforts to preserve and make the nation's intellectual assets (資產)
accessible.
The archives began trial operations on September 2 and President Lai Ching-te
presided over an opening ceremony on November 17.
The N-D-C deputy minister says over 200,000 people have already visited the
National Archives in New Taipei's Linkou District.
Golfer Wu Chia-yen wins first JLPGA title
Taiwan's Wu Chia-yen has won her first championship on the Japan Ladies
Professional Golfers' Association tour at the DAIO PAPER elleair LADIES OPEN
in Matsuyama.
The 21-year-old lifted the trophy at Elleair Golf Club Matsuyama after
finishing on a 15-under-par 269 for her first title since joining the
J-L-P-G-A in 2024.
Wu had a rough start, tying for 24th after the first round.
However, she climbed steadily in the second and third rounds before closing
Sunday's final round with five birdies and one bogey (柏忌).
Wu has became the third Taiwan golfer to win the DAIO PAPER elleair LADIES
OPEN.
US Ukraine Discuss Peace Proposal
Top U.S. and Ukrainian officials say they've made progress toward ending the
Russia-Ukraine war.
They discussed an American proposal for peace, which some European allies
fear is too favorable (有利) to Moscow on Sunday in Geneva.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the talks as productive
(富有成效的), but shared few details on what was discussed.
He emphasized that the U.S. peace plan is a "living document" and that it
would change.
He also said any final agreement would need Russia's approval.
The 28-point blueprint drawn up by the U.S. to end the nearly four-year war
acquiesces to many Russian demands that Zelenskyy has categorically rejected
on dozens of occasions, including giving up large pieces of territory.
Mamdani stands by Trump criticism despite friendly White House meeting
New York's Mayor-Elect Mamdani stands by his criticism of President Trump
criticism despite (儘管;無論) a friendly White House meeting.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 633-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,213 on turnover of $10.4-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed lower Wednesday after giving up earlier gains, as
investors stayed cautious ahead of an Nvidia Corp. investor conference and
the release of meeting minutes by the U.S. Federal Reserve.
Analysts say the bellwether electronics sector failed to stage a successful
technical rebound as tech stocks saw their gains eroded amid lingering
valuation concerns after recent strong gains among AI stocks.
They say investors continued to pocket profits built recently for now with
TSMC in focus.
KMT, TPP leaders meet to discuss possible electoral collaboration
The leaders of Taiwan's opposition KMT and TPP met Wednesday to discuss the
prospects for collaboration (合作) in the 2026 local elections.
Speaking during their public meeting in New Taipei, KMT Chairperson Cheng
Li-wun told TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang that she hoped the parties' recent
cooperation in the Legislature would deepen in the run-up to local elections.
Cheng acknowledged "difficulties" in previous efforts toward a KMT-TPP
alliance, but said that after meeting Huang, she felt strongly that they were
on the same page.
Huang, meanwhile, said he would direct the TPP's think tank to reach out to
its KMT counterpart to discuss local governance and the parties' 2026
election goals.
DRC Fighting Despite Peace Framework Signed
Fighting has erupted (爆發了) in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo
between the M23 rebels and a pro-government militia despite a recent
framework for peace signed in Qatar.
Chris Ocamringa has more from Kinshasa.
Russian Attack on Ukrainian City Leaves Dozens Dead
A Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine's western city of Ternopil has
killed at least 25 people, including three children.
The attack hit two apartment blocks, injuring at least 73 people.
Ukrainian air defenses intercepted most of the 476 drones and 48 missiles
fired overnight.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Turkey seeking diplomatic support against
Russia.
He met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Meanwhile, Romania and Poland scrambled (緊急起飛) fighter jets in response
to the attacks.
Russia claims the strikes targeted Ukrainian energy facilities and
military-industrial targets in retaliation (報復) for Kyiv's actions.
Brazil NPO: Crime Groups Expanding in Amazon
A prominent nonprofit group in Brazil says that criminal gangs expanded their
presence in the Brazilian Amazon last year and are now operating in nearly
half of the region’s municipalities.
The Brazilian Forum on Public Safety says the growth of these crime groups in
the region, where U.N. climate talks are currently taking place, is driving
violence and threatens the preservation of the world’s largest tropical
rainforest.
The nonprofit says organized crime groups are now active in 45-percent of
over 770 municipalities.
That’s a jump of 32% from last year’s report.
The NPO says combating organized crime in the Amazon will require a focus on
alternate ways of developing the region besides “predatory exploitation
(剝削，開發利用) of resources.”
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 48-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
26,708 on turnover of $8.7-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan tumbled almost 700 points to close at the day's low Tuesday
as sell-off was triggered by heavy losses on the U.S. markets overnight amid
fears over the U.S. Federal Reserve's hawkish stance and stretched tech
stocks.
Contract chipmaker TSMC shed 2.77 percent to close at the day's low,
contributing about 320 points to the Taiex's fall.
Analysts say judging from yesterday's movement, many investors dumped their
stocks in panic to stop losses, so selling was seen across the board,
including nontech stocks.
Shimen reaches 12.4 degrees
The Central Weather Administration says, today's coldest temperature on the
main island of Taiwan clocked in at 12.4 degrees in New Taipei's Shimen.
They say, Taoyuan's Yangmei and Hsinchu's Guanxi registered similar
temperatures this morning.
Meanwhile, experts say that areas in the north and east as well as
mountainous regions (山區) can expect some rain as well.
They say, lowland areas can expect temperatures to get as low as 12-16
degrees today.
And tomorrow, experts say temperatures early in the morning will be around
the same for areas north of and including Miaoli…
while there will still be rain possible along the Keelung North Coast, and in
the northeast tomorrow.
Also starting tomorrow, experts say, we can expect a slight rise in
temperatures across the country.
And starting Friday and moving into the weekend, we can expect slightly
wetter conditions in the north and northeast.
(AH)
Trump: Saudi Prince "Knew Nothing" about Khashoggi murder
US President Donald Trump has said Saudi Arabia's Crown PrinceMohammed bin
Salman "knew nothing" about the 2018 killing of Washington Post journalist
Jamal Khashoggi.
He made the comments during an Oval Office meeting with the Kingdom's de
facto ruler in stark (赤裸的，明顯的) contradiction (矛盾) to the finding of
US intelligence.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Japan Fire Forces Evacuations
Firefighters are battling a fire that has burned through a neighborhood in
southwestern Japan and forced more than 170 people to evacuate.
It started Tuesday evening and was still out of control this morning.
Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency said at least 170 homes have
been damaged and a man in his 70s was unaccounted for.
The fire started near a fishing port in the city of Oita during strong winds
and spread to a forest.
Oita is on the southern island of Kyushu.
Vatican Pope Backs US Bishops Condemning Immigration Crackdown
Pope Leo XIV has strongly backed U.S. bishops who condemned the Trump
administration’s immigration crackdown.
He urged the American people to listen to them and treat migrants humanely
(善良地，人道地).
As he left his country house Tuesday evening, Leo was asked about the
“special message” the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops adopted during
their assembly last week.
The text criticized the Trump administration’s mass deportation of migrants
and the “vilification” (誹謗，詆毀) of them in the current migration
debate.
Leo has previously urged local bishops to take the lead on speaking out on
matters of social justice.
He said he appreciated the U.S. bishops statement and urged all people of
goodwill to listen to what they said.
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就有機會抽中 全家禮券200元，共計5名幸運得主！
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 137-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,310 on turnover of $7.7-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan ended slightly higher Monday after profit-taking eroded most
of the initial gains amid lingering concerns over stretched artificial
intelligence stocks at home and abroad.
Analysts say the market was initially led by the electronics sector as
investors took cues from a rebound enjoyed by tech stocks on the U.S. markets
on Friday.
But this strength was compromised by the end of the session as many investors
shifted to the sell side.
MOFA names new ambassador to Palau
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has approved the appointment of Andy Chen as
Taiwan's new ambassador to Palau.
Chen has been the director general of the ministry's Office of
Parliamentarian Affairs since February.
He will replace sitting ambassador Jessica Lee, who'll be returning to the
MOFA headquarters in Taipei.
Chen previously (先前) served as Taiwan's representative to Oman and head of
Taiwan's office in Vancouver, Brunei, and the Philippines.
He received his bachelor's degree in Arabic Language and Culture from
National Chengchi University.
(AH)
Bangladesh's former leader Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death
In Bangladesh, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to
death by a special tribunal (特別法庭 ) that found her guilty of committing
crimes against humanity.
She was put on trial in absentia and was found guilty of overseeing a
crackdown on protesters last July.
According to a UN report 1400 people were killed during the demonstrations
last year, most by security forces firing live ammunition.
Hasina claims she's innocent.
Neha Poonia has more.
Canada Budget Vote Passes
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney won a vote on his budget in Parliament
that could have triggered (觸發) a possible election.
Carney’s Liberal government does not have enough votes to pass the budget on
its own but it passed 170-168 with the support of a Green Party member of
Parliament and some New Democrat abstentions.
The Liberals don’t have a majority of seats in the House of Commons and must
rely on an opposition party to pass legislation.
The budget vote is considered a vote of confidence in the minority Liberal
government.
Carney's Liberal Party scored a stunning comeback victory in an election last
April in a vote widely seen as a rebuke of U.S. President Donald Trump.
But the Liberals fell just short of winning an outright majority in
Parliament.
British Royal Mint Issues Freddie Mercury Coin Design
Britain's Royal Mint is celebrating Freddie Mercury with a new coin design.
The coin marks 40 years since his iconic Live Aid performance.
It features an image of the Queen front man midperformance, with a musical
stave (五線譜 ) representing his vocal range.
Mercury’s sister struck the first coin at the Royal Mint in Wales last week.
She said the coin captures his passion and joy.
The coins go on sale Tuesday.
Mercury died at age 45 in 1991, just one day after he publicly (公開地)
announced he was HIV positive.
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就有機會抽中 全家禮券200元，共計5名幸運得主！
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 203-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,601 on turnover of 10-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan shed more than 500 points Friday as a sell-off was sparked
by a plunge on U.S. markets overnight amid renewed worries that the U.S.
Federal Reserve has turned hawkish toward its rate-cut cycle.
Analysts say the steep losses in the United States prompted investors here to
pocket their recent significant gains, also taking cues from the heavy losses
suffered by artificial intelligence stocks such as Nvidia on stretched tech
stocks".
NTU responds after 100s fall for fried chicken rumor
National Taiwan University is urging the public to be vigilant about
information they read online…
after an anonymous social media user promised to hand out free fried chicken
and boba tea.
A post in an anonymous Facebook group earlier this month claimed that Taipei
would announce school and work closures for Typhoon Fung-wong for at least
two days between November 12th and 14th…
promising to hand out free fried chicken and boba tea at NTU's Fu Bell if the
days off do not occur (發生).
Several hundred people lined up, with some getting there early in the
morning.
The university ultimately had to dispatch security guards to keep order near
the bell until afternoon, when people seemed to realize they had been
tricked.
NTU says, it's not able to verify who made the post, but warned that they
should consider the accuracy and impact of misinformation spead online, lest
they face legal consequences.
Finland President Calls for EU Steadiness for Ukraine
Finland's president urges Europe to hold its nerve (保持鎮定，保持勇氣) as he
warns no ceasefire likely soon in Ukraine.
AP correspondent Karen Chammas reports
Ecuador Announces Capture of Major Drug Trafficker
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has announced the capture of one of
Ecuador’s most wanted drug traffickers.
Wilmer Chavarria, known as “Pipo,” was caught in Malaga, Spain, on Sunday
in a joint operation with Spanish police.
He is believed to lead Los Lobos, a group linked to political assassinations
(暗殺) and associated with Mexico’s Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Chavarria faked his death in 2021, moved to Spain, and continued his criminal
activities.
His capture coincides with Ecuadorians voting on a referendum about allowing
foreign military bases to combat drug trafficking.
Germany Holocaust Artifacts Auction Cancelled
Poland's foreign minister says an auction of Holocaust artifacts in Germany
has been canceled.
He shared this information from his German counterpart after complaints from
Holocaust survivors.
The auction was set to include letters from concentration camp prisoners and
other documents.
A Holocaust survivors group had called for the cancellation, describing the
auction as cynical (損人利己的) and shameless.
The group emphasized that these documents belong to the victims' families and
should be in museums, not sold for profit.
The auction house has not responded to calls or emails about the
cancellation.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
Subject: E*AI 不只是科技，更是投資的新藍海
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 87-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,816 on turnover of $7.7-billion N-T.
Taiwan ranks top in Asia and 7th in world for internet freedom
Taiwan has once again been rated the freest country in Asia for internet use
and seventh globally in the latest Freedom on the Net report released the
US-based Freedom House.
The report assessed internet freedom in 72 countries between June 2024 and
May 2025.
It measures obstacles to access, restrictions on online content, and
violations of users' rights.
Taiwan had a score of 79 out of 100 and that was unchanged from last year,
reaffirming (再次肯定或加強。) its status as one of the most open online
environments in the world.
Japan placed eighth with 78 points.
The list was topped by Iceland with a score of 94 - while Estonia, Chile,
Costa Rica and Canada rounded out the top five.
China and Myanmar remained at the bottom of the list with scores of 9.
Trump-Epstein relationship in spotlight ahead of key vote on files
Donald Trump's relationship to late-sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is still
under scrutiny ahead of key vote that could release more files.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote to compel the Justice
Department to release all the evidence (證據) it has, but the files may not
see the light of day.
As Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Russia Launches Attack on Kyiv
Russia has launched a massive attack on Kyiv, causing fires and scattering
debris across the city.
Local officials report at least 11 people were injured, with five
hospitalized.
The attack continues today, prompting officials to urge residents to stay in
shelters.
City authorities warned of possible power and water outages.
The strike came as European Union officials warned this week that Ukraine
must continue to crack down on corruption following a major graft scandal
that has put top nuclear energy officials under scrutiny (受到審查).
But they also offered assurances (保證) that aid will continue to flow as
Kyiv strains to hold back Russia’s invasion.
Borso D'Este Bible on Display in Italy
One of the most spectacular examples of Renaissance illuminated manuscripts
is going on rare public display as part of the Vatican’s Holy Year
celebrations.
The 15th century Borso D’Este Bible is known for its miniature paintings in
gold and lapis lazuli (青金石).
It was unveiled Thursday in the Italian Senate, where it will remain on
display until Jan. 16.
It is usually kept in a safe at a library in Modena and is rarely exhibited
publicly; it was transported to Rome under heavy security.
The Bible was created between 1455 and 1461.
It will remain behind humidity-controlled plate glass while in Rome, but
visitors can “read” it digitally via touch screen displays featuring
ultra-high-resolution images.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 79-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,867 on turnover of 11-billion N-T.
The market closed higher on Wednesday despite coming off the day's high on
heavy technical pressure ahead of the 28,000 point mark as Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing failed to sustain its initial gains.
Taipei City Council approves terms of Nvidia land deal
Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Shu-chuan says the city council has approved the
terms of a mutual termination (終止) agreement with Shin Kong Life Insurance
that paves the way for the immediate return of a plot of city-owned land
being eyed by Nvidia for its Taiwan headquarters.
The deal includes a fee of about 4.4-billion N-T payable to Shin Kong Life by
the city government.
Transfer of the T-17 and T-18 plots at the Beitou-Shilin Technology Park is
expected to be ratified (正式批准) by Shin Kong Life at a special board
meeting later today.
And the Taipei deputy mayor says that will then allow the city government and
the insurer to sign the final contract tomorrow.
Man who brought crocodile to Legislature to protest exotic pet ban fined
And,
The Taipei District Court has fined man who placed a live crocodile at the
main entrance of the Legislative Yuan last month 10,000 N-T.
The crocodile was left at the entrance in protest over a proposed ban on
exotic pets on the morning of October 17.
The man was quickly arrested by police and referred to prosecutors.
He was fined for violating Article 70 of the Social Order Maintenance Act by
allowing a dangerous animal to roam in public in the presence of other
people.
The court also ordered the seizure (查封，沒收) of his crocodile.
The same man was arrested and fined 3,000 N-T in 2018 after bringing a
crocodile to a protest at the Executive Yuan.
US House Passes Bill to End Shutdown
The US House has passed a bill to end the nation’s longest government
shutdown.
The vote today sends the measure to President Donald Trump for his signature
after a historic 43-day funding lapse.
The Senate has already passed the measure.
Democrats wanted to extend an enhanced (提升，改善) tax credit that lowers
the cost of health coverage obtained through Affordable Care Act marketplaces
and refused to go along with a spending bill that did not include that
priority.
But Republicans said that was a separate policy fight to be held at another
time.
They eventually prevailed as the shutdown took an increasing toll on the
country.
COP30 Report Emissions Rising Still
Scientists report that emissions from fossil fuels rose by 1.1% in 2025,
marking the second consecutive year of a small increase.
This was announced Wednesday at the United Nations climate negotiations near
the Amazon.
A second report by Climate Action Tracker says the world is on track for 2.6
degrees Celsius of warming, slightly down from last year's projections.
The carbon project scientists projected that this year the burning of fossil
fuels and making of cement (水泥) will have put another 38.1 billion metric
tons of carbon dioxide in the air.
That's the equivalent of nearly 1.2 million kilograms of heat-trapping gas
going into the air every second.
The scientists say one bright point is that 35 countries cut their fossil
fuel emissions from last year and were still thriving economically.
But at the same time the United States, which used to be cutting fossil fuel
carbon dioxide emissions, spewed 2% more pollution this year compared with
last year.
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Tropical Storm FungWong Storm Circle Continues Shrinking
The Central Weather Administration says Tropical Storm Fung-wong is
continuing to weaken, with its storm circle shrinking.
As a result, Yunlin County and Penghu are no longer included in the Land
Warning area.
Forecasters believe the system may weaken into a tropical depression sooner
than previously expected.
As of 9 a.m. today, the center was located about 140 kilometers
west-southwest of Eluanbi, at the island's southermost tip.
It was moving in an east-northeasterly direction at speeds between 16 and 32
kilometers per hour.
The storm is packing sustained wind speeds of 72 kilometers per hour and
gusts of up to 101 kilometers per hour.
The storm circle, with a radius of 150 kilometers, has entered the southern
part of Taiwan.
The CWA's land warning remains in effect for Pingtung,Chiayi,Tainan,Kaohsiung,Nantou,Hualien,Taitung
, and theHengchun Peninsula.
Forecasters note that satellite imagery shows the storm's structure has
deteriorated, with the upper and lower centers separating.
Fung-wong is still expected to move northeast and potentially make landfall
on the Hengchun Peninsula this evening.
(NS)
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 69-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 27,853
on turnover of $8.9-billion N-T.
The market ground on Tuesday after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing gave up
its early gains to end the trading lower.
The market rose to the day's high within 10 minutes of opening on buying
sparked by a rally on Wall Street overnight led by tech heavyweights, but
selling quickly emerged (出現了) - with large cap tech stocks, including
T-S-M-C, in focus.
Pakistan Bombing Leaves 12 Dead
A suicide bombing in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad has killed at least
12 people, and injured (受傷) another 30.
The blast happened near the entrance of the city's district court.
The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has blamed India for the attack.
Hira Mustafa sent this report from the blast site in Islamabad.
EU India Navies Take Over Pirates Ship
The European Union and Indian navies have taken over a ship used by pirates
off the coast of Somalia to seize a Malta-flagged tanker.
The Iranian fishing vessel was used as a “mother ship” for the attacks.
A team from the Spanish frigate ESPS Victoria boarded the the vessel and
found the original crew safe.
The EU naval force says piracy in the area has been disrupted (被擾亂的).
Somali pirate attacks have increased over the last year, partly due to
instability caused by attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea
corridor.
Blue Diamond Auctioned for Over 25Million
A blue diamond weighing nearly 10 carats has sold at auction in Switzerland
for $25.6 million including fees.
The “Mellon Blue” is named for the late American arts patron Rachel
“Bunny” Mellon.
The "Fancy Vivid Blue and Internally Flawless" stone had been expected to
fetch $20-$30 million at the Christie’s auction on Tuesday.
Some experts say the price of the gem was weighed down by a broader market
mood, with geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty keeping many buyers
away.
Christie’s says its highest price for a vivid (鮮豔的) blue diamond was set
in Geneva in 2016 when the 14.62-carat Oppenheimer Blue sold for more than
$57 million.
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CWA Forecasts Heavy Rainfall with Land and Sea Warnings for TyphoonFung-Wong
The Central Weather Administration is warning of significant rainfall, after
both land and sea warnings were issued for Typhoon Fung-Wong.
The CWA warns that the interaction between the typhoon's outer bands and a
northeast monsoon will significantly intensify rainfall.
Officials say rainfall will be persistent (持續的) and heavy in the
mountainous areas of greater Taipei, eastern Taiwan, and the Hengchun
Peninsula.
Residents are urged to avoid mountain areas due to the risk of landslides,
falling rocks, and surging rivers.
And strong winds and high waves are expected along coastal areas, with waves
possibly reach three to five meters, or more in southern and southeastern
areas.
The public is advised to avoid coastal activities as much as possible.
The land warning currently covers Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Taitung, and
the Hengchun Peninsula.
The storm is currently located some 360-kilometers southwest of Eluanbi at
the island's southern most tip and is moving in a north-northeasterly
direction at 12-kilometers-an-hour.
The storm has a radius of 230-kilometers and is packing sustained wind speeds
of 108-kilometers-an-hour, with gust of up to 113-kilometers-an-hour.
The typhoon is expected to come closest to Taiwan between tomorrow afternoon
and evening, before moving out to sea east of Taiwan early Thursday morning.
Belarus Threatens to Seize Trucks After Lithuania Border Closing
Belarus’ authoritarian leader is threatening to seize over 1,000 Lithuanian
trucks stranded (被困住) in the country following the closure of its border
with Lithuania after repeated incursions (侵入) by air balloons carrying
smuggled cigarettes.
Lithuania, a NATO and European Union member, closed the two border crossings
with Belarus on Oct. 29 after weather balloons flying from Belarus caused
repeated disruption ( 干擾、中斷) of air traffic at the Lithuanian capital’s
airport.
The border will remain closed until at least the end of this month.
Lithuanian officials cast the balloon disruption as part of anti-Western
activities by Russia-allied Belarus intended to undermine stability.
Lithuania borders Belarus as well as Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave.
India Police Investigating Delhi Blast
The death toll from a blast in New Delhi has reached eight, with 20 people
injured.
Police are investigating what caused the blast, which took place late on
Monday, in a crowded market very close to the iconic (非常出名的，標誌性的)
Red Fort.
Neha Poonia has more.
IMO Pushes for Less Fossil Fuels in Shipping
The head of the International Maritime Organization says he’s continuing to
“advocate and campaign” for global regulations to move the shipping
industry away from fossil fuels, after the United States and Saudi Arabia
blocked new rules last month.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez spoke at one of the first side events
at the U.N. climate negotiations that began Monday on the edge of the
Brazilian Amazon.
The event was held to discuss the shipping industry’s efforts to slash
carbon pollution by transitioning (轉變) away from fossil fuels.
Maritime nations were set to adopt the first global carbon fee on shipping
last month at the IMO.
Delegates decided to postpone the decision by a year and adjourn. Dominguez
says the work continues.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 154 -points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,805 on turnover of 7.4-billion N-T.
The market closed lower Friday as investors took cue from losses on Wall
Street overnight amid concerns over America's job market after the latest
large layoffs and overvalued artificial intelligence stocks.
The decline saw the main board dipping below the nearest technical support at
27,717 - which is the 20-day moving average.
CWA to issued seas warning for Typhoon Fung-Wong this afternoon
The Central Weather Administration is expected to issue a sea warning for
Typhoon Fung-wong this afternoon after is crosses the Philippine island of
Luzon.
The storm entered the South China Sea earlier this morning after passing
through Luzon, and could potentially veer (轉向) in a northerly direction
toward Taiwan.
It if does veer north, the weather administration's forecast center says
current data shows the eye of the storm will likely made landfall in Taiwan
between Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning.
According to the forecast center, it remains too early to say the exact
location of landfall, but the center and south have a higher probability, but
areas including Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli County cannot be ruled out.
Fung-wong is currently located some 500-kilometers south of Eluanbi at
Taiwan's southern most tip and is moving in a northwesterly direction at
19-kilometers-an-hour.
The storm has a radius of 250-kilometers and is packing sustained wind speeds
of 144-kilometers-an-hour, with gust of up to 180-kilometers-an-hour.
Typhoon Fung-Wong is forecast to bring heavy or torrential rain and strong
winds to northern and eastern parts of Taiwan this week.
The weather administration is expected to issue a land warning tomorrow.
Israel confirms release of soldier killed in 2014
Israel is confirming that it has received the remains of a soldier killed in
Gaza in 2014.
That's after Hamas turned over the body of Hadar Goldin.
Mimmi Montgomery has the details
Israel recovered the remains of another soldier killed in 2014, Oron Shaul,
earlier this year.
The remains of four hostages taken in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack that sparked
(激發了) the current war are still in Gaza.
Mexico Deploys More Troops to Michoacan
Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced the deployment of more
troops to Michoacan to address ongoing violence.
This decision follows the assassination of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Alberto
Manzo, which sparked protests across the state.
Nearly 1,000 additional troops are set to arrive, bringing the total federal
forces in Michoacan to over 10-thousand.
The government plans to invest over $3 billion in the state, much of it in
existing federal social programs.
On the security side, Sheinbaum's administration is focusing intelligence
gathering and investigations against organized crime.
Sheinbaum has pledged to keep Michoacan's security issues on the national
agenda, emphasizing (強調) support for its residents.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 81-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,818 on turnover of $6.6-billion N-T.
The market rebounded on Thursday, after Wall Street ended in positive
territory overnight on the back of upbeat economic updates and a steady flow
of quarterly reports from U-S companies, which helped counter worries over an
A-I bubble.
Bag of cash left in train station bathroom leads police to bust fraud ring
The Railway Police Bureau says it has arrested 11 suspects suspected of
operating a fraud ring after discovering they'd being using a train station
public toilet as a hand-off point for illicit cash.
According to the bureau, the investigation began after a passenger found a
bag containing 1-million N-T cash in a men's bathroom stall at Changhua's
Yuanlin Station.
Police say a man later appeared at the station claiming he had left his bag
in the bathroom.
He was questioned, failed to account for where the money came from and was
arrested on the spot after authorities concluded the cash was illegally
obtained (獲得) via fraud.
Police later used surveillance video footage to track the man's movements and
identified the organization's leader - who was later arrested at Taoyuan
International Airport while attempting to leave Taiwan.
The suspects are believed to have defrauded multiple victims of over 10
million N-T.
Trump seeks mineral deals with Central Asian nations
US President Donald Trump is welcoming the leaders of five Central Asian
countries to the White House, as he looks to strengthen relations with the
region and secure mineral deals.
The US is trying to counter (對抗) the strong ties that Russia and China
enjoys with the five nations: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
UN lifts Syria sanctions
The U.N. Security Council has voted to lift a series of sanctions on Syrian
President Ahmad al-Sharaa and members of his government days before he's set
to arrive in the U.S. for a historic visit to the White House.
The U.S. resolution to drop U.N. sanctions tied to al-Sharaa and Syria’s
interior minister, Anas Hasan Khattab, passed with 14 members in support.
China abstained (棄權) from the vote.
American officials pushed to pass the resolution before Monday, when
President Donald Trump is expected to host al-Sharaa in the first visit by a
Syrian president to Washington since the country gained independence in
1946.
Peru Declares Claudia Sheinbaum
Peru’s Congress has declared Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum persona non
grata.
The announcement follows Mexico's decision to grant asylum to former Peruvian
Prime Minister Betssy Chavez.
Peruvian officials have accused Mexico of interfering (幹擾) in their
internal affairs.
On Monday, Peru’s interim President Jose Jeri severed diplomatic relations
with Mexico over the asylum decision.
Chavez is being prosecuted for her role in the attempted dissolution of
Congress in 2022.
Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has called Peru’s decision excessive and
maintains that granting asylum is consistent with international law.
Peru is analyzing a legal response while Chavez remains in the Mexican
diplomatic residence.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 189-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,906 on turnover of 8.8-billion N-T.
The market took a beating on Wednesday, led by large cap artificial
intelligence-related stocks on the back of heavy losses by tech stocks on
Wall Street overnight amid investor concerns of an A-I bubble.
MOFA still in talks with Estonia over opening reciprocal offices
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says the government is still in talks with
Estonia on the "name and legal status" related to setting up reciprocal
(互惠的) representative offices.
Speaking during a legislative hearing, Lin said the ongoing talks are
focusing on issues such as the title of the representative offices, their
legal status, and other concerns related to diplomatic immunity and
privileges.
The statement follows reports that the government is hoping the office will
follow the formula of its counterpart in Lithuania, called the "Taiwanese
Representative Office in Lithuania."
However, Estonia is reportedly insisting on using the title "Taipei" due to
concerns about a backlash from China.
DPP claims 'most' people oppose opposition pension proposals
The D-P-P legislative caucus says a recent survey shows a majority (多數) of
people oppose bills proposed by the K-M-T to end annual cuts to civil servant
pensions.
The survey was conducted by the D-P-P.
According to D-P-P lawmaker Wu Si-yao, it found that 59.7-per cent of
respondents supported continuing pension reforms initiated by the D-P-P in
2016, while only 31.7-per cent thought they should be stopped.
Wu says stopping reforms will exacerbate inequality between active and
retired workers, civil servants and workers receiving labor, farmer and
national pensions.
The K-M-T legislative caucus has placed the bills at the top of its priority
for the current legislative session.
Philippine Typhoon Death Toll Rises
Philippine officials say the death toll from flooding and damage caused by
Typhoon Kalmaegi has risen to at least 114.
They say 127 others are reported missing, with many of them in a hard-hit
province still recovering from a deadly earthquake.
The Philippine government says most of the deaths were reported in the
central province of Cebu, which was struck by Kalmaegi on Tuesday, setting
off flash floods and causing a river and other waterways to overflow (溢出).
Kalmaegi moved away from western Palawan province into the South China Sea
before noon Wednesday and was heading toward Vietnam.
Supreme Court skeptical of Trump tariffs
The US Supreme Court appeared skeptical of President Donald Trump's power to
unilaterally impose tariffs during a three-hour hearing.
It comes after Trump used a law designed for national emergencies to justify
his sweeping (廣泛的，全面的) economic agenda
Nick Harper reports from the Supreme Court in Washington DC.
Interpol Launches Campaign to Fight Illegal Deforestation
Interpol and partners have launched a global law enforcement effort to fight
illegal deforestation in tropical areas.
Wednesday's announcement says it's aimed at dismantling (拆解) criminal
networks behind illegal logging, timber trafficking and gold mining.
They drive large-scale deforestation and generate billions in illicit profits
each year.
The effort was announced ahead of the U.N. COP30 climate summit in Brazil.
It will focus mainly on tropical forests in Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, Papua
New Guinea and Peru.
Interpol is working with with the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime on the new
effort.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 330-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,785 N-T on turnover of 13-billion N-T.
The market closed lower on Tuesday as investors locked in profits from the
previous session by trimming holdings in artificial intelligence-related
stocks on relatively high valuations.
50 Lose Taiwanese citizenship due to Chinese identity documents
Mainland Affairs Council head Chiu Chui-cheng says about 50 people have lost
their "Taiwan status" because they were confirmed to hold household
registrations in China or have obtained Chinese passports.
According to Chiu, household registration agencies have been notified to
revoke the household registrations of the 50 individuals after evidence of
their holding China-related documents was confirmed.
The cases were reported by members of the public and confirmed through
investigations or discovered by relevant (相關的) authorities.
The Lai administration has repeatedly warned that violators of the Act
Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland
Area will have their Taiwan household registration revoked.
FM Lin meets with Australia-bound Young Agriculture Ambassadors
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has presented a group of 16 Australia-bound
Young Agricultural Ambassadors with the R-O-C flag at a ceremony in Taipei.
Speaking at the event, Lin said the ambassadors will have multiple exchanges
with Australian agricultural communities during their visit from November 22
to November 30.
The 16 were selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their expertise
(專業知識) in biotechnology, recreational farming and organic fertilizers as
part of the government-funded annual Young Agricultural Ambassadors program.
The program aims to promote exchanges between Taiwan and 18 countries
targeted by the New Southbound Policy.
Brazil Prez Outlines Amazon Fund Plans
Brazil’s leader, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, says he wants the
future of the Amazon rainforest to be built around a major fund that will pay
countries to keep their forests standing.
He spoke to reporters on Tuesday ahead of the United Nations’ climate summit
known as COP30.
It gets underway this week in Belem, a Brazilian city in the edge of the
Amazon.
In Belem, Lula is expected to launch an initiative named Tropical Forests
Forever Fund, aiming to support more than 70 developing countries that commit
to preservation.
The official COP30 website describes the initiative (新措施) as a “permanent
trust fund” that would generate about $4 from the private sector for every
$1 contributed.
Brazil's president did not provide more details about how the plan would come
to action.
So far, Colombia, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia and
Malaysia have joined.
US Mamdani the favourite as New York votes for Mayor
America's biggest city could soon have its first Muslim mayor, as voters head
to the polls in a race that has gained international attention.
Zohran Mamdani is the favourite to beat former Governor Andrew Cuomo, after
captivating (吸引) a younger generation as a self-described "democratic
socialist."
Mitch McCann reports from New York.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 30-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 28,364
on turnover of 5.4-billion N-T.
The market closed on higher Monday as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
recovered its early losses amid continuing investor optimism toward
artificial intelligence development.
Defense minister admits only 10 F-16Vs will be delivered on time
Defense Minister Wellington Koo has admitted that the delivery of the 66
F-16V figher jets purchased by Taiwan from the U-S has been delayed due to
production problems.
However, Koo says some of them may be delivered on time next year.
Speaking at a hearing of the Legislative Foreign Affairs and National Defense
Committee, Koo said 50 of the fighter jets are currently being assembled by
Lockheed Martin in the U-S.
According to the defense minister, 10 of the F-16Vs are expected to roll off
the assembly line by the end of this year, after which they will undergo
(經歷) test flights before being delivered to the Air Force.
Prosecutors seeking detention for former tenant in deadly Taichung House Fire
And,
The Taichung District Prosecutors' Office says it's seeking the detention of
a 64-year-old man as a suspect in a house fire in the city's Wuri District
that left a 17-year-old dead and her 50-year-old mother in critical
condition.
The blaze occurred in a two-story sheet-metal building.
The woman suffered second-degree burns to 80-per cent of her body and remains
critical condition at the Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, while her
17-year-old daughter was pronounced dead at the city's Asia University
Hospital.
The suspect was served an eviction notice in July by the family who own the
building and the family have accused of him sexually harassing the deceased
(死者) teenage victim.
Prosecutor says the man is facing possible charges of murder and endangering
public safety.
US Trump Administration to only partially fund food stamps during shutdown
The Trump administration says it will only provide partial food stamp
payments this month due to the government shutdown, now in its second month
That is expected to further strain the 42 million Americans who rely (依賴)
on the food assistance program known as SNAP.
Ira Spitzer reports from Washington
Peru Severs Relations with Mexico
Peru has severed diplomatic relations with Mexico after Mexican authorities
granted asylum to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chavez.
Chavez faces charges in Peru related to a 2022 coup attempt.
Peru's foreign minister expressed surprise and regret over the asylum (庇護)
decision during a press conference on Monday.
Chavez is reportedly staying at the Mexican Embassy in Peru.
UK Queen Elizabeth Fashions Exhibition
The largest-ever exhibition of Queen Elizabeth II's fashion is set to open at
Buckingham Palace next year to mark her birth centenary.
Officials say the exhibition will feature around 200 items, with about half
never publicly displayed before.
Highlights include her wedding and coronation gowns, as well as a bridesmaid
dress worn by an 8-year-old Princess Elizabeth.
Visitors can also see her private wardrobe and design sketches.
The display will include pieces by contemporary (當代的) British designers to
highlight her legacy.
The exhibition will run from April to Oct., 2026.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 20-points this morning from Friday's close, at 28,253 on
turnover of 5.4-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Friday after Wall Street fell back following
President Donald Trump's meeting with China's Xi Jinping as investors
remained concerned over persisting trade tensions between Washington and
Beijing.
Urgent Care Centers begin operating on Sundays
Urgent Care Centers began operating on Sunday at 13 locations across the six
special municipalities, staffed by rotating primary care physicians.
Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says centers will be open on Sundays and
national holidays for patients with fevers, respiratory symptoms,
gastrointestinal symptoms, minor injuries or acute (急性) discomfort in
children.
The fees will be lower than large hospitals and are party of efforts by the
government to reducing patient numbers in emergency rooms.
Tainan runners shine at Penghu Cross-Island Marathon
Participants from a Tainan-based group were the biggest winners at Sunday's
2025 Penghu Cross-Island Marathon.
The Penghu National Scenic Area Headquarters says a total of 3,443 runners
from 19 countries took part in the event.
They included 101 international athletes, 2,664 from Taiwan proper, and 678
from Penghu.
An eight-member team from Tainan took the line honors (最先完成賽程的榮譽) in
both the men's an women's races.
UK One Train Stabbing Suspect Released Without Charge
British police say one of two men arrested over a stabbing attack on a train
has been released without charge.
The attack took place as the 6:25 p.m. train from Doncaster in northern
England to London’s King’s Cross station was about halfway through its
two-hour journey, having just departed (離開) from a stop.
The only remaining suspect is a 32-year-old British man who remains in
custody on suspicion of attempted murder.
Police said earlier that two men, aged 32 and 35, were arrested after the
attack that left 11 people hospitalized.
One victim remains in a life-threatening condition – a member of train staff
whom police say saved lives with his “heroic” actions.
US Treasury Secretary likens Canadian tariff ad to 'election interference'
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has likened the Canadian province of
Ontario's television advertisement criticizing Donald Trump's tariffs to
'election interference (選舉干涉)'.
He also said that the US president's threat of 10% additional tariffs on
Canada hasn't taken effect yet.
Ira Spitzer has more from Washington.
Italy Revives Temp Bridge to San Michele
Venice has revived a tradition of building a temporary bridge to San Michele
island for All Souls' Day.
The bridge allows Venetians to walk the quarter-mile lagoon crossing to pay
respects to their dead.
The practice, originally made of boats lashed (綁住) together, stopped in the
1950s.
It was revived in 2019 with modern pontoon construction but was interrupted
by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bridge opened Thursday for the Roman Catholic holiday.
Only residents could use it through Sunday, and it opens to tourists on
Monday.
San Michele has been Venice’s main burial ground since 1807.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 7-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
28,280 on turnover of T$4.8-billion N-T.
Government announces subsidy measures for swine fever losses
The government has announced subsidies for pig farmers and other businesses
in the pork industry affected by controls put in place due to an outbreak of
African swine fever.
Pig farmers will receive subsidies of 300 N-T per animal for higher feed
costs resulting from the ban on using food waste, and up to 18,000 N-T for
every farm to cover fuel expenses for clearing out food waste.
They're also entitled to an 810 N-T per animal for additional feed costs
resulting from the slaughter ban.
Meat sellers will receive 30,000 N-T compensation (賠償) for income losses
from suspending operations during the transport and slaughter bans, while
meat markets can receive up to 200,000 N-T for rent cost losses.
While individual meat wholesalers will be entitled to 15,000 N-T for
operation suspension losses.
The Ministry of Agriculture is also offering 5,000 N-T to farmers who inform
them of a new A-S-F case as part of efforts to encourage proactive reporting.
Trump Administration to slash refugee numbers to 7500 from 125,000
The Trump administration says it will restrict the number of refugees (難民)
it allows into the United States next year to just 7-thousand-500 and most of
those admitted will be white South Africans, according to a notice published
in the Federal Register.
That's down from 125-thousand people last year under the Biden Administration.
Kate fisher reports from Washington
Prince Andrew Stripped of Titles and Evicted
Buckingham Palace says that King Charles III is stripping his brother Prince
Andrew of his remaining titles and evicting (驅逐) him from his royal
residence.
In a statement, the palace says Andrew will be known as Andrew Mountbatten
Windsor and not as a prince.
He will move from his Royal Lodge residence into “private accommodation
(住宿)”.
The moves follow revelations about Andrew’s relationship with convicted sex
offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The palace said the thoughts of the king and Queen Camilla are with "the
victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”
Latvia Withdraws from Intl Treaty Supporting Victims of Violence
The Latvian parliament has voted to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, an
international treaty supporting women who are victims of violence.
The decision came on Thursday after a 13-hour intense debate.
The treaty, effective in Latvia since 2024, aims to standardize (標準化)
support for victims of violence.
Critics argue it promotes "gender ideology."
In September, opposition lawmakers initiated the withdrawal process,
supported by some coalition members.
Latvia's president is expected to review the law, and has several options,
including returning the law to parliament for reassessment or, under specific
circumstances, triggering a referendum.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 55-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 28,350
on turnover of 10-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Wednesday on the back of upbeat comments
by Nvidia on artificial intelligence - which sparked strong buying in local
electronics heavyweights.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing was in focus and rose by 2-per cent to
close at 1,505 N-T -- contributing about 240 points to the main board's rise
and sending the electronics sub-index up by 1.67-per cent.
Nvidia confirms Taipei's Beitou Shilin Tech Park for Taiwan HQ
Nvidia has confirmed that its Taiwan headquarters will be built on two plots
of land at the Beitou-Shilin Technology Park.
According to Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, the city government is taking steps
to fast-track administrative procedures to help the company establish its
presence (在場) as soon as possible.
The mayor is estimating that a formal contract between the city and Nvidia
can be expected by mid-2026.
Nvidia founder and C-E-O Jensen Huang first announced plans to establish the
company's new Taiwan headquarters in the Beitou-Shilin Technology Park in May
of this year.
Cabinet to promote local pay rises for more migrant workers
The Cabinet is scheduled to refine its policies on the employment of migrant
workers.
The moves include allowing the hiring of additional workers beyond existing
quotas, provided each extra foreign worker results in a local employee
receiving a monthly pay increase of 2,000 N-T.
According to Minister without Portfolio Chen Shih-chung, the number of
migrant workers to be employed under the planned new system will be capped
(為…設定了上限) at less than 10-per cent of an employer's total workforce.
The Cabinet is expected to approve measures during a meeting later today.
Liberal D66 party on track to win Dutch elections
Exit polls suggest that 38-year-old Rob Jetten's liberal D66 party is on
track to win the Dutch elections.
The far-right anti-immigration PVV led by Geert Wilders look set to come
second but in a far weaker (較弱) position than the last election two years
ago.
William Denselow reports from The Hague.
Morocco Charges for Protesters
Morocco has charged more than 2,400 people over youth-led protests that
turned violent earlier this month, a sweeping response to some of the
country’s largest anti-government demonstrations in years.
Of the 2,480 people who have been charged, nearly 1-thousand-500 of them
remain in custody awaiting trial.
Charges included armed rebellion, insulting (侮辱) and using violence against
public officials, and incitement to commit felonies.
The wave of arrests has alarmed human rights groups and become an additional
rallying cry (戰鬥口號) for demonstrators, who have at recent protests held
signs for those arrested for attending protests.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 208-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
28,157 on turnover of 9.9-billion N-T.
The main board followed other regional markets and lost ground on Tuesday as
investors await the outcome of a meeting between U-S President Donald Trump
and his China's counterpart Xi Jinping in South Korea tomorrow.
The main board briefly breaching the 28,000-point mark, but downward pressure
emerged as investors opted to lock-in profits.
Lin Hsin-i heads to APEC Leaders Meeting in South Korea
Presidential Adviser Lin Hsin-i has arrived in South Korea ahead of this
week's APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in South Korea.
Lin has been appointed as President Lai Ching-te's envoy to the the two-day
event which begins on Friday.
Prior to boarding his flight at Taoyuan International Airport, Lin told
reporters that he will highlight Taiwan's strengths in semiconductors,
artificial intelligence, smart healthcare, and small and medium-sized
enterprises (企業) while in South Korea.
He also expressed his hope that the meeting will help attract more
investment, strengthen international cooperation, and raise Taiwan's profile
in APEC.
Taoyuan Airport 3rd runway completion pushed back to 2032
The Taoyuan International Airport Corporation has admitted that completion of
the airport's third runway has been pushed back from 2030 to 2032.
The airport operator's assistant vice president Bi Jin-ling says the
relocation of residents from a site reserved for (保留給) the new runway has
been postponed until the end of next year - which has delayed construction.
The planned third runway is located north of the airport's existing site and
began the first phase of construction in September of 2023.
Construction is expected to take at least six years.
Israeli forces kill three people near Jenin
The Israeli military carried out an airstrike near Jenin in the Occupied West
Bank on Tuesday in an operation that killed three Palestinians accused of
plotting (密謀) an attack.
Blake Sifton reports from Tel Aviv.
US kills 14 in strikes on four alleged drug boats in Pacific
U-S Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says the military has killed 14 people in
strikes on four alleged drug boats in the Pacific.
It's the latest in a series of attacks on boats the U-S says have been
carrying drugs in both the Pacific and Caribbean.
The latest strikes in the eastern Pacific, mark an escalation (升級) in what
it has cast as a campaign to stop narcotics (毒品) from entering the U-S.
Mexico's navy says it is still searching for a lone survivor approximately
640-kilometers from the Pacific coastal city of Acapulco.
The strikes have drawn condemnation in the region and experts have questioned
their legality.
Newly discovered Dr. Seuss manuscript featuring the Cat in the Hat to be
published next year.
And finally,
A newly discovered Dr. Seuss manuscript featuring the Cat in the Hat will be
published next year.
The book, titled "Sing the 50 United States," celebrates the United States
and is set for release just in time for America's 250th anniversary.
This is the first full manuscript by Dr. Seuss, born Theodor Geisel, to be
found since 2015.
The manuscript was discovered earlier this year at the Geisel Library in
California.
New illustrations in the style of Dr. Seuss were created by artist Tom
Brannon.
Random House Children's Books plans to publish the book on June 2, 2026.
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Taiwan-friendly parliamentary group meets in Taipei
Zeng Yani claims first title in over a decade at 2025 Wistron Ladies Open
US-Canade trade talks
Bolsonaro lawyers call for review of coup plot sentencing
Investigators racing to solve Louvre heist
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 497-points this morning from last Thursday's close, at
28,029 on turnover of 17-billion N-T.
The market was closed on Friday for a national holildy, by lost ground on
Thursday - after the tech heavy Nasdaq fell on Wall Street fell.
TFAU urges EVA Airways to deliver on sick leave policy reforms
Members of the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union are urging EVA Airways to make
a concrete commitment not to penalize employees in their performance
evaluations for taking sick leave.
The call come in the wake of the recent death of an EVA Air flight attendant
on October 10 - who fell ill while working a round-trip flight between Taipei
and Milan.
She had worked despite being ill, reportedly because of the company's strict
sick leave policy.
Union chair Steven Chang says flight attendants face time zone differences
and various occupational (職業性的) risks, and are often the ones caring for
others, but when they need care, they are afraid to take sick leave ..
.. and that fear is a consequence of EVA Airway's long-standing systemic
problems.
Liu You-yun wins Taiwan's 1st World Taekwondo gold in a decade
And,
Liu You-yun has won Taiwan's first gold medal in 10 years at the World
Taekwondo Championships.
She beat her Turkish opponent in the women's under-49 kilogram kyorugi final
in Wuxi, China.
The 18-year old also also won the women's under-49 kilogram titles at the
Swedish Open and the Charlotte World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge earlier
this year - cementing (加強，鞏固) her rise as one of Taiwan's top young
fighters.
The gold medal in China this weekend marks Taiwan's first at the biennial
championships since 2015 - when Zhuang Chia-chia won in the women's under67
kilogram division in Russia.
Hamas expands search for the remains of hostages in Gaza
Hamas is expanding (擴大) its search for the remains of hostages in Gaza, a
day after Egypt sent a team with heavy equipment.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
Report: Uncontacted Indigenous Groups Face Growing Threats
A report says nearly 200 uncontacted Indigenous groups remain worldwide and
face growing threats.
The new report by Survival International, a London-based Indigenous rights
organization, identifies at least 196 uncontacted Indigenous groups in 10
countries, primarily in the South American nations sharing the Amazon
rainforest.
The report estimates that nearly 65% face threats from logging, about 40%
from mining and around 20% from agribusiness.
Survival’s research concludes that half of these groups “could be wiped out
within 10 years if governments and companies do not act.”
Advocates urge governments to enforce (執行) land rights, ban extractive
(提取的) projects in their territories and adopt a global “no-contact”
policy, stressing that their survival is vital for both human rights and
climate stability.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 191-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,457 on turnover of 7.7-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Wednesday as selling was focused on large cap
semiconductor stocks after the teach heavy Nasdaq lost ground on Wall Street
overnight.
Analysts say many investors opted to turn cautious about a possible major
pullback (退卻，拉回) on the main board from recent strong showingd and opted
to lock in profits from previous sessions.
Shin Kong Life to end Taipei land contract to make way for Nvidia's TaiwanHQ
Shin Kong Life Insurance say its willing to relinquish the surface rights to
two plots of land in the Beitou-Shilin Technology Park to allow Nvidia to
build it's new headquarters in Taipei.
Shin Kong Life Chairman Mark Wei made the announcement at press conference -
telling reporters that company's board has decided to terminate its contract
with the Taipei City government, contingent upon the reimbursement (報銷) of
land development costs.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says the city government will now meet with Shin
Kong Life to negotiate the contract termination.
Red alert lifted for Matai'an Creek barrier lake after one month
The Central Emergency Operations Center has lifted the red alert for
Hualien's Matai'an Creek barrier lake and says monitoring of the area has now
returned to normal levels.
According to center chief coordinator Ji Lien-cheng, the criteria (標準) for
lifting the alert has been met, as the water level in the lake is now stable,
dredging operations in the river are ongoing and evacuation plans have been
drafted.
Ji says the temporary embankment has also been strengthened.
The barrier lake formed in July and overflowed after a dam collapsed on
September 23.
The Central Emergency Operations Center has said it could take up to five
years for recovery work to be completed in the townships affected by the
flooding.
ICJ says Israell can't use starvation as method of war
The International Court of Justice has announced that Israel can't use
starvation as a method of warfare and must ensure the basic needs of the
people in Gaza are met.
This advisory opinion issued by the United Nations' top court isn't legally
binding (具有法律約束力) and has been described by Israeli officials as
"shameful."
William Denselow reports from the ICJ in The Hague.
Canada to Double NonUS Exports in Next Decade
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says he's setting a goal for the country
to double its non-U.S. exports in the next decade, saying Canada’s former
strengths based on close ties to the United States have become
vulnerabilities.
Carney reiterated in an evening speech that the decades-long process of an
ever-closer economic relationship between the Canadian and U.S. economies is
now over.
He says "the U.S. has fundamentally changed its approach to trade", and
Canada "can't rely on one foreign partner".
More than 75% of Canada’s exports go to the U.S.
Tensions between the neighbors and longtime allies have eased (緩和) slightly
in recent months as Carney tries to get a trade deal with Trump, but tariffs
are taking a toll, particularly in the aluminum, steel, auto and lumber
sectors.
Carney says Canada is e re-engaging China and India.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 138-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,614 on turnover of 7.6-billion N-T.
The market closed at a yet another record high on Tuesday, despite giving up
most of its early gains as investors rushed to lock in profits from previous
sessions.
Taiwan envoy Lin Hsin-i to stress economic resilience and AI at APEC
President Lai Ching-te says has asked his envoy to the next week's APEC
Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, to promote three key
messages on Taiwan's economic resilience (復原力), innovation, and
people-centered artificial intelligence.
Speaking at send-off news conference, Lai thanked Presidential Adviser Lin
Hsin-i for accepting the role and outlined three main messages for Lin to
convey at the summit.
Those included Taiwan commitment to enhancing economic resilience, the
island's moving from "manufacturing" to "creation" and his government's
human-centered approach to artificial intelligence.
Lin said he will engage actively with APEC leaders and business
representatives during the summit to show that Taiwan is a responsible,
trustworthy and benevolent partner.
Repeat offense drivers required to take remedial classes from March 2026
And,
The Ministry of Transport says drivers who commit certain traffic violations
(違規行為) over three times in a one-year period will be required to attend a
three-hour class to improve their driving safety awareness starting in March
of next year.
The violations include running red lights, failing to observe the right of
way at intersections with no signals, and not slowing down as required when
passing crosswalks, hospitals, or schools.
While professional drivers of large commercial vehicles will be required to
take the class after two offenses within a year.
The mandate is part of a series new traffic regulations being rolled out next
year as part of the government's efforts to reduce traffic accident
fatalities by 7-per cent annually.
San Francisco officials threaten to sue if Trump sends National Guard
San Francisco officials say they'll take legal action if the Trump
administration sends the National Guard to the city, calling the threat
unnecessary (不必要) and unlawful.
It comes after a federal appeals court cleared the way for the Guard's
deployment to Portland, part of a wider clash between the White House and
Democratic-led cities.
Ira Spitzer reports.
DR Trapped Miners Rescued
Crews in the Dominican Republic have rescued 80 miners who became trapped in
the Caribbean nation.
The government says no one was injured or killed.
Officials say the miners became trapped Tuesday when a portion (部分) of a
zinc and copper mine in a rural area northwest of the capital collapsed.
All miners were located underground in a safe area and were being lifted
aboveground.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 53-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 27,742
on turnover of 11-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Monday, as it notched up yet another
closing record after the bellwether electronics sector staged a rebound from
Friday's slump amid lingering investor optimism toward artificial
intelligence development.
KMT chair-elect reiterates willingness to meet Xi Jinping 'for peace'
The K-M-T's chair-elect says she is willing to do everything to promote peace
across the Taiwan Strait, including meeting China's Xi Jinping.
According to Cheng Li-wun, she's will take any steps and and meet anyone as
long as it addresses cross-strait conflicts and disagreements, promotes peace
and cooperation, and brings about common prosperity (繁榮).
Citing a United Daily News survey on cross-strait relations released in late
September, which showed that 63-per cent of respondents were dissatisfied
with President Lai Ching-te's related policies - Cheng says the D-P-P's
"anti-China card" had led Taiwan into a dead-end.
Cheng won more than 50-per cent of the vote in Saturday's K-M-T leadership
election to become the party's second elected female chair.
Kaohsiung says Blackpink gave city tourism NT$300 million boost
The Kaohsiung's Economic Development Bureau says Blackpink's concerts this
past weekend helped the city generate over 300-million N-T in tourism
revenue.
City officials say more than 120,000 people came to see the all girl K-pop
group at the National Stadium over two days.
Many vendors in night markets saw their sales jump by at least 30-per cent on
both Saturday and Sunday.
The city's Transportation Bureau says, including ticketholders and tailgaters
(停車場聚會者), as many as 63,000 people were present within and around the
stadium on Saturday, while as many as 59,000 were at there on Sunday.
Kaohsiung was the first Asian stop of Blankpink's "Deadline" world tour.
Australian PM visits the White House
US President Donald Trump is welcoming Australian Prime Minister Anthony
Albanese for his first visit to the White House since the start of the
president's second term.
Charlotte North reports from Washington.
Myanmar Shuts Down Online Scam Operation
Myanmar's military says it has shut down a major online scam operation near
the Thailand border.
State media reported Monday that more than 2,000 people were detained, and
dozens of Starlink satellite internet terminals were seized.
Myanmar is known for cyberscam operations that defraud people worldwide.
These scams often involve fake romantic schemes and bogus (虛假) investments.
The army raided KK Park starting in early September.
The area is on the outskirts of Myawaddy, a trading town under the influence
of ethnic minority militias.
Brazil Approves Exploratory Drilling Near Amazon River
Brazil’s government has approved exploratory drilling by state-run oil-giant
Petrobras near the mouth of the Amazon River.
The decision comes only weeks before the United Nations climate conference in
Belem, COP30, where efforts to reduce the use of fossil fuels will be
discussed.
Petrobras said in a statement Monday that the drilling could start right away
and take up to five months.
The Equatorial Margin deposit off the coast of Brazil is believed to be rich
in oil and gas.
The biodiverse area is home to little-studied mangroves and a coral reef, and
activists and experts have said the project risks leaks that could be carried
widely by tides and imperil (威脅) the sensitive environment.
Petrobras has long argued it has never caused spills in its drillings.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 178-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,480 on turnover of 8.6-billion N-T.
The market tumbled nearly 350-points on Friday, but still managed to close
the trading day above the 27,000 point mark, as investors reacted to a
decline a Wall Street overnight driven by concerns over the loan portfolios
of some of America's biggest banks.
NSB boosting anti-drone systems and monitoring extremists to protect leaders
The National Security Bureau say it's taking steps to better protect the
president, vice president, Cabinet members, and other top officials by
boosting counter-drone capabilities and closely monitoring political
extremists.
According to the bureau, security threats are on the rise amid what is says
is "a complex, hazardous (危險的) landscape and sophisticated U-A-V
technology."
The N-S-B says it has purchased new anti-drone guns and drone jammers, with
the aim of enhancing its countermeasure capabilities, while at the same time
is enhancing information sharing among police and local intelligence
agencies.
The N-S-B's latest report on improving security for political leaders is
slated to be reviewed by lawmakers on the Legislative Internal Administration
Committee later today.
30 riders rescued after 40 minutes on stalled Ferris wheel in Taipei
And,
The Ferris wheel at the Miramar Entertainment Park in Taipei came to a halt
on Sunday afternoon trapping more than 30 people.
The Taipei City Fire Department says sent firefighters to scene at around
2:30PM following an apparent mechanical failure on the Ferris wheel in the
Zhongshan District.
According to the department, 30 people trapped in 10 gondolas on the Ferris
wheel … and they were there for about 40-minutes.
There were no reported injuries or illnesses.
The cause of the malfunction (故障) is still under investigation.
Afghanistan and Pakistan pledge to respect ceasefire
Afghanistan and Pakistan pledge (保證) to respect a ceasefire after more than
a week of deadly fighting
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
US Trump Mulls Buying Argentinian Beef
President Donald Trump says the United States could purchase Argentinian beef
in an attempt to bring down prices for American consumers.
He made the statement to reporters aboard Air Force One during a flight
Sunday from Florida to Washington.
Trump promised earlier this week to address the issue as part of his efforts
to keep inflation in check.
U.S. beef prices have been stubbornly high for a variety of reasons,
including drought (乾旱) and reduced imports from Mexico due to a
flesh-eating pest in cattle herds there.
Trump has also been movingt to bolster Argentina's currency ahead of midterm
elections for his close ally, President Javier Milei.
Venezuelan Doctor Canonized as Saint
Pope Leo XIV has canonized Venezuela's “doctor of the poor” before tens of
thousands of people.
Jose Gregorio Hernandez, known for his dedication to the poor, became the
South American nation's first saint on Sunday.
Thousands of Venezuelans poured into St. Peter’s Square for the Mass.
As a doctor in Caracas into the early 1900s, Hernandez refused to take money
from the poor for his services and often gave them money for medication.
He was killed in a road accident while crossing a street shortly after
picking up medicine for a poor elderly woman.
In all, seven people will be canonized (冊封為聖人) in a ceremony that Pope
Francis put in motion in some of his final acts as pope.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 248-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,399 on turnover of $12.9-billion N-T.
The market hit a new high on Thursday, as investors once again flocked to
artificial intelligence development related stocks ahead of Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing's investor conference.
T-S-M-C dominated the trading day as it gained 1.37-per cent to close at a
new high of 1,485 N-T - contributing 160 points to the Tai-Ex's overall rise
and sending the electronics subindex up by 1.69-per cent.
Hualien townships finalizes evacuation plan as tropical storm looms
The Central Emergency Operations Center says a three-stage evacuation plan
has been finalized for residents of Hualien Guangfu, Fenglin and Wanrong
townships in anticipation of a tropical storm forming over the weekend.
According to the center, a landslide lake alert and forced vertical
evacuation could be activated if necessary in order to prepare for the
storm's possible formation ..
.. and the first phase of the plan will involve relocating elderly residents,
those living alone and dialysis patients to hospitals or designated shelters.
The center says the second phase will mandate the evacuation of residents
living in single-story homes and place them in shelters, while the third
phase will require those in multistory houses to take vertical shelter on
upper floors.
The first phase of the evacuation plan will initiated (啟動) once accumulated
rainfall reaches 20-centimeters within 24 hours.
Taipei and Shanghai zoos to do African penguin and red panda exchange
Taipei Zoo Director Chu Hsiao-fen says the exchange of a pair of African
penguins from Taipei for a pair of red pandas from the Shanghai Zoo will be
finalized (定局，確定) in the first half of next year.
According to Chu, the pandas are currently waiting to take the second of two
rabies vaccination jabs before they can come to Taiwan, while the zoo is
still confirming which avian flu vaccine the penguins need for their move to
Shanghai.
Chu says after quarantine procedures are complete on both sides, the two zoos
will plan the exchange procedures for the beginning of next year.
The exchange was based on a memorandum of understanding bertween the cities,
which was signed at the 2024 Taipei-Shanghai Twin City Forum, which was held
in Taipei.
Israel Claims Airstrike Killed Houthi Rebel Chief of Staff
Israel says an airstrike in August killed the chief of staff of Yemen's
Houthi rebels.
The group on Thursday acknowledged the death of Maj. Gen. Muhammad Abdul
Karim al-Ghamari, who had been sanctioned by the United Nations.
Israel claimed responsibility for the attack, stating al-Ghamari died from
his wounds from the August strike.
The U.N. described al-Ghamari as a key figure in orchestrating the Houthis'
military efforts, threatening Yemen's peace and security and conducting
(進行) cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia.
Madagascar coup leader to be sworn in as president as African Union
suspends the country
Military leader Colonel Michael Randrianirina will be sworn in as
Madagascar's transitional (過渡性的) president today, the new leadership has
announced.
Isaac Lukando reports.
Italian Winter Olympics Announces Opening Ceremony Plans
Organizers have announced that the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games will
feature the most spread-out opening ceremony in history.
The Parade of Nations on February 6 will include athletes at Milan’s San
Siro Stadium and, for the first time, in three other locations: Cortina,
Predazzo, and Livigno.
This setup allows athletes from all disciplines to participate (參加).
Events are scheduled from February 6th to 22-nd across various Italian
regions.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 61-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 27,337
on turnover of 10-billion N-T.
The market surged more than 480-points on Wednesday as Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing closed at a new high and investors were encouraged by comments
by the head of the U-S Federal Reserve regarding more rate-cuts.
NSB head confirmed Numerous videos on KMT leadership race posted outside
Taiwan
National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen says his agency has
found hundreds of video clips focusing on the K-M-T's leadership election
posted from online accounts outside of Taiwan.
According to Tsai, most of the 1,000-plus videos identified are circulating
(散佈、傳遞) on the Chinese version of TikTok, and over 200 related videos
are on YouTube, which were posted from 23 accounts, half of which were not in
Taiwan.
Tsai declined to say whether any of those accounts were based in China and
also refused to says which candidates the videos were stumping for.
The statements come after some of the candidates running the K-M-T leadership
election this Saturday have been rather vocal in their claims that China is
meddling in the race.
Women's group calls for tighter surveillance after rape case at Taipei
Station
The Taipei Women's Rescue Foundation is calling on the city government to
improve its safety surveillance systems and encouraging bystander (旁觀者)
intervention (介入) following the sexual assault of a woman at the Taipei
Main Station last week.
The foundation says the city government needs to review and improve its
public safety systems, assistance alarm bells could be installed and
bystanders should be encouraged to intervene if they witness incidents of
sexual assault.
The suspect was arrested at the scene.
And the Railway Police Bureau says the number of patrols in the station have
been increased and officers are now checking toilets and stairwells every two
hours to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
The US Supreme Court is hearing a case that could upend the midterms
The US supreme court will hear arguments in a case that could gut the Voting
Rights Act, the landmark civil rights law designed to prevent discrimination
(歧視) in voting.
The outcome of the case could change the course of next year's midterm
elections.
Charlotte North reports from Washington
UN Warns Colombia of Mercury Contamination
A United Nations letter to Colombia warns that mercury contamination from
illegal gold mining in the Atrato River basin is causing a grave
(嚴重的，重大的) human rights crisis for Indigenous and Afro-descendant
communities.
In a letter made public earlier this week, the U.N. Human Rights Council
raised concerns with the Colombian government about insufficient (不足的)
compliance with a 2016 Constitutional Court ruling that recognized the Atrato
River as a legal entity with rights to protection and restoration.
The river is one of Colombia’s largest waterways, and is one of the
country’s most biodiverse yet impoverished (貧窮)regions.
Illegal gold mining is now among the main drivers of deforestation and
pollution across Amazon regions, and mercury used to extract gold has
devastated wildlife and contaminated the food sources of Indigenous
communities in remote areas of the Amazon.
The UN letter calls for urgent measures to halt pollution, tackle criminal
networks and provide medical care to residents exposed to toxic mercury.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 117-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
26,911 on turnover of 8.3-billion N-T.
The market closed lower on Tuesday as renewed concerns over US-China trade
tensions prompted (促使) investors to lock in profits.
Former EVA Airways rep accused of spying for China
The Supreme Prosecutors' Office has indicted a former EVA Airways
representative to China on charges of spying for Beijing.
The former airline representative was stationed in Sichuan and is suspected
of being recruited by Chinese intelligence.
Reports says he sought classified information from several officials at the
Mainland Affairs Council concerning details about direct cross-strait
flights.
The suspect reportedly attempted to bribe at least one official with a
payment of 100,000 N-T multiple times between 2012 and 2014.
The Mainland Affairs Council official refused the offer and reported the case
to authorities.
The suspect has now been charged with violating the National Security Act.
MOFA allocates funds to buy representative office space in Boston
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has allocated a budget of 156-million
N-T for the purchase of a property (房產) to house its representative office
in the U-S city of Boston.
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston is currently located in a
rented building.
According to the foreign ministry, the funding means it will be able to a
property in the city, pending approval of the budget by the Cabinet and
Legislature.
The government also plans to purchase properties in Houston and Denver in the
U-S and in Sydney, Australia to house its representative offices ..
.. saying the aim of the purchases is to save taxpayer money that is
currently being spent on renting overseas offices.
Argentina Leader at White House
Just hours after returning from his trip to the Middle East, US President
Donald Trump is shifting (轉移) his focus to the other side of the world -
hosting the Argentinian leader Javier Milei at the White House.
It comes after the US agreed to a 20 billion dollar currency swap in a major
bailout of the Latin American nation.
Kate Fisher reports
Congo M23 Establish Oversight
Congo and the Rwanda-backed rebel group M23 have agreed to establish an
oversight mechanism for a potential permanent ceasefire.
The agreement was announced Tuesday by a Congolese government spokesperson
and confirmed by a M23 spokesperson.
The ceasefire monitoring body will include representatives from Congo, M23
and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region.
The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo will participate.
The agreement is an important step toward a peace deal after recent efforts
to end fighting in eastern Congo stalled.
The body is expected to meet within seven days of its creation, with the U.N.
peacekeeping mission in Congo providing logistical (後勤的) coordination.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened opened up 358-points this morning from yesterday's close,
at 27,282 on turnover of 13-billion N-T.
The positive opening came after the market tumbled more than 350-points on
Monday, as investors reacted to U-S President Donald Trump's threat to hike
tariffs on Chinese goods by 100-per cent.
Taipei City Government and Shin Kong Life remain at odds over compensation
for Nvidia land
The Taipei City government is urging Shin Kong Life Insurance to accept a
compensation agreement in exchange for relinquishing the surface rights of
plots T-17 and T-18 in the Beitou-Shilin Science Park - where Nvidia wants to
build its Taiwan headquarters.
Shin Kong Life has said it's willing to directly transfer the surface rights
to Nvidia, but the city government is stressing that such a move would
violate the contract - as to date nothing has been built on the site.
The city government has offered to pay compensation (賠償) of between 500 and
800-million N-T to Shin Kong Life and return the more than 3-billion N-T the
company bid to acquire the land rights.
However, Shin Kong Life is pushing for 10.7-billion N-T in compensation for
terminating the contract.
Generics and imports to plug gap left by departing drug makers
Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says the availability of generic and
imported medications mean the withdrawal of essential drugs from the Taiwan
market this year is not expected to result in shortages.
The statement comes after the Food and Drug Administration announced that as
of last month, the makers of 47 drugs classified as essential under the
Pharmaceutical Affairs Act have given the legally required six-month notice
of their intention to end local sales.
According to the health minister, there are generics available in Taiwan for
46 of the 47 drugs.
The only drug that currently lacks a locally approved alternative is an
immunosuppressant used in organ transplants manufactured by Padagis.
Joy in Israel as hostages return but many bodies still missing
The families of the last 20 living hostages held by Hamas in Gaza have been
sharing joy and relief at their return to Israel after two years in captivity
(關押，囚禁).
But Israel says only four of the dead hostages have been returned after Hamas
said it does not know the location of some of the other 24.
Blake Sifton reports from Tel Aviv.
Madagascar President Flees Country Amid Coup
Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina says he has fled the country in fear for
his life following a military rebellion.
But he did not announce his resignation in a speech broadcast on national
television late Monday night from an undisclosed location.
Rajoelina has faced weeks of Gen Z-led anti-government protests which reached
a pivotal point on Saturday when an elite military unit joined the protests
and called for the president to step down.
That prompted Rajoelina to say that an attempted coup was underway
(正在進行的) in the Indian Ocean island and leave the country.
The situation remains volatile, with curfews in place in major cities.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 539-points this morning from last Thurday's close, at
26,762 on turnover of 21-billion N-T.
The market gained ground last Thursday - as tech heavyweights led to the main
to another record high of 27,301 largely on the back of investor interest in
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing - which closed at a record 1,440 N-T.
Naval officer indicted for selling missile manuals to Chinese agent
The Taichung District Prosecutors' Office has indicted a naval officer on
corruption charges for allegedly selling sensitive, but unclassified
operational manuals for the domestically developed Hsiung Feng II anti-ship
missiles to China
According to the prosecutors' office, the officer served in the Navy's Hai
Feng Brigade land-based anti-ship missile unit and has been charged with
violating the Anti-Corruption Act.
Formal charges of violating the National Security Act have also been brought
against another Navy officer in connection with the case.
Prosecutors also say although the information was not classified, it still
posed a threat to national security and the morale of the armed forces,
undermining both official ethics and military virtue.
MOE seeing no significant impact on chip sector from China's rare earths
curbs
The Ministry of Economic Affairs says it believes Taiwan's semiconductor
industry will see no significant impact following China's announcing of new
curbs on rare earth mineral exports.
According to the ministry, they differ from the metals needed for the chip
sector.
China expanded its rare earths export controls late last week.
The economics ministry says domestically needed products or derivatives
containing rare earths are mainly sourced from Europe, the U-S, and Japan and
as such, no significant impact on chip manufacturing is expected at this
time.
Trump Warns Russia US May Send Tomahawk Missiles to Ukraine
US President Donald Trump is warning Russia that he may send Ukraine
long-range Tomahawk missiles if Moscow doesn't settle its war there soon.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump described the
Tomahawk as an incredible and offensive weapon.
He suggested Russia does not need that kind of escalation.
Trump added that he might tell Russia the U.S. could send the missiles if the
conflict isn't resolved.
His comments came after a phone call earlier Sunday with Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier that day.
And Russia attacked Ukraine’s power grid overnight, part of an ongoing
campaign to cripple Ukrainian energy infrastructure before winter.
Moscow also expressed “extreme concern” over the U.S. potentially providing
Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine.
Putin himself has previously suggested that the United States supplying
long-range missiles to Ukraine will seriously damage relations between Moscow
and Washington.
US Vance Warning on Further Cuts During Gov Shutdown
The White House is warning of deeper' cuts ahead for federal workers as the
government shutdown enters its 12th day.
AP's Lisa Dwyer reports
Madagascar President Claims Attempted Coup
The president of Madagascar says an attempted coup is underway in the Indian
Ocean island country, a day after soldiers joined anti-government
demonstrations.
A statement from President Andry Rajoelina’s office said it “wishes to
inform the nation and the international community that an attempt to seize
power illegally and by force” has been “initiated” on Sunday.
The statement did not immediately identify who was behind the alleged
attempt.
Members of the armed forces had joined youth-led protests against Rajoelina
on Saturday.
The protests against service failures and alleged government corruption and
nepotism (靠關係，靠親屬關係) have been going on since Sept. 25.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 237-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
27,301 on turnover of 14-billion N-T.
The market's winning streak came to an end on Wednesday - as the bellwether
electronics sector pulled back from recent strong gains after tech stocks on
Wall Street came under pressure overnight amid reports that Oracle could
report lower-than-expected margins.
CEC on upcoming retirements of several members, impact on 2026 elections
Central Election Commission Chairman Lee Chin-yung is calling on Premier Cho
Jung-tai to submit (提交) a list of nominees to replace outgoing
commissioners - saying the upcoming retirements will affect next year's local
elections.
According to Lee, the terms of six of the commission's 10 supervisors, inccv
luding himself, will expire next month and the Cabinet has yet to nominate
anyone to fill the pending vacant posts.
Lee says the failure to approve any new members will result in the election
commission's coming to a standstill - as planning for next year's local
elections has to begin early next year.
The premier should have nominated successors for the six retiring members by
August, but has so far failed to put any name forward for the posts.
Tropical Storm Nakri forms, unlikely to affect Taiwan
And,
The Central Weather Administration says the 22nd tropical storm of this
year's Pacific typhoon season has formed in waters north of Guam.
However, the administration's forecast center says Tropical Storm Nakri is
unlikely (不太可能) to directly impact Taiwan.
The storm is expected to move northwest into waters south of Japan, before
heading in a northeasterly direction.
Meanwhile,
A weather front bringing cooler weather to Taiwan in the middle or end of
next week.
According to the weather administration, a system will move across Taiwan
from north to south on October 17 and 18 that will push dailytime highs to
below 30-degrees ….
… bringing with it the year's first hint of autumn weather.
Israel and Hamas agree to first Phase in peace deal - paving the way for
hostage release
Israel and Hamas have both signed off on Phase One of a Gaza peace deal,
paving the way (為某事鋪路) for the remaining hostages to be released and aid
to enter the enclave.
Toni Waterman has more from Washington.
WHO: Congo Ebola Outbreak Slowly Being Contained
The World Health Organization says an Ebola outbreak in southern Congo is
starting to be contained.
The organization says no new cases have been reported since Oct. 1st.
As of Oct. 5th, the WHO reported 64 cases and 43 deaths in Kasai Province.
The outbreak was first announced on Sept. 4, marking the first in 18 years in
this remote area.
Improved logistics and field operations have helped contain the outbreak.
However, the WHO advises caution as nearly 2,000 contacts are still being
monitored (被監控).
A single missed contact could reignite transmission, especially in areas with
high population movement.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 212-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
26,999 on turnover of 9.8-billion N-T.
The market hit an all time closing high on Tuesday after topping
27,000-points as the bellwether electronics sector continued its upward
momentum following news that A-M-D had signed a deal with A-I tool developer
OpenAI.
Lai tells US audience that Trump deserves Nobel if he gets Xi to renounce
force against Taiwan
President Lai Ching-te says U-S President Donald Trump would deserve to win a
Nobel Peace Prize if he could get China to renounce the use of force against
Taiwan.
Speaking in an interview with U-S radio host Buck Sexton in Taipei, Lai said
his administration hopes Taiwan will continue to enjoy the support of
President Trump ..
.. and if he is able to convince Xi Jinping to renounce the use of force
against Taiwan, he will surely (一定) win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Asked what he would want Trump to know if he could speak to him directly …
…. Lai said he hopes Trump takes note of the fact that Xi is holding "ever
larger military exercises" in the Taiwan Strait and "expanding China's
military deployment in the South and East China seas."
Man who pushed railway worker onto tracks in Taichung ordered detained
The Taichung District Court has ordered a man accused of pushing a Taiwan
Railway's station employee onto the tracks to be detained.
The detention order was issued after the Taichung District Prosecutors'
Office said the 39-year-old man is being investigated for attempted murder.
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon at Wuquan Station - when the man
reportedly entered the station without a ticket.
The station worker was pushed onto the tracks while attempting to get the man
to leave the platform,
The railway employee suffered (遭受) a broken ankle but managed to climb back
onto the platform.
Police arrested the suspect some two hours after he fled the scene.
US Supreme Court Questions ‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban
The US Supreme Court has signaled support for a Christian therapist
challenging the state of Colorado's ban on the practice of "conversion
therapy" for minors.
The ruling could have sweeping (廣泛的) implications (影響) for similar laws
across more than 20 states.
Ira Spitzer reports
Nobel Prize in Physics Announced
Three scientists have won the Nobel Prize in physics for research on the
strange behavior of subatomic particles called quantum tunneling.
It enabled the ultra-sensitive measurements achieved by MRI machines and laid
the groundwork (基礎，基礎工作) for better cellphones and faster computers.
The work by John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis was honored
Tuesday.
The three work at American universities.
The results of their findings are just starting to appear in advanced
technology and could pave the way for the development of supercharged
computing.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 268-points this morning from last Friday's close, at
27,029 on turnover of 17-billion N-T
The market smashed recent records during Friday's session - ending at a high
of 26,761 - after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing hit a fresh closing high
on the back of enthusiasm toward artificial intelligence development.
Influencer Holger Chen under investigation for alleged Lai comments
The Criminal Investigation Bureau says it's investigating internet
personality Holger Chen after he called for the decapitation of President Lai
Ching-te during a recent livestream.
According to the bureau, the investigation is focusing on whether Chen's
comments may constitute incitement (煽動) to commit a crime and threatening
bodily harm under the Criminal Code.
The bureau says it has been collecting evidence related to the comments and
has asked the New Taipei District Prosecutors' Office to summon Chen for
questioning.
Chen made the alleged comments during a portion of his livestream on Sunday
focusing on politics and cross-strait issues.
Survey team reaches Matai'an Creek barrier lake site: Forestry agency
One of two teams deployed by the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency to
survey potential routes to the Ma-Tai-An Creek barrier lake are reporting
widespread devastation.
The agency's Hualien branch deployed a task force consisting of two teams to
visit the site on September 30.
The teams were tasked with surveying the remnants of the lake and looking for
prospective (預期的，盼望中的，未來的) routes for construction equipment to
enter the area to rebuild.
Officials say data collected by the teams will be used to help ensure safety
during future efforts to rebuild the area and set up disaster prevention and
detection infrastructure.
US Supreme Court begins new term
The US Supreme Court began its new nine-month term today - and it promises to
be consequential (有影響力的，重要的) — with major cases focused on how much
power the constitution gives the President.
Charlotte North reports from Washington
Iraq Prisoners Released Under Amnesty
Iraq has released over 35,000 people from prisons under an amnesty law passed
earlier this year.
The law, aimed at reducing prison overcrowding, makes nearly 144,000 more
people eligible for relief.
The country's Supreme Judicial Council said courts recovered over $34 million
in restitution (賠償) from those convicted of theft and corruption.
The amnesty covers crimes like corruption, theft and some terrorism-related
offenses, though not those involving killings.
Sunni lawmakers pushed for the law, arguing their community faced unfair
terrorism charges.
The law also allows retrials for some terrorism convictions and halts
executions.
SAmerican Trade Bloc Rules Peru Failing to Curb Illegal Mining
A South American trade bloc has ruled that Peru is failing to curb illegal
gold mining and mercury (汞) trafficking.
The Andean Community, which includes Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia,
made the decision on Monday.
They have ordered Peru to reform its laws and seize illegal mining equipment.
Indigenous groups say mercury from mining is poisoning rivers and food in the
Amazon.
Peru has 20 working days to comply or face potential (潛在的) trade
sanctions.
The case could set a precedent for other countries.
Peru has made some efforts to crack down on illegal mercury, but enforcement
remains inconsistent.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 57-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 26,435
on turnover of $7.7-billion N-T.
Free flu vaccination rate hits record high on first day of rollout
The Centers for Disease Control says more than 264,000 people received flu
shots when it rolled out (推出) phase one of it's annual free flu vaccine
program on Wednesday.
That's the largest first-day turnout since the C-D-C began adopting a
two-stage rollout in 2021.
The number of people getting free COVID vaccinations on Wednesday also hit a
high compared with last year - with the C-D-C saying 82,000 doses of the jab
were administered on Wednesday - which is nearly double the number from the
same time last year.
Phase one of the government's annual free flu vaccine covers minors from 6
months old through senior high school; seniors aged 65 and over; medical
workers; high-risk individuals; pregnant women and parents of babies under 6
months old.
The second phase of the free flu vaccine program will begin on November 1 -
when people aged between 50 and 64 will be eligible for a shot.
Some 4,000 clinics and hospitals islandwide are offering free flu vaccination
services.
UK Police ID Synagogue Attacker
British police say they believe the man responsible for the deadly attack at
a synagogue (猶太教堂) in Manchester was a 35-year-old British citizen of
Syrian descent.
The assailant drove a car into people outside a synagogue in northern England
and then began attacking them with a knife, killing two and seriously
wounding four
Police identified the man as Jihad Al-Shamie, who was shot and killed by
officers.
Police also said that three people have been arrested on terrorism-related
charges.
They are two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says additional police officers would be
deployed at synagogues across the U.K.
US Trump Declares War with Drug Cartels
US President Donald Trump has declared that the US is engaged in an "armed
conflict" with drug cartels, which it labels as terrorist organisations.
In the confidential memo sent to congress and obtained (獲得) by US media,
the administration describes suspected smugglers as "unlawful combatants" .
Kate Fisher reports from Washington
Somaliland Trafficked Cheetah Cubs Rescued
Eleven cheetah cubs were rescued from illegal trade in Somaliland in what a
conservationist said was “one of the largest confiscations of the species.”
The cubs were packed in bags that resembled (看起來像) sacks of potatoes and
were being transported in a small boat off the Somaliland coast when the
local coast guard intercepted them on Sunday.
Two locals and three Yemenis were arrested during the rescue operation, and
the cheetahs were taken to a rescue center.
Hundreds of cheetahs and leopards from the Horn of Africa have been
transported to Gulf countries through the Gulf of Aden.
Experts say there are less than 7-thousand cheetahs left in the wild, and the
illegal trade in cheetahs was driving the species into extinction.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex surged 409-points on opening the morning from yesterday's close,
to hit the 26,392 point mark on turnover of 11.3-billion N-T.
The market closed higher on Wednesday, but declined from the day's high as
investors opted to shift to the sell side amid concerns over possible
volatility on Wall Street due to the U-S government shutdown.
And this morning's opening high came as investors in Wall Street overnight
shrugged off concerns about the government shutdown, and indexes hit yet more
record highs.
FNCA report says Matai'an Creek lake breach involved 403 meter slope collapse
The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency says a study into the Matai'an
Creek barrier lake overflow has found that it was caused by several mountain
slope collapses.
The largest of those collapses was 403 meters.
According to the agency, a comparison with pre-overflow topographic (地形)
data provided by the Ministry of the Interior shows that large-scale terrain
changes occurred from the upstream mountains to the downstream creek bed.
The steepest collapse occurred at the top of the barrier lake ..
.. and that resulted in large amounts of earth and rock piling up in the
midstream and downstream sections of the Hualien County creek, raising creek
bed levels by 40 to 50 meters.
Free flu and COVID vaccination programs begin
The Centers for Disease Control has begun administering free flu and COVID
vaccines at hospitals and other medical facilities.
Phase one of it's annual free flu vaccine means that certain groups are now
eligible (符合資格的) for free shots.
Those groups include minors from 6 months old through senior high school;
seniors aged 65 and over; medical workers; high-risk individuals; pregnant
women and parents of babies under 6 months old.
The second phase of the free flu vaccine program will begin on November 1 -
when people aged between 50 and 64 will be eligible for a shot.
France Links Oil Tanker to Russian Shadow Fleet
French President Emmanuel Macron says an oil tanker off the French coast has
committed "very serious wrongdoings."
He linked it to Russia's shadow oil fleet (艦隊), which is avoiding Western
sanctions over Moscow's war in Ukraine.
The tanker was sailing off Denmark last week and according to European naval
experts was possibly involved in drone flights over the country.
French prosecutors have opened a judicial investigation into the crew's
actions.
Macron suggests the ship has been stopped, highlighting the existence of a
shadow fleet that finances a significant portion of Russia's war effort.
The tanker was sailing under the flag of Benin.
Groundbreaking scientist Jane Goodall Passes Away
Jane Goodall, the groundbreaking primatologist who changed the way the world
understood chimpanzees and inspired generations (幾個世代) of
conservationists, has died at the age of 91.
Her institute confirmed she passed away while on a speaking tour in Los
Angeles.
Ira Spitzer reports.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Labor ministry launches employment support program for laid-off workers
Taipei 101 lights up to support flood victims, thank 'Shovel Superheroes'
91 students remain trapped in collapsed Indonesia School
Hurricanes Humberto Imelda approaching
Schwarzenegger supports Vatican’s environmental initiative.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 158 points this morning from yesterday's close, at
25,738 on turnover of $13.5 billion NT
Shares in Taiwan moved sharply lower Friday, led by large cap stocks, as
investors rushed to pocket recent gains amid growing concerns that the local
stock market is overvalued.
Selling was seen almost across the board with non-tech stocks under heavy
pressure throughout the session.
Analysts say ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to put tariffs on
imports to the United States also cast a shadow over future prospects.
Allies Urge Taiwan Participation in UN
Taiwan's diplomatic allies are once again urging the U.N. to allow the
island's meaningful participation in the global body.
At the close of the 80th United Nations General Assembly debate yesterday,
St. Lucia's foregin minister Alva Baptiste emphasized that relevant UN
resolutions do not prohibit or exclude (把…排斥在外) Taiwan's participation
in the UN system.
While St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew said earlier during
the meeting that allowing Taiwan to contribute to public health, technology,
and disaster relief is not about taking sides, but about pragmatism
(實用主義).
He stressed that excluding Taiwan from organizations like the World Health
Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization harms the
world’s ability to solve problems together.
Allies, including St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Paraguay, the Marshall
Islands, Palau, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Tuvalu, and Eswatini,
all called on the U.N. to welcome Taiwan.
(NS)
Missile Attack Hits Ship in Gulf of Aden
Officials say a missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels set a Dutch-flagged
cargo ship ablaze in the Gulf of Aden, wounding two mariners.
The owner of the ship says the crew abandoned the damaged vessel, which
caught fire in the attack.
The company says the damage done to the vessel is “substantial” (重大的).
The ship’s owner, says crew members were evacuated by helicopter.
The French military says the Iranian-backed Houthis carried out the attack.
The rebels have not claimed the assault, though it can take them hours or
days to acknowledge their attacks.
DRC Clashes Between ProGov Militia and M23 Rebels
Fighting has erupted in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo between
M23 rebels and a pro-government militia after days of a lull (暫時平靜[) in
fighting.
Chris Ocamringa has more from Kinshasa..
OpenAI New Parental Controls for ChatGPT
OpenAI has announced new parental controls for ChatGPT to make it safer for
teens.
This comes after concerns about AI chatbot safety for young users, including
tragic cases where teenagers took their lives after using ChatGPT.
To get started, parents can send an email or text invite to their teen to
link accounts. Teens can also invite parents.
The new controls include automatic safeguards for teen accounts, such as
reduced (減少) graphic content and restrictions on sensitive topics.
Parents will have a dashboard to adjust settings and receive notifications if
their child might be in distress (憂慮，悲傷，痛苦).
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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全台南最多分店、最齊全物件，在地團隊懂台南，也懂你的需求。
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房子的大小事，交給台南住商，讓你更安心。
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 26-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
25,998 on turnover of $5.2-billion N-T.
FM in New York to meet with allies on sidelines of UN General Assembly
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung is reportedly in New York, where he's been
meeting with representatives from Taiwan diplomatic allies on the sidelines
of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has declined to release any information
concerning Lin's trip.
However, pictures posted by the Palauan government appear to confirm that Lin
is in New York.
The office of the presidency of Palau has published photographs on Facebook
of Lin at a reception hosted by American Global Strategies with Palau's
President Surangel Whipps.
The U-S State Department has refused to comment on Lin's presence in America.
Several of Taiwan's allies have spoken up in support of the island's
participation in the U-N this week.
National Palace Museum makes Tourism Expo Japan debut
The National Palace Museum is participating in the Tourism Expo Japan for the
first time - as it seeks to attract visitors to experience Chinese cultural
heritage in Taiwan.
The event is part of the museum centennial anniversary.
The National Palace Museum's booth is part of the Taiwan Pavilion and was
unveiled (揭幕) on the exhibition's opening day.
The booth features a reproduction of "Myriad Butterflies" by Qing Dynasty
painter Yu Sheng, official merchandise, as well as collaborations (合作) with
Sanrio and LINE.
The National Palace Museum is also planning to stage a series of landmark
exhibitions in October at its Taipei branch and its southern branch in Chiayi
County to celebrate its centennial.
Trump signs Tiktok deal for US ownership
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order (行政命令) leading to
a possible US deal to take over TikTok.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Mexico Protesters on Eve of College Students Disappearance Anniversary
Protesters who want justice in the case of 43 students who disappeared in
2014 have rammed the gates of a military base in Mexico City with a truck and
set the vehicle on fire.
The protest Thursday came on the eve of the anniversary of the disappearance
of the teachers’ college students.
Authorities believe the students were abducted (被綁架) and killed by a
criminal cartel with ties to government and military officials, and dozens of
people have been arrested, including a former attorney general and military
officers.
However, nobody has been convicted yet .
Canada Postal Workers on Strike
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has declared a countrywide strike.
The announcement Thursday came hours after Canada’s federal government said
door-to-door mail delivery will end for nearly all households within the next
decade.
The government announced sweeping changes aimed at shoring up Canada Post’s
finances in response to a decline (減少) in letter mail and the government
corporation’s small share of the parcel market.
The changes include more community mailboxes and slower delivery times.
The union says all of its members are on strike “effective immediately."
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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https://sofm.pse.is/87zdea
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全台南最多分店、最齊全物件，在地團隊懂台南，也懂你的需求。
不管是買屋、賣屋，還是從築夢到圓夢，
房子的大小事，交給台南住商，讓你更安心。
了解更多：https://sofm.pse.is/885gnm
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 128-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
26,067 on turnover of 10-billion N-T.
The market's recent record breaking winning streak stuttered on Wednesday and
it closed slightly lower, as investors took cues from a decline on Wall
Street overnight amid concerns about overvalued equity prices.
Lai talks democracy UNGA side event
President Lai Ching-te has warned that the expansion of authoritarian regimes
is undermining the international order and urged democracies to strengthen
cooperation in response.
In a prerecorded address to the 2025 Concordia Annual Summit, Lai said the
"international order is being undermined" as "geopolitical tensions rise and
authoritarian regimes converge (聚集) and expand."
According to Lai, "democratic societies are now more heavily targeted by
disinformation and other forms of external interference, posing a serious
challenge to global peace."
It is the second time Lai has addressed the Concordia Annual Summit with a
prerecorded message.
Free flu vaccines from next week
The government will be rolling out phase (階段) one of it's annual free flu
vaccine program next Wednesday.
Those eligible include minors from 6 months old through senior high school;
seniors aged 65 and over; medical workers; high-risk individuals; pregnant
women and parents of babies under 6 months old.
The second phase of the free flu vaccine program will begin on November 1 -
when people aged between 50 and 64 will also be eligible for a shot.
Rollout of phase one of the program comes as the Centers for Disease Control
is warning that this year's flu season has now entered an epidemic phase.
Ukraine President Warns World of Arms Race
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is telling world leaders that the
world is in “the most destructive (破壞性的) arms race in human history."
He called on the international community to act against Russia now, asserting
that Vladimir Putin wants to expand his war in Europe.
Zelenskyy’s comments came a day after he met with President Donald Trump,
who expressed support for Ukraine’s efforts and criticized Russia.
Trump said Tuesday that he believed Ukraine could win back all territory lost
to Russia, a dramatic shift from the U.S. leader’s repeated calls for Kyiv
to make concessions to end the war.
Zelenskyy said international institutions like the U.N. are weak and today
“Weapons decide who survives.”
Texas immigration facility shooting leaves two victims dead
Three people have died - including the attacker- after a shooting by a
suspected sniper at an immigration facility in Texas.
The gunman is dead from a self-inflicted (自己造成的) gunshot wound after the
incident.
Charlotte North reports from Washington
Ecuador to Offer More Land for Oil Exploration
Ecuador’s plans to offer dozens of blocks of land for oil exploration for
more than $47 billion has prompted opposition from seven Indigenous peoples
in the Amazon.
Those groups say 18 of the proposed blocks overlap their ancestral
territories and that they were not consulted.
Government officials say their plan is key to modernizing (現代化) an oil
sector that supplies Ecuador's top export.
The dispute comes amid a state of emergency and a national strike over fuel
prices, extractive (提取的) projects and the government’s failure to honor a
referendum limiting drilling in Yasuni National Park.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－
全台南最多分店、最齊全物件，在地團隊懂台南，也懂你的需求。
不管是買屋、賣屋，還是從築夢到圓夢，
房子的大小事，交給台南住商，讓你更安心。
了解更多：https://sofm.pse.is/885gnn
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 147-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
26,389 on turnover of 10.8-billion N-T.
The market continued to close at yet more record highs on Tuesday, as Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing extending its streak of record finishes amid
optimism over artificial intelligence applications following Nvidia
announcement of plans to invest in OpenAI.
MOEA announces tech export rules over South Africa office dispute
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has announced new export controls on 47
products shipped to South Africa.
The products include integrated circuits, chips and memory.
The measure is in response to South Africa's repeated downgrading and
renaming of Taiwan's representative offices in the country.
The government has previously said that move is being driven by political
pressure from Beijing intended to reduce Taiwan's standing internationally.
According to the economics ministry, it is now amending (修改) regulations
covering exports from free trade ports so that 47 designated products bound
for South Africa must first obtain approval.
Taiwan and UK sign MOU to boost space industry cooperation
The Taiwan Space Agency has signed a memorandum of understanding with the
UK-based Satellite Applications Catapult to expand collaboration (合作) on
satellite technologies.
The agreement was signed by space agency director-general Wu Zong-xin and and
applications catapult director John Abbot during the UK-Taiwan Space
Roundtable.
Wu is describing the five-year M-O-U as the result of years of trust-building
and exchanges between to the two entities and will pave the way for future
joint initiatives.
While Abbott says it will will open new opportunities for businesses in both
markets, particularly in in-orbit services and environmental monitoring.
Trump attacks UN in General Assembly speech
US President Donald Trump has delivered a scathing (嚴厲的) attack of
globalism at the United Nations General Assembly in New York CIty.
In a lengthy speech he told global leaders their countries are being ruined
by immigration and questioned the UN's purpose.
Toni Waterman at the UN in New York says Trump also targeted immigration and
climate initiatives.
Canada on TikTok Efforts to Keep Underage Children Out
Canadian privacy authorities say TikTok’s efforts to keep children off the
platform and prevent the collection and use of their sensitive personal
information are “inadequate” but the company is taking steps to address
concerns.
The country's federal privacy commissioner says TikTok must do more to keep
underage children off its platform and must better explain its data
collection practices, especially to youth.
The platform is not for those under the age of 13.
The commissioner says TikTok has agreed to enhance underage assurance methods
to keep underage users off the platform and to strengthen privacy
communications so that users understand how their data is being used.
Last year, the Canadian government said it won’t block access to the popular
video-sharing app but ordered the dissolution (解散) of its Canadian business
after a national security review of the Chinese company behind it.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－
蘋果愛美獎投票衝啦！
每天登入FB投票，就能抽iPhone 17、PGO文青機車、萬元LE CREUSET鍋，還有週週禮券大放送！快來選你心中的人氣診所、名醫、療程，投越多中獎率越高！
https://sofm.pse.is/87y8sn
--
全台南最多分店、最齊全物件，在地團隊懂台南，也懂你的需求。
不管是買屋、賣屋，還是從築夢到圓夢，
房子的大小事，交給台南住商，讓你更安心。
了解更多：https://sofm.pse.is/8859pj
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 240-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
26,121 on turnover of 9.8-billion N-T.
The market closed at another record high on Monday, rising more than 300
points, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing hit a record high on the back
of ample (充足) liquidity.
Land warnings for Super Typhoon Ragasa lifted
The Central Weather Administration has lifted its land warning for Super
Typhoon Ragasa.
The weather administration is expected to lift its sea warning this evening
at the earliest.
Ragasa is continuing to move in a westerly direction into the South China Sea.
However, rain advisories remain in effect for much of the island.
Extremely torrential rain warnings have been issued for mountainous areas of
Hualien and Taitung.
Torrential rain alerts are in effect for lowlying areas of Hualien and
Taitung as well as for mountainous areas (多山，山區) of Kaohsiung and
Pingtung.
While extremely heavy rain alerts are in effect for all of Yilan, lowlying
areas of Pingtung as well as for mountainous areas of New Taipei, Taoyuan,
Taichung and Nantou.
All of those rain advisories are currently expected to be be effect through
tonight.
Taipei-Shanghai City Forum postponed
The Taipei City Government has announced that this week's Taipei-Shanghai
City Forum will not take place as scheduled due to "unresolved details."
According to the city government, both sides have agreed that the annual
forum should be well-prepared rather than rushed.
City Hall is still working on two memoranda of understanding with the central
government and its Shanghai counterpart.
Deputy Mayor Lin Yi-hua says the city government sent those M-O-Us to the
central government about a month ago to comply (遵守) with regulations.
One is still awaiting approval from several agencies, while details of the
other are still under negotiation.
DRC M23 Rebels Clash with Congolese Army
Fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 rebels erupted in the east of
the Democratic Republic of Congo over the weekend leaving a trail of death
and destruction.
Chris Ocamringa has more from Kinshasa…
Egypt ProDemocracy Activist Freed by Presidential Pardon
Pro-democracy activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah was released from prison after
being granted a presidential pardon.
He and five other prisoners had been pardoned Monday after the National
Council for Human Rights acted on behalf of their families and urged
President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to consider (考慮) the prisoners’ situation
on humanitarian grounds.
His campaign said el-Fattah was released after being imprisoned almost all of
the past 12 years and was now in his home in Cairo.
He was arrested 2014 for participating in an unauthorized protest and
allegedly assaulting a police officer.
el-Fattah was one of the most prominent Egyptian activists in the 2011 Arab
Spring uprising.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 21-points this morning from Friday's close, at 25,599 on
turnover of 4.7-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Friday despite setting more record highs through
much of last week and after Wall Street rallied on the back of tech stocks
led by Nvidia and Intel.
Typhoon Ragasa Outer Circle to Reach Hengchun by Noon
Forecasters say Typhoon Ragasa's outer circle is expected to reach the
Hengchun Peninsula before noon today, as the storm continues to gain
strength.
The Central Weather Administration says the typhoon's outer bands are already
bringing rain to eastern Taiwan, and it expects the rainfall to increase in
that area, as well as Pingtung and Kaohsiung through this afternoon and into
tomorrow.
As of 9am, the storm is about 360 kilometers southeast of Eluanbi, moving in
a west-northwesterly direction, at speeds of about 20 kilometers per hour.
A land is in effect for Pingtung, Kaohsiung, Taitung and the Hengchun
Peninsula, while the sea warning covers the Bashi Channel, the southern
Taiwan Strait, and the seas southeast of Taiwan.
The CWA says strong winds may also occur in central and northern Taiwan,
Kaohsiung, and eastern regions, and waves up to 10 meters or higher may occur
in waters near the typhoon's center.
(NS)
NIA to fully roll out online arrival card for visitors on October 1
The National Immigration Agency says Travelers to Taiwan will need to fill
out their Taiwan Arrival Card online before arriving beginning next Wednesday
.. when airlines are set to stop handing out paper landing cards.
According to the agency, the move is part of efforts to streamline (精簡) the
immigration process and eliminate the need for paper arrival cards
Q-R codes providing links to the Taiwan Arrival Card website will be
displayed during flights and at the port of origin for travelers who need to
fill out an arrival card, allowing them to scan and provide the requested
information.
Devices are also being installed at Taoyuan International Airport for those
without mobile phones to fill out the required information electronically.
Brazil Demonstrations for Bolsonaro Pardon
Brazilians have taken to the streets in all 26 states and the Federal
District to protest a potential pardon for former President Jair Bolsonaro
and his allies convicted of (被定罪) attempting a coup.
Demonstrations grew after the lower house passed a constitutional amendment
making it harder to arrest lawmakers.
The measure now heads to the Senate.
Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison on Sept. 11
for attempting to stay in power after losing a 2022 reelection bid.
He is the first former president convicted of trying to overturn an election
in Latin America’s largest economy. Bolsonaro denied any wrongdoing
(違法犯罪).
Sonny Curtis dies at 88
Sonny Curtis, Crickets member who penned ‘Mary Tyler Moore Show’ theme,
dies at 88
AP correspondent Donna Warder reports on the death of songwriter Sonny Curtis.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 25-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 25,795
on turnover of $10-billion N-T.
Taiwan shares closed at a record high Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve
cut interest rates and signaled more reductions this year following its
two-day policy meeting.
Analysts say tech stocks led the rally as lower interest rates made growth
shares more attractive (吸引人的) compared with their dividend yields.
In contrast, non-tech shares were mixed, with "Military concept stocks"
weakening as expectations of higher defense spending had already been priced
in.
Public Alert Testing for National Disaster Prevention Day
The island is conducting a nationwide disaster drill today to test its public
alert system, in conjunction with (連同) National Disaster Prevention Day.
The Central Weather Administration says members of the public received an
alert on their mobile phones at 9:21am, as part of efforts to help people
become familiar with the alert system and to improve their ability to respond
in a real disaster.
The exercise is simulating a magnitude 8.5 earthquake off the coast of
eastern Taiwan, and a subsequent tsunami.
The drill will also include all schools and kindergartens.
Students will practice the "drop, cover, and hold on" procedure to learn how
to protect themselves during an earthquake.
(NS)
Taipei MRT Abnormality Caused by Jammed Passenger Item
A Taipei MRT train on the Bannan Line experienced a delay (延遲) during rush
hour this morning, causing a platform at Xinpu Station to become overcrowded.
The Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation says a door on a train heading toward
Nangang Exhibition Center Station gave a warning signal at about 8:20 a.m.
The company says the door was likely jammed by a passenger's personal item.
To ensure safety, the transit authority asked the one thousand passengers
to get off the train and wait for the next one.
After the issue was resolved, the train resumed service at Ximen Station.
This is the second time the Bannan Line has experienced a delay this week.
(NS)
US CDC Panel to Vote on Controversial Changes to Childhood Vaccines
The CDC's vaccine advisory panel will vote Thursday on controversial changes
to the childhood vaccine schedule - including delaying the Hepatitis B shot
for newborns.
It may also change guidance (指導，引導) on the MMRV jab - which offers
protection against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, a vaccine skeptic (懷疑論者), fired
the existing panel and replaced it with his own picks.
Toni Waterman has more.
Iran Withdraws UN Resolution Prohibiting Attacks on Nuclear Facilities
Iran has decided at the last minute to withdraw a resolution prohibiting
attacks on nuclear facilities that it put forward for a vote before an annual
gathering of the U.N. nuclear watchdog’s member nations.
The draft resolution “strongly condemned” the “deliberate and unlawful
attacks carried out in June 2025 against nuclear sites and facilities of the
Islamic Republic of Iran,” adding that this constituted a “clear violation
of international law.”
Western diplomats said Thursday that the U.S. has been heavily lobbying
(遊說) to prevent the resolution from being adopted, also raising the
possibility of reducing funding to the International Atomic Energy Agency
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 104-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
25,543 on turnover of 5.8-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Wednesday as investors locked in profits from the
previous session ahead of the conclusion of the U-S Federal Reserve's two-day
policymaking meeting.
Analysts says the downturn came as no surprise, as investor sentiment turned
cautious following a lackluster performance on Wall Street overnight.
KMT lawmakers call for 2-round presidential voting system by 2028
K-M-T lawmakers are proposing creating a two-round absolute majority system
for choosing Taiwan's president in time for the 2028 election.
According lawmaker Lo Chih-chiang, the proposal has two parts ..
… one being to amend the Constitution to change the presidential election
system to an absolute majority two-round system, and the other to revise
election laws to resolve the difficulties of minority presidents.
Lo is criticizing the current relative majority (絕對多數決) system saying it
results in candidates working to split the opponent's camp and manipulating
strategic voting - making voters afraid to support their favorite candidate.
Birth subsidy payments to begin next year
Minister Without Portfolio and former health minister Chen Shih-chung says a
government birth subsidy program will take effect on January 1 of next year.
According to Chen, the program is aimed at addressing payout discrepancies
for subsidies across government insurance programs and will provide payments
of up to 100,000 N-T.
Participants in any national insurance program will be eligible (有資格的)
for the payment for every new child they have and the program is also
expected to benefit some 7,000 people who are not covered by any government
insurance programs.
Chen says the subsidies will also cover couples undergoing artificial
fertilization procedures.
EU Warns Iran on Nuclear Program
European officials have warned Iran that it needs to take specific actions to
avoid the return of United Nations sanctions over its nuclear program.
The warning Wednesday after a call between Iran, France, Germany, the United
Kingdom and the European Union's top diplomat.
Iran hasn't commented on the call.
The "snapback" process is part of Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal.
It is set to take effect at the end of September unless the U.N. Security
Council intervenes.
It would freeze Iranian assets (資產) abroad and halt arms deals, further
impacting Iran's economy.
US Autopsy on Black Student Found Hanged in Mississippi
From the US….
Police are awaiting (等待) autopsy results for Black student found hanged at
Mississippi university.
AP correspondent Haya Panjwani reports
Nigeria Lifts Emergency Rule
Nigeria’s president has lifted emergency rule in Rivers State and reinstated
the local governor and lawmakers.
This decision comes after a six-month emergency rule due to a political
crisis and vandalism of oil pipelines.
President Bola Tinubu stated the emergency was necessary to prevent anarchy
(無政府狀態，混亂狀態).
The crisis began with a confrontation (衝突) between a governor and state
lawmakers, who accused him of illegal actions.
This is the first emergency declared in Nigeria in over a decade.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 85-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
25,543 on turnover of 6-billion N-T.
The market closed at yet another new high on Tuesday as Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing set a closing record after Wall Street finished at all-time
highs overnight on the hopes the U-S Federal Reserve will cut interest rates.
President Lai witnesses installation of Danjiang Bridge's final span
President Lai Ching-te has attended a ceremony marking the installation of
the final span (跨距) of the Danjiang Bridge in New Taipei's Tamsui District.
Lai was accompanied at the ceremony by Transportat Minister Chen Shih-kai and
New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih.
All three observed the installation of the final prefabricated (預製的)
segment - when the structure officially became the world's longest asymmetric
(不對稱的), single-mast bridge nearly seven years after construction began.
An official opening ceremony for the 920-meter long bridge has been scheduled
for May 9 next year.
CDC warning that flu season likely to happen earlier than usual
The Centers for Disease Control is warning that this year's flu season is
likely to happen earlier than usual.
It comes as the health officials say the number of flu-like illnesses are on
the rise and a new epidemic period is expected to begin this week.
C-D-C spokeswoman Tseng Shu-hui says data shows 100,909 people sought
outpatient or emergency care for flu-like illness from September 7 to 13 -
marking a 10.4-per cent increase from the previous week.
The C-D-C says the current increase may be related to close contact among
students due to the start of the new school year.
The first phase (階段) of the year's free flu vaccine program begins as usual
on October 1.
UN Experts Conclude Israel Committing Genocide in Gaza
A team of experts commissioned by the U.N.'s Human Rights Council has
concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
The Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel
has issued a report that calls on countries to end the genocide and take
steps to punish those responsible for it.
Neither the commission nor the 47-member-country council can take action
against a country.
The findings, however, could be used by prosecutors at the International
Criminal Court or the U.N.’s International Court of Justice.
Israel has adamantly (堅決地) rejected genocide (種族滅絕) allegations
against it.
NY judge tosses terrorism charge against Mangione
In the US, a New York judge has thrown out terrorism charges against Luigi
Mangione, who is accused of (被指控) killing a healthcare executive.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports.
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District court once again grants bail to Ko Wen-je and Angela Ying
The Taipei District Court has upheld its previous ruling and approved bail
for Taiwan People's Party founder and former Chairman Ko Wen-je .
The hearing came after the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office appealed the
court's earlier decision to free Ko on bail of 70-million N-T.
The court also upheld its earlier decision to free Taipei City Councilor
Angela Ying on bail of 30-million N-T.
Prosecutors appealed the bail orders, arguing that key witnesses had not yet
completed their testimony (證詞) in court and that Ko had contacted witnesses
two witnesses after posting bail.
Prosecutors now say they make a decision later this week on whether or not to
appeal the latest lower court ruling.
Education ministry to review petition to delay school start times
The Ministry of Education says it will review a citizen-initiated petition to
delay junior and senior high school class starting times to 10AM after it
gained more than 10,000 signatures in less than a week.
It calls for classes to run from 10AM to 4PM and for nonessential courses to
be cut to give students more sleep and improve learning efficiency.
Most junior and senior high school students currently begin classes around
8AM.
According to the petition, students can already commute on their own and do
not need to match parents' work schedules, while shorter hours would allow
more time for hobbies and social activities.
The education ministry will issue its formal (正式的) response by November 14.
New Taipei's Wugu records Taiwan's highest temperature Monday
The Central Weather Administration says New Taipei's Wugu District recorded
the highest temperature a islandwide on Monday - as the mercury there hit 39
degrees.
The temperature in Wugu was recorded at 12:10PM,
It was followed by New Taipei's Sanxia District - where the temperature
reached 38.3-degrees at 12:40PM.
Neihu District in Taipei, Sigang District in Tainan, and Luzhu District in
Taoyuan recorded temperatures above 37-degrees on Monday.
While parts of Chiayi, Pingtung, and Taitung reached highs of 36-degrees or
more.
DRC Begins Ebola Vaccination Campaign
The Democratic Republic of Congo has begun vaccinating health workers and
people infected with Ebola in the southern province of Kasai where an
outbreak was recently declared (宣告).
The vaccination campaign follows an increase in cases of the infectious
disease in the region.
Chris Ocamringa has more from Kinshasa….
Ghana Confirms West Africans Deported from US Sent to Home Countries
The government of Ghana says 14 West Africans deported from the U.S. were
sent to their home countries.
Lawyers representing some of the men argue they face risks of persecution
(迫害) or torture.
The group included 13 Nigerians and one Gambian.
News of the deportation emerged last week, leading to a lawsuit by U.S.
lawyers.
They claim the U.S. is trying to evade immigration laws.
On Monday, Ghana’s minister for government communications confirmed the
deportees, 13 Nigerians and one Gambian, have left for their home countries.
The case has drawn parallels to other deportations under the Trump
administration, raising legal and ethical concerns.
Russian Owner of Beirut Explosion Ship Arrested
Bulgaria has arrested the Russian owner of a cargo ship linked to the massive
explosion in Beirut in 2020.
At least 218 people were killed and over 6,000 wounded when hundreds of tons
of ammonium nitrate detonated in a warehouse.
Igor Grechushkin's arrest comes nearly five years after a Lebanese judge
issued warrants for him and the ship's captain.
Lebanese officials are preparing documents to request Grechushkin's
extradition for questioning.
No Lebanese official has been convicted (被定罪).
New leaders elected in early 2025 have vowed to complete the investigation
and hold those responsible accountable.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 19-points this morning from Friday's close, at 25,494 on
turnover of 4.6-billion N-T.
The market closed at a new high on Friday as it notched up a fifth
consecutive trading session - with buying fueled by lingering optimism over a
the U-S Federal Reserve cut its interest rates later this week.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing contributed about 160 points to the
Tai-Ex's rise and help send the electronics index up by 1.12-per cent.
Government sends agricultural buying mission to US
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says a delegation is making its annual visit
the U-S this week to purchase American agricultural products.
According to the ministry, this year's mission is taking place under the
title "agricultural trade goodwill mission (親善訪問團)."
It's being led by Agriculture Minister Chen Jun-ji.
The foreign ministry says the mission's first stop is Washington, D.C.,
before it splits into three groups - a soybean and corn group, a wheat group
and a beef group.
Those groups will then travel to different parts of the U-S, where they will
be meeting with local politicians and farmers' associations.
National Military Museum to open in 2027
The Military News Agency say the National Military Museum is now scheduled to
open in 2027.
The museum is currently under construction in Taipei and is already more than
two-thirds complete.
According to the museum's preparatory office, the venue will feature various
types of retired weapons systems and platforms including an M-5-A-1 tank, an
F-5 fighter jet, an M-I-M-23 HAWK missile and an OH-13 helicopter.
The museum's preparatory (籌備的) office is also touting the seven-story
building's 30-meter-high lobby and a corridor flanked by installations
inspired by color guards and marching bands ..
.. saying they have been designed to create an "awe-inspiring atmosphere"
that reflects the discipline of the nation's armed forces.
Qatar slams Israel ahead of major summit
Qatar is denouncing (斥責) Israel's attack on Hamas leadership in the
country's capital, ahead of a major summit.
Donna Warder has more.
Spain Cycling Tour Cut Short Due to Protests
Spanish authorities said more than 100,000 people took part in the latest
pro-Palestinian protests that interrupted the final stage of the Spanish
Vuelta and forced organizers to cut short the Grand Tour event on Sunday,
capping a campaign of disruptions.
The central government’s representative for the Madrid region said that
authorities estimated more than 100-thousand people were on the streets
during Sunday’s protests which criticized the presence of the Israel Premier
Tech cycling team.
Officials say two people were detained by police and 22 people were injured,
none of them seriously.
The number of protesters could not be independently verified (驗證).
Visma-Lease a Bike rider Jonas Vingegaard was confirmed as the overall winner
of the three-week cycling race.
There was no stage winner and the podium ceremony was called off because of
security concerns.
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不管是買屋、賣屋，還是從築夢到圓夢，
房子的大小事，交給台南住商，讓你更安心。
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 134-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
25,350 on turnover of $8.5-billion N-T.
Ocean Affairs Council seeking funding for patrol vessels and surveillance
systems
The Ocean Affairs Council says it's seeking 29-billion N-T under a special
budget to fund the construction of 40 new patrol vessels and improvements to
maritime surveillance.
The statement comes after the Cabinet announced a 550-billion N-T budget
proposal for the special budget earlier this week.
According to council minister Kuan Bi-ling, the proposed spending will fund
the procurement (採購) of drones, artificial intelligence applications, and
the establishment of visible light and infrared systems to improve
surveillance throughout the day.
Kuan says the total proposed amount, 8.7-billion N-T will partially fund the
40 new vessels from 2025 to 2033.
Kaohsiung to end contract with screenwriter accused of sexual harassment
The Kaohsiung City Government's Bureau of Cultural Affairs has announced that
it's terminating (終止) a contract with screenwriter Tsai Kuen-lin after he
was accused of sexually harassing a female student.
According to the bureau, it's asked Tsai to cooperate with an investigation
by the Department of Social Welfare and will respect the findings.
Tsai was one of the writers of the 2024 horror-comedy movie "Dead Talents
Society" and also served as both the responsible contractor and chief mentor
for the "screenwriter practical connection project."
City government officials say the contract will be canceled to protect the
project's credibility and are reaffirming a zero-tolerance policy for sexual
harassment, pledging to handle the matter strictly under relevant
regulations.
UK ambassador to US sacked days before Trump UK state visit
The UK's ambassador to the United States has been sacked just days before
U.S. President Donald Trump is due to arrive on a state visit to Britain.
It's after further details emerged about the extent of (…的程度) Peter
Mandelson's relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Kate fisher reports from Washington
UN Agency on Suspected Scam Operation in East Timor
A U.N. agency says a suspected scam call operation and a suspicious network
of companies was discovered with links to a new free trade zone in East
Timor.
The U.N. Office of Drugs and Crime says police in East Timor raided a
suspected scam center in late August in the Special Administrative Region of
Oecusse, and that other companies in the region had apparent links to online
scam networks.
Such centers are usually walled compounds (（圍起來的）場地) in remote areas
that conduct computer-enabled scams estimated to cost victims tens of
billions of dollars per year.
Scam centers have proliferated across Southeast Asia and spread across the
world, and the report highlights the ability of the criminal enterprises to
relocate as governments in the region launch crackdowns.
SKorea Spy Agency: Kim Daughter Solidifies Status as Heir
South Korea’s spy agency says the young daughter of North Korea leader Kim
Jong Un was assessed to have solidified what it calls her status as her
father’s likely heir as she accompanied her father on his recent China trip.
Kim brought his young daughter on a major recent trip to China, her first
known overseas appearance.
The girl, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae, is around 12 or 13 years old.
Since 2022, Kim Jong Un has increasingly showcased her at major public
events, fueling speculation (猜測) she is being groomed (培訓) as the
country's next leader.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex surged on opening this morning - adding 316-points from
yesterday's close to hit 25,509-points on turnover of 14.9-billion N-T.
The market closed at yet another all-time high on Wednesday - as Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing beat its closing records on the back of
continuing investor optimism over artificial intelligence development.
Lai talks up four key areas for national security resilience
President Lai Ching-te has highlighted what he says are the key areas of
Taiwan's national security resilience.
Speaking at a forum on national security and economic resilience in Taipei,
Lai said the four key areas of resilience (復原力) cover digital
communications, supply chain security, the economy and whole-of-society
defense.
According to Lai, his administration will also continue taking steps to
improve Taiwan's key technological capacities, due to the island's critical
role in the global semiconductor supply chain.
Lai also told the forum that the government will promote multi-layered
network construction and protection - and is looking to deploy Taiwan's own
satellites to ensure uninterrupted digital communications.
Lee Yang promotes daily exercise on first day as sports minister
And,
Newly appointed Sports Minister, Lee Yang has marked his first day in office
by jogging for 30-minutes around the Ministry of Sports building,
underscoring (強調) his pledge to make exercise part of everyday life in the
country.
Taking to Facebook, Lee said "national fitness starts with me" and he posted
photographs of of himself signing his first policy initiative, which urges
the public to exercise for at least 30-minutes a day.
The ministry also shared pictures on its official Threads account of Lee
running alone around the building - noting that he covered 5,000 meters in
half an hour.
The two-time Olympic badminton champion is Taiwan's youngest-ever Cabinet
minister at the age of 30.
US Investigation into Charlie Kirk Shooting Continues
Authorities are actively searching for information related to the killing of
conservative activist and close Trump ally Charlie Kirk at a university
campus in Utah.
He had been hosting an event in front of hundreds of students when a single
shot rang out (響起).
AP correspondent Haya Panjwani reports
SKorea Plane Carrying Workers to Leave Georgia Today
South Korea said that a charter plane carrying South Korean workers will
leave Atlanta, Georgia at noon today local time.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry made the announcement but gave no further
details.
Airport officials at Atlanta earlier said the return flight with the workers
on board planned for Wednesday had been canceled.
A total of 475 workers, more than 300 of them South Koreans, were rounded up
in the Sept. 4 raid at the battery factory under construction at Hyundai’s
sprawling auto plant.
U.S. authorities released video showing some being shackled with chains
around their hands, ankles and waists (被戴上手銬或腳鐐，被鐵鍊鎖住).
South Korea’s government later said it reached an agreement with the U.S.
for the release of the workers.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 177-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
25,032 on turnover of 15-billion N-T.
The market closed at yet another record high on Tuesday, as investors took
cues from gains posted by the tech-heavy Nasdaq overnight to buy large-cap
electronics stocks.
Prosecutors appeal release of Ko Wen-je
The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office is appealing a decision by the Taipei
District Court to release Taiwan People's Party founder and former chairman
Ko Wen-je on bail, pending his trial on corruption charges.
Ko was released from the Taipei Detention Center on Monday on bail of
70-million N-T.
He is required to wear an ankle monitor, banned from leaving his residence
and prohibited from contacting codefendants or witnesses in the case.
According to the prosecutors' office, it's appealed (上訴) Ko's release as it
has arranged to question several witnesses in October.
And prosecutors are arguing that a defendant should be detained until witness
questioning is complete.
Gongguan roundabout removal to begin Sept. 13 despite protests
The Taipei City Government says it will begin removing the Gongguan
roundabout (圓環) and filling in the bus underpass (地下道) on September 13
as scheduled.
The statement comes as civic groups are planning a protest on Friday they
hope will stop the city from beginning work to demolish the roundabout and
bus underpass
City transportation officials says the project is expected to be completed in
late November.
When completed it will replace the roundabout at Roosevelt and Keelung roads
and its three lanes with a standard four-way junction controlled by traffic
lights.
European Commission leader prepares for annual setpiece speech at time of
global uncertainty
The European Commission leader Ursula von der Leyen is preparing for her
annual setpiece (具有強烈效果的片斷，事先佈置好的戰術) speech, which comes at
a time of global uncertainty, and political instability in France.
The speech is usually an hour-long address to mark the start of the new
policy agenda after the summer vacation.
Ross Cullen reports.
French President Names New Defense Minister
French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Defense Minister Sebastien
Lecornu as France’s new prime minister.
The 39-year-old Lecornu is the youngest defense minister in French history.
A former conservative who joined Macron’s centrist movement in 2017, he has
held posts on local authorities, overseas territories and during Macron’s
yellow vest “great debate,” where he managed mass anger with dialogue
(對話).
Macron's quick decision to name Lecornu comes ahead of a day of mass
disruption planned today by a protest movement called ‘’Block Everything''
that prompted the government to deploy (調動) an exceptional 80-thousand
police to keep order.
Iran Egypt Sign Cooperation Agreement
Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency have signed an agreement in
Cairo to open the way for resuming cooperation, including on ways of resuming
inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Egypt's foreign minister met Tuesday with his Iranian counterpart.
They discussed developments involving Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
The meeting came at a sensitive time as France, Germany and the United
Kingdom on Aug. 28 began the process of reimposing (重行) sanctions on Iran.
Iran’s president had signed a law July 2 suspending all cooperation with the
U.N. nuclear watchdog.
It followed Israel's 12-day war on Iran in June, during which Israel and the
U.S. struck Iranian nuclear sites.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 103-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
24,650 on turnover of 7.2-billion N-T.
The market closed at a new high on Monday - with buying focused on the
semiconductor sector as investors remain upbeat about global demand ahead of
the opening tomorrow of SEMICON Taiwan.
VP highlights need to bolster defense as new patrol cutter delivered
Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim is underscoring the importance of strengthening
national defense in the pursuit of peace and prosperity.
Hsiao made the comment while overseeing (監督) the delivery to the Coast
Guard Administration of the fourth 1,000-tonne class patrol cutter.
Speaking at a handover ceremony at C-S-B-S's Keelung shipyard for the vessel
- which has been named the "Hualien" - Hsiao underlined the importance of a
modernized Coast Guard fleet amid geopolitical uncertainties.
Hsiao also christened the fifth 1,000-tonne patrol cutter the "Penghu," at
the ceremony.
That vessel will be delivered to the Coast Guard Administration at a later
date.
Germany debuts at SEMICON Taiwan for stronger chip ties with Taipei
And,Germany will be setting up its first ever national pavilion at SEMICON Taiwan
- when the event opens tomorrow in Taipei.
Semiconductor investment expert at Germany Trade & Invest, Martin Mayer says
his country is looking to raise its profile (形象) and strengthen
semiconductor ties with Taiwan as global chip demand accelerates.
According to Mayer, Taiwan is seen as a crucial (至關重要的) partner in
developing Germany's semiconductor ecosystem …
… and Germany's first ever appearance at at the international semiconductor
exhibition in Taipei is intended to "show presence" and signal its commitment
to semiconductors, while building trust with Taiwanese companies, government
and industry associations.
Israel Strikes on Lebanon Kills Hezbollah Members
Israel has launched airstrikes on the outskirts of northeastern Lebanon,
killing five people, including four Hezbollah members.
An Israeli military spokesperson said the air forces targeted Hezbollah
positions and infrastructure.
This comes as global pressure mounts to disarm (解除武裝) the Lebanese
militant group.
Since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire ended a war between Hezbollah and Israel in
November, Israel has struck southern Lebanon almost daily, targeting the
group.
The Lebanese government has recently backed a plan to gradually disarm
Hezbollah, which the group opposes.
Hezbollah has not fired at Israel since November.
It maintains it no longer has an armed presence south of the Litani River,
but refuses to discuss disarmament until Israel stops its attacks and
withdraws from five hilltop points that it captured during the war.
US Supreme Court rules LA immigration raids are legal
The Supreme Court has cleared the way for the Trump Administration's
immigration agents to resume what critics call indiscriminate sweeps in Los
Angeles.
The unsigned ruling lifted a lower-court order that had blocked (封鎖，阻止)
stops based on race, language, or type of work.
Ira Spitzer reports
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MOFA to spend NT$1 billion more in 2026 on Latin America
Taiwan wins women's 500-kg at World Outdoor Tug of War Championships
Brazil-Bolsonaro-Protests
Trial of Trump assassin opens today
Australia's Poisonous Mushrooms Case
--
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 64-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 24,244
on turnover of $4.1-billion N-T.
Expert: High Temps as Tropical Storm Heads to Japan
Forecasters say Taiwan can expect high temperatures today as a tropical storm
heads towards Japan.
Meteorologist Wu De-rong says weather in Taiwan will be sunny both today and
tomorrow, with highs in the north reaching 37 to 38 degrees Celsius.
The Central Weather Administration has issued a head alert for Taipei and New
Taipei in the north, as well as Chiayi County, Tainan City, and Taitung
County.
And afternoon showers and thunderstorms are expected in mountainous areas.
Wu says those traveling to or from Japan should be on the lookout for
(密切注意著) Tropical Storm Peipah, which is expected to hit Japan's Shikoku
and southern Honshu islands today.
From this weekend heading into next week, Wu says moisture from the south
will increase, leading to a chance of thunderstorms and heavy rain in the
afternoons.
And also for travelers, he adds that a tropical disturbance in the South
China Sea could affect Hong Kong and Macao on Monday next week.
(NS)
US Health Secretary RFK Jr hammered by lawmakers
US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has defended his leadership and
vaccine policies during a grilling (審問，指責) by lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
It follows the departure of several top officials from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Congo Suspected New Ebola Outbreak Kills Over a Dozen
Congo's health minister says a new Ebola outbreak is suspected of causing 15
deaths among 28 people with symptoms.
It’s the 16th outbreak of Ebola in the central African country, and the
minister says the fatality rate, estimated at nearly 54-percent, showed the
gravity (嚴重性) of the situation.
The suspected cases included four health care workers.
They all had typical Ebola symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea and
heavy bleeding.
The World Health Organization said it dispatched its experts to Kasai
province to strengthen disease surveillance, treatment and infection
prevention and control in health facilities.
It is also delivering supplies including personal protective equipment,
mobile laboratory equipment and medical supplies.
And the W-H-O says Congo has a stockpile of treatments and of the Ervebo
Ebola vaccine.
Peru Commission to Vote on Reserve for Uncontacted Tribes
A commission in Peru was scheduled to vote Thursday on whether to create a
long-delayed reserve in a remote stretch of the Amazon that would protect
five uncontacted tribes from outside encroachment.
It would be in the Loreto region near the Brazil border, and is roughly the
size of Jamaica.
The reserve would safeguard uncontacted tribes vulnerable to disease and
exploitation, but faces opposition from logging interests and political
resistance.
The vote follows decades of delays and comes as Congress debates changes to
the Indigenous Peoples in Isolation law that could weaken protections by
allowing periodic (定期的) re-evaluation and possible reduction of reserves.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 135-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
24,235 on turnover of $8.1-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed moderately higher Wednesday as large-cap tech stocks
stayed resilient, helping the broader market recoup earlier losses and shrug
off overnight declines on Wall Street following a spike in U.S. Treasury
yields.
But analysts say the local index still stayed in consolidation, with turnover
reduced as investors await more economic data for clues about how the U.S.
Federal Reserve will implement a rate cut cycle.
Visitors to Taiwan up 10% in 1st half of year
The Tourism Administration says, total visitors to Taiwan in the first half
of the year saw a 10% increase from the same period last year.
Most visitors to Taiwan are Japanese people, with over 680,000 Japanese
tourists coming to Taiwan in this period, accounting for (佔有、構成) over
16% of all visitors.
Visitors from Hong Kong and Macau make up nearly 15%, while about 13% are
from South Korea.
Next up, about 9% are from the US, 7% from the Philippines, and 7% from
China.
In June, Taiwan received over 606,000 visitors, marking a 6% rise from in
2024.
In particular Japanese visitors in june increased by 22%, while Chinese
visitors increased by nearly 50%…
many of whom came through the Mini Three Links connecting Kinmen and Matsu.
The Administration says, it's holding overseas campaigns to boost visitors
numbers in the fourth quarter of the year, which is usually the peak season
for travelers to visit Taiwan.
(AH)
Portugal Street Car Derail Leaves Dead and Injured
Portuguese emergency services say an electric streetcar that is one of
Lisbon’s big tourist attractions has derailed, killing 15 people and
injuring 18 others.
Emergency response officials said five of the injured are in serious
condition and a child is among the injured.
It said an unknown number of the injured are foreigners.
The yellow-and-white streetcar, which goes up and down a steep downtown hill
in tandem with (與……同時) one going the opposite way, was lying on its side
on the narrow road after Wednesday's accident.
Eyewitnesses said the streetcar careened down the hill, apparently out of
control.
The City Council suspended operations of other streetcars in Lisbon and
ordered immediate inspections.
US Over 1000 CDC Workers Demand RFK Jr Resignation
More than 1,000 current and former employees of the US Department of Health
and Human Services are demanding the resignation (辭職) of Secretary Robert
F. Kennedy Jr.
In a letter they claim RFK Jr's leadership has "put the health of all
Americans at risk,".
Kate fisher reports from Washington
Argentina LongLost Painting Recovered
An Argentine federal court has announced the recovery of the long-lost
“Portrait of a Lady,” an 18th-century painting by Giuseppe Ghislandi.
The Nazis looted the artwork during World War II.
The painting, not seen publicly for 80 years, surfaced in an online real
estate listing last month.
Dutch journalists discovered it while investigating Friedrich Kadgien, the
Nazi officer accused of stealing it.
Authorities have detained Kadgien's daughter and her husband on charges of
concealment (隱瞞) and obstruction of justice.
The painting is now stored in a special chamber to prevent damage.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 20-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 24,037
on turnover of $3.2-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed slightly lower Tuesday as investors locked in early
gains, with caution prevailing in the absence of fresh cues after U.S.
markets were closed overnight for the Labor Day holiday.
Old economy stocks were mixed, while the financial sector rose on bargain
hunting.
MOFA urges Taiwanese in Indonesia to be vigilant
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is urging Taiwanese nationals in Indonesia to
exercise caution…
as week-long protests against a proposed hike in housing subsidies for
lawmakers have left at least 6 dead following a government crackdown.
According to MOFA, Taiwan's representative office in Jakarta temporarily
closed for consular service on Monday due to the protests…
but normal operations were resumed yesterday.
MOFA told CNA that Taiwanese travelers should remain cautious and avoid areas
near protests and demonstrations.
Protests began on August 25th, as part of a broader civil unrest that has
simmered (醞釀，積聚) since early this year over economic grievances.
Although MOFA is calling for people to be cautious, the ministry currently
maintains a yellow-color alert on Indonesia, which was issued late last year.
Under MOFA's four-color travel alert system, the lowest level is gray,
followed by yellow, orange and red.
(AH-CNA)
China Military Parade
Chinese leader Xi Jinping and guests, including Russian President Vladimir
Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, are at Tiananmen Gate for a
military parade in Beijing.
The event today marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Xi greeted guests on a red carpet before they moved to the viewing platform.
Putin and Kim flanked Xi as they walked to their seats, pausing to shake
hands with World War II veterans.
The parade will showcase China's military might, including missiles and
modern fighter jets, as the country seeks greater global influence (勢力).
Judge rules Google won't have to sell Chrome in landmark antitrust case
A US federal judge has ruled that Google won't have to sell off its Chrome
browser but that the company won't be allowed to make exclusive (獨家的)
agreements for searches and must share data with competitors.
Ira Spitzer has more from San Francisco.
Madagascar Receives Indigenous Skulls Returned from France
Madagascar has received three skulls of Indigenous warriors returned from
France, including one believed to be of a king killed by French troops 128
years ago.
This marks the first use of a 2023 French law regulating the return of human
remains to former colonies.
The skulls, including that of King Toera, were taken during violent clashes
in 1897 and kept in a Paris museum.
They were returned to Madagascar's capital on Tuesday.
The restitution highlights (使引起注意，強調) ongoing efforts by European
countries to confront their colonial legacy, including the theft of cultural
artifacts and human remains.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 42-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 24,113
on turnover of $3.4-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed lower Monday but bounced off early losses to hold
above the 24,000-point mark, as late-session bargain hunting in Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing helped the broader market recover.
Selling was heavier in AI hardware developers, but financial heavyweights
outperformed the broader market, with the sector index up 0.94-percent.
Taipei District Court Questions Ko and Others
The Taipei District Court is questioning former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-zhe and
others connected with the Core Pacific City case today.
Ko and former deputy mayor Pong Cheng-sheng (彭振聲) appeared in court today,
with Peng questioned as a witness by prosecutors and defense lawyers.
Prosecutors have accused Ko and nearly a dozen others of corruption and
embezzelement, seeking a 28-and-a-half year sentence for Ko.
Ko's lawyers have accused prosecutors of using "improper questioning" against
Peng, and of pressuring him to testify against Ko.
(NS)
New NDC chief highlights AI as key to Taiwan's new economy
Newly-appointed National Development Council Minister Yeh Chun-hsien says he
will actively work to advance Taiwan's industrial innovation, and highlighted
artificial intelligence as key to the country's new economy.
Yeh, a research fellow at Academia Sinica's Institute of Economics,
officially took over from Liu Chin-ching, who resigned (辭職) for health
reasons.
The new NDC chief said he will focus on the overall goals of the National
Development Plan which prioritizes an innovation-driven economy, balanced
development across Taiwan, improved governance, and talent investment.
He says the NDC will also continue to promote the government's Five Trusted
Industry Sectors, that's semiconductors, AI, military, security and
surveillance, and next-generation communications.
Without elaborating, Yeh said he plans 10 new AI infrastructure initiatives
as the latter is central to Taiwan's new economy, and the NDC will continue
to promote its NT$10 billion fund to support industrial transformation.
US 1.2Million Laborers Gone Under Trump Policy
From the US…
Preliminary (初步的) data suggests that 1.2 million immigrants are gone from
the US labor force under Donald Trump's presidency.
AP's Lisa Dwyer reports
NZ Easing Ban on Foreginers Buying Homes
New Zealand is to ease a ban on foreigners buying homes to allow wealthy
investors access to its housing market and boost the economy.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Monday that some wealthy overseas
business investors can now purchase a single high-value home.
The move partially reverses a ban imposed by (推行) the previous government
in 2018 to cool the housing market.
The adjustment applies only to a small number of wealthy foreigners who hold
a residency visa reintroduced in April for those investing millions of
dollars in local businesses.
Critics argue the policy prioritizes (優先考慮) wealthy foreigners over local
needs.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 90-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
24,143 on turnover of $5.6-billion N-T.
Military to build vertical wind tunnel for Army paratrooper training
The Army Command Headquarters is proposing to spend over 510 million NT in
the coming years to build a vertical wind tunnel for paratrooper training.
That's according to a budget proposal that recently became public.
That amount would be spent from 2026 to 2028 to construct a building to house
the wind tunnel, as stated in the budget proposal sent to lawmakers for
approval last week.
The Army says, the facility is important to train paratroopers on free fall
conditions in a controlled environment.
They say, the wind tunnel is more cost-effective than using planes to conduct
(執行) field training.
(AH-CNA)
CKS Memorial Hall holds concert on Taiwan's censored songs
Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall held a concert yesterday featuring populat
songs banned during the White Terror period…
bringing to light memories for older listeners and offering glimpses (瞥見)
into the past for younger ones.
The free concert was held on the ground floor of the compound's main
building, under the statue of Chiang Kai Shek.
That's as part of the memorial hall's series to push forward transitional
justice.
Featured at the performance was singer songwriter Pig Head Skin, aka Chu Yue
Xin, and commentary from a researcher of Taiwanese populat music/
The two discussed the motifs and hidden messages in songs that caused
authorities during the White Terror to censor them.
(AH-CNA)
US judge bars government from sending Guatemalan children back, for now
A US judge is barring the government from sending Guatemalan children back,
for now.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
Aid Flotilla Sailing to Gaza Strip
A flotilla of ships has set sail from Barcelona to the Gaza Strip with
humanitarian aid and activists on board.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is carrying essential (必不可少) supplies and
demands safe passage.
The convoy includes about 20 boats and delegations from 44 countries.
Activists like Greta Thunberg are participating.
This effort aims to break the long Israeli blockade of the Palestinian
territory by sea.
Israel has stepped up its offensive on Gaza City, limiting food and basic
supplies.
Food experts warned earlier this month that the city was in famine.
Indonesia Revokes Lawmakers' Perks Amid Protests
Indonesia's president has pledged to revoke lawmakers’ perks, including a
$3,000 housing allowance, to ease public anger after protests left six dead.
On Sunday, Prabowo Subianto announced the decision alongside leaders of eight
political parties in Jakarta.
He said that by today, certain allowances will be scrapped and overseas trips
suspended.
Five days of protests began in Jakarta on Monday last week, sparked by
reports that all 580 lawmakers receive a monthly housing allowance of $3,075
US dollars in addition to their salaries.
The allowance, introduced last year, is almost 10 times the Jakarta minimum
wage.
Critics argue the new allowance is not only excessive (過多) but also
insensitive (未意識到（他人感受）的) at a time when most people are grappling
(努力解決) with soaring living costs and taxes and rising unemployment.
The unrest intensified after the death of a ride-hailing driver during a
rally.
Subianto stated that police are investigating the incident and emphasized the
importance of peaceful expression.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 202-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
24,438 on turnover of $6.8-billion N-T.
The market's recent winning streak ended on Thursday, as the main board
tumbled over 280-points after Nvidia's highly anticipated earnings report
showed that sales of its artificial intelligence chipsets rose at a slower
pace than analysts had anticipated.
Lai admin. to hold more disaster response drills
The government will be holding a series of drills that include trials
(考驗，測試) of a earthquake warning system next month.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, the drill will be taking place
from September 17 through 19 and have been organized to coincide with the
annual National Disaster Prevention Day - which falls on September 21.
Deputy Interior Minister Ma Shih-yuan says the drills will simulate a
magnitude 8.5 earthquake in the Ryukyu Trench east of Taiwan, followed by a
tsunami ..
.. while the main event will be a three-day exercise in Yilan County,
simulating large-scale rescue operations.
An earthquake rescue drill will also be held at Xinzhuang Sports Park in New
Taipei City on September 18 and 19.
Governor of Taiwan's central bank ranked A- by Global Finance
Central bank governor Yang Jin-long has received an A- grade from New
York-based Global Finance magazine.
That grade is up from B+ last year.
Based on the Central Banker Report Cards 2025, the magazine returned Yang to
an A grade based on the bank's policies and decisions this year.
Yang has worked for the central bank since 1989 and became governor in 2018.
Yang's predecessor (前任) Peng Fai-nan has the distinction of being the only
central banker in the world to have earned the top grade 14 times since the
annual report was first released in 1994 - gaining straight A's from
2005-2017.
UK Summons Russian Ambassador After Ukraine Strikes
London says Russia's latest attack against Ukraine which killed at least 18
people in its capital, Kyiv, are "further sabotaging (破壞) international
peace efforts."
Russia launched nearly 600 drones and fired over 30 missiles overnight,
hitting residential areas as well as the British Council building in Kyiv.
Stuart Smith has more from London.
US Seeks UN Authorization for Gang Suppression Force in Haiti
The United States is seeking U.N. authorization for a new “Gang Suppression
Force” to help tackle escalating violence in Haiti where the armed groups
have expanded their activities from the capital into the countryside.
Acting U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea made the announcement at a U.N. Security
Council meeting Thursday, but it was unclear how it would differ from the
Kenya-led Multinational Security Support force now deployed in the
violence-torn Caribbean nation trying to help police curb (抑制) gang
violence.
She said the U.S. and Panama will be circulating (傳遞) a draft resolution to
the Security Council to establish the Gang Suppression Force and create a
U.N. Support Office to provide logistical support to it.
In February, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres proposed opening an
office that would provide drones, fuel, ground and air transportation and
other non-lethal support to the Kenya-led mission.
Shea gave no indication of whether the United States would provide any
military or police support to the new Gang Suppression Force.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 51-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
24,468 on turnover of 6.5-billion N-T.
The market closed higher on Wednesday, as artificial intelligence-related
stocks were in focus ahead of the release of Nvidia's quarterly earnings
report.
Analysts says investors are upbeat about A-I development and that resulted in
them picking up AI-related stocks, led by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.
Olympic gold medalist pledges to boost Taiwan sports as new minister
Two-time Olympic badminton gold medalist Lee Yang says he will do his utmost
to "make Taiwanese sports stronger."
The statement comes after it was announced that Lee will head the
newly-upgraded Ministry of Sports.
The ministry is slated to be officially established next month.
According to Lee, accepting the new position means a lot and also comes with
greater responsibility.
Lee announced his retirement from professional badminton in December of last
year.
The government has said the Ministry of Sports will be responsible for the
development of the sports industry and the promotion of competitive and
recreational sports (休閒運動).
First French Polynesian delegation in 40 years visits Taiwan
And,
A delegation of French Polynesian politicians (政治人物) is making its first
visit to Taiwan in nearly 40 years.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the seven-member delegation is
visiting Taiwan until Saturday.
The delegation will visit several government agencies, including the Ministry
of Education, Council of Indigenous Peoples and Ministry of Agriculture.
The group will also visit the Ita Thao tribe at Sun Moon Lake in Nantou and
travel to the Ocean Affairs Council in Kaohsiung.
Trump to chair meeting on post-war Gaza: Witkoff
US President Donald Trump is expected to chair a meeting today focused on a
post-war Gaza plan - that's according to special envoy Steve Witkoff.
It comes as Israel intensifies a land offensive around Gaza City and images
of starving children continue to emerge (出現，露出).
Toni Waterman has more.
Israel Drone Strikes in Syria Leave 8 Soldiers Wounded
Israeli drone strikes on a southern suburb of Damascus have killed eight
soldiers and wounded others.
Syria's Foreign Ministry condemned the strikes, calling them a violation of
international law and a breach of sovereignty.
The Israeli military has not commented on the strikes.
Since the fall of Bashar Assad, Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes
in Syria.
Israel's defense minister says the country's forces will remain indefinitely
(無限期) in a security zone to protect settlements.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the
strikes hit a point linking Damascus with the southern province of Sweida.
Mexico Suspends Postal Service to US
Mexico says its postal service is suspending package shipments to the United
States, following similar steps taken by countries from the European Union
and elsewhere.
The announcement on Wednesday comes ahead of the Trump administration's end
to an exemption to tariffs on low-value packages this week.
Mexico's postal service will temporarily halt deliveries as officials seek
clarity on the new rules.
The exemption allowed packages worth less than $800 to enter the U.S.
duty-free.
Mexico is in talks with U.S. authorities to resume (恢復) services.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 144-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
24,449 on turnover of 7.4-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher on Tuesday following a lackluster
performance on Wall Street overnight ahead of Nvidia's quarterly earnings
report - which is due out tomorrow Taiwan time.
First local dengue fever cases of year confirmed in Kaohsiung
The Centers for Disease Control has confirmed the first local dengue fever
cases of the year.
According to the C-D-C, the cases were reported during the week of August 19
to 25 and involved a cluster of four people in Kaohsiung.
The C-D-C says local health authorities have now expanded testing to 101
potential contacts.
C-D-C spokeswoman Tseng Shu-hui says a regional management center is now
working with the local government to reduce (減少) the risk of an epidemic ..
…. while the local government has also set up a command center for disease
prevention action.
Sylvia Chang to receive Camellia Award at 30th Busan Film Festival
Actress and director Sylvia Chang has been named the recipient of the
Camellia Award at the 30th Busan International Film Festival.
The award has been announced as Chang's upcoming film "Measure in Love" has
been selected by the festival for the Open Cinema section - an outdoor
screening venue (場地) showcasing new films that blend artistic merit with
popular appeal.
Speaking to reporters, Chang said she's delighted to receive the honor and
hopes it will inspire other female filmmakers and those working in the arts.
The Camellia Award was established in 2024 to honor the power of women in
film.
It will be presented to Chang at the opening ceremony of the festival on
September 17.
President Trump says government will seek death penalty in Washington, D.C., murder cases
US President Donald Trump is suggesting the government will seek the death
penalty for alleged criminals suspected of committing (犯) murders in
Washington, D.C.
Mitch McCann reports:
Australia Police Officers Killed in Shooting
Australian police have identified a suspect who shot and killed two police
officers and seriously wounded a third as the search for the shooter entered
day two in a vast, remote rural area in the country’s southeast.
Police say today that 56-year-old Dezi Freeman was heavily armed and
experienced in wilderness survival skills.
The shooting happened on Tuesday, when 10 armed police officers tried to
execute a search warrant at Freeman’s property in northeast of Melbourne.
Australian news outlets widely reported that Freeman espoused
(投身（活動），支持) so-called sovereign citizen beliefs, with members of
self-proclaimed sovereign citizen movements using debunked legal theories to
reject government authority.
Sri Lanka ExPrez Granted Bail
Sri Lanka’s former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been granted bail
after being arrested over allegations of misusing (濫用) public funds while
in office.
Wickremesinghe is the most prominent among dozens of high former government
and political leaders being investigated for corruption under President Anura
Kumara Dissanayake,
who was elected last year on an anti-corruption platform.
Wickremesinghe is accused of using public funds to attend his wife’s
graduation ceremony in London.
His party says he was invited in his official capacity.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 40-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
24,237 on turnover of 5-billion N-T.
The market gained solid ground on Monday - closing up more than 500-points as
investors were boosted by news that the U-S Federal Reserve could soon cuts
interest rates.
Vice premier confirms ongoing car tariff talks but gives few details
Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun says U-S car imports are part of ongoing tariff
talks with Washington.
Speaking at a legislative hearing, Cheng told lawmakers that Washington has
expressed the hope for greater openness and expanded market access (市場准入)
for U-S cars.
According to Cheng, tariffs on U-S car imports and compliance with safety and
emissions standards were still being negotiated.
She failed to provide any further details.
But Cheng did say she has held three video conferences with U-S officials
since returning to Taiwan on August 1 ..
KMT's Lo Chih-chiang joins race for party chair
K-M-T lawmaker Lo Chih-chiang has announced his plans to seeking the party's
leadership.
Lo made the announcement in a Facebook post with a photo of him standing next
to a statue of Sun Yat-sen.
He survived a recall vote on July 26 and said in the post that his top
priority (優先考慮的事，重點) will be to stop President Lai Ching-te from
winning a second four-year term in 2028.
Luo also said in the Facebook post that he will release further details of
his campaign to seek the post of K-M-T chair later today.
US Trump says he'll meet Kim Jong Un
U.S. President Donald Trump says he will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un
- potentially this year and that he 's open to further trade talks with South
Korea - as he hosted President Lee Jae Myung at the White House
The future of their military alliance (聯盟) was also on the agenda at the
meeting just hours after President Trump suggested in a social media post
that the US might stop doing business with the country.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington.
Brazil Buys US Tariff Affected Products
Brazil’s government says it will buy several domestic products that have
been hit by the 50% higher U.S. tariffs on the country’s exports.
They include acai, coconut water, mangoes, Brazilian nuts, honey and fish.
Most of these will be used in state schools or in stock building (增加庫存)
nationwide.
Officials say coffee and beef, which were also affected by the increase
imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, were not included on the
government’s list because there are other markets interested in them.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 344-points this morning from Friday's close, at 24,108
on turnover of 7.5-billion N-T.
The market closed lower on Friday as investors anxiously awaited a keynote
speech planned by U-S Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell at the annual
economic policy symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, later in the day.
DPP caucus leader Ker Chien-ming refuses to step down despite recall failure
D-P-P legislative chief convener Ker Chien-ming is dismissing calls for him
to step down following the failure this past Saturday of the remaining seven
recall votes targeting K-M-T lawmakers to pass.
According to Ker, he plans to remain in his post.
Ker was one of the party's most vocal supporters of the recalls - even
claiming (聲稱) that when they were successful he planned to seek the post of
legislative speaker.
Ker's refusal to step down comes after D-P-P legislative caucus whip Wu
Szu-yao and caucus secretary-general Chen Pei-yu both said they will now step
down from their posts to take responsibility for the failed recalls.
19 rescued by Coast Guard after yacht breaks down near Liuqiu Island
Nineteen people have been rescued after the yacht (遊艇) they were on
suffered mechanical failure near Liuqiu Island.
According to the Coast Guard Administration, the vessel was carrying two crew
members and 17 passengers when it lost power about one nautical mile north of
the small island.
The Coast Guard sent two patrol boats to the yacht and all 17 passengers were
rescued and taken to Pingtung County's Donggang Township.
The yacht, operating on only one engine, was then escorted back to port for
repairs.
Migrant Deaths Crossing Mediterranean Sea
Tens of thousands of migrants have died attempting (試圖) to cross the
Mediterranean Sea.
AP correspondent Donna Warder reports
Venezuela Over Dozen Released from Prison
Venezuelan opposition leaders and civil society groups said that the
government released 13 people jailed in a crackdown by the government of
President Nicolas Maduro following last year’s disputed elections.
Venezuelan authorities did not immediately confirm the releases.
Opposition leaders like Henrique Capriles celebrated on social media, calling
it a “step forward for those behind bars.”
He said eight people were freed, while five more were released under house
arrest.
It comes more than a year after the South American nation once again erupted
(爆發) following presidential elections in July.
Australia Protests Demanding Actions to Save Palestinians
Tens of thousands of people have marched through Australian cities demanding
action to save Palestinians.
Peaceful rallies took place on Sunday in Sydney, Melbourne and other cities,
urging sanctions on Israel and an end to Australia's arms trade with the
country.
Police estimated about 10,000 people took part, while organizers claimed
100,000 marched in Sydney alone.
The protests followed a report on Friday stating that Gaza’s largest city is
gripped by famine (飢荒).
The report warned of catastrophic hunger levels, with many at risk of dying
from malnutrition-related causes.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened 71-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 24,033 on
turnover of $7.2-billion N-T.
Taiwan and US sign MOU on combating cross-border drug trafficking
Taiwan and the United States have signed a memorandum of understanding to
jointly combat transnational drug trafficking.
According to the American Institute in Taiwan, the agreement will enhance
intelligence sharing between the U-S Drug Enforcement Administration and the
Taiwan High Prosecutors Office ..
….. by "enabling more efficient investigations and prosecutions of
transnational drug trafficking organizations."
A-I-T has issues a press release quoting D-E-A Asia Pacific Division Special
Agent in charge John Scott as saying that the annual forum represents the
"shared commitment of Taiwan and the United States to combat the scourge
(禍害) of drug trafficking."
NPM to show 'meat-shaped stone' in first exhibition in Yilan
The National Palace Museum has announced that its iconic "meat-shaped stone"
and 14 other artifacts will be going on disply in Yilan for the first time.
The artifacts will be part of a special exhibition co-organized with the
Lanyang Museum in December.
Along with its famed "meat-shaped stone," the National Palace Museum also
selected a jade duck piece dating back to the Song and Yuan dynasties, a
porcelain chicken cup in doucai painted enamels from the Ming dynasty …
… and a revolving vase with swimming fish in cobalt blue glaze (釉) from
the Qing dynasty as some of the artifacts that will be featured in the Yilan
exhibition.
Moscow says foreign troops in Ukraine would be ‘unacceptable’
Russia called "absolutely unacceptable" the idea of deploying foreign forces
in Ukraine discussed by Europe and Kiev as part of security guarantees for
Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the so-called "coalition of the
willing" countries of attempts to undermine US President Donald Trump's
peacemaking efforts.
And reiterated (重申) any discussions of European security, Ukraine included,
must involve Russia.
Daria Bondarchuk reports from Moscow.
Uganda Announces US Deal to Take Deported Migrants
Uganda's foreign ministry says the African country has agreed to a deal with
the United States to take deported migrants as long as they don’t have
criminal records and are not unaccompanied minors.
The ministry said in a statement Thursday that the agreement had been
concluded but that terms were still being worked out.
It added that Uganda prefers that the migrants sent there be of African
nationalities (國籍), but did not elaborate on what Uganda might get in
return for accepting deportees.
The U.S. embassy in Uganda declined to comment on what it called “diplomatic
negotiations."
Human rights activists criticized the deal as possibly going against
international law.
New Evidence of Earlier Modern Humans and Neanderthals Interaction
And new findings suggest that modern humans and Neanderthals may have
interacted 100-thousand years earlier than previously thought.
That's according to researchers who used CT scans and 3D mapping to study the
bones of a child they believe was the result of interbreeding between the two
distinct groups.
The child was buried in a cave in Israel some 140-thousand years ago.
Because no ancient DNA was extracted from the fossilized (變成化石的)
remains, it’s impossible to confirm the child’s origins, but scientists say
microscopic details in the bones indicate the child had traits of both
groups.
The findings, recently published in a peer-reviewed journal, help shed light
on when the two groups began interacting and offers clues about their
relationships.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up114-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,740
on turnover of $6.9-billion N-T.
The market tumbled on Wednesday - losing more than 700 points as Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing came under heavy pressure, which pushed the
electronics sector lower following a decline by tech stocks on Wall Street
overnight.
It was the first time the Tai-Ex had closed below the 24,000 point mark since
August 6 and analysts says the steep declines among U-S tech stocks overnight
prompted local investors to pocket gains from previous sessions.
AI system predicting rogue waves to be deployed in 16 coastal regions
The Central Weather Administration say it's developed an artificial
intelligence-powered system that predicts the occurrence (發生) of rogue
waves.
It's been developed in conjunction with the National Cheng Kung University
and can predicts rogue waves over the next 24 hours.
According to the weather administration, the system will now be implemented
(實施) in 16 of Taiwan's coastal municipalities by the end of this year.
Administration deputy head Fong Qin-zi says rogue waves are not traceable
like the weather but occur as a result of specific environmental conditions,
which requires more precise predictions than simply issuing warnings of long
waves.
The Coastal Ocean Monitoring Center says a total of 430 rogue wave incidents
have been recorded over the past 25 years, causing 750 casualties, one-third
of which were fatalities.
UN Warns IS Exploiting Instability and Remains a Threat
U.N. counterterrorism experts warn that Islamic State extremists are
exploiting instability in Africa and Syria and remain a significant threat in
Afghanistan, Central Asia and Europe.
They told a U.N. Security Council meeting on Wednesday that the militant
group is now using advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence,
and social media, which poses a new challenge.
The Islamic State group declared a self-styled caliphate in a large swath of
Syria and Iraq that it seized in 2014.
It was declared defeated in Iraq in 2017 following a three-year battle that
left tens of thousands of people dead and cities in ruins.
But its sleeper cells remain in both countries and it has affiliates
(附屬機構) and supporters in many other countries.
Trump Administration slaps sanctions on more ICC judges
The Trump administration has imposed fresh sanctions on four ICC judges and
prosecutors, including individuals associated with cases involving alleged
war crimes linked to Israel and the US.
Critics say the sanctions threaten to impede the Court's ability to
investigate other cases, including alleged (被指控的) war crimes carried out
by Russia in Ukraine.
Toni Waterman has more.
NZ Announces Military Spending for Planes and Helicopters
New Zealand's government has announced new military spending of $1.6 billion
to replace aging planes and helicopters.
Officials unveiled the package today, citing growing global tensions and a
deteriorating security environment.
The purchase of military planes and helicopters is the first procurement in a
plan to double defense spending from 1% to 2% of GDP in the next decade.
The procurement includes five Seahawk helicopters and two Airbus aircraft.
New Zealand's defense minister says the government would move quickly to
procure (採購) the helicopters through the United States' foreign military
sales program.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 44-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
24,309 on turnover of 4.6-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Tuesday due to investor concerns over the impact of
U-S tariffs on the local job market after machine tool maker Taiwan Takisawa
Technology urged its employees to take three days off a week due to a decline
in orders.
Analysts say the Takisawa report delivered a shock to investors as it is a
listed old economy company and there's now fear the impact will affect more
Taiwanese machinery makers given the higher tariff burden plus a stronger New
Taiwan dollar.
Lai calls on defense medical university to strengthen battlefield medicine
President Lai Ching-te says the newly upgraded National Defense Medical
University needs to further enhance its training in battlefield trauma care.
Speaking at a ceremony marking the school's elevation from the National
Defense Medical Center, Lai said greater global exchanges will help it
specialize (
專精) in battlefield medicine and trauma care.
According to Lai, international cooperation will allow the university to
learn from other countries' military and medical education systems and apply
those lessons to not only support the armed forces but also strengthen (加強)
society's broader capacity to respond to crises.
Lai described the university as a crucial asset for infectious disease
research and prevention during his speech …
The university was officially upgraded on August 1.
Over 5 million votes required to pass nuclear power plant referendum
The Central Election Commission says at least 5 million votes will be needed
to pass Saturday's referendum on whether to extend the service of the
Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant in Pingtung.
Under the Referendum Act, the vote will pass only if votes in favor account
for more than one-fourth of the total eligible voters and outnumber the votes
against.
According to the election commission, number of eligible (有資格的) voters is
20,002,091 - translating to a minimum threshold of 5,000,523 votes for
passage of the referendum.
The referendum question reads: "Do you agree that the Maanshan Nuclear Power
Plant should continue operation upon approval by the competent authority and
confirmation that there are no safety concerns?"
US favors Budapest for Russia-Ukraine meeting
The Trump administration is considering the Hungarian capital Budapest as the
location for a summit (高峰會) between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and
Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
It comes as the White House weighs offering US air support as part of
security guarantees for Ukraine to help end the conflict.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Mexico Maya Train Derailment
A tourist-focused Maya Train running along Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula has
derailed while moving slowly toward a station platform.
The train was traveling Tuesday from Cancun to Merida when it left the tracks
at a station in Izamal.
Passengers were uninjured and transported by bus.
The accident is under investigation, but the train is operating normally
between other stations.
The Maya Train began running in late 2023, but has had low ridership (客流量).
Environmentalists have documented severe impacts on the delicate (脆弱的)
cave systems under the train line.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 11-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 24,494
on turnover of $4.9-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed at a new high Monday as buying in the bellwether
electronics sector accelerated in the wake of gains posted by markets in the
United States pointing to a possible higher opening later in the day.
Amid optimism toward artificial intelligence development, iPhone assembler
and AI server maker Hon Hai Precision Industry rose 1.45 percent.
In the old economy sector, petrochemical stocks continued an uptrend led by
Nan Ya Plastics Corp., on optimism over its supply of materials to PCB
makers.
4.9 earthquake strikes Hualien
No injuries or damage are being reported after a magnitude 4.9 earthquake
struck Hualien at 9:26.
The Central Weather Administration says, the depth of the quake was measured
at 17.1 kilometers, and the epicenter was located 11.7 kilometers east of
Hualien County Hall, in the ocean.
The quake was felt at a maximum intensity of 4 in Hualien and a 3 in Yilan.
(AH)
UN: IS Backed Congo Rebels Kill Dozens
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo says that Islamic
State-backed rebels in the eastern part of the country have killed at least
52 people.
The mission says the attacks blamed on the Allied Democratic Forces took
place from Aug. 9 to Aug. 16 in North Kivu province.
The violence included abductions, looting (搶劫), and the burning of homes
and vehicles.
The death toll is expected to rise.
Eastern Congo has faced deadly attacks from armed groups like the ADF, which
has ties to the Islamic State.
US Democrats End Walkout Over Redistricting
From the US….
Texas Democrats are ending their walkout over redistricting (重新劃分選區),
as California prepares to retaliate.
AP correspondent Ed Donahue reports
Air Canda Flight Attendant Strike
Air Canada and the union representing 10,000 flight attendants have resumed
talks for the first time since their strike began three days ago.
That's according to a person familiar with the negotiations.
The renewed talks on Monday come after the union for the Air Canada flight
attendants said they won’t return to work even though the strike has been
declared illegal.
It has affected about 130-thousand travelers per day during the peak (高峰)
summer travel season.
Labor leaders are objecting to the Canadian government’s repeated use of a
law that cuts off workers’ right to strike and forces them into binding
arbitration.
Cambridge Dictionary Adds 6000 New Words
The Cambridge Dictionary has added over 6,000 new words including slang terms
like “skibidi,” pronounced SKIH-bih-dee, "tradwife" and "delulu."
Cambridge Dictionary says it uses the Cambridge English Corpus database of
more than 2 billion words to monitor (監測) how new words are used, how often
and in what contexts.
Other additions this year include "mouse jiggler" for a tool to simulate
(模擬) activity during remote work and “forever chemical” for persistent
environmental pollutants.
Representatives at the world's largest online dictionary say it has only
added words it thinks have “staying power.”
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ITRI raises output growth forecast for Taiwan semiconductors
CWA heat warning for 6 locations
Zelenskyy and EU to discuss "security guarentees"
Europe Wild Fires
Air Canada Flight Attendants Strike
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Two Taiwanese receive suspended sentences for filming US warplanes in South Korea
A-Mei to perform at CPBL home run leader's retirement game
Latest about Plastic Pollution Treaty
Wallet found 240,000 km away and years later
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Highway Bureau says 5 provincial roads still blocked
MOL expands subsidy program for furloughed workers amid tariff shock
Taiwan-funded mobile clinics help 7,000 underprivileged in Guatemala
Torrential rain battered South Korea capital
National Guard arriving in Washington DC
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Tai-Ex opening up
Typhoon Podul latest 10AM news
Taiwan faces Mexico in Little League World Series opener
Trump Zelensky to talk before US-Russia summit
Russia Ukraine ceasefire deal
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Sea warning issued for Typhoon Podul
Real wages and total earnings up in H1 2025
Two dead and 10 injured in steel plant in Pennsylvania
AOL is finally shutting down its dial-up internet service
US Antarctica Pilot stuck in Antarctica
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CWA expected to issue sea and land warnings for Tropical Storm Podul
Women's tug-of-war team wins 6th straight World Games title
European leaders support Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin meeting
Many Countries Criticized Israel
Armenia-Azerbaijan react to "peace deal"
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Tropical Storm Podul formed
Control Yuan censures Fisheries Agency over typhoon crew evacuations failures
Trump wants Intel's CEO to quit immediately
United-Nations-Africa-Terrorism
Judge halts construction of "Alligator Alcatraz"
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 270-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,717 on turnover of $12.2-billion N-T.
The market fell sharply on Wednesday - as semiconductor stocks tumbled after
U-S President Donald Trump announced that he will announce new tariffs on
chips within the next week or so.
NGO says migrant workers facing fraud but reluctant to report it
The TransAsia Sisters Association says migrant workers in Taiwan are facing
many types of fraud - but the cases are going underreported because of
language barriers and other factors.
According to the association, it has identified several potential problems in
the effort to fight scams against migrants through interviews over the past
year with mainly migrant workers and a small proportion (部分) of foreign
spouses.
The association says around 30-per cent of interviewees had experienced
financial fraud, but that only a third of them reported their cases to
authorities.
The group is attributing the reluctance to report fraud cases to police to a
lack of readily available multilingual services at police stations.
The Workforce Development Agency says migrant workers can use the 1955
hotline, which provides multilingual services, to help them identify
potential fraud schemes ..
.. and the hotline can contact third parties on behalf of workers to verify
suspicious situations and report cases to local labor authorities.
Trump says 100% tariff coming on some imported semiconductors
US President Donald Trump says he will impose a 100% tariff on imports of
semiconductors.
But he said he would exempt companies making their chips in the US… or are
in the process of (的過程中) building chip fabrication facilities in the
country.
Toni Waterman has more.
UN Report on Taliban Weaponizing Law Against Women and Girls
The independent U.N. investigator on human rights in Afghanistan says its
Taliban rulers have “weaponized” the legal and judicial system to oppress
women and girls in what amounts to “crimes against humanity."
Richard Bennett said in a report to the U.N. General Assembly circulated
Wednesday that after seizing power in 2021 the Taliban suspended the 2004
constitution and specific laws protecting the rights of women and girls.
These include a landmark law that criminalized 22 forms of violence against
women, including rape and child and forced marriage.
The Taliban defend their approach to justice by claiming they are
implementing Islamic sharia law, but Islamic scholars and others have said
their interpretation is unparalleled (無與倫比的) in other Muslim-majority
countries and does not adhere to Islamic teachings.
Bennett urged all countries to support efforts to bring Afghanistan before
the International Court of Justice, the U.N.’s highest tribunal.
Barbary Lion Cubs Born at Czech Zoo
Four Barbary lion cubs have been born in a Czech zoo.
The birth marks a significant boost for the rare species, which is extinct
(滅絕的) in the wild.
The three females and one male were seen playing at Dvur Kralove Safari Park
on Wednesday.
Soon, the cubs will be sent to other zoos as part of an international program
to ensure (確保) their survival.
Zoo officials say that while reintroducing the Barbary lion into its natural
habitat is considered, it remains a distant goal.
The Barbary lion once roamed northern Africa but was wiped out due to human
activities.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 217-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,443 on turnover of 7.2-billion N-T.
The market rebounded from slumps seen during the the previous two sessions on
Tuesday following a strong showing on Wall Street overnight.
President Lai Ching-te vows to increase defense budget to more than 3% of GDP
President Lai Ching-te says he plans to increase next year's defense budget
to more than 3-per cent of G-D-P.
Speaking at the opening of the Ketagalan Forum-Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue
in Taipei, Lai said the budget will be increased based on continuing reforms
within the island's armed forces and more investment (投資) in national
defense.
According to Lai, his administration will also continue to boost Taiwan's
economic resilience and advance economic security by stepping up trade
cooperation with other countries,
And Lai also used his opening address to say his government remains committed
to maintaining cross-strait "status quo”and ensuring peace and stability
across the Taiwan Strait.
10 KMT affiliates indicted in Chiayi for recall petition forgery
The Chiayi District Prosecutors' Office has indicted 10 people affiliated
with K-M-T for forging 2,067 signatures on a petition to recall D-P-P
lawmaker Chen Guan-ting.
Those indicted include Yang Fu-cheng, the secretary-general of the K-M-T's
Chiayi County branch; Ho Bo-lun, the director of -K-M-T lawmaker Wang
Yu-min's local office.
The eight other people indicted all worked for the K-M-T' Chiayi County
branch.
According to the Prosecutors' Office, all 10 suspects have charged with
forgery (偽造) and violations of the Personal Data Protection Act.
Another eight people have been granted deferred prosecution for one year.
NATO to coordinate regular and large-scale arm deliveries to Ukraine
NATO is set to coordinate (協調) regular and large-scale arm deliveries to
Ukraine
The AP's Jennifer King reports.
Nigeria Trafficked Birds Seized
Nigerian customs have seized over 1,600 parrots and canaries being
transported from Lagos to Kuwait without a permit.
This is one of the biggest wildlife trafficking seizures in years.
On July 31, customs agents seized ring-necked parakeets and green and yellow
fronted canaries at Lagos airport.
These are protected species.
The birds were not accompanied by the required permits.
An investigation is ongoing (正在進行的) to find those responsible.
The birds will be handed to the National Parks Service for rehabilitation and
release.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 119-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,498 on turnover of 5.7-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Monday as selling was triggered by a decline on
Wall Street at the end of last week.
And analysts say U-S indexes dictated the local main board yesterday as it
came under heavy pressure in a knee-jerk reaction to Friday's losses and U-S
tariff announcements.
Alaska's governor says Taiwan is close to record deal for 6 million tons of LNG
The governor of Alaska says Taiwan is close to finalizing a deal to purchase
6-million tons of liquefied natural gas from the U-S state.
According to Mike Dunleavy, when completed, it will mark the largest such
sale in Alaska's history.
The purchase will reportedly account for about 30-per cent of the Alaska
L-N-G Project's planned annual output of 20-million tons.
The government has not commented on Dunleavy's remarks.
However, C-P-C says no information is available on the purchase volume or
total cost of the deal as it's still waiting for the finalized (敲定) details
from the seller.
According to the Energy Administration, the U-S currently supplies 10-per
cent of Taiwan's L-N-G, making it the country's third-largest source after
Australia and Qatar.
Torrential rain in Taiwan causes 5 deaths, 3 missing, 78 injuries
The Central Emergency Operation Center has increased the death toll due to
the torrential rains that have battered much of the south since July 28 to
five.
The center says a total of 78 rain related injuries have been reported and
three people remain missing.
According to the Central Weather Administration, it recorded accumulated
rainfall of 292-centimeters in Kaohsiung's Maolin District and
236-centimeters in Pingtung's Wutai Township between 12AM on July 28 and 4PM
yesterday.
The Ministry of Agriculture is reporting estimated agricultural losses of
260-million N-T.
Premier Cho Jung-tai says the Cabinet is set to pass a special bill with more
than 30-billion N-T earmarked for rebuilding in the aftermath of Typhoon
Danas.
India says Trump plans to raise tariffs "unjustified"
India's foreign ministry has described US President Trump's declaration that
he would "substantially" raise tariffs on imports from India, as "unjustified
and unreasonable."
President Trump claimed that India is profiting (獲利) by reselling cheap
Russian oil on the open market.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington
Denmark Zoo Asks for Donated Pets as Food for Predators
A zoo in Denmark is asking for people to donate small pets as food for its
predators.
The Aalborg Zoo says it is trying to mimic the natural food chain of the
animals housed there and offers assurances the pets will be “gently
euthanized” by trained staff.
The zoo in northern Denmark explained in a Facebook post that “if you have a
healthy animal that needs to be given away for various (各種各樣的) reasons,
feel free to donate it to us.”
The zoo points to guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens as possible donations.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 174-points this morning from Friday's close, at 23,260
on turnover of 5.8-billion N-T.
The market fell into negative territory in Friday after the U-S imposed a
20-per cent tariff on Taiwan's imports.
Analysts say investors were caught off guard, as many had been anticipating
Taiwan would get a 15-per cent tariff like Japan and South Korea and
investors are concerned the higher levy (稅款) will make Taiwan exporters
less competitive.
Southern Taiwan sees over 2 meters of rain in 7 days
The Central Weather Administration says over 2-meters of rainfall fell in
parts the south from between July 28 to 9AM on Sunday.
According to the administration, Kaohsiung's Taoyuan District saw total
rainfall of 220-centimeters, while some 206-centimeters was recorded in
Sandimen Township in Pingtung.
The weather administration's forecast center says three factors have been
contributing to the continuous intensive rainfall in the south.
Those being successive southwestern air currents that moved landward,
southwesterly winds brought in unstable air that developed into convection
currents (對流…) ..
.. and the southwesterly winds sweeping into southern Taiwan's mountainous
areas causing intense rain in those areas.
Village chief in Hualien dismissed over Chinese nationality
A village chief in Hualien has dismissed from office over her China
nationality status.
The move means Teng Wan-hua has becoming the first local official to have
been removed from office (撤職) for that reason.
Teng served as chief of Xuetian Village in Hualien Fuli Township.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, she is one of five village or
borough chiefs who were found in January to hold China nationality in
violation of the Nationality Act.
Teng is denying any wrongdoing - saying she holds an R-O-C Taiwan passport,
and not a Chinese one and also doesn't have P-R-C nationality.
Israeli Minister Prays at Jerusalem Holy Site
A far-right Israeli minister has visited and prayed at Jerusalem’s most
sensitive holy site, sparking regional condemnation.
The visit by Itamar Ben-Gvir threatens to escalate tensions and complicate
international efforts to halt Israel’s nearly two-year military offensive in
Gaza.
Palestinian leaders, along with Jordan and Saudi Arabia, have condemned the
visit as incitement.
The visit followed Hamas' release of videos showing emaciated Israeli
hostages that have caused an uproar (騷亂；騷動) in Israel.
Meanwhile, hospitals in Gaza say 33 more Palestinians have been killed by
Israeli fire while seeking food aid.
Israel faces global criticism over famine-like conditions in the besieged
strip.
UK Oasis Fan Falls to Death During Concert
Oasis has expressed shock and sadness after a man fell to his death during
their concert at Wembley Stadium in London.
The Metropolitan Police said officers and paramedics responded to reports of
an injured person just before 10:30 Saturday night.
A man in his 40s was found with injuries consistent with (符合) a fall and
was pronounced dead at the scene.
The police have urged anyone who witnessed the incident or captured it on
video to contact them.
Oasis offered condolences to the victim's family and friends.
Their first tour in 16 years began July 4 in Cardiff, Wales.
NZ Woman Faces Charges After Girl Found in Suitcase
A New Zealand woman faces a child neglect charge after a bus driver found a
2-year-old girl in a suitcase.
Authorities say the incident happened Sunday when the driver noticed movement
in the luggage compartment (車廂) during a stop in Kaiwaka, north of
Auckland.
A detective reports the child was very hot but otherwise unharmed.
The girl was taken to a hospital and remained there Sunday night.
The woman, whose name has not been released, was charged with ill-treatment
or neglect of a child and was due in court Monday.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 224-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,318 on turnover of $6.3-billion N-T.
The market bucked a regional downward trend on Thursday and moved higher, as
investors shrugged off a decline on Wall Street overnight caused by concerns
that U-S Federal Reserve may not deliver interest rates cuts by September.
Turnover also bounced back (恢復) from the decline seen during the previous
session - as investor concerns over U-S tariff polices on Taiwan appeared to
weaken.
MOC launches new cultural program in tandem with Expo 2025 Osaka
The Ministry of Culture says cultural program organized for Expo 2025 Osaka
will premiere this weekend with a special exhibition featuring 50 selected
picture books about various aspects of life in Taiwan.
According to the ministry, the "We TAIWAN" cultural program is designed to
partner with and make the most of the 2025 World Expo.
The ministry says teams that left for Osaka last week have been setting up
exhibitions (展覽) and rehearsing for the program - and the main "We TAIWAN"
visual display has been set-up at the Grand Green Osaka venue.
The first event of the program will be an exhibition of 50 picture books by
Taiwanese writers and illustrators.
The show will also feature elements from Taiwan's Indigenous Peoples, local
folklore, daily life, as well as Taiwan's food culture, religions, arts and
natural scenery (自然風光).
The "We TAIWAN" program features 38 groups of artists from Taiwan and Japan
who will put on a total of 129 performances from August 2 through 20.
US special envoy meets Netanyahu as Gaza "famine" unfolds
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu in Jerusalem as global outrage intensifies over the humanitarian
crisis in Gaza.
Canada is the latest Western power to say it will recognise (正式認定) a
Palestinian state.
Kate fisher reports from Washington
Macao ExDemocracy Lawmaker Arrested Under Security Law
Macao police say they have arrested a man on suspicion of colluding with
forces outside the Chinese casino hub to endanger national security.
It was the first publicly known arrest under the city’s national security
law.
Local media outlets report former pro-democracy lawmaker Au Kam San is the
suspect.
Police said Thursday the 68-year-old Macao resident with the surname Au
allegedly colluded (串通;勾結;) with an anti-China group outside of the city
and provided false and seditious materials for public display online or
abroad.
He also is accused of maintaining long-term contact with multiple anti-China
entities outside of Macao and repeatedly providing unfounded information to
them or their media outlets for dissemination.
Peru PreIncan Tombs Discovered
Utility workers in Peru's capital have discovered two pre-Incan tombs while
expanding underground gas networks.
One tomb was empty, but the other contained remains about 1,000 years old,
along with clay and pumpkin shell vessels (容器, 器皿).
Archaeologists say the vessels' (容器, 器皿) design links them to the
pre-Incan Chancay culture.
Lima, a city with over 400 archaeological sites, often reveals such finds
during construction projects.
The company responsible for the gas network has made over 2,200 discoveries
in two decades.
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Rain Storms and Purple Rain Warning
Lai apologizes for recall defeat and vows support for August 23 votes
Government to spend NT$100bn on flood control
US Fed keeps interest rates steady
More killings in Gaza as people seek food
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Tai-Ex opening up
CWA's rain advisories for central and southern Taiwan
Premier visits flood-hit Tainan
Tsunami warnings for Japan, Alaska, Hawaii
IMF raises global growth forecast
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,414 on turnover of 4.7-billion N-T.
The market ended the day in positive territory on Monday, as investors
reacted to the U-S' trade deal with the European Union and await the outcome
of two-days of tariff talks between Washington and Beijing - which are taking
place in Stockholm.
Taipei MRT Wenhu Line Resumes After Morning Disruptions
Taipei's Wen-hu MRT line has mostly resumed (恢復) normal operations after a
system alert and disruptions earlier this morning.
Around 8am today, the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation reported a train alert
message on the Wenhu Line, between Dazhi Station and Taipei Zoo Station in
the direction of Taipei Zoo, was impacting train operations.
This alert led to longer train stops and increased waiting times on platforms.
Taipei Metro says the line has resumed operations, after advising passengers
to allow an extra 15 minutes for their commute (通勤).
The corporation says passengers who have questions regarding tickets or
refunds can check at information counters or on the MRT's official website or
the Taipei Metro GO app.
(NS)
CWB issues rain alerts
And,
The Central Weather Administration has issued rain advisories (公告，警告)
for part of the island.
Torrential rain alerts are in effect for Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung.
Extremely heavy rain warnings have been issued for Chiayi, Punghu and
mountainous area of Taitung.
While heavy rain advisories are in effect for Keelung and the North Coast
area, New Taipei, Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Chungua, Nantou, Yunlin and low
lying areas of Taitung.
All of the advisories will remain in effect through tonight.
Trump cuts 50-day deadline for Russia to make a peace deal with Ukraine
US President Donald Trump has reduced his 50-day deadline for Russia to make
a peace deal with Ukraine, giving the Kremlin less than two-weeks to end the
war or face massive (大量的，巨大的) secondary tariffs.
The President set the new deadline ahead of a meeting with the UK Prime
Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland.
Toni Waterman has more from Washington
Colombia President Found Guilty of Witness Tampering and Bribery
Former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has been found guilty of witness
tampering and bribery charges.
The ruling was announced on Monday by a judge in the country’s capital,
following a nearly six-month trial in which prosecutors presented evidence
that Uribe attempted to influence witnesses who accused the leader of having
links to a paramilitary group founded in the 1990s.
Uribe faces up to 12 years in prison and the sentencing will be delivered in
a separate (不同的) hearing.
He is expected to appeal the ruling in a high court.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 112-points this morning from Friday's close, at 23,477
on turnover of 7.3-billion N-T.
The market closed marginally lower on Friday ahead of strong technical
resistance near the 23,500-point intraday-high mark and renewed concerns over
U-S tariff policies.
Work and School Cancellations Due to Rain
School and work have been cancelled in parts of central Taiwan due to heavy
rain and flooding.
The Directorate-General of Personnel Administration says all of Chiayi
County, as well as Shui-lin Township in Yunlin County will suspend work and
classes, as both areas see precipitation through last night.
Local officials are reporting flooding along several roadways and homes, up
to 30 centimeters high, and hundreds of water pumps (抽水機) have been
deployed.
Forecasters say more thunderstorms are expected this afternoon, and they are
advising the public to be on the lookout for more flooding as well as
landslides.
(NS)
MAC bemoans China's recall comments
The Mainland Affairs Council is slamming China's Taiwan Affairs Office for
accusing the D-P-P of "political manipulation" and of saying it has lost
public support following this past weekend's failed recall votes targeting 24
K-M-T lawmakers.
According to the council, Beijing's "lack of democratic experience" means it
has no right to comment on, or misinterpret (曲解), Taiwan's democratic
system.
The council is describing the recall vote as an example of Taiwan's
democratic constitutional system and a major democratic achievement by civil
society groups.
The comments come after China's Taiwan Affairs Office issued a statement
saying the D-P-P "has lost popular support and its policies run counter to
the true mainstream public opinion in Taiwan."
NKorea Rebuffs SKorea Efforts at Ties
The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has rebuffed (回絕)
outreach by South Korea’s new liberal government, saying that North Korea
has no interests in talks with South Korea for whatever proposal its rival
offers.
It’s North Korea’s first official statement on the government of South
Korean President Lee Jae Myung, which took office in early June.
In an effort to improve badly frayed ties with North Korea, Lee's government
has halted anti-Pyongyang frontline loudspeaker broadcasts, taken steps to
ban activists from flying balloons with propaganda leaflets across the border
and repatriated North Koreans who were drifted (漂流) south in wooden boats
months earlier.
Kim Yo Jong called such steps “sincere efforts” but she said the Lee
government won't be much different from its predecessors, citing what it
calls “their blind trust” to the military alliance with the U.S. and
attempt to “stand in confrontation” with North Korea.
US Terrorism Assault Charges for Walmart Attacker
Authorities seek to file terrorism and assault (攻擊) charges against suspect
in Walmart knife attack
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 81-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,455
on turnover of $5.2-billion N-T.
The market continued to gain ground on Thursday, but the day's gains were
limited by strong technical resistance near the 23,500-point mark and renewed
concerns over U-S tariff policies.
Rita Jhang Interview (part B)
Many Taiwanese voters are heading to the polls tomorrow to vote in recalls
targeting 24 KMT lawmakers across the country, plsu suspended TPP Hsinchu
Mayor Gao Hong An.
ICRT spoke with academic and former secretary general of Green Party Taiwan,
Dr. Rita Jhang, who described who has driven this movement.
Although she emphasized that there is hope in the new volunteers'
participation, Jhang also raised concerns about increasing polarization
(極化) and violence directed towards recall volunteers.
Ukraine New Bill Restoring Independence of AntiCorruption Agencies
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has submitted a new bill restoring
the independence of the country’s anti-corruption agencies.
Zelenskyy said on Thursday the new bill that was sent to parliament for
review “guarantees real strengthening of Ukraine’s law enforcement system,
the independence of anti-corruption bodies, and reliable protection of the
legal system from any Russian interference (干涉).”
The two main agencies quickly welcomed the new bill.
The development seeks to defuse tensions caused by his earlier approval of a
controversial law placing them under his authority.
That sparked a public outcry and protests, the first major demonstrations
since the war began, as well as sharp criticism from the European Union.
Trump spars with Fed chair over building renovations
US President Donald Trump has made an unusual visit to the Federal Reserve's
headquarters to inspect (檢查) the building's renovation… and continue his
criticism of Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
The president has been pressuring Powell to lower interest rates.
Ira Spitzer reports.
Italy Banksy Artwork Removed for Restoration and Display
Art restorers have removed a deteriorating piece of graffiti by the street
artist Banksy titled “The Migrant Child” from the side of a building
overlooking a Venetian canal.
It's a project to preserve the work for future public display.
The removal and restoration is being financed by the Venice-based Banca Ifis
carried out in consultation with people close to the secretive British street
artist.
The artwork depicting a shipwrecked child holding a pink smoke bomb and
wearing a lifejacket appeared along Rio di San Pantalon in Venice in May
2019.
The bank intends to display the work to the public as part of free cultural
events organized by Ifis art once restoration (修復) is completed. No time
frame was given.
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CTFA revokes suspended coach's license over bullying case
Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je's office head posts bail in corruption trial
ICJ Delivers Ruling on Climate Change
Turkey Rescuers Died Fighting Wildfire
Iran Holds Public Holiday for Heatwave
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 75-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,063
on turnover of 5.3-billion N-T.
The market came under heavy pressure on Tuesday - tumbling more than
350-points - amid increasing investors concerns over U-S tariff threats.
Analyst says many investors are now turning downbeat about the ongoing tariff
talks with the U-S - as the negotiations have yet to yield any conclusions.
Competing rallies planned ahead of recall votes
The D-P-P and the K-M-T are set to hold competing rallies on Ketagalan
Boulevard in Taipei later this week as they make a final push ahead of
Saturday's batch of recall votes targeting 24 K-M-T lawmakers.
The D-P-P will be holding a rally there on Thursday.
And according to the "Oppose CCP, Safeguard Taiwan Alliance," a livestreamed
(直播) rally will also be held on Friday night on Jinan Road.
Meanwhile, the K-M-T is set to hold a rally on Friday night on Ketagalan
Boulevard.
Traffic restrictions will be in place in the area on both days.
12 imported cases of dengue fever reported last week
The Centers for Disease Control is reporting 12 new imported dengue fever
cases.
According to the C-D-C, the cases were recorded from July 15 through 21 and
it's the highest single-weekly total this year.
The C-D-C's Epidemic Intelligence Center says the cases came Thailand,
Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia.
A total of 109 confirmed imported cases of the mosquito-borne disease have
been reported here in Taiwan so far this year and 91.7-per cent of them have
come from Southeast Asia.
Indonesia accounted for (佔) the most with 45 cases.
US agrees trade & security deal with Philippines
The US and the Philippines have agreed a trade deal that will see goods
(商品) from the Southeast Asian country face a 19% tariff.
US President Donald Trump announced the news following a visit from the
nation's President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Syria Finds Thousand Deaths in Sectarian Violence
A Syrian government investigation says more than 1,400 people died in
sectarian (宗派的) violence along the coast earlier this year.
The clashes began in March after armed groups loyal to former President
Bashar Assad attacked security forces of the new government.
Retaliation led to widespread violence against civilians, with sectarian
motives largely driven by revenge.
Meanwhile, recent violence in Sweida province has displaced over 128-thousand
people.
The Syrian Red Crescent reports dire (嚴重的；危急的) conditions with
shortages of supplies and damaged infrastructure.
Aid deliveries have started, but concerns remain about the long-term
displacement.
British Wreck Found on Scottish Beach
Archaeologists have identified a 250-year-old shipwreck uncovered on a remote
Scottish beach.
The 18th-century naval warship and whaling vessel called the Earl of Chatham
was revealed (露出) in February 2024 after a storm swept away sand.
Local farmers and researchers worked together to recover the ship’s 12 tons
of oak timbers.
Experts traced the ship’s history using tree-ring dating (樹木年輪學) and
historical records.
It was originally named HMS Hind and it served in the American War of
Independence before becoming a whaling ship.
It was wrecked off Sanday in 1788.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 38-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,301 on turnover of 5.2-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Monday as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing fell
into consolidation mode on the back of lingering concerns over U-S tariff
policies.
US House approves 'Honest Maps' amendment targeting China's depiction of
Taiwan
The U-S House has passed an amendment banning the Defense Department from
creating, buying, or displaying any map that shows Taiwan as part of the
People's Republic of China.
The "Honest Maps" amendment was proposed by Republican Representative Tom
Tiffany and approved as part of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act
for the 2026 fiscal year.
The amendment prohibits using any funds from the Act to create, buy, or
display maps that show Taiwan, Kinmen, Matsu, Penghu, Wuciou, Green Island,
or Orchid Island as part of the P-R-C.
The Act includes 831.5-billion U-S dollars in discretionary (自行決定的)
spending.
Officials deny 32% US tariff rumors
Economics minister Kuo Jyh-huei is dismissing claims that the U-S has already
set a 32-per cent tariff rate for Taiwan.
Speaking at a legislative hearing, Kuo said he has no idea where the rumors
came from and he remains confident that Taiwan can negotiate a lower tariff
rate than the 25-per cent given to Japan and South Korea.
Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee is also denying the rumors (謠言) about the
tariff rate - saying the government has yet to receive any notification from
Washington.
The statements come after former Broadcasting Corporation of China Chairman
Jaw Shaw-kang made the claim about the 32-per cent tariff rate for Taiwan.
Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun is leading a delegation to the U-S this week for a
fourth round of tariff negotiations.
HARVARD ARGUES WHITE HOUSE VIOLATED CONSTITUTION OVER FUNDING FREEZE
Harvard University lawyers argued in a Boston court on Monday that the Trump
administration blatantly violated the U.S. Constitution by freezing federal
funding.
It follows the White House freezing (停止) around two billion dollars' worth
of grants to the elite (精英) private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Mitch McCann reports:
Milan Mayor Denies Wrongdoing in Real Estate Probe
Milan's mayor says he will not step down in the face of a sweeping probe into
the city’s massive urban development over the last two decades.
The city’s top urban development official resigned while denying wrongdoing.
Milan prosecutors last week announced the investigation into Milan’s real
estate boom that has seen skyscrapers transform the city’s skyline and
entire neighborhoods rebuilt.
It includes the construction of a new Olympic village for the 2026
Milan-Cortina Winter Games.
The investigation targets more than 70 people for a system of corruption that
prosecutors allege made Italy’s financial and fashion capital “a commodity
to be plundered (被掠奪).’
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 68-points this morning from Friday's close, at 23,314
on turnover of 5.3-billion N-T.
The market gained solid ground on relativily strong turnover on Friday, after
Wall Street rose to more records overnight following better than-expected
updates on America's economy and a mixed set of profit reports from several
leading U-S companies.
Police investigating egg throwing in front of DPP's Taipei headquarters
Police in Taipei say they're investigating incidents of eggs being thrown at
the D-P-P headquarters building.
Eggs were reportedly thrown at the building on Beiping East Road during an
anti-recall rally organized by the Taiwan People's Party.
Speaking at the event, T-P-P Chairman, Huang Kuo-chang called on voters to
turn out (出席) in support of five of the K-M-T candidates facing recalls
this coming Saturday.
The event was attended by all eight members of the T-P-P legislative caucus
and the five Taipei K-M-T lawmakers being targeted by the recall.
Taiwan's new representative arrives in Thailand
Taiwan's new representative to Thailand, Peter Lan has arrived in Bangkok to
take up his post.
Lan and his wife were greeted by his deputy and staff at the Taipei Economic
and Cultural Office in Thailand, as well as Taiwanese businesspeople and
expats on their arrival at Bangkok's main international airport.
Speaking briefly there, Lan said he plans to promote (推動) cooperation and
build connections between Taiwan and Thailand in trade, technology,
education, labor and culture.
Lan arrived in Thailand after serving as the head of the foreign ministry's
Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs since July of 2023.
Indonesia Ferry Fire Leaves 3 Dead
Indonesian rescuers evacuating people from a passenger ferry that caught fire
at sea say more than 560 were rescued and three died.
The ferry was making a regular half-day journey to Manado, the capital of
North Sulawesi province, from a port in the same province Sunday when the
fire started about midday.
Rescue crews pulled many people from the sea, and local fishermen also saved
some survivors (倖存者) as they were drifting in the choppy waters.
Authorities previously said five people died, but revised it to three Monday
after two passengers initially reported as dead were saved in a hospital.
Request to unseal Epstein grand jury transcripts likely to disappoint,
ex-prosecutors say
A former prosecutor says a request to unseal the Epstein grand jury
transcripts (文字記錄) are likely to disappoint.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
Japan Decontaminated Soil at PM Office
Decontaminated but slightly radioactive soil from Fukushima has been
delivered to the Japanese prime minister’s office to be reused in an effort
to showcase its safety.
Officials say the soil meets safety standards set by the Environment Ministry
and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
It will be covered with topsoil in a lawn garden to keep radiation levels
negligible and monitored regularly.
Saturday's delivery marks the first reuse of such soil outside Fukushima
experiments (實驗).
The government hopes this move will reassure the public of its safety as it
seeks to reduce the massive volume of contaminated soil stored near the
nuclear plant.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 232-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,346 on turnover of $9.8-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed slightly higher Thursday as contract chipmaker TSMC
moved in a narrow rage ahead of an investor conference slated to open after
the trading session.
Analysts say investors remained cautious before the chipmaker gave guidance
for the third quarter, and it was no surprise that the Taiex fell into
consolidation mode throughout the session.
Attention shifted to select old economy stocks and the buying provided some
support to the broader market.
5 arrested on suspicion of money laundering via virtual accounts
The Criminal Investigation Bureau says it had busted a money laundering ring
and arrested five people suspected of using e-commerce platforms to conceal
(隱藏) the flow of illicit funds.
The CIB says the raid and arrests followed an investigation of suspicious
financial flows, facilitated by illegal third-party payment providers and a
gambling syndicate (聯合組織).
Investigators say the money laundering ring was essentially providing
"real-time payment services" for a gambling syndicate involving about
$30-billion NT over a one-year period.
After months of surveillance and investigation, the CIB task force launched a
coordinated raid of the two third-party payment companies on March 13-th and
arrested five suspects.
They were handed over to the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office on
charges that included fraud and money laundering.
Trump denies plans to fire Fed Chair Powell
Donald Trump has denied he plans to fire the head of the US central bank
Jerome Powell.
The president has reportedly drafted a letter of termination (解僱) for the
Federal Reserve chairman, but is now walking back claims he's planning to let
him go.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington.
UN Chief Wants More Progress from Cyprus Talks
The United Nations chief says he would have liked more results from his
meetings with the rival leaders of divided Cyprus.
The Turkish Cypriot leader said Thursday that he was “very, very upset”
that there was no agreement on opening four new border crossings.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the meetings “constructive”
(建設性的) and pointed to progress on four of the six initiatives the leaders
agreed to in March.
But he cautioned that “there’s a long road ahead.”
The Mediterranean island was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded following a
coup by supporters of uniting the island with Greece.
Only Turkey recognizes a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence, and it
maintains more than 35,000 troops in the island’s northern third.
Brazil Lower House Passes Controversial Environmental Legislation
Brazil’s lower house has passed a controversial bill that overhauls
environmental legislation.
The bill simplifies environmental licensing, allowing companies to
self-declare compliance (遵守) online.
Environmental experts warn this could increase pollution, deforestation, and
water scarcity while threatening protected areas.
Over 300 non-profits, including Greenpeace and WWF Brazil, have opposed the
bill, calling it a major setback.
The legislation now awaits President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s decision to
either approve or veto it, fully or partially.
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Taiwan: hope China will follow olympic protocol in naming
Beijing says, Chinese media will continue to refer to Taiwan's team as
"Taipei, China" in reports on the upcoming World Games in Chengdu…
while Taiwan said it "hopes" the Chinese sides will follow the "Olympic
Protocol" and refer to its team as "Chinese Taipei."
A spokesperson from China's Taiwan Affairs Office said that protocol only
applies to sports-related matters and has been, and will continue to be,
implemented at international sporting events held in China…
but he said that the protocol does not apply to news media or areas beyong
sports events.
The spokesman's remarks indicate that China will continue to use the name
that Taiwanese authorities see as diminishing of Taiwan's status- Taipei,
China- instead of the olympic-approved "Chinese Taipei."
The situation mirrors a controversy earlier this year during the Asian Winter
Games in Harbin, where both the Taiwan Office and media in China referred to
the delegation of Taiwan as "Taipei, China."
The games are set to be held in Chengdu in august.
Molicel cell maker adjusts capacity following plant fire
Molie Quantum Energy Corporation announced yesterday that it will adjust
production capacity at its Southern Taiwan Science Park facility.
The park will support high-end product shipments originally (起初) handled by
the Kaohsiung facility.
This comes after a fire broke out at its lithium-ion battery cell plant in
Kaohsiung earlier this week.
The company's battery cell brand, Molicel, supplies premium markets including
supercars, aerospace, and AI server data center backup systems.
The Southern Taiwan Science Park facility's three production lines will begin
assisting with shipments next month.
(AH-CNA)
GHF: 20 Palestinians Killed at Distribution Site
An American aid organization says 20 Palestinians were killed at a
distribution site in Gaza.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said it believed 19 died from trampling
Wednesday at its food distribution (分發) center and one was stabbed.
The group accuses Hamas of spreading panic but provided no evidence.
Witnesses said GHF guards threw stun grenades and used pepper spray on people
pressing to get into the site before it opened, causing panic.
The United Nations reports 875 Palestinians have died near aid sites since
May.
Meanwhile, hospital officials say Israeli strikes killed 54 others, including
14 children.
Israel says its strikes target Hamas, accusing the group of hiding among
civilians.
Officials downgrade Alaska tsunami warning after 7.3 magnitude earthquake
From the US…..
A Tsunami warning for parts of Alaska has now been downgraded (降級).
AP’s Lisa Dwyer reports
Belgium Festival Fire
A huge fire has damaged (損壞) the main stage at the Tomorrowland festival
site in Belgium.
The fire broke out on Wednesday in the town of Boom, north of Brussels.
No concerts were happening at the time and no injuries were reported. I
The festival, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors from across
Europe, was set to open on Friday.
In a statement shared online, festival organizers said the stage was
“severely damaged” but that no one was hurt.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 132-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,968 on turnover of $5.5-billion N-T.
Japan's defense ministry highlights Chinese military drills around Taiwan
Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani highlighted Chinese drills around
Taiwan yesterday in the defense white paper.
His ministry emphasized China's intensification of the drills surrounding
Taiwan since last year, and they accuse Beijing of trying to isolate the DPP
government.
The document points out that China has been actively increasing its military
presence around Taiwan in recent years.
The report noted Beijing's large-scale drills after President Lai Ching Te's
inauguration in May of last year, as well as those around National Day on
October 10th.
Beijing aims to criticize the Lai administration and deter the US from
deepening security ties with Taiwan, according to the report.
The PRC further aims to divide Taiwanese society and isolate the Lai
government by using a dual strategy of hardline (強硬的) military action in
addition to pushing to strengthen economic ties with Taiwan.
The report says that the exercises around Taiwan share three main
characteristics, including combat training, propaganda orientation, and
normalization.
Notably, the report emphasizes that the exercises serve as a political
messaging tool for the CCP, who broadcast footage of the drills widely.
Nakatani says, Japan will reinforce its defense capabilities and respond
calmly.
(AH-CNA)
EU Seeking Action from Israel on Aid to Gaza
The European Union is seeking updates and more action from Israel on
implementing a new deal to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The deal aims to provide food and fuel to Gaza’s 2.3 million residents after
more than 21 months of war.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Tuesday there was a need for
effective implementation (執行) and called for a ceasefire.
Ministers meeting in Brussels will also discuss Iran’s nuclear program,
tensions in Georgia and Moldova and new sanctions on Russia.
Supreme Court paves way for Department of Education dismantling
The US Supreme Court has paved the way for the dismantling of the Department
of Education - saying the Trump administration can move ahead with mass
layoffs.
A lower court had blocked the move over concerns that gutting (摧毀內部) the
agency would undermine its mission - which is dictated by Congress.
Toni Waterman has more.
France PM Proposes Cutting Two Public Holidays
France’s prime minister has proposed cutting two public holidays to save
money in next year’s budget.
He suggested on Tuesday to remove Easter Monday and Victory Day which marks
the Allied victory over the Nazis.
The prime minister argued that this would boost tax revenues from increased
economic activity.
The proposal is part of a broader plan to save $51.3 billion US dollars and
reduce France’s debt and deficit.
President Emmanuel Macron tasked the prime minister with balancing these cuts
while increasing defense spending.
The plan faces opposition from unions and political rivals (競爭對手).
The government has no parliamentary majority and must secure support to pass
the budget this fall.
That leaves its fate uncertain.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 3-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,618
on turnover of 3.5-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed lower Monday as investors remained concerned U.S.
President Donald Trump's tariff policies after he intensified trade tensions
by announcing a 30 percent levy on imports from Europe and Mexico over the
weekend.
Analysts say the bellwether electronics sector led the downturn on the
broader market as investors locked in profits built by the sector last week,
helping the Taiex rebound.
KMT Volunteers Receive Deferred Prosecution for Forged Recall Petitions
Nineteen individuals associated with the KMT New Taipei City party
headquarters have been granted deferred prosecution, in a case involving
forged recall petitions.
The New Taipei District Prosecutor's Office is investigating alleged forgery
in recall petitions targeting DPP legislators including Su Chiao-hui, Chang
Hong-lu and Lee Kun-cheng, indicting over 31 people on charges related to
violating personal data protection laws and forgery last month.
Now the office says 19 individuals, including KMT volunteers and relatives,
admitted to forging (偽造) signatures on recall petitions, and received a
one-year deferred prosecution.
The individuals must also complete three hours of legal education and eighter
pay a fine of up to $30-thousand NT to the public treasury, or perform 40
hours of community service.
(NS)
Trump threatens 100% tariffs if no Ukraine-Russia ceasfire in 50 days
US President Donald Trump has threatened "secondary tariffs" if Russia does
not reach a ceasefire (停火) deal with Ukraine in the next 50 days.
He has also agreed to send new weapons to Ukraine under an agreement that
will see NATO members buy American-made arms.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
UN Global Vaccine Coverage Report Warns of Unequal Access
U.N. health officials reported that more than 14 million children did not
receive a single vaccine last year.
In their annual estimate of global vaccine coverage, released today, the
World Health Organization and UNICEF said access to vaccines remained
“deeply unequal” and that conflict and humanitarian crises quickly
unraveled progress.
The data showed that nine countries accounted for 52% of all children who
missed out on immunizations entirely: Nigeria, India, Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia,
Indonesia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Angola.
The WHO and UNICEF said that coverage against measles rose slightly, with 76%
of children worldwide receiving both vaccine doses.
But experts say measles vaccine rates need to reach 95% to prevent outbreaks
of the extremely contagious (傳染性的) disease.
WHO noted that 60 countries reported big measles outbreaks last year,
including the US, which is now having its worst measles outbreak in more than
three decades.
Germany Tarantula Smuggling Attempt Busted
Customs officials have released photos from a seizure of roughly
1-thousand-500 young tarantulas found inside plastic containers that had been
hidden in chocolate spongecake boxes shipped to an airport in western
Germany.
Customs officials said the shipment was found at Cologne Bonn airport in a
package that had arrived from Vietnam.
The tarantulas were discovered three weeks ago.
But the customs office only made the photos public on Monday.
The office says many of the eight-legged creatures didn't survive the trip,
while survivors were given to the care of an expert handler.
Criminal proceedings are underway (正在進行) against the intended recipient.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 72-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,679 on turnover of 39-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed higher Friday as rotational buying escalated, helping
the broader market recoup its losses earlier in the session at a time of
lingering concerns over the United States' arbitrary (隨意的) tariff threats.
TSMC's suppliers got a boost from rotational buying, and Largan Precision
Co., a supplier of smartphone camera lenses to Apple Inc., reported a large
foreign exchange loss for the second quarter, citing a stronger Taiwan
dollar.
3 soldiers injured during drills
Three soldiers were injured in an accident over the weekend while
participating in the Han Kuang drills.
The injuries were not life-threatening.
The incident occurred when a light reconnaissance tactical vehicle assigned
to the 8th Army Corps struck a roadside curb in Kaohsiung.
Officials say, the three injured servicemen in the vehicle were taken to a
hospital for treatment, where doctors found that they sustained (持續) bone
fractures and contusions.
Authorities plan to strengthen training on military vehicle driving safety.
That's the third military vehicle-related accident since the live-fire phase
of the annual Han Kuang exercises began on Wednesday, but no injuries were
reported in the other two incidents.
(AH-CNA)
F4 reunites during concert at Taipei Arena
Taiwanese boy band F4 reunited on stage over the weekend during the finale of
pop-rock band Mayday's concert at Taipei Arena.
The performance was the first time since 2016 that the members of F4 shared a
public appearance together.
Their reunion as guests at Mayday's final of eight Taipei Arena concerts was
revealed last month, and Mayday members say the appearance (公開露面,) took
two years of planning.
F4 officiallly disbanded in 2009 and its members spread into different areas
of the Asian entertainment industry.
(AH-CNA)
France Announces More Military Spending
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced $7.6 billion euros in
additional military spending over the next two years.
Speaking Sunday, he cited unprecedented threats from Russia, terrorism and
online attacks.
Macron aims to double annual defense spending to $74.8 billion by 2027,
compared to $37 billion in 2017.
He has stressed the need for a powerful military to protect freedom and
Europe amid growing dangers, including Russia’s war in Ukraine and global
disinformation (假資訊) campaigns.
Macron also calls for a strategic dialogue with European partners on
France’s nuclear arsenal.
His plan faces criticism from left-wing parties over potential cuts to social
programs.
US Kentucky Church Shooting Leaves Multiple Injured
From the US…..
Multiple (多個的) people have been hurt in a church shooting in Kentucky.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
Trump UK 2nd State Visit
U.S. President Donald Trump will make an unprecedented (空前的) second state
visit to the U.K. between Sept. 17 and 19th.
Buckingham Palace says Trump will be accompanied (陪伴) by his wife, Melania
Trump during the three-day visit.
He will be hosted by King Charles II and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
No U.S. president has been invited for a second state visit.
Trump also conducted a state visit in 2019 during his first term when he was
hosted by Charles’s late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
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MOFA thanks NATO chief for comments in China's ambition of taking Taiwan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it welcomes comments by NATO Secretary
General Mark Rutte concerning China's military buildup and its ambitions
toward Taiwan.
According to the ministry, the Lai administration will continue working with
partners such as the G-7 and NATO to contribute to peace and stability in the
Indo-Pacific and Taiwan Strait.
The statement comes after Rutte has issued a warning over China's threat to
Taiwan earlier this week - in which he called the growing alignment (結盟)
between Beijing, Moscow and other authoritarian regimes a serious threat to
global stability.
Rutte was speaking at a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich
Merz in Berlin - and said China is increasingly preparing to pursue its
ambitions to take over Taiwan and will likely do so in coordination with
Russia.
Rutte, made a similar warning in a recent interview with the New York Times,
saying Beijing could attempt to seize Taiwan while urging Moscow to launch a
parallel attack on NATO territory.
Tainan cancels urban resilience drills due to typhoon
The Tainan City Government has announced that the city's urban resilience
drills scheduled for July 16 will be canceled, as it prioritizes disaster
relief and reconstruction (重建) after Typhoon Danas battered the south.
According to Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che, efforts are still underway to
restore power and water to areas affected by the storm - which caused power
outages for 282,000 households and downed over 600 utility poles.
Some 84-per cent of power has now been restored.
Huang says over 1,300 military personnel are supporting disaster relief.
The Chiayi City and County governments have also announced the cancellation
of their urban resilience drills - which had been scheduled for July 15.
US weighs new severe sanctions on Russia
Russia could face severe new US sanctions as President Donald Trump and
Republican congressional leaders begin to show more openness to a bill that
would punish (懲罰) Russia for its war in Ukraine.
Kate fisher reports from Washington
Ecuador Passes Law Allowing Private Companies to Manage Protected Land
Ecuador’s parliament has passed a law allowing private companies to help
manage protected areas, prompting backlash from Indigenous groups and
environmental advocates.
Critics say the legislation violates the country’s constitution and at least
15 international agreements, and was approved without proper (恰當的)
consultation.
They warn it could lead to the erosion of Indigenous land rights and
environmental protections.
The government argues the law, which passed on Thursday, will strengthen
oversight, promote ecotourism and combat illegal mining without allowing
extractive activity.
Moo Deng Celebrates Birthday
Thousands of fans have flocked to a Thailand zoo to celebrate the first
birthday of Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo that's become a social media
sensation.
The Khao Kheow Open Zoo on Thursday launched a four-day event featuring free
entry for children under 12.
Fans from around the world, including the United States and Malaysia,
traveled to see Moo Deng, who charmed visitors with her playful antics
(滑稽動作).
The zoo also held auctions of Moo Deng-themed items to support animal care.
Pygmy hippos are native to West Africa.
They are endangered, with only 2,000-3,000 left in the wild.
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No bumps in trade talks with US
Educational facility typhoon damage estimated at NT$260 million
Red Sea Cargo Ship Sinks After Houthi Attack
Trump hosts African leaders at White House
Czech Republic Bans DeepSeek Products in State Admins
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 109-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,253 on turnover of 4.8-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Tuesday amid lingering investor concerns over U-S
tariff policies.
Market watchers say investors appear cautious, as they await a possible trade
agreement between Taiwan and the U-S, while foreign institutional investors
continue to hold a large number of short futures contracts, indicating they
also remain wary of the tariff issues.
Taiwan to ask allies to raise China flight route issue at ICAO meet
The government reportedly plans to ask Taiwan's diplomatic and unofficial
allies to raise the issue of China's decision to unilaterally launch a new
flight route in the Taiwan Strait at the International Civil Aviation
Organization's triennial assembly (三年一次的).
It comes comes after China on Sunday announced that it will open the
northwest-to-southeast W-121 route connecting Dongshan in Zhejiang province
to the north-south M-503 flight route in the Taiwan Strait.
The International Civil Aviation Organization's triennial assembly will be
taking place in Montreal in September
Taiwan last attended the event as a guest in 2013.
CDC offers free syphilis tests to under-24s as youth cases rise
The Centers for Disease Control has rolled out free, rapid syphilis tests to
people under the age of 24.
The program began on July 1 and is available through 13 participating
hospitals nationwide.
The C-D-C's Division of Chronic Infectious Disease says the tests have been
introduced to a rise in the number of cases of syphilis among people aged 13
to 24.
According to the C-D-C, the number of cases involving people in that age
bracket (年齡段) has increased for four consecutive years.
The C-D-C says the free syphilis testing program has no set deadline or quota.
Texas flooding death toll rises to over 100 people
More than 100 people, many of them children, are now confirmed dead after
flash floods ravaged a part of central Texas.
Search efforts are now in their fifth day.
US correspondent Kate Fisher reports
Canada Arrests for Land Seizing Plot
Canadian police have arrested four individuals, including two active members
of Canada's military, for allegedly plotting to seize land in the province of
Quebec.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police announced on Tuesday that three suspects are
charged with facilitating “terrorist activity.”
They allegedly planned to form an anti-government militia and conducted
military-style training and scouting operations.
Police said that the investigation began in March 2023.
That led to January 2024 searches that uncovered explosives, ammunition, and
firearms.
A fourth suspect faces weapons-related charges.
Authorities describe the case as ideologically (意識形態上) motivated
extremism.
The suspects allegedly used Instagram to recruit (招募) members.
Greece Closes Acropolis Due to Heat
Authorities in Athens closed the Acropolis for several hours due to high
temperatures.
The closure lasted from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
Mandatory work breaks remain in effect in parts of Greece, especially islands
and central regions where temperatures have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius.
These measures, which began Monday, include fines of 2,000 euros per worker
for noncompliance.
Officials warn that the risk of wildfires, already at a "very high" level in
the eastern mainland, could worsen (惡化) later this week.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 53-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,375 on turnover of 3.7-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Monday as investors anxiously awaited for news on
"reciprocal tariffs" to be imposed by the United States following a 90-day
pause which ends on Wednesday.
Market watchers say investors were nervous (緊張的) due to a lack of guidance
concerning the status of tariff talks between Taiwan and the U-S.
Power grid disrupted as Danas swept across Taiwan
Tai-Power says electricity has been restored to over 450,000 households
affected by power outages as Danas swept across Taiwan yesterday.
According to the state-generator, more than 650 electricity poles and three
transmission towers collapsed (倒塌) as a result of the storm.
That resulted in over 710,000 households being left without power at the peak
of the storm.
Tai-Power says the hardest-hit areas included Chiayi city and country - which
together saw more than 250,000 outages.
While 190,000 households lost power in Tainan.
Tai-Power says it mobilized 4,000 personnel for emergency repairs.
Two women on scooter killed in knife attack in New Taipei
Police in New Taipei say a man remains in custody (拘留) following the
stabbing of two woman in the city's Tucheng District.
According to law enforcement officials, the two women died after they were
allegedly stabbed multiple times by one of the women's husbands while on a
scooter.
Police say the man had been following them in car prior to the stabbing.
Both women were rushed by a nearby hospital, but were later pronounced dead.
The suspect was arrested by police in Changhua County some three hours later.
The suspect is being held in custody as prosecutors investigate whether he
should be charged with murder.
More than 90 dead in Texas floods as search efforts continue
Search efforts are continuing for a fourth day for dozens of people still
missing following flash floods in central Texas - even as more storms are
forecast (預報).
US correspondent Kate Fisher reports
UN Resolution Against Taliban Oppression of Women and Girls
The U.N. General Assembly has adopted a resolution over U.S. objections
calling on Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers to reverse their worsening
oppression of women and girls and eliminate all terrorist organizations.
The 11-page resolution also emphasizes “the importance of creating
opportunities for economic recovery, development and prosperity (繁榮) in
Afghanistan,” and urges donors to address the country’s dire humanitarian
and economic crisis.
The resolution adopted Monday is not legally binding but is seen as a
reflection of world opinion.
The vote was 116 in favor, with two — the United States and close ally
Israel — opposed, and 12 abstentions, including Russia, China, India and
Iran.
UAE Singing Highway
A highway in the United Arab Emirates now plays Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony
as cars drive over special rumble strips.
Known as the "Street of Music," this art project spans nearly a kilometer on
the E84 highway coming into the city of Fujairah.
Drivers in the right-hand lane can hear the iconic "Ode to Joy" as they drive
over the rumble strips.
The strips look like a larger, rectangular version of the dash lines
separating the three-lane highway, and the grooves of the road combine with
the speed of the vehicle to make music.
The experience is a collaboration (合作) between Fujairah Fine Arts Academy
and local authorities which aims to blend art with daily life.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from Friday's close, at
22,550 on turnover of 2.1 -billion N-T.
The market closed down on Friday as uncertainties over U-S tariff policies
continued to impact investor sentiment after U-S President Donald Trump said
letters will be countries specifying what "reciprocal" tariffs they will face
without an extension of a 90-day pause.
Danas downgraded as storm moves away from Taiwan
The Central Weather Administration has downgraded typhoon Danas to a tropical
storm as it continues to move away from Taiwan.
The storm is currently located some 70-kilometers north-northwest of Taipei
and moving in a north-north-easterly direction at speeds of between 10 and
16-kilometers-an-hour.
Danas now has a radius of 100-kilometers and is packing sustained wind speeds
of 90-kilometers-an-hour, with gust of up to 119-kilometers-an-hour.
Land and seas warnings are still in effect - with the land warnings currently
covering Keelung, New Taipei, Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli and Yilan.
The weather administration is expected to lift the remaining land warnings by
noon at the earliest, while the sea warning is expected to remain in place
until this evening.
The High Speed Rail Corporation has now resumed full services, while the
Taiwan Railway Corporation will resume regular services this afternoon.
Tai-Power says some 490,000 households lost power as the storm impacted
Taiwan proper - and some 380,00 of households in are still waiting for power
supplies to resume.
Most of those effected households are in the Tainan area.
Israel Houthis Trade Fire
Israel’s military launched airstrikes early today targeting ports and
facilities held by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, with the rebels responding with
missile fire targeting Israel.
The attacks came after a suspected Houthi attack targeting a ship in the Red
Sea that caught fire and took on water, later forcing its crew to abandon the
vessel.
The Israeli military said it struck Houthi-held ports at Hodeida, Ras Isa and
Salif.
The Houthis then responded with an apparent missile attack on Israel.
The Israeli military said it attempted to intercept (攔截) the missile, but
it appeared to make impact, though there were no immediate reports of
injuries from the attack.
Pressure from Trump for trade deals before Wednesday deadline, but hints of
more time for talks
The U.S. is putting the pressure (壓力) on trading partners to make a new
deal before a Wednesday deadline.
AP correspondent Donna Warder reports.
Spain begins BullRunning Festival
Tens of thousands of revelers have packed Pamplona’s town hall square in
northern Spain to celebrate the traditional firework blast that marks the
start of the San Fermin bull-running festival.
The highlight of the nine-day festival, which started on Sunday, is the early
morning bull runs, when thousands of runners sprint to avoid six bulls
charging along a winding cobblestoned route to the city’s bullring.
The festival is not without controversy, with gorings and injuries among
runners, as well as bull fights where animals that run int he morning are
slain by professional matadors (鬥牛士) each afternoon.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 44-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,757
on turnover of $4.5-billion N-T.
MODA to bring Threads under its anti-fraud regulatory framework
The Ministry of Digital Affairs says it will officially place Threads under
its anti-fraud regulatory framework from September 15.
According to the ministry, the text-based social media app is being included
under regulatory management as it has a growing number of users in Taiwan and
poses the risk of it being used to publish fraudulent advertisements.
It's the seventh online advertising platform to have regulated under the
Fraud Crime Hazard Prevention Act - which went into effect in July of last
year.
The Act was introduced as part of efforts to push major online platform
operators Meta, Line, Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, and Google to implement
stronger anti-fraud measures.
The law requires platforms to verify (核實) advertisers, develop anti-fraud
strategies, and promptly remove fraudulent content upon request.
They must also publish transparency reports detailing their efforts at
combating online fraud.
Freediver breaks 2 continental records at Japan world championship
Taiwan freediver Zhan Kai-xiang has won three gold medals and broken two
Asian records at the 34th AIDA Freediving Pool World Championship in
Wakayama.
Zhan won gold in the Dynamic With Fins and Dynamic Without Fins events -
swimming 300-meters with fins and 240-meters without, both in a single
breath.
His 300-meter swim also set a new Taiwan national record.
He also won silver in the Dynamic With Bifins event, covering 270-meters in
one breath, and set another national record in the Static Apnea by holding
his breath for 8-minutes and 41-seconds.
Zhan was crowned the overall men's champion.
It was his third gold medal at the AIDA competition (競賽).
SKorea Claims North Korean Man in Custody After Crossing Border
South Korea’s military says an unidentified North Korean man crossed the
heavily fortified land border separating the two Koreas and is in custody.
The South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said today that the military identified
and tracked the individual near the military demarcation line and conducted
(實施) a guiding operation to take the person into custody.
It said authorities plan to investigate the border crossing and did not
immediately say whether they view the incident as a defection attempt.
The Joint Chiefs said it wasn’t immediately detecting any signs of unusual
military activity by the North.
Trump and Putin discuss Ukraine, Iran in phone call says Kremlin
US President Donald Trump and Russia's leader Vladimir Putin have had "a
detailed discussion" about the war in Ukraine and Iran in an almost hour-long
phone call according to (據…所說) the Kremlin.
Ukraine's President Volodomyr Zelensky is also planning to speak to Mr Trump
as soon as Friday, after Washington announced it would stop sending some
weapons to Kyiv.
Jagruti Dave reports from Washington.
Ethiopia Dam Completed
Ethiopia’s prime minister says the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the
Nile has been completed.
Egypt has long opposed (反對) the dam as a potential threat to its water
supply.
Egypt relies almost entirely on the Nile for agriculture and its population
of over 100 million.
Ethiopia disputes these concerns and plans to officially inaugurate (發動)
the dam soon.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Ethiopia's growth would not come
at the expense of Egypt and Sudan.
The dam, on the Blue Nile near the Sudan border, already generates power and
ultimately (最終) is expected to double Ethiopia's electricity output.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 129-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,707 on turnover of 8.7-billion N-T.
The market closed moderatly higher on Wednesday on the back of last-ditch
buying focusing on select electronics and old economy heavyweights.
But turnover remained thin - with market watchers saying that's an indication
that many investors are uneasy as the end of a 90-day pause on U-S tariffs is
fast approaching.
VP warns Taiwan and the US face 'bumps' in ongoing tariff talks
Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim says she believes Taiwan and the U-S are having
some "bumps" due to the potential imposition of sweeping tariffs on Taiwanese
goods by Washington …
…. but both sides are still talking with the hope of reaching a mutually
acceptable solution.
Hsiao made the comments at reception hosted by the American Institute in
Taiwan to celebrate U-S Independence Day.
Meanwhile,
A-I-T Director Raymond Greene, said in his address that the U-S and Taiwan's
economies are "well-positioned to help each other thrive (蓬勃發展),
especially in new and critical technologies" …
And Greene also praised Taiwan's expertise in high-tech, large-scale
production saying its "the perfect match for innovative U-S drone companies."
CDC reports 1st imported case of P. knowlesi malaria in 20 years
The Centers for Disease Control is reporting Taiwan's first case of P.
knowlesi malaria in 20 years.
The strain is primarily found in Southeast Asia and the C-D-C says the case
was imported.
C-D-C spokesman Philip Luo says the patient began experiencing symptoms
before entering Taiwan on June 19 and sought medical attention on June 25.
He was diagnosed with malaria two days later and remains hospitalized.
The new case has prompted (促使，提示) the C-D-C to lift the travel alert for
the Philippines to Level 1 for malaria.
US Freezes Some Weapons Shipments to Ukraine
The White House has confirmed that the US has frozen the shipment of some air
defense and precision guided weapons that were on track to be sent to
Ukraine.
Officials said the decision followed an assessment (評估) of U.S. stockpiles.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington
Indonesia Ferry Sinking Leaves Dozens Missing
Rescuers are searching for 43 people missing in rough seas overnight after a
ferry carrying 65 people sank near Indonesia’s resort island of Bali.
The ferry sank almost half an hour after leaving East Java’s Ketapang port
late Wednesday.
The ferry carried 53 passengers, 12 crew members and 22 vehicles.
Two bodies have been recovered and 20 were rescued, many of them unconscious
after drifting in choppy (波浪滔滔的) waters for hours.
Nine boats have been searching for the missing people.
Japan Emporer to Honor WWII POWS in Mongolia
Japan's Emperor Naruhito has announced plans to honor Japanese World War II
prisoners during his visit to Mongolia next week.
Speaking Wednesday, he highlighted the hardships faced by thousands of
Japanese POWs who were captured (俘虜) after the Soviet Union declared war on
Japan in 1945.
Around 12-to-14-thousand prisoners were forced into labor under harsh
(嚴酷的) conditions, with about 1,700 dying in Mongolia.
Naruhito’s visit marks the 80th anniversary of the war's end as he continues
his efforts to promote peace.
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本月入主NISSAN任一車款再贈Dyson時尚吹風機組，及零利率方案，讓消費者輕鬆入主、無壓升級NISSAN車款。
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－－－－以上為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－
Tai-Ex opening down 90 points
Lai calls for public support of military investment
Whooping cough cases hit 10-year high after surge in June
Europe experiencing heat wave
Trump's visit to a new migrant detention center
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 163-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,419 on turnover of 6.4-billion N-T.
The market tumbled more than 300-points on Monday, as investor concerns over
the strength of the New Taiwan dollar against the U-S dollar persisted and on
the back of selling by foreign institutional investors.
New national, local rules taking effect in Taiwan in July
Several amended national regulations are gradually taking effect this month.
They include the Central Weather Administration's wind strength forecast for
coastal townships during typhoon season.
The administration will also hold video conferences with the mayors and
magistrates of coastal locations to address the difference in wind strength
observed inland and around the coast.
The move is part of efforts to provide local leaders with more information
when contemplating (考慮) work and school suspensions.
Meanwhile,
The Ministry of the Interior will be carrying out inspections of air raid
shelters beginning this month.
That means buildings constructed with air raid shelters will need to be
reported to the government and be subjected to safety inspections.
The ministry says the safety checks are aimed at ensuring that the buildings
will be up to standard for use by members of the general public during
emergencies and drills.
CWA issues heat alerts
The Central Weather Administration has issued heat alerts for parts of the
island today.
"Orange" alerts are in effect for New Taipei City and Changhua - where the
daily maximum temperature is forecast to reaches 36-degrees for three
consecutive (連續的) days.
While "Yellow" alerts have been issued for Taoyuan, Taichung, Nantou, Yunlin,
Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung and Hualien - where the daily maximum
temperature is forecast to reaches 36-degrees today.
All of the alerts will remain in effect through late this afternoon.
US Idaho New Info on Shootnig of Firefighters
From the US….
Police have new information on the shooting deaths of two firefighters in
Idaho.
AP's Lisa Dwyer reports.
UK Investigation into Glastonbury Performance
British police have launched a criminal investigation into a performance by
rap-punk duo Bob Vylan at the Glastonbury Festival on Saturday, when the
group led chants of “death to the IDF,” or Israel Defense Forces.
The U.S. State Department has revoked their visas, citing the performance as
a “hateful tirade.”
The BBC said it regretted livestreaming the act and called it antisemitic.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned the chants (反复喊叫) as hate
speech.
Irish-language band Kneecap, which has been in the headlines for its
pro-Palestinian stance, is also under investigation.
Police said both performances have been recorded as public order incidents.
Brazil National Museum Offers Sneak Peak
Brazil’s National Museum has offered a glimpse at its renovated building and
collection.
It comes two days before it reopens for visitors and seven years after a
devastating fire destroyed it.
Journalists and special guests previewed the renovated museum in Rio de
Janeiro, where they could also see a large part of its 20-million-artifact
collection.
Brazil’s Education Minister says the museum’s complete renovation is slated
for (預定的) completion by the end of 2027.
He added that the reconstruction budget of almost $95 million is being split
between public and private companies.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 71-points this morning from Friday's close, at 22,508
on turnover of 5.4-billion N-T.
The market closed in positive territory on Friday, as investor concerns about
U-S tariffs receded on the back of positive signs from Taiwan-US negotiations
and as the Israel-Iran ceasefire remains in place - lessening worries about
crude supplies.
Taiwan and UK hold trade talks
Annual trade talks between Taiwan and the U-K are underway in Taipei.
The U-K delegation is being led by Minister for Trade Policy and Economic
Security Douglas Alexander.
According to the British Office, Alexander is visiting Taiwan for two days,
during which time he will meet with President Lai Ching-te and co-chair the
trade talks with Taiwan's Deputy Economics Minister Cynthia Jiang.
The British Office says Alexander will tour the Taiwan Space Agency in
Hsinchu, engage (接合，互動) with representatives from British and Taiwanese
businesses and witness the signing of three Enhanced Trade Partnership
pillars between the U-K and Taiwan.
Bad weather disrupts flights at Kaohsiung and Tainan airports
And,
Heavy rain on Sunday forced temporary suspensions of operations at Kaohsiung
International Airport and Tainan Airport - disrupting multiple flights.
According to the Civil Aviation Administration, Kaohsiung International
Airport halted ground operations at 3:15PM and resumed service some
45-minutes later, affecting 12 flights.
While Tainan Airport suspended ground operations from 4:41PM to 5:37PM, when
two flights were impacted.
The administration says flight delays could also affect other airports with
connections to Tainan and has instructed terminals to notify passengers via
bulletin boards, scrolling (捲動) displays and public announcements.
US Senate Pushes Ahead with Trump Tax Break
From the US…..
The Senate is pushing ahead on President Donald Trump's tax break and
spending cut plan
AP correspondent Donna Warder reports
Turkey Detains Dozens During Istanbul Pride
Turkish authorities have detained over 50 people during Istanbul Pride on
Sunday, continuing a decade-long crackdown on the event.
A heavy police presence forced organizers to change gathering locations
multiple times.
Local media say 54 people were detained, including six lawyers.
By Sunday evening, seven had been released, while 47 remained in custody
(拘留).
Istanbul Pride, once attracting tens of thousands, has been banned since 2015
as the government appeals to conservative supporters.
France Cannes Bans Large Cruise Ships from Harbor
The French city of Cannes is banning cruise ships carrying over 1,000
passengers from its harbor starting next year.
The decision is part of a wider backlash against overtourism.
City officials also cited concerns about pollution.
Larger ships must use smaller boats to transfer visitors to the port.
The new rules limit daily disembarkations (下船) to 6,000 passengers.
Cannes is seeking to balance tourism’s economic benefits while managing
growing crowds.
Cruise ship companies say such measures are counterproductive.
Nearby Nice and other European cities have also introduced cruise ship
restrictions recently.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 12-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,504
on turnover of $4.8-billion N-T.
Cabinet passes plan to develop central Taiwan smart manufacturing hub
Premier Cho Jung-tai instructed the Ministry of Economic Affairs to work
closely with local governments based on a draft plan to transform central
Taiwan into a smart manufacturing hub.
The premier issued the instruction during a weekly Cabinet meeting, at which
a draft plan to turn central Taiwan into a global hub of smart manufacturing
with existing industries and new businesses was approved.
The Cabinet says machinery and precision manufacturing industries in Taichung
will be transformed through the introduction of artificial intelligence to
improve production efficiency and integration of the supply chain.
A-I is also expected to also help the metal manufacturing business in
Changhua to reduce production costs, improve energy efficiency (效率) and
make operations more environmentally friendly.
While technologies will be introduced in Nantou and Yunlin to improve
efficiency in production and distribution of their respective agricultural
and aquacultural products.
Construction on Taichung MRT Blue Line begins
Construction of the Taichung M-R-T's Blue Line has gotten underway at a
groundbreaking ceremony.
The city government has said the 24.7-kilometer line is scheduled for
completion in 2034.
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen says the 20 station Blue Line will run from the
East District to the Port of Taichung, with future extensions planned to the
Mountain Line and Coastal Line areas.
The line will intersect the Green Line at City Hall, forming what Lu called a
"golden cross" - a project she described (形容) as central Taiwan's most
significant infrastructure development over the next decade.
Ukraine Claims Russian Sumy Advance Halted
Ukrainian forces claim to have stopped Russia’s advance into the northern
Sumy region, stabilizing the front line near the border.
Ukraine’s top military commander said on Thursday that this success (成功)
has prevented Russia from redeploying 50,000 troops, including elite units,
to other areas.
Russian officials have not commented on the claim.
Fighting continues along the 1,000-kilometer front line, with Ukraine relying
on drones to counter Russia’s slow but costly advances.
In Donetsk, Russia claims to have captured two villages as part of its
offensive.
Both sides are also launching long-range drone strikes, causing injuries and
damage across multiple regions.
US Sec of Defense Berates Press as New Details on Iran Bombing Emerge
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth berated the press as Anti-Trump during a
briefing on Thursday, but offered no new details on the extent of the damage
caused by US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities.
This comes after a classified preliminary assessment by US intelligence was
leaked (洩漏) to the media - suggesting the damage may not amount to complete
obliteration as the President claims.
Toni Waterman has more from Washington.
UK Steps Back from NAfrica Energy Project
The United Kingdom is stepping back from funding a project to transmit power
generated by North Africa’s winds and sun via underwater cables and is
pivoting instead to projects seen as less risky.
The country’s Energy Security Department said on Thursday it planned to step
back from the $33 billion project due to a “high level of inherent risk,
related to both delivery and security.”
Xlinks said the project would provide an equivalent of 8% of Britain’s
current electricity needs, or roughly 7 million homes.
British officials plan to focus on other wind and solar projects to meet
their goal to generate (產生) all of the country's energy from renewable
sources by 2030.
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2025 Han Kuang exercise to combine civilian and war of attrition drills
Environment ministry to launch PM0.1 monitoring trials in 2026
US Trump Doubles Down on Iran Nuclear Damage
NATO Agrees to Defense Spending Hike
Mexico Investigates Possible SpaceX Rocket Contamination
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 153-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,341 on turnover of 6-billion N-T.
The market rebounded on Tuesday, as it recovered from a recent slump (猛跌)
to close above the key 22,000-point mark as investors reacted positively to
U-S President Donald Trump's announcement that Israel and Iran had reached a
ceasefire.
31 charged over KMT-led recall campaign forged petitions in New Taipei
The New Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted 31 people for
allegedly forging thousands of signatures in recall campaigns targeting three
D-P-P lawmakers.
Prosecutors says all of those charged are affiliated (有關聯的) with the
K-M-T.
According to the prosecutors' office, a total of 2,566 forged recall proposal
forms in the initial petition were found during the investigation.
All 31 people face charges of document forgery and violations of the Personal
Data Protection Act.
Prosecutors says an additional 19 people, including volunteers and associates
of those indicted, have been granted deferred prosecutions.
Taiwan fishing boat captain indicted over dolphin poaching
The Pingtung District Prosecutors' Office has indicted the captain of a
Taiwan-registered long-distance fishing boat for instructing Indonesian crew
members to kill dolphins for use as bait (餌) to catch sharks.
The prosecutors' office says it wrapped up its investigation into the case
earlier this month and evidence found that the boat's captain and seven
foreign crew members violated the Act on Wildlife Conservation.
Prosecutors have granted deferred prosecution to the seven Indonesian
fishermen.
The incident occurred in June of last year, when the vessel was operating in
the northwestern Pacific Ocean.
The illegal act was documented and reported by Canadian authorities and
referred to Ministry of Agriculture for further action.
Japan Test Fires Missile
Japan has test-fired a missile on Japanese territory for the first time as
the country accelerates its military buildup to deter China.
The Type 88 surface-to-ship, short-range missile was tested at a firing range
on Hokkaido and targeted a boat with no crew about 40 kilometers off the
island's southern coast..
Due to space limitations and safety concerns, Japan conducted past missile
tests in the United States, a treaty ally, and Australia, a top Japanese
defense partner where vast (廣大的) training grounds are available.
The military said the test was successful. It plans another through Sunday.
Dozens of protesters stood outside a neighboring army camp, saying missile
tests only escalates tension in Asia and risks for Japan to be involved in
possible conflicts.
Tuesday’s first domestic missile test underscores Japan’s push toward a
more self-sufficient military and its acquisition of strike-back
capabilities.
Millions of Americans under extreme heat warnings
A heat wave has shattered temperature records in several US cities and tens
of millions of Americans remain under extreme heat warnings.
Authorities are urging people to take precautions (預防措施) to avoid
heat-related illnesses.
Ira Spitzer reports
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 295-points this morning from Friday's close, at 21,750
on turnover of 4.4-billion N-T.
The market rose on Friday, after crude oil prices have rebounded, but
investors remain wary about whether the U-S will launch an attack on Iran
within the next two weeks.
CSBC refutes submarine prototype hull deformation rumor
C-S-B-C is refuting reports that have been appearing on the internet claiming
its Narwhal indigenous submarine prototype showed signs of hull deformation
during its initial sea trials last week.
The shipbuilder says protrusion on the port side of the bow of the Narwhal,
houses the submarine's passive ranging sonar system, and was not a
deformation as has been alleged by some internet users.
According to C-S-B-C, the sonar dome protects the sonar system, and the
protrusion (凸起) is due to the installation of high-precision electronic
sonar components inside the dome.
Reports say the posts on the internet are believed to be part Beijing's
campaign to spread military disinformation targeting Taiwan.
Debutant Lee Kuang-hsin shatters record to win Cross Penghu Bay Swim
And,
First-time competitor Lee Guang-hsin slashed 23-minutes off the men's
5,000-meter record to claim victory in the 23rd Cross Penghu Bay Swim's
marquee (大牌的) race.
Lee led from start to finish, completing the crossing from Da-Guo-Ye Columnar
Basalt on Xiyu Island to Guanyin Temple on Penghu's main island in 1-hour,
17-minutes and 51-seconds.
Organizers say more than 2,300 took to the water for the two-day multisport
festival - which began on Saturday with 600 amateur swimmers braving changing
currents and jellyfish to make the 500-meter crossing of Penghu Bay.
Syria Suicide Bomber Kills 20 in Church
A suicide bomber has killed at least 20 in a Greek Orthodox church in Syria
AP correspondent Donna Warder reports
Turkey Detains Journalist Critical of Erdogan
Turkish state media say authorities have formally arrested a prominent
journalist on Sunday for allegedly "threatening" President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan online.
The detention of Fatih Altayli, whose daily commentaries on YouTube attract
hundreds of thousands of viewers, comes amid a widespread crackdown on the
opposition.
State-run Anadolu Agency said he was questioned after his detention late
Saturday over a comment he made following a recent poll that showed more than
70% of the public opposed (反對) a lifetime presidency for Erdogan, who has
been in power for more than two decades.
Local media says Altayli denied the accusation during police questioning.
Spain Reaches NATO Deal on Defense Spending Target
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says that Spain reached a deal with NATO to be
excluded from a 5% of GDP defense spending target.
The deal was reached days before the military alliance’s leaders will gather
at a summit in The Hague.
Sanchez said that Spain would be able to keep its commitments to the
32-nation military alliance by spending 2.1% of GDP on defense needs.
In letters exchanged on Sunday between NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and
Sanchez, Spain was granted the exemption (免除，豁免) and the language around
the 5% spending target was adjusted (調整) to no longer include all 32
allies.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 43-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,961 on turnover of $5.1-billion N-T.
The market fell more than 350 points on Thursday as market sentiment was
spooked by the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, and a hint by the
U-S Federal Reserve that it's in no hurry to cut interest rates.
Sell-offs were seen across the board, led by the bellwether electronics
sector, with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in focus, which pushed the
main board below the 240-day moving average of around 22,280-points by the
end of the session.
Philippines grants Taiwan visa-free entry starting July
Taiwan passport holders will be able to travel to the Philippines visa-free
entry starting in July.
The announcement was made by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office.
According to the office, starting July 1, Taiwan passport holders can enter
the Philippines "for tourism purposes without a visa for a non-extendible
(不得延長的) and non-convertible period of 14 days."
However, the office is stressing that Taiwan passport holders planning to
visit the Philippines for more than two weeks or other purposes still need to
apply for a visa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it welcomes the decision.
The announcement comes after Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said on June 13
that Taiwan will be extending its visa-waiver program for Philippine passport
holders for another year starting August 1.
Trump to Decide on Iran Action in 2 Weeks
US President Donald Trump says he will decide on whether to take military
action in Iran within the next two weeks.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the US president
believes there is a "substantial (可觀的) chance of negotiations with Iran in
the near future.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington
Canada Bank Rockslide
Rescue crews, police and paramedics scrambled to a remote Canadian Rocky
Mountain region of Banff National Park amid reports that a group of hikers
were hit by a rock slide.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police say the initial (最初的) report indicated there
were multiple hikers and there may be serious injuries and or fatalities.
The site is north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway, about 200
kilometers northwest of Calgary.
Nigeria Artifacts Returned by Netherlands
The Netherlands has returned 119 artifacts looted from Nigeria, including
human and animal figures, plaques, royal regalia and a bell.
The artifacts, known as the Benin Bronzes and mostly housed in a museum in
the city of Leiden, were looted in the late 19th century by British soldiers.
In recent years, museums across Europe and North America have moved to
address ownership disputes over artifacts looted during the colonial era.
Nigeria formally requested the return of hundreds of objects from museums
around the world in 2022.
The Benin Bronzes were stolen in 1897 when British forces sacked (洗劫，劫掠)
the Benin kingdom and forced the monarch at the time, into a six-month exile.
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✨ 富國島，這樣慢慢的就很好！
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▶️旅行即是犒賞自己的最佳方式👉 https://sofm.pse.is/7rrzch
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由幸福空間《沒有山姆的聊天室》x 今周刊《毛利小姐變有房》
深入聊買房後的裝修設計、軟裝佈置與生活投資眉角，
讓你住得更好也住得更值得！想知道怎麼做最聰明？
立即收聽👉https://sofm.pse.is/7rrzcm
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 118-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,238 on turnover of 7-billion N-T.
The market closed on higher Wednesday as investor interest in the bellwether
electronics and financial sectors resumed ..
… and the main board reversed an initial downturn, as investors remained
upbeat about the local semiconductor sector and continued to increase their
holdings, in particular in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.
Kinmen pork barred from rest of Taiwan amid African swine fever scare
The Ministry of Agriculture has banned shipments of pork and pork products
from Kinmen from entering any other parts of Taiwan after a pig carcass found
on a beach last week tested positive for African swine fever.
The ban currently runs until next Monday.
The ministry says it implemented the measures after it identified (識別,
確定) the virus found in the dead pig as matching a strain currently
spreading in China.
The pig carcass was spotted by the Coast Guard Administration last Saturday
in the northwestern part of Kinmen's main island.
Local animal disease control personnel took samples from the carcass before
it was incinerated and officials say the surrounding area has been
disinfected.
Scandal-hit Vietnam beauty queen dropped as Taiwan tourism ambassador
The Tourism Administration has announced that it terminated its contracts
with a Vietnamese beauty pageant queen immediately after she was accused of
fraud.
Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien won Miss Vietnam in 2018 and Miss Grand International
in 2021.
She was invited to serve as a tourism ambassador by the administration in
2024 to to help boost interest in Taiwan as a travel destination for
Vietnamese people.
However, she was accused of promoting a counterfeit (偽造) fiber supplement
by Vietnamese authorities in April and was arrested for consumer fraud a
month later.
Rights Group Reports Israeli Strikes Kill Over 600 in Iran
A human rights group says Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639
people and wounded over 1-thousand-300 others.
The Washington-based group Human Rights Activists offered the figures, which
covers the entirety of Iran.
It said Thursday it identified over 260 civilians and 150 security force
personnel among the dead.
Iran has not been given regular death tolls during the conflict and has
minimized (最小化) casualties in the past. It has not updated its figures
since Monday.
US Donald Trump says he “may” or “may not” strike Iran
Donald Trump says he "may" or "may not" instruct the US military to strike
Iran, as the situation also exposes (使曝光) divisions within his party and
among his supporters.
Jagruti Dave has more from Washington.
Peru Mummy Discovered
Utility workers excavating trenches to expand the network of natural gas
pipelines in Peru’s capital have uncovered a pre-Inca mummy approximately
1,000 years old, barely half a meter from the surface.
The mummy had gone unnoticed (未被注意到的) despite urban development in a
district of Lima where former agricultural and livestock fields have been
converted into working-class neighborhoods over the past decades.
An archaeologist working on the site says the unearthed mummy was found in a
seated position.
It was covered by a bundle, and still has dark brown hair.
Officials believe the mummy would have belonged to a society of fishermen of
the Chancay culture, which flourished between 1,000 and 1,470 AD.
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全新企劃超強跨界登場！
由幸福空間《沒有山姆的聊天室》x 今周刊《毛利小姐變有房》
深入聊買房後的裝修設計、軟裝佈置與生活投資眉角，
讓你住得更好也住得更值得！想知道怎麼做最聰明？
立即收聽👉https://sofm.pse.is/7rlfr8
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 75-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,135 on turnover of 4.3-billion N-T.
The market rose on Tuesday as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing led the
broader market higher following a rally among tech stocks on Wall Street
overnight.
Interest in T-S-M-C resumed after the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index surged
by just over 3-per cent overnight and that came after the company's American
depositary receipts rose 2.17-per cent.
T-S-M-C's gains contributed about 160 points to the Tai-Ex's overall rise and
helped the electronics index jump by 1.1-per cent.
Taiwan hosts sea drone exhibition
Twelve domestic and foreign companies are participating in a sea drone
technology exhibition in Yilan.
The two-day exhibition is taking place as defense ministry-affiliated
institutions are urging the government to include them in national defense
procurement (採購) and development programs in order to strengthen the
island's deterrence capabilities.
The Ministry of National Defense is set to allocate next year's budget for
the large-scale procurement of unmanned surface vehicles.
According National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology President
Li Shi-qiang, the project will require participation from numerous companies
- both domestic and foreign.
The institute signed a partnership agreement on the sides of the exhibition
with the US and German-based company Auterion for drone software
battle-tested in Ukraine.
Reports say that deal could eventually lead to the technology being used in
millions of drones for Taiwan.
2025 Solar Festival on Now
The Tourism Administration's Solar Festival is now underway, offering a wide
range of summer activities across Taiwan throughout June, July, and August.
From the peaks of Yushan to the coast of Dapeng Bay, the festival highlights
regional experiences designed for both local and international travelers.
To help "visitors" stay cool, enjoy seasonal refreshments (點心和飲料) like
iced tea, cold-brew coffee, and traditional shaved ice available at key
destinations.
Travelers can also take advantage of special transit offers, including Taiwan
Sightseeing Bus tours in Pingtung and Hualien.
For more details, visit the Tourism Administration website.
US Trump Posts Suggest Greater Involvement in IsraelIran Conflict
Donald Trump has fired off a series of highly provocative (挑釁的) social
media posts which seem to suggest the US is about to get much more involved
in the Israel - Iran conflict.
The messages came as the President headed into a meeting with his top
National Security officials in the White House Situation Room on Tuesday.
Toni Waterman has more from Washington.
Indonesia Volcano Eruption
Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano in south-central Indonesia has erupted,
spewing (噴出) towering columns of hot ash.
Authorities raised the eruption alert to the highest level and expanded the
danger zone to about 8 kilometers from the crater.
Indonesia’s Geology Agency said it recorded the volcano unleashing about
10,000 meters of thick grey clouds on Tuesday afternoon.
There were no casualties reported.
Residents were warned to be vigilant (警戒的) about heavy rainfall triggering
lava flows in rivers originating from the volcano.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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全新企劃超強跨界登場！
由幸福空間《沒有山姆的聊天室》x 今周刊《毛利小姐變有房》
深入聊買房後的裝修設計、軟裝佈置與生活投資眉角，
讓你住得更好也住得更值得！想知道怎麼做最聰明？
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 122-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,172 on turnover of 5.2-billion N-T.
The market bucked a regional upturn and lost ground on Monday as the exchange
of missile fire between Israel and Iran entered its fourth day.
Market watchers say bargain hunters turned active as the main moved closer to
the nearest technical support ahead of the 22,000 point mark - which gave
some support to the Tai-Ex.
However, geopolitical unease largely dictated the direction of the market
through much of the session.
4 KMT staff and 1 activist charged for recall vote forgeries in Taipei
The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted five individuals
affiliated with the K-M-T for allegedly forging (偽造) thousands of
signatures in a campaign to recall two D-P-P lawmakers.
Those indicted include include K-M-T Taipei branch chief Huang Lu Chin-ru,
Secretary-General Chu Wen-ching and Secretary Yao Fu-wen.
According to the prosecutors' office, they fabricated a total of 5,211
signature forms related to the recall of D-P-P lawmakers Wu Pei-yi and Wu
Si-yao.
The three suspects are in detention.
Prosecutors have also indicted Lai Yi-ren, who has been identified as the
organizer of the campaign to recall Wu Si-yao, and Chen Kuei-hsun, an
executive at the K-M-T's fourth district office in Taipei City.
CGA urges public to use ocean safety app after drowning incidents
The Coast Guard Administration is urging beachgoers to check real-time
conditions on the "Go Ocean" mobile app following a recent string of drowning
incidents.
The warning comes after a high school student drowned off the coast of
Fangliao Township in Pingtung on Sunday.
However, that is one of several recent fatal or near-fatal accidents linked
to dangerous ocean conditions.
The Coast Guard Administration says in each of the cases, the "Go Ocean" app
had issued red alerts, warning of unsafe conditions.
The app was Developed by the National Academy of Marine Research, and uses
color-coded alerts and combines (結合) data from various sources to display
wave, wind and current conditions.
US UK sign trade deal at G7
U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer say they
have finalized a trade deal.
It will bring into force parts of a pact (協定) agreed between the two
countries last month, including reducing tariffs on UK cars.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington
Louvre Staff Protests
The Louvre Museum has failed to open on time Monday, leaving thousands of
visitors stuck in long, unmoving lines.
A union representative said staff at the world's most-visited museum are
protesting working conditions.
She said the disruption was caused by a spontaneous movement among
front-of-house staff, including gallery attendants, reception, and security
workers.
A few months ago, President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a sweeping decade-long
plan to rescue the Louvre from precisely (就是) the problems now boiling over
— water leaks, dangerous temperature swings, outdated infrastructure, and
foot traffic far beyond what the museum can handle.
Just a day earlier, coordinated anti-tourism protests swept across southern
Europe.
Thousands rallied in Mallorca, Venice, Lisbon and beyond, denouncing (譴責)
an economic model they say displaces locals and erodes city life.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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－挺你所想！與你一起生活的銀行－
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「親家JIA」19-27坪，全新落成，坐擁大安核心門牌。
350公尺達忠孝復興站，直通市府、機場、車站，850公尺接建國高架。
四大百貨、綠廊公園環繞，七分鐘生活圈涵蓋大潤發與市場，便利質感兼具。
城市菁英嚮往的私藏寓所，首選「親家JIA」，即刻入主 02-2772-6188。
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 14 -points this morning from Friday's close, at 22,058
on turnover of 2.2-billion N-T.
The market closed in negative territory on Friday, after Wall Street made
marginal gains following the release of more data about inflation in America.
Influencer Holger Chen denies receiving money on China trip
Online celebrity Holger Chen is denying claims that he received money from
China to travel there last week.
Speaking to reporters after wrapping-up a six-day trip to Shanghai, the
gym-entrepreneur-turned-online-influencer, stressed the he paid for the trip
to China with his own money.
Chen also said that he "never degraded Taiwan and never said Taiwan was not
good" during his trip - despite allegations (指控) that he belittled Taiwan
by praising China.
According to Chen, he also didn't engage any business discussions on the
trip, but he hopes to have commercial opportunities in China in the future.
Chen arrived in Shanghai last Tuesday, stating he was hoping to act as an
"ambassador of peace" and encourage more cross-strait exchanges on his first
trip to China.
Pope Leo XIV blesses Taiwanese newlyweds and wishes peace for Taiwan
Pope Leo XIV has blessed a newlywed Taiwanese couple in person during a
public appearance in Rome - where he applauded missionary work in Taiwan and
pledging (誓言) to pray for peace in the country.
According to a Facebook post by Taiwan's Embassy to the Holy See, the couple
met the Pope during the weekly Public Audience, and the Pope smiled warmly
and his eyes "lit up" upon hearing they were from Taiwan.
The post says the Pope praised the missionary work of Taiwan's Chinese
Regional Bishops' Conference and the local Catholic Church, and promised to
pray for "no wars" for the nation.
Trump says Israel-Iran will come to deal 'soon' and warns Tehran against
retaliating against US
US President Donald Trump wants Israel to hold off on a plan to assassinate
(暗殺) Iran's top leader, as he holds out hope for a negotiated settlement.
The AP's Jennifer King reports.
France Macron Stops in Greenland
French President Emmanuel Macron warned that Greenland is “not to be sold”
nor “to be taken” in a key visit to the strategic Arctic territory.
Macron says he’s conveying a message of French and European solidarity, as
the French leader is on his way to a summit of the Group of Seven leading
industrialized nations in Canada that will be also attended by US President
Donald Trump.
Last week, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to acknowledge (承認)
that the Pentagon has developed plans to take over Greenland and Panama by
force if necessary but refused to answer repeated questions during a
congressional hearing Thursday.
UK MI6 Female Chief
From the UK….
MI6 has appointed its first female chief.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Sunday that Blaise Metreweli will be
the next director of the U.K.’s foreign intelligence agency.
She is currently the MI6 director of technology and innovation (創新).
Metrewel steps from the shadows into the light as the only MI6 employee whose
name is made public.
She will take up her post in the fall.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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「親家JIA」19-27坪，全新落成，坐擁大安核心門牌。
350公尺達忠孝復興站，直通市府、機場、車站，850公尺接建國高架。
四大百貨、綠廊公園環繞，七分鐘生活圈涵蓋大潤發與市場，便利質感兼具。
城市菁英嚮往的私藏寓所，首選「親家JIA」，即刻入主 02-2772-6188。
https://sofm.pse.is/7qyubg
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越南🇻🇳也可以很法國🇫🇷浪漫的很可以
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▶️即刻啟程👉https://sofm.pse.is/7rluh6
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 72-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,216 on turnover of $6.7-billion N-T.
Kaohsiung Districts Suspend Work and Classes Due to Heavy Rain
Parts of Kaohsiung are suspending work and classes, due to heavy rain.
The city government announced that school and work in Mao-lin District, as
well as parts of Tao-yuan District will be cancelled today for safety.
Officials say a now-dissipated tropical depression has resulted in torrential
(滂沱) showers in mountainous areas, with risks of rockslides and overflowing
rivers.
(NS)
Israel Claims Tehran Attack Targeted MIlitary and Nuclear Program Officials
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel targeted Iran’s main
enrichment facility in Natanz and the country’s ballistic missile program,
as well as top nuclear scientists and officials, in an attack today.
He said Iran was working on a new plan to destroy Israel after its old plan,
failed.
Netanyahu said in an address on social media that the attacks will continue
“for as many days at it takes to remove this threat.”
Iranian state television says the head of Iran𠏋 paramilitary Revolutionary
Guard is feared dead.
The report offered few other details about what happened to Gen. Hossein
Salami of the Guard.
The report on air added that one other top Guard officials, as well as two
nuclear scientists were also feared dead.
State television also reported the attack set the headquarters of Iran𠏋
paramilitary Revolutionary Guard ablaze.
Meanwhile
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel took “unilateral (單方面)
action against Iran” and that Israel advised the U.S. that it believed the
strikes were necessary for its self-defense.
Rubio also issued a warning to Iran that it should not target U.S. interests
or personnel.
The attack comes as tensions reached new heights over Tehran’s advancing
nuclear program.
The International Atomic Energy Agency for the first time in 20 years
censured Iran over it not working with its inspectors.
Iran immediately announced it would establish a third enrichment site in the
country and swap out some centrifuges for more-advanced ones.
Both Iran and Israel closed their airspace.
Benchmark Brent crude spiked on the attack, rising nearly 5% on the news.
NKorea Relaunches Damaged Destroyer
North Korea says it has repaired its damaged second destroyer and launched it
into the water in the presence of leader Kim Jong Un.
North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency said it launched (下水) the
destroyer — the second it built this year — off the east coast of the
country on Thursday.
KCNA cited Kim as saying the country’s two destroyers will play a big role
in improving the North Korean navy’s operational capabilities.
Kim reiterated previous claims that his naval buildup is a justified response
to perceived threats posed by the United States and its allies in Asia.
France Doubles Down on Children Social Media Ban
The French government is doubling down on plans to ban children from social
media.
The education minister says "we must protect our young people from
overexposure (過度曝露) to screens".
Ross Cullen reports.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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新鮮事、新奇事、新故事《一銀陪你聊“新”事》
第一銀行打造公股銀行首創ESG Podcast頻道上線啦
由知名主持人阿Ken與多位名人來賓進行對談
邀請您一起落實永續發展
讓永續未來不再只是想像
各大收聽平台搜尋：ㄧ銀陪你聊新事
https://sofmstg.pse.im/7qff45
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「親家JIA」19-27坪，全新落成，坐擁大安核心門牌。
350公尺達忠孝復興站，直通市府、機場、車站，850公尺接建國高架。
四大百貨、綠廊公園環繞，七分鐘生活圈涵蓋大潤發與市場，便利質感兼具。
城市菁英嚮往的私藏寓所，首選「親家JIA」，即刻入主 02-2772-6188。
https://sofm.pse.is/7qmrxt
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 107-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,362 on turnover of 5.1-billion N-T.
The market closed higher on Wednesday, as it broke through stiff technical
resistance ahead of the 240-day moving average of 22,300 points.
That came on the back of extended gains for Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing and amid investor optimism over US-China trade talks.
Ma Ying-jeou to attend Straits Forum in China
Former President Ma Ying-jeou is slated to attend the 17th Straits Forum in
the Chinese city of Xiamen early next week.
According to the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, he will be leading a group of
students from the Da Jiu Academy to the event as part of a two-week trip to
China.
Foundation C-E-O Xiao Xu-cen says after attending (出席) the forum, Ma and
the students will travel to Gansu Province for a series of cultural
activities and to learn about the Silk Road.
Xiao says the visit is aimed at reducing hostility (敵意) across the Taiwan
Strait by showing people on both sides the willingness of young people to
engage and interact with each other.
New tropical depression forms near Philippines
The Central Weather Administration says it's monitoring a tropical depression
that formed yesterday evening east of the Philippines.
It's currently located some 500-kilometers southeast of Eluanbi at the
island's southernmost tip and moving in a north-northwesterly direction at
33-kilometers-an-hour.
The weather administration says the weather pattern is moving towards Taiwan.
It's forecast to bring thunderstorms or heavy rain to much of the island.
SAfrica Flooding Leaves Dozens Dead
A weather front brings rain, snow, and now deadly flooding to South Africa.
The AP's Jennifer King reports.
Kosovo US Agreement to Accept Migrants
Kosovo says it has agreed to a request from the United States to temporarily
accept up to 50 third-country migrants a year.
The Balkan country’s government said “over the course of a year, up to
fifty individuals may be temporarily relocated, with the aim of facilitating
(促進) their safe return to their home country."
Immediately upon returning to office in January, President Donald Trump
started plans for mass deportation to make good on campaign promises to crack
down on illegal immigration.
It was not clear when Washington made the request or whether it made similar
(相似的) requests to other countries in the region.
Japan Princess Visits Brazil
Japan’s Princess Kako of Akishino, a niece of Emperor Naruhito, was welcomed
by Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at a private ceremony.
The younger daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko is at
the tail end of her 11-day trip to the South American nation.
The princess also spoke before lawmakers at Congress, and thanked Brazilians
for hosting (當宿主) Japanese immigants for more than a century.
Her trip also marks the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the
two countries.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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全新企劃超強跨界登場！
由幸福空間《沒有山姆的聊天室》x 今周刊《毛利小姐變有房》
深入聊買房後的裝修設計、軟裝佈置與生活投資眉角，
讓你住得更好也住得更值得！想知道怎麼做最聰明？
立即收聽👉https://sofm.pse.is/7r7bxs
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新鮮事、新奇事、新故事《一銀陪你聊“新”事》
第一銀行打造公股銀行首創ESG Podcast頻道上線啦
由知名主持人阿Ken與多位名人來賓進行對談
邀請您一起落實永續發展
讓永續未來不再只是想像
各大收聽平台搜尋：ㄧ銀陪你聊新事
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 134-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,376 on turnover of 7.5-billion N-T.
The market closed sharply higher on Tuesday on the back of investor optimism
over ongoing trade talks between the United States and China.
The bellwether electronics sector led the rally, boosted by a surge in tech
stocks on Wall Street.
KMT passes NT$30,000 allowance for volunteer troops
K-M-T lawmakers have passed an amendment to Article 5 of the Armed Forces Pay
Act raising volunteer soldiers' monthly allowance to 30,000 N-T.
That's an increase of over 15,000 N-T, along with other benefits.
The monthly allowance will be granted to all volunteer military personnel,
regardless of rank, effective January 1 next year.
The amended article introduces new types of designated (指定的) allowances
for volunteer military personnel, with specific amounts to be determined by
the Cabinet.
And it requires all allowances to be adjusted accordingly whenever the
cumulative consumer price index reaches 3-per cent.
Increase in COVID medical visits slows and CDC says the peak has passed
The Centers for Disease Control says the number of patients seeking treatment
for COVID stood at 70,182 last week - a sign that the case numbers are
slowing.
According to the C-D-C, the number of COVID related medical visits rose by
9.3-per cent between June 1 and 7 - which is much lower than the previous
week's rise of 49-per cent.
C-D-C spokesperson Philip Luo says the peak has passed earlier than the
originally predicted end of June or early July timeframe - which suggests the
epidemic may also end a couple of weeks earlier than the projected (預計的)
date of August 9.
US Immigration Raids in Omaha
An Omaha plant was raided (查抄，突然搜查) in what U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement officials say was likely the largest ”worksite
enforcement operation" in Nebraska since the start of President Trump's
second term.
Jennifer King reports
IMF on Syria Visit and Rebuilding
The International Monetary Fund had said it visited Syria for the first time
since 2009 as the country rebuilds after over a decade of conflict.
The IMF says Syria cannot afford hundreds of billions of dollars of damages
and losses from the conflict that first started as protests in 2011 against
Bashar Assad’s totalitarian government.
During its five-day visit this month, the IMF met with officials from Syria's
public and private sectors, notably (尤其) the finance minister and central
bank governor, and said Syria was willing to reform its economy and make its
outdated state institutions viable again.
In 2017, the United Nations estimated that rebuilding Syria would cost about
$250 billion.
Since Assad was overthrown, some experts say that number could be as high as
$400 billion.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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新鮮事、新奇事、新故事《一銀陪你聊“新”事》
第一銀行打造公股銀行首創ESG Podcast頻道上線啦
由知名主持人阿Ken與多位名人來賓進行對談
邀請您一起落實永續發展
讓永續未來不再只是想像
各大收聽平台搜尋：ㄧ銀陪你聊新事
https://sofm.pse.is/7qj8pn
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 130-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,921 on turnover of 5.6-billion N-T.
The market closed higher on Monday, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing saw
its share price rebound to hit the 1,000 N-T mark for the first time in three
months.
The overall rise was led by the electronics index - which added 0.75-per cent
during the trading day.
Market watchers say investor attention was centered on T-S-M-C, while other
semiconductor and tech stocks were mixed.
MAC says 3,100 spouses renounce China residency
The Mainland Affairs Council says more than 3,100 spouses from China have
submitted proof of renunciation of their Chinese household registration.
The statement comes after the National Immigration Agency issued a notice to
spouses to submit proof that they had renounced their Chinese household
registration in April.
The notice stated that spouses from China had until June 30 to renounce
(放棄) their Chinese household registration or their Taiwanese household
registration would be revoked.
However, people having difficulties obtaining such a document have been
granted an extension of the deadline or may submit a written affidavit in
lieu of (以…替代) documentation.
A total of 2,000 have so far applied for postponements or submitted an
affidavit.
23 indicted for exporting garbage disguised as plastic waste
The New Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted 23 people for their
roles in exporting garbage disguised as plastic waste.
The prosecutors' office says evidence suggests the fraud ring netted (獲得)
more than 49-million N-T in illicit gains.
According to the indictment, environmental waste management firms collected
general waste and stored it at sites in New Taipei and Changhua County.
The waste was then transported to Kaohsiung, where it was compressed,
repackaged and disguised as plastic waste and then shipped to Southeast Asian
countries such as Malaysia and Vietnam for sale.
The suspects have all been charged with violating the Waste Disposal Act.
Trump's travel ban takes effect
Trump's new travel ban is taking effect as tensions escalate over immigration
enforcement in the US.
AP's Julie Walker reports.
Carney: Canada to meet NATO military spending goals by next year
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says, Canada will meet NATO's military
spending goals by early next year.
Carney also said that Canada would diversify defense spending away from the
US.
The announcement means that Canada will achieve NATO's spending target of 2%
of GDP five years earlier than previously planned.
Carney says, Canada's military equipment has aged, and only one out of every
four submarines is seaworthy (適航的).
NATO figures show that Canada is estimated to be spending 1.33% of GDP on
military spending in 2023.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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🌤️理想混蛋🌤️
《不是因為天氣晴朗才見面》演唱會 #加場
演出時間：2025.11.02 (日) 18:00
演出地點：台北小巨蛋
售票時間：2025.06.14 (六) 13:00 正式開賣！
售票系統：KKTIX
售票連結：https://sofm.pse.is/7rqv3m
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 112-points this morning from Friday's close, at 21,773
on turnover of 6.3-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly lower Friday - after retreating from earlier gains
as investors remained cautious ahead of the release of U-S jobs data.
The bellwether electronics sector remained sluggish throughout the session
despite some late buying, while select non-tech stocks, particularly in the
financial and petrochemical sectors, drew interest and lent support to the
broader market.
French National Assembly delegation visits Taiwan
A delegation of members of the French National Assembly has arrived in Taiwan
for a six-day visit.
The delegation is being led Marie-Noelle Battistel, the president of the
Assembly's Taiwan-France Friendship Group.
Battistel is visiting at the invitation of the Lai administration and is
being accompanied by four other deputies in the lower house of the French
Parliament.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the delegation is slated to
hold talks with President Lai Ching-te and other senior government officials
in Taipei aimed at enhancing (增強) bilateral relations.
They will also meet with Minister without Portfolio Lin Ming-hsin and
Economics Minister Kuo Jyh-huei.
'Time 100' recipient gets honorary doctorate from Taitung university
Philanthropist Chen Shu-chu has been presented with an honorary doctorate
degree by National Taitung University for her humanitarian contributions
(貢獻).
Chen was a vegetable vendor at Central Market in Taitung City for over half a
century before she retired in 2018.
She gained fame here in Taiwan when she was named as one of Time Magazine's
100 most influential people of 2010 for her philanthropy.
Chen received her degree with the National Taitung University alumni at a
graduation ceremony held at the university's Chihpen Campus for her
contributions to society.
She was introduced at the event by Taitung County Deputy Magistrate Wang
Chih-hui - who cited her as an example of human love transcending (超越)
technological advancement.
Israel Reports Thunberg Vessel Diverted to Israel
Israel’s Foreign Ministry says a Gaza-bound aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg
and other activists has been diverted (改變方向) to Israel.
In a post on X, it said the boat “is safely making its way to the shores of
Israel.”
The passengers “are expected to return to their home countries,” it added,
without providing further details.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which had organized the voyage to deliver
humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and protest Israel’s blockade of the
territory, said the activists had been “kidnapped by Israeli forces.”
Colombia Presidential Hopeful Shot and Wounded
A Colombian senator and would-be presidential candidate is shot and wounded
(受傷) at a rally.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
France World Oceans Day
Dozens of research and exploration vessels have set sail off the French
coastal city of Nice across across the Bay of Angels.
The event on Sunday marked World Oceans Day and the opening of the third U.N.
Ocean Conference.
It aimed to showcase the beauty of the ocean and the growing urgency to
protect it.
Thousands of delegates, including heads of state, scientists, and
environmental advocates, are expected in Nice this week to confront growing
threats to the ocean, and the need to transform pledges (承諾) into
protection.
The conference is expected to bring the High Seas Treaty closer to
ratification, allowing countries to establish marine protected areas in
international waters, which cover nearly two-thirds of the ocean and remain
largely ungoverned.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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「親家JIA」19-27坪，全新落成，坐擁大安核心門牌。
350公尺達忠孝復興站，直通市府、機場、車站，850公尺接建國高架。
四大百貨、綠廊公園環繞，七分鐘生活圈涵蓋大潤發與市場，便利質感兼具。
城市菁英嚮往的私藏寓所，首選「親家JIA」，即刻入主 02-2772-6188。
https://sofm.pse.is/7qyjzd
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本月入主NISSAN任一車款再贈Dyson時尚吹風機組，及零利率方案，讓消費者輕鬆入主、無壓升級NISSAN車款。
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 78-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,696 on turnover of $6.5-billion N-T.
Taiwan and Marshall Islands sign security pact amid growing hybrid threats
Taiwan and the Marshall Islands has signed security pact - that both sides
say will pave the way for the deepening of a security partnership amid
growing hybrid threats in the region.
The letter of intent was signed by National Security Bureau head Tsai
Ming-yen and the Marshall Island's top diplomat, Kalani Kan-eko.
Kaneko is part of a delegation being led by Marshall Islands President Hilda
Heine that is visiting Taiwan this week.
According to the National Security Bureau, the pact aims to help the Pacific
island state enhance its security through collaborations in areas such as
"maritime domain awareness, cybersecurity and countering foreign malign
(惡意的;) influence."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the Marshall Islands' delegation is
visiting Taiwan until Saturday.
Food courier companies face fine of US$6.67 million for order contamination
The Food and Drug Administration says food courier companies could face fines
if their employees smoke, fail to keep the food items securely packaged, or
demonstrate other behavior that could contaminate the orders.
The statement comes after the F-D-A formally implemented (實施) revisions to
the Regulations on Good Hygiene Practices for Food.
According to the revisions, delivery containers must be sealed and insulated.
Before delivering food, equipment should be inspected to ensure cleanliness
and hygiene.
While during transportation, the food must be fully wrapped, with measures in
place to prevent contamination and avoid drastic temperature fluctuations.
The F-D-A says companies found to be in violation of the regulations face
fines of between 60,000 and 200-million N-T.
NKorea Promises Unconditional Support for Russia's War Against Ukraine
North Korea says that leader Kim Jong Un told a top Russian official that his
country will “unconditionally support” Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The official Korean Central News Agency says Kim made the remarks (發言)
during a meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu.
The agency says the two discussed how to solidify strategic partnership
between North Korea and Russia and reached a consensus on the Ukraine issue
and other unspecified international situations.
In April, the two countries confirmed North Korean soldiers were fighting
alongside Russian forces to repel a Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk
border region.
Trump Ends Policy Requiring Emergency Abortions if Mother’s Life is in Danger
The Trump administration has ended a policy that requires hospitals to
perform emergency abortions if the mother's health is in danger…even in
states where the procedure is banned.
Nineteen states have either banned or restricted (限制) abortions since Roe
v. Wade was overturned in 2022.
Toni Waterman has more.
Germany WWII Bombs Defused Atter Evac
Three unexploded U.S. bombs from World War II were defused on Wednesday in
Cologne after the German city's biggest evacuation since the end of the war.
More than 20,000 residents were evacuated from the city center earlier
Wednesday after the bombs were unearthed on Monday during preparatory
(準備性的) work for road construction.
City authorities say experts defused the bombs within about an hour.
Even 80 years after the end of the war, unexploded bombs dropped during
wartime air raids are frequently (常常) found in Germany.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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新鮮事、新奇事、新故事《一銀陪你聊“新”事》
第一銀行打造公股銀行首創ESG Podcast頻道上線啦
由知名主持人阿Ken與多位名人來賓進行對談
邀請您一起落實永續發展
讓永續未來不再只是想像
各大收聽平台搜尋：ㄧ銀陪你聊新事
https://sofm.pse.is/7qk793
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「親家JIA」19-27坪，全新落成，坐擁大安核心門牌。
350公尺達忠孝復興站，直通市府、機場、車站，850公尺接建國高架。
四大百貨、綠廊公園環繞，七分鐘生活圈涵蓋大潤發與市場，便利質感兼具。
城市菁英嚮往的私藏寓所，首選「親家JIA」，即刻入主 02-2772-6188。
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 214-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,341 on turnover of 5.5-billion N-T.
The main board gained ground on Tuesday despite large-cap semiconductor
stocks losing some early gains amid ongoing investor concerns over the U-S'
tariff policies.
Market watchers say although the index staged a technical rebound from
Monday's downturn, investors remain cautious about the U-S introducing
possible tariffs on semiconductors.
Guatemala president to be in Taiwan Wednesday before heading to Japan
Guatemala's President Bernardo Arevalo is visiting Taiwan today.
It is his first visit to Taiwan since taking office in 2024 and the trip is
part of an Asian tour that will also take him to Japan.
Arevalo has said the trip to Taiwan is aimed at strengthening bilateral
relations and attracting foreign investment, and he will be meeting with
President Lai Ching-te.
The Guatemalan president is being accompanied (陪伴) during his visit by the
country's economics and foreign ministers as well as his wife.
Digital ministry to order social media firms to publish transparency reports
Digital Minister Huang Yen-nan says Meta, LINE, TikTok and Google will be
required to publish transparency (透明性，公開處理) reports before the end of
the year as part of government-led efforts to combat fraud.
According to Huang, the move means the four companies will be subject to
formal regulatory supervision.
Huang says the companies submitted fraud prevention plans in May.
The transparency reports are part of the Fraud Crime Hazard Prevention Act,
which took effect at the end of July of last year.
It means that social media companies must verify the identities of
advertisers and sponsors, create fraud prevention plans, and remove any
fraudulent advertisements within a set timeframe after receiving a
notification from authorities.
Family of flamethrower attack suspect detained
The family of the man accused of carrying out an "antisemitic attack" with a
makeshift (暫時代替，臨時湊合) flamethrower in the US state of Colorado has
been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.
US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem confirmed the news on Tuesday.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Brazil Affirmative Action Law Signed
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has signed a new law to expand
the country’s affirmative action policies.
The law signed on Tuesday increases the quota for government jobs reserved
for Blacks from 20% to 30% and adds Indigenous people and descendants of
Afro-Brazilian enslaved people to the group of beneficiaries.
The changes apply to permanent (長久的，永久的) and public employment
positions across Brazil’s federal administration, agencies, public
foundations, public companies and mixed-capital companies run by the
government.
As approved by Congress, the quota will be revised in 2035.
Brazil's government said 55% of the country's population is made up of Black
or mixed-race people.
It added that more than 70% of Brazilians living below the poverty line are
also Black or mixed race, while only 1% of people from those ethnicities are
in leadership positions in the private sector.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
新鮮事、新奇事、新故事《一銀陪你聊“新”事》
第一銀行打造公股銀行首創ESG Podcast頻道上線啦
由知名主持人阿Ken與多位名人來賓進行對談
邀請您一起落實永續發展
讓永續未來不再只是想像
各大收聽平台搜尋：ㄧ銀陪你聊新事
https://sofm.pse.is/7qk76c
--
「親家JIA」19-27坪，全新落成，坐擁大安核心門牌。
350公尺達忠孝復興站，直通市府、機場、車站，850公尺接建國高架。
四大百貨、綠廊公園環繞，七分鐘生活圈涵蓋大潤發與市場，便利質感兼具。
城市菁英嚮往的私藏寓所，首選「親家JIA」，即刻入主 02-2772-6188。
https://sofm.pse.is/7qmry6
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 123-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,126 on turnover of 5-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply lower on Monday - losing more than 340 points - amid
ongoing investor concerns over the United States' tariff policies after
President Donald Trump accused China of violating a preliminary trade deal
with Washington.
Sports agency warns CTTTA for revoking athlete's WTT US Smash slot
The Sports Administration has issued a formal warning to the Chinese Taipei
Table Tennis Association and announced the suspension of subsidies unrelated
to training and competitions.
The move comes after the association revoked (撤銷) Yeh Yi-tian's place at
the World Table Tennis U-S Smash tournament scheduled for July.
Deputy Education Minister Chang Liao Wan-jien says the incident harmed Yeh's
right to participate in competitions, and the association failed to actively
respond to public concerns.
While Cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee says Premier Cho Jung-tai is calling
on national sports associations to listen to athletes and their coaches in
regards the scheduling of events.
EVA Air joins IATA's Turbulence Aware Platform to enhance flight safety
EVA Airways has signed a cooperation agreement with the International Air
Transport Association to join its Turbulence Aware platform - which seeks to
improve flight safety through real-time data sharing.
Airline President Clay Sun says the carrier believes that joining the program
will help pilots and dispatchers better analyze real-time data, plan and
choose appropriate flight paths to avoid areas with higher turbulence (亂流)
risks, and ensure passenger safety.
The agreement was signed by Sun and International Air Transport Association
Director General Willie Walsh during the association's
three-day annual general meeting in New Delhi this past weekend.
The International Air Transport Association says participating airlines
generated a total of 51.8-million turbulence reports in 2024, a 35-per cent
increase from 2023, which is highly beneficial in reducing the damage caused
by turbulence.
UN Elects ExGerman FM as Assembly President
The U.N. General Assembly has overwhelmingly elected Germany’s former
foreign minister Annalena Baerbock to be the next head of the 193-member
world body.
The vote was held Monday by a secret-ballot demanded by Russia.
Russia objected to Baerbock, accusing her of having pursued (從事，實行) an
“anti-Russia policy,”
Baerbock will replace the current assembly president at the start of the 80th
session in September.
US Boulder Attack More Victims IDed
From the US….
Four additional victims have been identified in Boulder, Colorado attack,
bringing number of injured to 12.
The FBI says the suspect had been planning the attack for a year. He has been
charged with a hate crime (仇恨犯罪).
AP's Lisa Dwyer reports
Caribbean Dust Cloud Heads Towards US
A massive cloud of dust from the Sahara Desert is blanketing most of the
Caribbean in the biggest event of its kind this year as it heads toward the
United States.
Experts say the cloud extends some 3,200 kilometers from Jamaica to well past
Barbados in the eastern Caribbean, and some 1,200 kilometers from the Turks
and Caicos Islands in the northern Caribbean down south to Trinidad and
Tobago.
The hazy (霧濛濛的) skies unleashed sneezes, coughs and watery eyes across
the Caribbean.
Forecasters say the plume is expected to hit Florida, Louisiana, Alabama and
Mississippi late this week and into the weekend.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 93-points this morning from last Thursday's close, at
21,253 on turnover of 6.4-billion N-T.
The market bucked a regional upward trend on Thursday and ended the day
marginally lower.
That decline came despite other Asian indexes surging on the back of news
that a U-S court ruling has blocked President Donald Trump from imposing
sweeping tariffs on imports under an emergency-powers law.
MND to take delivery of 42 more Abrams MBTs later this month
The Ministry of National Defense is reportedly slated to take delivery of 42
more M-1-A-2-T Abrams main battle tanks later this month.
Sources are being cited as saying the tanks will participate (參加) in
live-fire drills scheduled to take place between June 18 and 27 at a base in
Hsinchu County.
The Army took delivery of it first batch of 38 Abrams tanks in December of
last year.
Another 28 tanks are expected to arrive in Taiwan in the first quarter of
next year.
The U-S State Department approved Taiwan's request to purchase 108 M-1-A-2-T
tanks and related equipment in 2019.
Sports body presses for apology after table tennis prodigy pulled from tournament
The Sports Administration is demanding an apology from the national table
tennis association after it banned Yeh Yi-tian from competing in the upcoming
World Table Tennis United States Smash tournament.
According to the administration, the Chinese Taipei Table Tennis Association
must explain why it withdrew (退出) Yeh from the tournament in Las Vegas.
The administration said it contacted the association about the matter after
receiving a complaint from Yeh's coach, Chuang Chih-yuan and will now suspend
all subsidies until an apology is issued.
The Sports Administration is also warning that it could take steps to replace
the Chinese Taipei Table Tennis Association's secretary-general if necessary.
US Suspect Arrested in PetrolBomb Attack
The FBI says it's investigating an attack on pro-Israel protestors in
Boulder, Colorado as an act of terror.
One man was taken into custody (拘留) accused of throwing Molotov cocktails
at demonstrators and wounding several of them.
Our US Correspondent Simon Marks reports.
200 dead in Nigeria from flooding
The death toll following floods in Nigeria is continuing to rise, with
officials now saying at least 200 have been killed in the catastrophe.
Rainfall on thursday unleashed the devastating flood on a market town in the
country, which is near a major trading and transit (運輸) hub.
Authorities say, they're calling off rescue efforts, as they don't believe
there are more survivors.
Another 11 people were injured in the floods, and more than 3000 displaced…
and two roads and bridges were also damaged in the floods.
Pope Blesses Cyclists in Giro d'Italia
Pope Leo XIV blessed the 159 cyclists competing in the Giro d’Italia as the
three-week race’s final stage began with an unprecedented ride through the
Vatican gardens behind St. Peter's Basilica.
Overall race leader Simon Yates and some other riders got off their bikes and
walked forward to shake hands with the pope.
The pope was presented with a replica (複製品) of the leader’s pink jersey.
He praised the riders as "role models for young people all over the world”.
Leo is honoring the event and bringing it inside the Vatican in memory of Pope Francis, who died in April this year.
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「親家JIA」19-27坪，全新落成，坐擁大安核心門牌。
350公尺達忠孝復興站，直通市府、機場、車站，850公尺接建國高架。
四大百貨、綠廊公園環繞，七分鐘生活圈涵蓋大潤發與市場，便利質感兼具。
城市菁英嚮往的私藏寓所，首選「親家JIA」，即刻入主 02-2772-6188。
https://sofm.pse.is/7qmry7
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 174-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,531 on turnover of $6-billion N-T.
Taiwan names new reps to St Kitts & Nevis, Thailand
The Executive Yuan named new representatives to St. Kitts & Nevis and
Thailand yesterday.
Edward Tao will be the new ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, one of 12
countries which maintains formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Tao is a career diplomat who most recent overseas posting was in Brisbane,
Australia.
He will replace outgoing Ambassador Michael Lin, who took up the post in July
2021.
Meanwhile, Peter Lan will be Taiwan's top representative to Thailand.
Lan is the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of East Asian
and Pacific Affairs, and will replace current (目前的) envoy to Thailand,
Chang Chun Fu.
Lan previously served as ambassador to St. Vincent and the Grenadines from
2021 to 2023.
He also served in Indonesia and acted as spokesperson for Taiwan's
representative office in Thailan.
(AH-CNA)
Search for lost boy and rescuer continues
The search for a lost boy and his rescuer is continuing of the coast of
Taitung's Taimali.
Yesterday a boy was swept out to sea while playing in a river, and he still
hasn't been found.
Also missing is a fisherman, surnamed Chen, who was nearby and jumped in to
rescue the boy.
Chen managed to grab hold of the boy and tried to swim back to shore, but
they were both engulfed (吞噬) by a wave and disappeared, according to
witnesses.
Rescuers searched for the two last night, unsuccessfully, but paused
overnight.
The search continues this morning, with firefighters, coast guard,
helicopters, and drones all dispatched to help out in the search.
Those who know Chen describe him as someone always willing to help out, and
say, they're hoping for a miracle.
Elon Musk criticizes Republican spending bill
Elon Musk has criticized Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful" spending bill,
saying it would increase the deficit.
The Tesla CEO leads the Department of Government Efficiency, which has been
trying to slash (削減) federal spending.
Ira Spitzer reports.
Colombia Union Strike Blocks Traffic
Colombia’s unions have begun a 48-hour strike to support a referendum
proposed by President Gustavo Petro to let voters to decide whether to
overhaul the country’s labor laws.
The work stoppage that began Wednesday was in response to a direct call from
Petro.
He has argued that Congress is working against the interest of workers by
repeatedly blocking his efforts to reform labor regulations.
The referendum, whose questions would include whether workdays should be
limited to eight hours, has become the crux (難點，關鍵) of long-running
tensions between the executive and legislative branches.
In the capital, some workers blocked public bus lanes, impeding the movement
of thousands of people.
Canada Manitoba Declares Emergency Over Wildfire
The Canadian province of Manitoba has declared a province-wide state of
emergency over a series of wildfires, and Prime Minister Mark Carney has
agreed to send in the military to help.
Manitoba's premier says the fires have forced 17-thousand people across
several communities to flee.
He calls it the largest such exodus (大批人的）退出，離開) in living memory
in the province.
Canada’s wildfire season runs May through September. Its worst-ever wildfire
season was in 2023, when fires choked much of North America with dangerous
smoke for months.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
NISSAN為提升車主夏季駕乘感受，限時推出X-TRAIL、KICKS及SENTRA「涼夏特仕版」限量各200台，雙前座升級通風座椅，提供涼爽舒適的駕駛體驗。
本月入主NISSAN任一車款再贈Dyson時尚吹風機組，及零利率方案，讓消費者輕鬆入主、無壓升級NISSAN車款。
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 203-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,539, on turnover of $4.8-billion N-T.
Dongyin Township in Matsu Islands joins global Cittaslow network
Dongyin Township in the Matsu Islands, known officially as Lienchiang County,
has become the seventh place in Taiwan to join the Cittaslow network.
The Lienchiang County government says Dongyin qualified for the international
Cittaslow movement, which promotes a slower pace of life through a
community-centered approach that supports sustainability and counters
(對抗、抵銷) the pressures of modern living to improve quality of life.
Dongyin will be officially introduced to the Italy-based association on June
21st at the Cittaslow International Assembly in South Korea, with Dongyin
officials invited to attend.
Six places in Taiwan have received Cittaslow certification, including Hualien
County's Fenglin Township in 2014, and Dalin Township in Chiayi County.
CWA: Increasing Chances of Rain in Afternoon into Evening
The Central Weather Administration is forecasting increasing chances of rain
across the island this afternoon heading into the evening, as a frontal
system approaches.
The CWA says moisture is set to accumulate in the air today, leading to more
clouds and sporadic (零星的) showers across northern, central areas as well
as the eastern half of Taiwan.
Temperatures will also feel muggy, with highs reaching 33 degrees Celsius.
And according to the Ministry of the Environment, southeasterly winds may
leave western Taiwan with a slightly higher level of pollutants in the air,
and ozone concentratiosn are likely to rise in the afternoon.
(NS)
NPR Sues Trump for Federal Funding Cuts
NPR has sued President Donald Trump over his executive order to end federal
funding for NPR and PBS - claiming it violates the Constitution.
The White House has not immediately responded to the lawsuit (訴訟).
Toni Waterman has more.
Turkey President Team Working on New Constitution to Remain in Power
Turkey's president says he has appointed a team of legal experts to start
working on a new constitution which critics say could allow him to remain in
power beyond 2028, when his current (目前的) term ends.
Erdogan has called for a new constitution, arguing that the current one,
which was drafted following a military coup in 1980, is outdated and retains
elements of military influence.
He said Tuesday he had appointed 10 legal experts to draft a new charter.
The effort comes months after the popular mayor of Istanbul and key Erdogan
rival was arrested and jailed on corruption charges that are widely viewed as
politically motivated.
Netherlands Hals Paintings Returned
A pair of paintings by Dutch Golden Age master Frans Hals, possibly depicting
his own children, are returning to the Netherlands after more than a century
overseas in the hands of private owners.
“Boy Playing the Violin” and “Girl Singing,” were bought at auction
Monday for $7.8 million by the Frans Hals Museum and the Mauritshuis museum,
with financial support from the Dutch government and a group of foundations.
Painted around 1628, the works are seen as an important part of the
country’s cultural heritage (遺產) and as especially interesting because
Hals may have used his own children as models.
The museums will alternate showing the works, but will always keep the two
together.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 45-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,492 on turnover of $2.9-billion N-T.
Taiwan-China interactions continue despite stalled talks: MAC head
Mainland Affairs Council head Chiu Chui-cheng says Taiwan and China still
maintain some level of interaction, even though official dialogue has
stalled.
In an interview,Chiu said interactions with China are being carried out in
line with the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area
and the Mainland Area.
Chiu acknowledged that maintaining "normal dialogue" is currently difficult
because Taiwan will never accept China's demand to treat the "1992
Consensus," based on the "One China principle," as a precondition (前提).
Nevertheless, Chiu said some interaction continues between the MAC and
China's Taiwan Affairs Office, as well as between the semi-official SEF and
its Chinese counterpart, the Beijing-based Association for Relations Across
the Taiwan Straits.
Chiu also says individuals across the Strait, including Taiwanese
businesspeople, scholars and journalists, frequently travel between the two
sides and share information.
World Masters Games' closing ceremony
The closing ceremony of the 2025 World Masters Games will take place on the
evening of May 30 at the New Taipei City Art Museum, featuring a star-studded
lineup and spectacular visuals.
New Taipei officials said the ceremony will begin at 7:00 p.m. and blend
music, light, and live performances.
To complement (為…增色) the artistic setting, the outdoor area will feature
four major art installations highlighting the magic of light.
And a 4.5-minute fireworks display will also light up the night sky, with
popular band Energy headlining the event with a 20-minute finale performance.
EU Trade Negotiator on US Talks
A European Union official says he has had good trade talks with the Trump
administration.
AP correspondent Mike Hempen reports
Amnesty Accuses M23 Rebels of War Crimes
Human rights group Amnesty International accused the M23 rebels in eastern
Congo of killing, torturing and forcibly disappearing civilian detainees in
two rebel-controlled cities.
Amnesty says “these acts violate (違反) international humanitarian law and
may amount to war crimes.”
The decades-long conflict in eastern Congo escalated in January.
The Rwanda-backed M23 advanced and seized the strategic city of Goma in North
Kivu province followed by Bukavu in February.
Amnesty said that between February and April it interviewed 18 civilians who
had been unlawfully detained by M23.
They reported suffering brutal beatings and harsh detention conditions while
their relatives were denied access to the detention sites.
Canada King Charles Visit
Britain's King Charles III has arrived in Ottawa on a visit that Canada’s
leader says will underscore (強調) his nation’s sovereignty.
The king and Queen Camilla were greeted at the airport by Mark Carney,
Canada's new prime minister, along with Canada's first Indigenous governor
general, Mary Simon.
Aside from meeting privately with Carney, the king is scheduled to deliver
the speech from the throne, which outlines the government’s agenda for the
new Parliament.
The king is the head of state in Canada, which is a member of the British
Commonwealth of former colonies.
King Charles will return to the U.K. after today’s speech and a visit to
Canada’s National War Memorial.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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你不理財，財不理你！想學理財，玉山罩你！
玉山銀行全新Podcast節目《玉山學堂》
帶你深入淺出掌握每週市場脈動！
還有知名主持人蔡尚樺領銜的跨世代對談，
從不同的角度打好理財基本功！
現在就點擊連結收聽
👉 https://sofm.pse.is/7nhyc9
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 75-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,578 on turnover of $3.6-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed slightly lower Friday as contract chipmaker TSMC
recovered earlier losses, while cautious market sentiment persisted amid a
spike in U.S. Treasury yields and concerns over rising debt in the world's
largest economy.
Old economy stocks appeared mixed amid concerns over volatility in the U.S.
markets due to rising debt.
MOTC: unlicensed drivers to face tougher penalties
The Minister of Transportation and Communications says, unlicensed driving
will be treated similarly to drunk driving under a new draft amendment.
Minister Chen Shi Kai said that new proposed (建議的) penalties, which the
ministry has been working on since last year, include unlimited fines for
repeat offenders, and the immediate impounding of vehicles.
Car owners who allow unlicensed drivers to operate their vehicles will also
face harsh (嚴厲的) penalties, according to the minister.
Chen also emphasized that the MOTC does not plan to ban older people from
driving, rather they hope to ensure that older drivers can drive more safely.
Those draft amendments are scheduled to be submitted to the Executive Yuan
for approval by the end of next month.
Current rules limit fines for unlicensed motorists and motorcyclists at
NT$24,000, with repeat offenses within a five-year period receiving the
maximum fine and a driving ban.
US Embassy in Israel Attacker Detained
A U.S. German citizen is under arrest for attempting (試圖) to firebomb the
U.S. embassy in Israel.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
Russia Ukraine Complete Prisoner Swap
Russia and Ukraine have swapped hundreds more prisoners of war, the third and
last part of a major swap and a rare moment of cooperation in otherwise
failed efforts to reach a ceasefire.
The exchange on Sunday saw each side bring home 303 more soldiers, after each
released a total of 307 combatants and civilians on Saturday, and 390 on
Friday.
The swap was the biggest since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022
and came just hours after Ukraine's capital of Kyiv and other regions came
under a massive (大量的) Russian drone-and-missile attack that killed at
least 12 people and injured dozens.
Ukrainian officials sad the attack was the largest aerial assault of the war.
France 2nd Major Power Outage
A second major power outage has hit southeastern France, this time in the
city of Nice, after a suspected arson damaged an electrical facility.
Police currently have not established a link between Sunday's blackout and a
power outage on Saturday that disrupted the city of Cannes during the closing
day of its renown film festival.
The Nice blackout started around 2 a.m. and left some 45-thousand households
without electricity.
The city’s trams stopped and power was briefly (短暫地) cut to the airport
during its overnight closure hours.
Power was fully restored by 5:30 a.m.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 95-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,766
on turnover of $4.5-billion N-T.
Keelung City councilor receives suspended sentence for corruption
The Keelung District Court has handed Keelung City Councilor Chang Hao-han a
suspended sentence after finding his guilty of embezzling public funds.
The court found the D-P-P city councilor guilty of fraudulently claiming
782,000 N-T by falsifying the salary of his office assistant and registering
his mother as a phantom (虛假的) employee.
However, the court cited Chang's admission of guilt and return of the illicit
gains - handing him prison sentence of 24 months - suspended for five years.
He remains a Keelung city councilor
The court ruling can be appealed.
Cannes Critics' Week honors 'Left-Handed Girl'
Director Tsou Shih-ching's "Left-Handed Girl" has won the Gan Foundation
Award for Distribution at the Cannes Critics' Week.
The award is intended to support the French release of a first or second
feature film by a new director.
Speaking in Cannes after receiving the award, Tsou said the film drew on her
many memories from Taiwan, including tense relationships in a traditional
family and quiet everyday acts of resistance (反抗) that often went
unnoticed.
EU Leaders Urge Reinterpretation of Human Rights Convention
Leaders of 9 European Union countries say they want a reinterpretation of the
European Convention on Human Rights in order to better tackle (對付，處理)
irregular migration to the continent and effectively increase deportations.
The open letter signed by the leaders of Italy, Denmark, Lithuania Poland and
others was made public in Rome late Thursday.
It argues that some of the European Court of Human Rights interpretations
have limited national governments’ ability to expel a minority of migrants
who commit crimes.
The European Court of Human Rights handles complaints against the 46-member
states of the Council of Europe, under the European Convention on Human
Rights, including many cases involving migrants and asylum-seekers.
UK Chagos Handover to Mauritius
The UK will hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to the country of
Mauritius.
That's despite a last-minute injunction (禁令) to stop the plan, which was
overturned shortly later by England's High Court.
Stuart Smith reports.
Panama Venezuela Resume Commercial Flights
The Panamanian Civil Aviation Authority says that Panama and Venezuela will
resume commercial flights nearly a year after suspending them when they broke
off diplomatic relations.
Venezuela pulled its diplomatic representation from Panama last July after
Panama President Jose Raul Mulino refused to recognize (承認) Venezuela
President Nicolas Maduro’s reelection.
Earlier Thursday, Mulino said during his weekly news briefing that he had
received a letter from Venezuela, but that he hadn’t immediately read it.
Mulino did say, however, that it would be in Panama’s interest to resume
flights, though he said he also wanted Venezuela to agree to receive
Venezuelan migrants deported from Panama.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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NISSAN為提升車主夏季駕乘感受，限時推出X-TRAIL、KICKS及SENTRA「涼夏特仕版」限量各200台，雙前座升級通風座椅，提供涼爽舒適的駕駛體驗。
本月入主NISSAN任一車款再贈Dyson時尚吹風機組，及零利率方案，讓消費者輕鬆入主、無壓升級NISSAN車款。
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NISSAN為提升車主夏季駕乘感受，限時推出X-TRAIL、KICKS及SENTRA「涼夏特仕版」限量各200台，雙前座升級通風座椅，提供涼爽舒適的駕駛體驗。
本月入主NISSAN任一車款再贈Dyson時尚吹風機組，及零利率方案，讓消費者輕鬆入主、無壓升級NISSAN車款。
https://sofm.pse.is/7q8q2p
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 70-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,733 on turnover of 3.4-billion N-T.
The market made solid gains on Wednesday - as investor interest in large-cap tech and financial stocks resumed following several sessions of consolidation.
Market watchers say the gains came as Wall Street has held-up better than expected after Moody's downgraded America's credit rating, which has helped to restore (恢復) investor confidence.
Optimism surrounding the A-I boom has been encouraged by announcements at Computex in Taipei this week - which lifted the electronics sub-index by 1.45-per cent during yesterday's session.
AIT director optimistic about Taiwan-US tariff talks
American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene is expressing his optimism about ongoing trade negotiations between Taipei and Washington.
According to Greene, he's confident that ultimately the talks will create a system that is much fairer to American workers, but also one that benefits ( 對……有益) major trading partners, especially trading partners like Taiwan.
The A-I-T director is refusing to offer any specifics on the bilateral talks - saying only, the discussions are going quite smoothly.
However, Greene says bilateral ties between Taiwan and the U-S remain "extremely robust," despite concerns from some in Taiwan that relations will be overshadowed by the tariffs.
MOE announces guidelines for schools mobile device ban
The Ministry of Education has announced a series of draft guidelines aimed at governing the use of mobile devices in schools.
The guidleines have been released a week after Education Minister Cheng Ying-yao said schools will ban students from bringing phones or other mobile devices into classrooms beginning in September.
According to the education ministry, the policy for elementary and junior-high schools takes into consideration that they are considered minors and they will need permission (許可) from a parent or legal guardian to bring a mobile device on campus.
High schools will have more flexible rules.
Under those rules… students, parents and teachers will jointly decide on how to set the regulations for mobile device use on campus.
Mideast latest
In world news…
The U.N. says it is trying to get the desperately needed aid that has entered Gaza this week into the hands of Palestinians.
There are delays because of fears of looting and Israeli military restrictions.
Over in the West Bank, shots were fired near diplomats visiting the contested region…
With more on that, here's Haya Panjwani…
Iran won't stop enriching uranium: Tehran
Iran’s top diplomat is insisting that Tehran will never stop enriching uranium. It further underlines the Islamic Republic’s red line in negotiations with the United States over its rapidly advancing (進步) nuclear program.
The comments Wednesday by Iran's foreign minister come after multiple rounds of talks between the two nations.
Iran’s foreign ministry later confirmed it has agreed to take part in the next round of talks Friday in Rome.
U-S officials including President Donald Trump and Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff maintain that Iran must give up enrichment — something it didn’t do in its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 77-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,603
on turnover of 2.3-billion N-T.
The market closed flat on Tuesday as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing saw
its early gains eroded due to stiff resistance ahead of the critical 1,000
N-T per share mark - despite the opening of Computex in Taipei.
Lai calls Beijing an 'aggressor' that threatens peace
President Lai Ching-te has marked the first anniversary of his taking office
by holding a press conference during which he accused Beijing of being an
"aggressor" by threatening peace across the Taiwan Strait.
However, despite branding China as an "aggressor," Lai also reiterated his
openness to continuing exchanges and collaborations with China provided that
each side treats the other equally and with respect.
According to Lai, he remains willing to "engage in dialogue instead of
confrontation" and work with China toward peace and prosperity.
Lai also told reporters that many countries, including Taiwan, are under the
threat of aggressors - but Taiwan is, on the contrary, committed to pursuing
(追求) peace.
CDC reporting 88% rise in COVID outpatients and emergency visits
The Centers for Disease Control is reporting an 88.2-per cent weekly increase
in the number of COVID outpatient and emergency visits last week.
According to the C-D-C, there were 19,097 outpatient and emergency visits
from between May 11 and 17.
Although that figure is up from the previous week, it was still lower than
same period of last year.
C-D-C Deputy Director-General Philip Luo says the current COVID outbreak will
peak in mid-to-late June, when weekly outpatient and emergency visits reach
between 55,000 and 65,000 and it will continue through the end of July.
SA president to meet Trump on Wednesday amid deteriorating relations
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is due to meet his US counterpart
Donald Trump today.
The crunch talks come amid ideological (思想) differences, geopolitical
alliances, and domestic policy conflicts.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington
UN Sounds Warning on Colombia Indigenous Groups
The United Nations human rights office in Colombia says that five Indigenous
groups in northern Colombia’s mountain range face “physical and cultural”
extinction.
The UN says this threat stems from armed group conflicts over their territory
and insufficient (不足的) state protection.
Colombia’s representative for the UN High Commissioner for Human Right says
the risk of physical and cultural extinction of Indigenous People of the
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is “an ongoing (持續存在的) tragedy that we can
and must prevent.”
He urged the Colombian government to protect the Indigenous groups, whose
combined population is approximately 55-thousand people.
In 2022, UNESCO added the ancestral knowledge of these Indigenous groups to
its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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新鮮事、新奇事、新故事《一銀陪你聊“新”事》
第一銀行打造公股銀行首創ESG Podcast頻道上線啦
由知名主持人阿Ken與多位名人來賓進行對談
邀請您一起落實永續發展
讓永續未來不再只是想像
各大收聽平台搜尋：ㄧ銀陪你聊新事
https://sofm.pse.is/7qk78b
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 107-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,631 on turnover of 4.4-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply lower on Monday amid investor concerns about
volatility on Wall Street after Moody's Ratings downgraded the sovereign
credit rating for the United States - citing the Trump administration's
growing budget deficit.
National Human Rights Museum holds White Terror Memorial Day ceremony
The National Human Rights Museum has held a ceremony for White Terror
Memorial Day.
The event was held at the Jing-mei White Terror Memorial Park in New Taipei
and marked the 76th anniversary of the declaration of martial law in 1949 by
Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist government.
More than 100 people attended the ceremony and the event included a
dramatization (戲劇化) of victim experiences and readings of names, along
with a recitation of the "519 Prayer of Remembrance" written by White Terror
victim Chen Lieh.
Guest laid flowers at the monument in tribute to the victims and
pro-democracy activists and women's rights also used the occasion to call on
the government to designate May 19 as a national holiday.
Jensen Huang announces 'Beitou Shilin' as new Nvidia office site
Nvidia C-E-O Jensen Huang has announced that his company has selected "Beitou
Shilin" in Taipei for its new new overseas headquarters.
He announced the decision during his keynote Computex speech at the Taipei
Music Center - saying it will be called the "Nvidia Constellation."
The statement brings to an end months of speculation regarding where Nvidia
would locate (定位) its new oversea headquarters.
The Taipei City Government had offered the company other sites, while the New
Taipei and Taoyuan governments were also hoping the tech giant would choose
locations in their cities.
Trump Says Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Will Begin "immediately"
US President Donald Trump says negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will
begin "immediately (立即地)" on ending the war in Ukraine.
Sagher Meghani reports
WHO Appeals for Funding
The World Health Organization chief has appealed to member countries to
support its “extremely modest” request for a $2.1 billion annual budget.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the point by putting
that sum into perspective next to outlays for ad campaigns for tobacco or the
cost of war.
He told the WHO’s annual assembly on Monday that $2.1 billion is the
equivalent (相等的，等值的) of global military expenditure every 8 hours, or
the price of one stealth bomber.
WHO has presented a budget for the next two years that is 22% less than
originally planned, largely in response to U.S. and other Western funding
cuts.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 57-points this morning from Friday's close, at 21,786
on turnover of 4.7-billion N-T.
This morning's decline comes after main board closed higher on Friday as
rotational buying in the non-tech sector lent support to the broader market.
However, many major electronics stocks, excluding Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing weakened due to profit-taking.
Landslides disrupt rail traffic in Hualien
The Taiwan Railway Corporation says normal services on East Coast Line in
Hualien will resume at noon today.
The statement comes after the Chongde-Renhe section of the line was
temporarily (暫時地) closed after after landslides caused by heavy rain swept
soil over the tracks.
The rail network operator says it sent work crews to the site yesterday
evening to carry out repair work.
Prmier Cho Jung-tai has taken to Facebook to say he's instructed the railway
corporation to put "safety first" as the top priority and restore normal
operation as soon as possible.
Man suspected of killing Hualien teacher in church dorm arrested
Police in Hualien have arrested a suspect wanted in connection with the
killing of a female junior high school teacher.
According to police, the suspect was arrested while attempting (企圖) to
commit suicide in a wooded along the coast.
The killing occured on Saturday - with police saying they received a report
about the suspected death of a tenant in a rental room in a dormitory of a
local church.
The suspect was also a member of the same church.
Authorities say they managed to track the man after reviewing surveillance
camera footage of the area around the dormitory.
Israel Eli Cohen Belongings Retrieved
Israel has retrieved thousands of items belonging to the country’s most
famous spy after a covert operation in Syria.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared some of the 2,500 items from the
Syrian archive relating to Eli Cohen, an Israeli spy who infiltrated the
political echelon in Syria, with Cohen’s widow.
Sunday marked 60 years since Cohen was hanged in a square in Damascus.
The items recently spirited into Israel include documents, recordings,
photos, and items collected by Syrian intelligence after his capture in
January 1965, letters in his own handwriting to his family in Israel,
photographs of his activity during his operational mission (任務) in Syria
and personal objects.
Trump Parade
Preparations are underway for a military parade to mark U-S leader Donald
Trump's birthday in June.
The event which will include 150 vehicles, 50 warplanes and the participation
(參與) of more than 6,600 soldiers -- is at the center of controversy…
Sagar Meghani reports.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 1.6-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,732 on turnover of $3.5-billion N-T.
MAC ban two Chinese nationals from World Masters Games
The Mainland Affairs Council has denied two Chinese nationals registered for
the upcoming World Masters Games entry onto Taiwan - citing concerns that
they intended to disrupt the event with political messages.
According to the council spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh, his office received
reports of such planned actions from members of the public here in Taiwan,
who have said some Chinese participants plan to use the event to push
political agendas.
Liang says the two banned individuals are suspected of planning to display
the Chinese national flag and advocate (主張、提倡) for unification with
Taiwan by force - and as such, his office had no choice but to reject their
entry.
However, the council spokesman also says that despite the two athletes being
denied entry, it has approved entry permits for 371 other Chinese nationals
to take part in the Games.
The World Masters Games begins tomorrow in Taipei and New Taipei.
US judge dismisses charges against migrants caught in military zone
A federal judge has dismissed charges against nearly 100 migrants arrested
for trespassing (非法侵入) on a newly declared US military zone on the border
of the state of New Mexico.
The ruling adds to the growing legal uncertainty surrounding President
Trump's expansion (擴張) of military authority at the southern border.
Ira Spitzer reports.
Congo Soldiers Transferred to Goma
Over a thousand disarmed Congolese soldiers and police officers, along with
their families have safely been transferred from the rebel-controlled city of
Goma in eastern Congo to the capital Kinshasa over the last two weeks.
On Thursday, the International Committee of the Red Cross said it helped
escort the 1,359 disarmed members of the government forces.
The soldiers and police officers had been taking refuge at a United Nations
base since January, when the decades-long conflict in eastern Congo escalated
(加劇) as the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels seized the strategic Goma.
The news of the successful transfer comes amid persistent tensions in eastern
Congo, where fighting between Congo’s army and M23 continues.
Pope Meets with Greek Church Head
Pope Leo XIV has met at the Vatican with the head of the Greek Catholic
Church in Ukraine.
It was one of his first audiences as pontiff that reaffirmed his appeal
(上訴) for a peaceful, negotiated end to Russia’s war.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk said he invited Leo to visit Ukraine and
presented the pope with a list of prisoners held by Russia.
The Vatican under Pope Francis had worked for prisoner exchanges, as well as
for the return of Ukrainian children taken to live in Russian-occupied
territories.
The Vatican didn’t release any statement after the audience, one of the
first private audiences held by Leo since his election May 8.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 6-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,777 on turnover of $9.4-billion N-T.
The market made solid gains on Wednesday, adding more than 450-points on the
back of continuing upwards momentum for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing -
which neared the 1,000 N-T mark following an overnight rally for tech stocks
on Wall Street.
Market watchers says local electronic and tech stocks are getting a boost
this week ahead of Computex 2025 - which begins next Tuesday - and that has
prompted investors to pick up A-I related tech stocks on the hopes of
positive leads from the annual tech show in Taipei.
Education minister to ban cellphones from classrooms
Education Minister Cheng Ying-yao has announced that schools will ban
students from bringing phones or other mobile devices in to classrooms
beginning in September.
According to Cheng, his office will soon released a series of guidelines
authorizing teachers to take away such devices from students' for the
duration of classes and store them in a centralized (集中) location.
Cheng says the education ministry has been working on finallizing the
guidelines since March and has held talks with experts, officials, civil
society groups and educators as to how best to carry out the policy.
The education minister says the move is due to what he's describing as
"endemic gadget use on campuses."
The new rules will apply to classrooms at elementary schools, junior high
schools and high schools.
However, the education minister say there will be some exceptions to the
rules, especially in situations where the policy cannot be fully implemented.
Israeli Strikes Kill 70 in Gaza
Hospitals and health officials say Israeli airstrikes have pounded northern
and southern Gaza and killed at least 70 people.
The strikes came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said
there was “no way” he would halt Israel’s offensive in the Palestinian
territory before Hamas is defeated.
There had been widespread hope that U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to
the Middle East could usher in a ceasefire deal or renewal (復興，更新) of
humanitarian aid to Gaza.
An Israeli blockade of the territory is now in its third month.
Putin Not Attending Peace Talks
The Kremlin has confirmed that President Putin will not be attending the
peace talks due to take place in Istanbul on Thursday.
Vladimir Putin proposed May 15 should be the next date for mediation (調解)
between Ukraine and Russia - and the Ukrainian president then offered to meet
for one-on-one talks, which the Russian president has now decided not to
attend.
Ross Cullen has more from Istanbul.
SAfrica Gecko Rediscovered
Researchers who were dropped off by helicopter in a largely inaccessible and
remote canyon in South Africa say they have discovered a type of gecko that
hadn’t been seen in more than 30 years and was thought to be extinct.
Some doubted the species ever existed at all.
But the Endangered Wildlife Trust says two of its researchers have found and
photographed specimens of the Blyde Rondavel flat gecko, which was identified
for the first and only time previously in 1991.
Mystery had surrounded the little lizard for three decades until the two
researchers made their breakthrough (突破) last month.
The Endangered Wildlife Trust said the data they collected, including tissue
samples, should allow them to confirm it is a distinct species.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
NISSAN為提升車主夏季駕乘感受，限時推出X-TRAIL、KICKS及SENTRA「涼夏特仕版」限量各200台，雙前座升級通風座椅，提供涼爽舒適的駕駛體驗。
本月入主NISSAN任一車款再贈Dyson時尚吹風機組，及零利率方案，讓消費者輕鬆入主、無壓升級NISSAN車款。
https://sofm.pse.is/7qjv4t
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早餐是補充蛋白質的黃金期，吃錯食物小心可能吃進精緻澱粉、加工品、油脂、熱量…等隱形負擔早餐補充蛋白質，首選統一陽光，嚴選非基改黃豆、植物性大豆蛋白、零膽固醇，營養少負擔！
https://sofm.pse.is/7kstus
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Lawmakers passes bill extending potential lifespan of nuclear plants
Child welfare foundation apologizes after infant death sentencing
Israel won't halt war in Gaza
Trump Mideast trip overshadowed by Qatar plane
Cannes Film Festival Opening Day
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 344-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,474 on turnover of 12.1-billion N-T.
The market closed higher on Monday as investor sentiment improved after the
U-S said trade talks with China yielded "substantial progress."
Buying focused on the bellwether electronics sector, with the tech sector
attracting significant buying to close the day up 1.17-per cent, to serv as a
major diver to the main board's overall rise.
AIT touts Taiwan companies as being 'critical' to Trump'sre-industrialization goals.
American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene says Taiwanese companies
will be "critical" to the achievement of U-S President Donald Trump's goal of
re-industrializing the United States.
Speaking at a reception for an investment summit in Maryland, Greene said
just as Taiwan's companies were crucial to the industrialization of China 30
years ago, Taiwan companies will be just as critical to (關鍵的) achieving
President Trump's mission for re-industrializing the United States.
Cabinet Secretary-General Kung Ming-hsin is leading the delegation to the U-S
this week to attend the 2025 SelectUSA summit.
The delegation also includes representatives from industries, including
information and communications technology, semiconductors, artificial
intelligence and aerospace.
MOTC to announce car window tinting regulations next month
The Ministry of Transport has announced that it will be releasing new
regulations regarding the use of window films for cars next month.
According to Deputy Transport Minister Chen Yen-po, the rules are being
implemented due concerns about the lack of mandatory standards for window
tinting.
Speaking at a legislative hearing, Chen said said the use of window film has
raised safety concerns and the Highway Bureau has drafted guidelines based on
road conditions and public safety needs.
The deputy transport minister went on to say that enforcement of the rules
for new vehicles will begin next year and there will be penalties (處罰) for
car owners who fail to adhere to the new guidelines.
WH Press Corps Protests Absence from Air Force One
White House correspondents are protesting the lack of wire reporters (記者)
on Air Force One
AP's Lisa Dwyer reports
Australia Cabinet Sworn In
Australia’s Cabinet has been was sworn into office after the center-left
Labor Party was reelected in a landslide May 3.
The Cabinet had their first meeting Tuesday following their swearing-in
ceremony.
Labor expects to hold between 92 and 95 seats in the 150-seat House of
Representatives.
The party held 78 seats in the previous Parliament.
The conservative opposition alliance is on track to win 41 seats in one of
its worst election results.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese plans to fly to Jakarta tomorrow to meet
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
He then intends to fly from Indonesia to Rome to attend (出席) the
inauguration of Pope Leo XIV on Sunday.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 81-points this morning from Friday's close, at 20,996 on
turnover of 4.6-billion N-T.
The market gained ground last Friday as it moved closer the challenging at
21,000-point mark.
The rise after after the U-S Federal Reserve left its main interest rate
unchanged overnight and as investors were pinning their hopes
(把希望寄托在…上) on weekend trade talks between China and the U-S.
Tsai talks Taiwan and Lithuania standing united in defending democracy
Former President Tsai Ing-wen is expressed here gratitude to Lithuania over
its support for Taiwan - saying that both countries are united as partners
(合作夥伴) in defending democracy.
Tsai arrived in Lithuania on Saturday and what is her first visit to the
Baltic state
Speaking at a reception organized by the Lithuania-Taiwan Parliamentary
Friendship Group, Tsai said while she was Taiwan's president she received
visits from many Lithuanian friends in Taiwan …
…. and believes that Taiwan and Lithuania share similar fates as both are
neighbors to authoritarian countries.
Tsai will head to Denmark next to attend to the Copenhagen Democracy Summit.
Taipei's Yongkang Street pedestrianized on weekends through June 10
A trial pedestrian zone has been launched in Taipei's Yongkang Street this
past weekend.
The trial will run on weekends through June 10 and sees the popular road
closed to most vehicles.
The Taipei City Government says the aim (目的) is to promote a more
pedestrian-friendly environment.
The campaign limits vehicle access from 2 to 8PM on Saturdays and Sundays and
covers approximately 250 meters of Yongkang Street, and includes nearby
alleys around the popular tourist destination.
Hamas to Release US Hostage
Hamas says the last living American hostage in Gaza will be released as part
of efforts to establish a ceasefire, reopen crossings into the
Israeli-blockaded territory and resume aid delivery.
Two Hamas officials tell The Associated Press they expect the release of Edan
Alexander in the next 48 hours.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff is confirming in a message
to the AP that Hamas has agreed to release Alexander as a good will gesture
toward Trump.
The announcement of the first hostage release since Israel shattered (擊毀) a
ceasefire in March comes shortly before Trump visits the Middle East this
week.
Alexander is an Israeli-American soldier who grew up in the United States.
Iran US in 4th Round of Nuclear Program Negotiations
Iran and US conclude a fourth round of negotiations (談判) over Tehran's
nuclear program in Oman
AP correspondent Donna Warder reports
Pope Leo Calls for Ceasefires and Peace
Pope Leo XIV has called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and an
immediate ceasefire in Gaza with the release of hostages and delivery of
humanitarian aid.
In his first Sunday noon blessing as pontiff, Leo said, “Never again war!”
from St. Peter’s Basilica to an estimated 100,000 people below.
Recalling the end of World War II 80 years ago, Leo quoted Pope Francis in
denouncing the number of conflicts ravaging (摧殘) the globe today, saying it
was a “third world war in pieces.”
The 69-year-old Chicago-born missionary was elected 267th pope on Thursday.
He has a busy week of audiences before his formal installation Mass Sunday.
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早餐是補充蛋白質的黃金期，吃錯食物小心可能吃進精緻澱粉、加工品、油脂、熱量…等隱形負擔早餐補充蛋白質，首選統一陽光，嚴選非基改黃豆、植物性大豆蛋白、零膽固醇，營養少負擔！
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 147-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
20,691 on turnover of $4.8-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan saw earlier gains erased to close little changed Thursday as
contract chipmaker TSMC suffered last-ditch selling amid lingering concerns
over the possibility of tariffs threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Non-tech stocks largely moved in weakness, but so-called "military concept
stocks continued to attract rotational buying as aircraft maintenance
services provider Air Asia Co. soared 10 percent, the maximum daily increase.
Analysts say caution about Trump's tariffs on semiconductors remain,
prompting (推動) investors to lock in profits with TSMC as their major
target.
Taiwan and Estonia sign MOUs on aerospace and defense collaboration
A Taiwanese business delegation has signed two memoranda of understanding
with Estonia to facilitate collaboration between aerospace and defense
industries.
According to the Taipei Mission in the Republic of Latvia, the delegation
signed the M-O-Us with the Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry
Association and the Estonia Aviation Cluster in Tallinn.
Taiwan's top envoy to Estonia, Andrew Lee is describing the signing of the
deals as an important step for collaboration (合作) between the two countries
- and one that opens a new chapter for collaboration between the two
countries on drones, aerospace and related industries.
The delegation to Estonia was led by Hu Kai-hong of the Taiwan Excellence
Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance.
Israel Closes UNRWA Schools
Israel has closed six U.N. schools in east Jerusalem, forcing students to
leave early and throwing the education of more than 800 students into
question.
Last month, heavily armed Israeli police and Education Ministry officials
ordered six schools in east Jerusalem to close within 30 days.
The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, called UNRWA, runs the
six schools.
UNRWA also runs schools in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which continue to
operate.
Israel claims that UNRWA schools teach antisemitic content and anti-Israel
sentiment (觀點), which UNRWA denies.
US FEMA Head Dismissed
The acting director of the US's Federal Emergency Management Agency is out of
a job, a day after he told lawmakers he didn't support disbanding the
disaster relief agency.
US President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have
both recently suggested the agency known as FEMA should be eliminated (廢止).
Ira Spitzer reports.
Peru Elated on Election of Pope
Peruvians are elated after a Catholic cardinal who spent years guiding the
faithful in the South American country was elected pope.
Pope Leo XIV, elected Thursday, is a dual citizen of the United States and
Peru, where he first served as a missionary and then as an archbishop.
That made him the first pope from each country.
In Peru’s capital, Lima, the bells of the cathedral rang after Cardinal
Robert Francis Prevost was announced as Pope Francis’ successor. People
outside the church quickly expressed their desire (希望，想要) for a papal
visit at one point.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 13-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 20,559
on turnover of 1.8-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher on Wednesday despite market sentiment
turning cautious ahead of the outcome of the U-S Federal Reserve's two-day
policymaking meeting.
Market watchers say many investors preferred (寧可) to stay on the sidelines
waiting for the results of the Fed's meeting, but Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing attracted last ditch buying to recoup its earlier losses.
Ministry halts plan to open 6 jobs categories to foreign students
The Ministry of Labor has paused a plan to revise regulations that would have
allowed foreign students who have graduated from Taiwan universities to work
in six types of intermediate-skilled jobs.
The pause comes after the ministry in March first introduced the plan to
tackle (處理) labor shortages.
The plan covered amendments to regulation allowing such foreign students to
take employment as assistant nurses, intercity and city bus drivers and
safety management system personnel, inventory clerks, cargo vehicle drivers
and cargo vehicle driving assistants.
The amended regulations do not include those provisions.
Government says data shows pedestrian traffic accident-related fatalities
dropping
The Ministry of Transport says Taiwan's roads are becoming significantly
safer for pedestrians - as it recorded the lowest traffic fatality rate in
over six years between January and February.
According to the ministry, there 469 fatalities in the first two months of
this year, representing the lowest 30-day death toll since 2019.
Of that number, there were 62 pedestrian-related deaths - and that's a record
low since the government began tracking that specific category of traffic
fatalities (死亡) in 2008.
Government data terms of counties and cities, shows that Tainan saw the
greatest increase in traffic-related deaths compared with last year, while
Yunlin County recorded the highest increase in the number of pedestrian
deaths.
India-Pakistan on edge as their militaries exchange gunfire
Indian army says at least one soldiers has died as gunfire and bombing
continue on India Pakistan border.
The region remains tense (繃緊的) a day after India fired missiles into
Pakistani territory - aimed it says at terrorist infrastructure.
Islamabad has now asked its army to carry out corresponding action.
Ishan Garg tells us more.
Venezuela Acknowledges Opposition Leaving Argentine Diplomatic Compound
Venezuela’s government has acknowledged for the first time that members of
the country’s opposition left the Argentine diplomatic compound where they
had sheltered for over a year.
But it has denied that their arrival to the United States occurred under an
international rescue operation as characterized by the political faction and
the U.S. State Department.
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello on Wednesday said the group’s
movements were negotiated with the government and further alleged that one of
the six people who entered the Argentine ambassador’s residence in March
left the compound in August, contradicting (（與…）相矛盾) earlier
statements from the opposition.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 52-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 20,575
on turnover of 5.7-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly lower on Tuesday as investors remained concerned
over possible American tariffs on semiconductor imports.
The main board rallied early in the session, but selling set in and escalated
late in the trading day, with large cap semiconductor stocks in focus, to
push the Tai-Ex into negative territory.
Central bank to inspect banks to prevent forex market speculation
The central bank says it will begin inspections into the local banking sector
to discourage speculators from targeting the foreign exchange market and to
ease volatility.
The move comes as the New Taiwan dollar rapidly appreciated against the U-S
dollar earlier this week.
Foreign media reports have said the central bank has suffered losses of
2-trillion N-T since the beginning of May due to the alleged speculating
(做投機買賣).
However, Foreign Exchange Department head Tsai Jiong-min says the bottom line
remained sound so the volatility in the forex market will not affect the
bank's ability to pay its profits to the national treasury.
KMT referendum bills placed on agenda at Legislature Friday
Two K-M-T proposed referendums have been placed on the agenda of the
legislative plenary session scheduled for Friday for discussion before being
put to a vote.
One of the proposals calls for a national referendum against the abolition of
the death penalty, while the other asks for a vote in opposition to martial
law in Taiwan after President Lai Ching-te in March proposed reinstating
(恢復) military trials.
The push for the two proposals comes after the expiration of the one-month
negotiation period required for bills involving interparty disputes before
proceeding to a second reading.
India Airstrikes in Pakistan
Days after 26 people were killed in a terror attack in Indian administered
Kashmir, New Delhi says it has hit 'terrorist infrastructure' in Pakistan.
India has defended the strikes, targeting nine locations across Pakistan and
Pakistan administered Kashmir, calling its response 'measured (慎重的),
responsible and designed to be non-escalatory in nature'
Neha Poonia has more.
Venezuela Opposition Leaves Argentina Diplomatic Compound
Five members of Venezuela’s political opposition have left the Argentine
diplomatic compound in their country’s capital, Caracas, where they had
sheltered for more than a year to avoid arrest. and were in the United States
on Tuesday,
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the group is now in the United
States.
Rubio did not provide details of the group’s movements to reach the U.S.,
but he described the event as a rescue operation.
The official states that “The U.S. welcomes the successful rescue of all
hostages (人質) held by the Maduro regime at the Argentinian Embassy in
Caracas,”
The government of Argentine President Javier Milei allowed the five people
into the ambassador’s residence in March 2024.
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從不同的角度打好理財基本功！
現在就點擊連結收聽
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 179-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
20,353 on turnover of 3.7-billion N-T.
The market closed sharply lower on Monday with export-oriented tech stocks in
focus as the New Taiwan dollar continued its rapid appreciation (上漲)
against the U-S dollar, which raised concerns over large foreign exchange
losses.
FDA defends unchanged policy on ractopamine checks
The Food and Drug Administration is defending its decision to not strengthen
random inspections for ractopamine in pork products despite detecting
residues of the leanness-enhancer in imported pork from Australia
It's the first time that ractopamine has been found in imported pork since
the ban on it was lifted in 2021.
According to the F-D-A, a shipment of 22.99 metric tons of pork items from
Australia tested positive for 0.001-parts per million of ractopamine - and
that figure is well within the F-D-A's standards for ractopamine limits.
The F-D-A says random inspections for qualified products will not be
strengthened - as all products that qualify for importation will not harm
human health even they are consumed (吃，喝) every day or for a lifetime.
Magnitude 5.9 earthquake in Hualien the 'main shock'
The Central Weather Administration's Seismological Center says Monday
evening's magnitude 5.9 earthquake that struck about 33-kilometers off the
coast of Hualien City was the "main shock" in a series of quakes in the area.
The magnitude 5.9 earthquake that struck at 6:53PM and was felt across much
of the island.
However, prior to that, six other earthquakes of greater than magnitude of 4
occurred in the same area.
Seismological Center director Wu Jien-fu says the quakes were all part of the
same series (系列) and that a magnitude 5.5 temblor that struck at 6:09PM was
a "foreshock" to 5.9 magnitude quake.
According to Wu, aftershocks in the magnitudes of between 5 and 5.5 range
could occur in the coming three days.
US Opponents Blast Trump's Plans for Alcatraz
US president Donald Trump says he plans to reopen the notorious Alcatraz
prison in the San Francisco Bay to house what he called "America's most
ruthless and violent Offenders."
Local officials immediately criticized the plan as unfeasible (不可行的).
Ira Spitzer reports from San Francisco.
Canada Alberta Referendum on Separation
The premier of Alberta says she will hold a referendum next year on the
energy rich province separating from Canada if citizens gather the required
number of signatures on a petition.
Speaking on a livestream address, Danielle Smith said she personally does not
support the province leaving Canada and expressed hope of a “path forward”
for a strong and sovereign Alberta within a united Canada.
Smith accused previous federal Liberal governments of introducing different
legislations that hamstring Alberta’s ability to produce and export oil,
which she said has cost the province billions of dollars.
The announcement comes just one week after Prime Minister Mark Carney led the
Liberal Party to a fourth consecutive (連續的) federal government.
It also comes as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to threaten Canada
with tariffs and talk of the country becoming the 51st state.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 51-points this morning from Friday's close, at 20,839 on
turnover of 6.8-billion N-T.
The market closed up more than 500 points on Friday, led by Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing, after strong earnings from two major U-S tech
giants overnight eased concerns about A-I demand despite U-S tariff
disruptions.
Inspection rules unchanged despite 1st ractopamine pork import:
The Food and Drug Administration says it will keep current pork import
inspection procedures in place.
The statement comes despite the agency detecting ractopamine in imported pork
for the first time since the ban on the leanness-enhancer was lifted in 2021.
According to the F-D-A, pork imports will continue to undergo between 2 and
10-per cent batch inspections.
The F-D-A says a 22.99-metric-ton shipment from Australia on April 29 tested
positive for 0.001 parts per million of ractopamine -- well below the legal
threshold (界限，水準).
MOFA names chief secretary as new envoy to Ireland
The secretary general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been named as
the Lai administration's new top envoy to Ireland.
According to a Cabinet personnel announcement, Daniel Tang will fill the
vacancy (空缺) left by his immediate predecessor, Yang Zi-bao - whose
resignation has been approved by the Presidential Office.
Yang had served as Taiwan's representative to the European country since 2018.
Tang has served as the foreign ministry's secretary general since February
2023 and was previously Taiwan's top envoy to South Korea and ambassador to
the Marshall Islands.
US Trump Iffy on Due Process
US President Donald Trump says he doesn't see everyone in the the country
getting due process (正當法律程序), as the Constitution states.
AP correspondent Donna Warder reports.
Nicaragua Withdraws from UNESCO
Nicaragua has withdrawn from the U.N. cultural and educational body UNESCO
because it awarded a prize celebrating press freedom to a Nicaraguan
newspaper, La Prensa.
UNESCO’s director general announced she had received a letter Sunday morning
from the Nicaraguan government announcing its withdrawal because of the
attribution (歸屬) of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.
The 2025 award was attributed Saturday to La Prensa on the recommendation
(推薦) of an international jury of media professionals.
The prize jury hailed the newspaper's work in the face of “severe
repression” and reporting from exile to "keep press freedom alive" in the
Central American country.
Nicaragua’s government, led by President Daniel Ortega and his wife and
co-president, Rosario Murillo, has been cracking down on dissent since it
violently repressed protests in 2018, claiming they were backed by foreign
powers that sought his overthrow.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 299-points this morning from Wednesday's close, at
20,534 on turnover of $8.4-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed little changed Wednesday, as investors remained
concerned by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats, especially with a
possible tariff on semiconductors expected to be unveiled next week.
Contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing bucked the downturn in
the bellwether electronics index, with the company pledging (諾言;保證) to
invest an additional $100 billion US dollars in the United States.
And the financial sector attracted buying to lend support to the broader
market.
Cabinet passed draft of Youth Basic Law
The Cabinet has approved a draft bill aimed at establishing a foundation in
to facilitate (促進) youth development and encourage greater youth
participation in public affairs.
The draft of the Youth Basic Law seeks to provide a general legal framework
and establish fundamental principles for the public sector at both central
and local-levels to take a "youth perspective" into account and "facilitate
youth development."
The bill mandates central and local governments establish mechanisms for the
participation of young people aged 18 to 35 when developing various policies,
regulations and programs.
And it states that the central government is required to launch a "youth
policy white paper" and update it every four years based on national
development goals and societal (社會的) needs.
Approval of the draft Youth Basic Law comes after the Youth Development
Administration announced that it will be releasing its first "youth policy
white paper" as early as February of next year.
UN Urges Israel to Lift Gaza Blockade
The United Nations’ emergency relief coordinator is urging Israel to lift
its blockade of aid into the Gaza Strip.
Tom Fletcher said Thursday that the halting of humanitarian aid amounts to
“cruel collective punishment (連坐處罰).”
Israel has blocked any humanitarian aid from entering the territory since the
end of a ceasefire two months ago.
That has thrown Gaza into what is believed to be the worst humanitarian
crisis in nearly 19 months of war.
Israel has said the blockade and its renewed military campaign are intended
to pressure Hamas to release the remaining hostages it still holds and to
disarm.
Trump-appointed judge bars the White House from using war-time law to
deport Venezuelans
A Trump- appointed judge has barred the White House from using the
centuries-old Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans it claims are members
of a violent gang.
At least 137 people have been deported using the Act - sent to a notorious
prison in El Salvador.
Toni Waterman has more from Texas.
Brazil World's Oldest Person Obit
Sister Inah Canabarro, a Brazilian woman who was the world’s oldest person,
has died at age 116.
Her nun congregation (教徒) said Canabarro died at home Wednesday of natural
causes.
The wake will take place on Thursday in Porto Alegre, the capital of southern
state of Rio Grande do Sul.
Canabarro was confirmed in January as the world’s oldest person by
LongeviQuest, an organization that tracks supercentenarians
(超百歲老人（指110歲以上的人）).
She was born in 1908 and would have turned 117 on May 27.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 17-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
20,215on turnover of 4.1-billion N-T.
The market moved higher on Tuesday, extending momentum from a session earlier
as a technical rebound continued.
Buying focused on non-tech stocks, while the electronics sector saw its gains
capped after reports that Huawei Technologies is ready to test its newest
artificial intelligence chip to rival Nvidia.
Narwhal faces sea trial testing delay
Navy Chief of Staff Qiu Chun-rong has admitted the first domestically built
submarine prototype willl likely miss the date that sea trials were scheduled
to begin.
The Ministry of National Defense's timeline for the Narwhal to carry out sea
trials was supposed to begin in April month and be completed by late
September.
However, Qiu says the Navy is currently still working on improvements and
focusing on reaching the "technology readiness level" required for the vessel
(船隻) to carry out sea trials.
That statement followed reports of potential testing delays due to voltage
surges from a land-based power supply used in testing causing some components
in the submarine to fail.
CDC warning of rise in COVID cases
The Centers for Disease Control is warning in a rise in the number of COVID
infections.
According to the C-D-C, infections have now risen for three consecutive
(連續的) weeks and are likely to peak between May and June.
Figures show the number of people visiting hospitals with COVID symptoms
increased by 19-per cent last week from the previous (前) week.
While 21 cases of severe COVID and seven deaths have been confirmed over the
past seven days.
C-D-C Deputy Director-General Philip Luo is advising people to get vaccinated
and more than 3-million doses of government-funded COVID vaccines are
currently available.
Canada PM Warning on Trump
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has just won re-election to
officially replace former leader Justin Trudeau has warned that the US
president is trying to break Canada.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington
EU Urges Serbia Reforms
The European Union’s enlargement commissioner has urged Serbia’s new
government to push forward democratic reforms (改革，改進) needed for
membership in the bloc, saying that the Balkan nation’s protesting citizens
have been seeking similar changes.
Marta Kos says the EU wants to embrace Serbia and other candidate countries
in the Western Balkans.
But she said Serbia must first reform the judiciary in order to fight
corruption, ensure freedom of the press and free and fair elections.
Marta Kos spoke after meeting Serbia’s new prime minister who has taken over
the government earlier this month facing monthslong anti-corruption
demonstrations triggered by a train station concrete canopy collapse that
killed 16 people in November.
Many in Serbia blamed the crash in the northern city of Novi Sad on alleged
rampant (猖獗) corruption in the government’s infrastructure deals with
China, staging almost daily street protests demanding justice for the
victims.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally lower this morning from yesterday's close, at
20,018 on turnover of 2.7-billion N-T.
The market moved higher on Monday led by a tech rally on Wall Street at the
end of last - and the main board returned to above the 20,000-point mark for
the first time since April 2.
Market watchers say buying on the Tai-Ex Monday reflected a continued rally
on U-S markets, which showed signs of stabilizing after the tariff shocks ..
and it's being suggested that the worst result from the tariff impact is now
over.
CIER calls on government to seek tariff exemption for ICT products
The Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research says the government should
seek a tariff exemption for the island's information and communications
technology products during negotiations with the United States.
The statement comes after Washington and Taipei held their first negotiations
on April 11 - as the government is seeking to ensure that Taiwan will not
face a 32-per cent import duty .. as was announced by the U-S on April 2 ..
… before a 90-day pause on that was announced on April 9.
Washington and Taipei held their first negotiations on April 11 - as the
government seeks to ensure that Taiwan will not face hefty tariffs on exports
to the U-S market.
Centenarian shuttler to compete in World Masters Games
The Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism has annouced that a
centenarian badminton player will be representing Taiwan at the upcoming
World Masters Games.
According to city government, 104-year old Lin Yu-mao is one of more than
2,000 athletes aged 65 and above who will be competing in the games.
Lin is the Guinness World Records-certified oldest badminton player.
Fifteen World Masters Games participants are aged 90 and over, including
eight from Taiwan.
The oldest participant at this year's quadrennial (四年一次) athletics event
is a Thai track and field athlete who is 105 years old.
The 2025 World Masters Games is taking place in Taipei and New Taipei from
May 17 through 31.
Canada Polls Open in National Election
Polls are open in Canada's national election, with the ruling Liberal Party
favored to win by a narrow margin.
The vote comes as Canadians grapple with high living costs, and tensions
(緊張局勢) with a confrontational US President, who has made controversial
comments about Canada's future.
Mitch McCann reports:
Brazil Supreme Court Order on Illegal Seizing of Land
A justice on Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered the federal government to
seize private properties when owners are found responsible for illegal
wildfires or deforestation.
In addition, authorities must seek compensation from landowners responsible
for illegal and intentional (故意的) destruction.
The ruling also directed the government to block regularization, a process by
which illegally-acquired land becomes legal.
The expectation of regularization has been one of the main drivers of
deforestation in the Amazon.
Land-grabbers clear land in the hope that it will eventually be titled thanks
to lax land laws or government amnesties.
The court's decision could be appealed.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 99-points this morning from Friday's close, at 19,972 on
turnover of 4.3-billion N-T.
The market gained nearly 400-points on Friday as investors were buoyed
following a third consecutive rally on Wall Street overnight, driven by hopes
for the U-S Federal Reserve to cut interest rates.
Chen Chien-jen hope for Lai Ching-te can attend new pope's inauguration
Former Vice President Chen Chien-jen has attended the funeral of Pope
Francis' and is expressing his hope President Lai Ching-te will be invited to
the new pope's inauguration ceremony.
Speaking to reporters, Chen said he spoke with former U-S President Joe
Biden, Japan's Foreign Minister and the delegation (代表團) heads from
Paraguay and Guatemala following the funeral.
Chen also says he believes he had completed his mission as Lai's special
envoy to Pope Francis' funeral service.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Chen was seated next to Thailand's
representative, as delegations at the funeral were arranged in alphabetical
order according to French, the official language of diplomacy.
FM wraps up Eswatini trip with rhino conservation donation
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has wrapped-up his trip to Eswatini with a
pledged donation to support local rhinoceros conservation efforts.
Lin returned to Taiwan on Sunday after a five-day visit to the African
kingdom to attend King Mswati III's 57th birthday celebration as President
Lai Ching-te's special envoy.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Lin pledged a 55,000 U-S dollar donation
to the Eswatini-based nonprofit trust that manages four game parks in the
country, on the final day of the visit.
According to the ministry, Lin also named a new baby rhino recently born in
one of the parks under the Big Game Parks "Formosa" to symbolize (象徵)
friendship between the two countries.
Iran President Visits Port Explosion Victims
Iran's president visits those injured in port explosion that killed at least
28 people
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
Greenland PM on US
New Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen says that the U.S.
isn’t showing Greenlanders proper respect.
Nielsen said Sunday that the mineral-rich Arctic island “will never, ever be
a piece of property that can be bought by just anyone.”
Nielsen made the remarks in defiance of U.S. President Donald Trump’s
interest in taking control of the strategic (有戰略優勢的、關鍵的) territory
as he stood side by side with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on the
second day of a three-day official visit.
Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.
SKorea Liberal Party Chooses Former Leader as Presidential Candidate
South Korea’s main liberal opposition party has tapped its former leader Lee
Jae-myung as presidential candidate in the June 3 vote.
The Democratic Party said Sunday that Lee has won nearly 90% of the votes
cast during the party’s primary.
He defeated two competitors.
Lee is a liberal who wants greater economic parity in South Korea and warmer
ties with North Korea.
He has solidified his position as front-runner to succeed recently ousted
(罷免，逐出) conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol.
A Gallup Korea poll released Friday said 38% of respondents preferred Lee
while all other aspirants (有志者) obtained single-digit ratings.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 382-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
19,861 on turnover of $8.6-billion N-T.
The market ended the day down on Thursday, as the market fell into
consolidation mode amid lingering concerns by investors about the impact of
U-S tariffs on Taiwan's semiconductor industry.
Taiwan FM and King unveil oil reserve facility project in Eswatini
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung and Eswatini's King Mswati III have jointly
presided over an unveiling ceremony for an oil reserve facility project
Taiwan will build to enhance the energy resilience of its ally.
Lin attended the ceremony marking The Strategic Oil Reserve Facility project
as part of his ongoing visit to Eswatini.
According to Taiwan's embassy in Eswatini, the oil reserve facility project
is expected to be completed in three years and will ensure a 60-day fuel
reserve for the kingdom.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says prior to (之前) attending the oil
reserve facility project ceremony, Lin presented a letter from Lai and cows
as gifts while meeting the king and queen mother.
The foreign minister in the kingdom this week as a special envoy for
President Lai Ching-te to pariticpate in the king's 57th birthday
celebrations.
Vegetation in Yangmingshan fire could take 1 year to recover
The Ministry of the Interior says a fire that destroyed some 4.5 hectares of
vegetation in Taipei's Yangmingshan could take about a year to recover.
The fire broke out on April 14 near the Xiao-You-Keng Recreation Area and
burned for about five hours - destroying silvergrass and portions of the
Yangmingshan National Park's arrow bamboo forest.
No deaths or injuries were reported.
Authorities have said the fire was likely caused by air quality monitoring
equipment belonging to the National Science and Technology Council installed
at the site.
Besides the vegetation, the fire also damaged various amenities (設施),
including ropes, sand-filled barriers and several wooden posts along the
forest trail.
Total estimated damage caused by the fire is being put at between 1.7 and
1.8-million N-T.
NATO chief in Washington for talks
Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte is in Washington for talks with senior
members of the Trump administration as Ukraine peace talks are stalling
(停滯).
He'll meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz at the state department on Thursday.
Kate Fisher reports.
Vatican Keeps Basilica Open Overnight for Mourners
The Vatican kept the doors St. Peter's Basilica open overnight, as lines of
mourners waited to pay their last respects (致敬) to the pope.
Officials closed the basilica for just an hour and a half Thursday morning
for cleaning, and by the evening that day, the Vatican says more than 90,000
people had paid their respects.
After three days of public viewing, a funeral Mass including heads of state
will be held Saturday in St. Peter's Square.
The pope will then be buried in St. Mary Major Basilica, near his favorite
Madonna icon.
Namibia New President Announces Free Education Changes
New Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has announced that her
government will introduce free education at state universities and technical
colleges starting next year.
Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in as Namibia’s first female leader last month.
Namibia already provides free education in public elementary and high
schools, though parents still typically have to pay for school uniforms,
stationery, books, and hostel fees.
There have been calls for years for all levels of education to be subsidized
(補貼的) by the government in the country of around 3 million people in
southern Africa.
Two of Namibia's seven universities are state run and will offer free
education under the policy.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 113-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
19,752 on turnover of 7.3-billion N-T.
The market recorded its second highest daily point gain in history on
Wednesday, as the main board soared more than 800-points, amid the possible
easing of trade tensions between the United States and China.
Market watchers say the upturn was completely driven by news that encouraged
investors to think trade friction between Washington and Beijing is easing.
Sea acceptance tests for indigenous submarine prototype not scheduled
Defense Minister Wellington Koo says no dates have yet been confirmed as to
when the Narwhal, or "Hai Kun" indigenous submarine prototype will begin its
sea acceptance tests.
The statement comes as sea acceptance testing was initially reported to begin
sometime this month.
According to Koo, shipbuilder C-S-B-C is still working to correct some issues
and the tests will only begin once all safety requirements are met.
The defense minister says although there is currently no definitive (確定的)
schedule for the seas acceptance tests to begin, the vessel is still slated
to be delivered to the Navy in November as scheduled.
Taiwan Railway Corporation announces new fares
Taiwan Railway Corporation has published its new ticket prices on its website.
Publication of the updated prices comes as fares (票價) are set to rise on
June 23.
Ticket prices are set to increase by an average of 26.8-per cent.
The railway corporation's passed a motion to increase fares across all of its
services on February 5 - citing a need to reduce the company's deficit -
which hit 13.79-billion N-T last year.
The new fares were calculated at a profit of 0.36-per cent, which translates
into an average price of 1.82 N-T per kilometer, up from the current 1.46
N-T.
UN warns of dangerously low aid in Gaza
The United Nations says the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached
unprecedented levels, even as Arab mediators (調解者) are working on a
proposal to end the war with Hamas that would include a five-to-seven year
truce and the release of all remaining hostages.
Jody Jacobs reports from the United Nations in New York.
Congo Gov and Insurgents Commit to Truce
A joint statement from Congo's government and a coalition of insurgents in
the country’s east including the M23 rebels says the two sides have agreed
to work toward a truce (休戰) following peace talks in Qatar.
The statement was posted online by an M23 spokesperson and confirmed by the
government, said the parties had agreed to “work towards concluding a
truce” and that they were reaffirming their commitment to “an immediate end
to hostilities.”
M23 is one of about 100 armed groups that have been vying for a foothold in
mineral-rich eastern Congo near the border with Rwanda, in a conflict that
has created one of the world’s most significant humanitarian crises.
More than 7 million people have been displaced (流離失所).
Previous commitments to a ceasefire have not held.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 370-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
19,163 on turnover of 6.4-billion N-T.
The market extended its losses from a session earlier on Tuesday to close
down by more than 300-points.
However, investors this morning reacted positively to rise on Wall Street
overnight - where indexes made up for the sharp declines seen during the
previous session.
Lai touts safety and social consensus as prerequisites for any nuclear
policy shift
President Lai Ching-te has been meeting with environmental groups and is
seeking to assure them that his administration's position on nuclear power
remains unchanged.
Speaking a closed-door meeting with representatives from a dozen
environmental groups, Lai said any changes to the government's nuclear policy
must meet "three prerequisites."
Those prerequisites (玡矗兵ン) include ensuring nuclear safety, achieving
proper nuclear waste management and securing social consensus on the issue.
Lai also stressed that the government "maintains an open attitude toward new
and advanced nuclear technologies" as it works to provide stable energy
supply and meet its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
Civil servants to receive pay raise starting in May
And,
Premier Cho Jung-tai has announced that civil servants, military personnel
and public school teachers will have a 3-per cent pay raise issued beginning
in May.
The pay rise was approved by the Cabinet in July of last year.
Cho says the pay hike was delayed because the Cabinet believed it was
inappropriate to allocate the funds before its efforts to overturn ( 崩陆)
the 3.1-trillion central government budget plan approved by the Legislature
were resolved.
He he went on to say that a decision was finally made Tuesday morning to
start dispensing the 3-per cent salary raise for civil servants starting next
month.
UN Appoints Head of Review of UNRWA
The United Nations chief has appointed a British human rights activist to
carry out a strategic review of the U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees.
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric announced the review on Tuesday.
He said Ian Martin, a former head of Amnesty International, will also be
looking at the ¨consequences and risks for Palestinian refugees〃 of
UNRWAˇs operations.
The purpose is to assess its impact under the "present political, financial,
security and other constraints (兵ン).〃
Israel has banned the agency, known as UNRWA, from operating on its
territory.
But its Palestinian staff have still been key to delivering aid and running
medical clinics in Gaza, even though Israel has cut off all humanitarian
deliveries since March 2.
IMF Slashes US Growth Forecast
The International Monetary Fund has slashed the United States' growth
forecast for this year, warning that tariffs are creating a "major negative
shock ( 侥阑)" worldwide.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
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早餐是補充蛋白質的黃金期，吃錯食物小心可能吃進精緻澱粉、加工品、油脂、熱量…等隱形負擔早餐補充蛋白質，首選統一陽光，嚴選非基改黃豆、植物性大豆蛋白、零膽固醇，營養少負擔！
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 115-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
18,990 on turnover of 3-billion N-T.
The market fell by almost 300 points on Monday due to lake of investor
interest in semiconductor heavyweights as U-S tariff polices continue to
impact market sentiment.
Large-cap semiconductor stocks led the broader market lower once again
sending the electronics index down by 1.6-per cent by the close of the day's
trading.
Premier approves NT$88 billion U.S. tariff support package
Premier Cho Jung-tai has approved the Cabinet's 88-billion N-T support
package aimed at mitigating (減輕) the impact of higher U-S tariffs on
Taiwan's economy.
However, details on what the plan contains remain relatively vague.
Cabinet Secretary-General Kung Ming-hsin says the plan will offer Taiwan
companies various forms of financial support and will serve as a sort of
"umbrella on a rainy day."
Departments responsible for administering the 20 measures contained in the
package are slated to explain them in more detail in the coming days.
Foreign minister to attend Eswatini king's birthday celebration
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung will lead a delegation to Eswatini King Mswati
III's 57th birthday celebration as President Lai Ching-te's special envoy.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Lin will be heading a delegation of
government officials and a group of business representatives to Eswatini from
today through Saturday.
The delegation will attend festivities (慶祝活動) and the main celebration,
which is scheduled on Friday.
Lin will present a letter from Lai and cows as gifts to Eswatini's king and
Queen
According to the ministry, the foreign minister will also hold meetings with
Eswatini's Prime Minister Russell Dlamini and the kingdom's foreign minister
on bilateral ties and projects.
Pope Francis
World leaders are paying tribute to Pope Francis, who passed away at the age
of 88, as the Vatican declares (宣稱) nine days of mourning.
AP correspondent Trisha Thomas reports.
UN Sounds Warning on Haiti Gang Violence
The top U.N. official in Haiti is sounding an alarm to the U.N. Security
Council that escalating (不斷升級) gang violence is liable (很可能會發生的)
to lead the Caribbean nation to “a point of no return.”
Maria Isabel Salvador is warning that “Haiti could face total chaos”
without increased funding and support for the operation of the Kenya-led
multinational force helping Haiti’s police to tackle the gangs’ expanding
violence.
She spoke to the Security Council on Monday.
The gangs have grown in power since the 2021 assassination of the president
and are now estimated to control 85% of the capital and are moving into
surrounding areas.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 79-points this morning from Friday's close, at 19,321
on turnover of 1.6-billion N-T.
The market ended slightly higher on Friday, despite a rather bumpy ride for
Wall Street last Thursday as Nvidia helped pull down the tech-heavy Nasdaq.
Measures to curb stock market short selling to continue
Meanwhile,
The Financial Supervisory Commission says measures to curb (抑制) short
selling on the Tai-Ex will continue this week amid ongoing uncertainties
about U-S tariff policies.
The measures were first put in place during the week of April 7 after U-S
President Donald Trump unveiled "reciprocal" tariffs on Taiwan of 32-per cent
and were then extended into last week.
Unlike its previous two announcements, the F-S-C this time has not specified
the duration (持續時間) of the extension of measures to curb short selling.
The local main board last week ended 0.68-per cent lower after falling
8.31-per cent the week before.
Cannabis decriminalization campaigners rally for end to 'war on weed'
The Taiwan Weed Safety Education Association has held a rally outside the
Legislative Yuan calling on the government to end its "war" on marijuana.
The event was titled "2025 Green Sensation" and the group and its supporters
used the rally to call on lawmakers and President Lai Ching-te to "eliminate
the stigma (（尤指不公正的）惡名) against marijuana and discriminatory
policies against the marijuana community."
Participants also urged the government to relax allowable levels of T-H-C,
align cannabis policy with international norms, and remove cannabis from
government-led anti-drug campaigns.
The Ministry of Justice has responded to the rally by reiterating that it
remains illegal to possess or use cannabis and warned that such offenses are
prosecuted as serious crimes.
Israeli probe into the killings of 15 Palestinian medics in Gaza finds
'professional failures'
The Israeli military has wrapped up its investigation into the killings of 15
Palestinian medics in the Gaza Strip last month .
AP correspondent Joe Federman reports
Yemen US Airstrikes Leave Dead and Wounded
Houthi rebels say U.S. airstrikes targeting Yemen’s capital killed 12 people
and wounded 30 others.
The deaths mark the latest in America’s intensified campaign of strikes
targeting (攻擊) the rebels.
The Houthis described the strike as hitting the Farwa neighborhood market in
Sanaa’s Shuub district.
That area has been targeted before by the Americans.
The U.S. military’s Central Command did not immediately acknowledge the
strikes.
Strikes overnight into today also hit other areas of the country.
Zurich Zoo Asian Elephant Born
The Zurich Zoo says a 19-year-old Asian elephant has given birth to a male
calf.
Its name starting with the letter Z will be announced later this week.
A light-sensitive monitoring camera picked up the birth and the calf's
earliest wobbly (搖搖晃晃的) steps before dawn on Saturday at the zoo’s
elephant park.
The Asian elephant is a critically endangered species with about 50,000
estimated in the wild, and their numbers are declining.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 85-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 19,424
on turnover of $2.4-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan extended their losses Thursday from a session earlier,
falling more than 120 points, as market sentiment remained cautious ahead of
an investor conference scheduled by contract chipmaker TSMC to start after
the market closes.
Stocks outside the tech sector also largely moved in the doldrums (低迷) amid
uncertainties caused by tariff threats by Washington.
Lai calls for more trade cooperation with NZ amid global challenges
President Lai Ching-te is urging New Zealand to expand trade and business
opportunities with Taiwan.
Speaking during a meeting with a visiting New Zealand parliamentary
delegation, Lai said both sides can work together to "explore even more
diverse markets" - such as smart agriculture, food manufacturing,
biomedicine, the digital economy and clean energy.
Lai also called for Taiwan and New Zealand should deepen cooperation and
jointly advance their economies and industrial development in the face of
global challenges.
There have recently been calls for the government to seek market
diversification (多樣化) for Taiwan products in the wake of levies imposed by
the United States on Taiwanese goods earlier this month.
Pro Go player Lin Chun-yen claims long-awaited HaiFong title
Nine-dan Go player Lin Chun-yen has captured his first Hai-Fong Tournament
title after 16 years on the professional-circuit.
He beat 6-dan Hsu Ching-en in the final match of a best-of-three series held
at Taipei's Hai-Fong Go Association.
It marked Hsu's third consecutive runner-up finish at the annual tournament,
which is one of eight major titles in Taiwan and the season opener for the
domestic pro Go circuit.
The victory was the 27-year-old's first major pro title in Taiwan in nearly
three and a half years.
Lin's next target is the Taiwan Mei-Jin title, where he faces 8-dan pro Chen
Qi-rui in a best-of-three semifinal series.
US Judge Rules Google Broke Antitrust Laws
A federal judge has ruled that Google broke antitrust laws by maintaining an
illegal monopoly in the digital advertising space. The decision could force
major changes to one of the tech giant's biggest revenue streams.
Ira Spitzer reports.
Italy Cable Car Accident Leaves Four Dead
Officials in southern Italy say that a cable car carrying tourists south of
Naples has crashed after the cable snapped, killing at least four people and
critically injuring one.
Italy’s alpine rescue was responding to the accident on Monte Faito on
Thursday.
The cable car accident happened just a week after the destination (目的地)
reopened for the season.
The cable car at Castellammare di Stabia is popular for its views of the
Mount Vesuvius volcano and the Bay of Naples.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni expressed her condolences for the victims and
their families and said she was in touch with rescuers.
She was in Washington, where she met with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Researchers Find Possible Chemical Signs of Life on Faraway Planet
Astronomers have detected possible chemical signs of life on a faraway
planet.
But they caution much more work is needed to confirm their findings.
The research, led by scientists at the University of Cambridge, found
evidence of compounds (化合物) that on Earth are only produced by living
organisms on the planet known as K2-18b.
The planet is 124 light-years away.
One light year is equivalent to about 9.5-trillion kilometers.
Scientists not involved in the research describe the findings as interesting,
but not nearly enough to show the existence (存在) of life on another planet
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 78-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
19,389 on turnover of 5-billion N-T.
The market lost ground again on Wednesday - tumbling nearly 400-points - as
the trade war between the United States and China escalated after Washington
imposed a fresh round of export controls on Nvidia and A-M-D selling to
Chinese buyers.
NDC to focus on silicon photonics, build new economic shield
National Development Council Minister Paul Liu says the government plans to
prioritize the development of silicon photonics.
According to Liu, that will be carried out by taking advantage of the
island's strength in the semiconductor and artificial intelligence industries
to build another shield to protect the local economy.
The N-D-C head says over the longer term, government is determined to focus
on potential segments as silicon photonics to boost its competitive edge
(競爭優勢) and take a larger share of the global market.
In addition to silicon photonics, Liu says the government has also listed
quantum and autonomous robot development as additional potential economic
shields.
US congressional group visits Taiwan to meet with President Lai Ching-te
A U-S Congressional delegation is visiting Taiwan this week.
The delegation is being led by U-S Senator Pete Ricketts, the chairman of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Subcommittee on East Asia, and is slated
to meet with President Lai Ching-te and other top government officials.
The bipartisan delegation includes Senators Chris Coons and Ted Budd.
The American Institute in Taiwan says the talks will focus on bilateral
relations, regional security, trade and investment, and other issues of
mutual (共同的) interest.
NKorea Threatens Retaliation After US Bombers Fly Over South
North Korea has threatened retaliation after the U.S. flew long-range bombers
over South Korea during training with its forces.
The U.S. flew the B-1B bombers Tuesday during an aerial drill that Seoul said
was meant to show the two countries’ deterrence (威懾) capability.
North Korea views such drills as an invasion rehearsal and is particularly
sensitive to the U.S. mobilization of strategic assets such as long-range
bombers, aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered submarines.
North Korea’s Defense Ministry was quoted as saying the U.S. action would
inevitably hurt U.S. security and North Korea “will deter by dint of
powerful force" the U.S. aggression.
North Korea often test-launches missiles in response to U.S. flyovers of B-1B
bombers.
US judge threatens contempt inquiry for Trump administration over
deportations
A US judge has threatened to start criminal contempt proceedings against the
Trump administration for defying (違抗) his order to stop the deportation of
more than 200 migrants to El Salvador.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Bolide Seen Over Mexico
A bright object, initially appearing to be a meteorite, lit up the skies over
Mexico’s capital at 3am local time.
Videos of a ball of fire shooting over the country and dissolving in a burst
of light over Mexico City quickly became the fuel for memes circulating on
social media.
But scientists were quick to note that the object was a bolide (火流星).
Bolides, defined by NASA as fireballs, are exceptionally bright meteors that
are spectacular enough to be seen over a very wide area.
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早餐是補充蛋白質的黃金期，吃錯食物小心可能吃進精緻澱粉、加工品、油脂、熱量…等隱形負擔早餐補充蛋白質，首選統一陽光，嚴選非基改黃豆、植物性大豆蛋白、零膽固醇，營養少負擔！
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 120-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
19,737 on turnover of 4.1-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Tuesday as buying was sparked by a rally
on Wall Street overnight.
Analysts says the rebound largely reflected the gains on the U-S markets
overnight on tariff exemptions for electronics products, which resulted in
Taiwanese manufacturers in the Apple supply chain staging a rally to push up
the broader market.
KMT offices in New Taipei searched as part of recall fraud investigation
Prosecutors has searched 30 locations in New Taipei as part of an ongoing
investigation into allegations of signature forgery (偽造簽名) and fraud
related to recall efforts against D-P-P lawmakers.
The locations searched included the K-M-T's Banqiao and Sanchong offices.
The searches came after the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office released six
people on bail after questioning them as part of the investigation
The investigation was launched following complaints about the petitions.
Those complaints allege that the petitions had over 1,700 signatures of
voters who had died, while some voters have said their names had appeared on
the petitions without their consent.
Prosecutors say the investigation is focusing on allegations of violations of
the Criminal Code and the Personal Data Protection Act.
Kaitlyn Chen becomes 1st player of Taiwanese descent drafted by WNBA
And,
U-S college basketballer Kaitlyn Chen has become the first female player of
Taiwanese descent to be drafted by a W-N-B-A team.
She was selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the third and final round
of the league's draft.
The point guard played her first three seasons in college for Princeton
University before transferring to the University of Connecticut for her final
season, which culminated in a national championship in April.
While at Princeton, Chen was named the Ivy League tournament's most
outstanding (傑出的) player three times from 2022 to 2024.
Prior to the draft, E-S-P-N described Chen as a highly underrated player,
praising her for her poise, leadership and playmaking abilities.
ProPalestinian Student Arrested at US Citizenship Interview
A pro-Palestinian protester who organized demonstrations (遊行，示威) at
Columbia University in New York has been arrested by immigration officials.
Mohsen Mahdawi, a green card holder, was detained as he attended an interview
to apply for US citizenship.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Canada Academic Uni Association Warning on US Travel
The association that represents academic staff at Canadian universities is
warning its members against non-essential travel to the United States.
The Canadian Association of University Teachers released updated travel
advice Tuesday due to the “political landscape” created by President Donald
Trump’s administration and reports of some Canadians encountering
difficulties crossing the border.
The association says academics who are from countries that have tense
diplomatic relations with the United States, or who have themselves expressed
negative views about the Trump administration, should be particularly
cautious (謹慎) about U.S. travel.
In addition, the association says academics should carefully consider what
information they have, or need to have, on their electronic devices when
crossing the border, and take actions to protect sensitive information.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 96-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 19,609
on turnover of 4.4-billion N-T.
The market bucked a regional upward trend on Monday and closed marginally
lower after early gains eroded amid lingering investor concerns over the
Trump administration's tariffs on semiconductors.
MOFA slams Cambodia for sending Taiwan fraud suspects to China
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has lodged a protest with the Cambodia
government after it deported a group of recently arrested Taiwanese telecoms
fraud suspects to China.
According to the ministry, some of a group of 180 recently arrested Taiwanese
fraud suspects were deported to China late Sunday and early Monday in three
groups along with arrested Chinese fraud suspects.
The ministry says it doesn't know how many were sent to China over the past
two days because the Cambodian government has refused to provide a full list
of those who were deported.
The foreign ministry is accusing the Cambodian government of bowing to
Chinese pressure (壓力) by not providing that information and calling on
Phnom Penh to released a list of all the deportees as soon as possible.
Housing prices fell in foruth quarter of last year
Housing prices declined in the fourth quarter of last year.
According to Chinatrust Real Estate, the decline came after the housing
market was hit hard following the central bank;s seventh round (輪) of credit
controls - which were introduced in September.
Data from the Ministry of the Interior's real estate information platform
shows that averages housing prices fell to 338,600 N-T per ping in the fourth
quarter and that was a 6.6-per cent decline from the third quarter.
All six special municipalities registered falling housing prices in the
September to December period.
Kaohsiung's housing market saw the steepest decline at 10.4-per cent - while
housing prices in Taipei City were down by 3-per cent in the fourth quarter.
US Trump Bukele Rule Out Releasing Man MIstakenly Sent to Prison
US President Donald Trump and El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele have ruled
out (排除…的可能性) releasing a man mistakenly sent to a maximum security
prison in the Central American country.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Algeria Expels French Officials
Algeria on Monday announced the expulsion of 12 French officials, shattering
recent hopes of a diplomatic thaw and plunging relations between the two
nations to a new low.
The country’s foreign affairs ministry said in a statement that French
consular agents had been given 48 hours to leave the country, in response to
the arrest of an Algerian consular official in France.
French counterterrorism prosecutors said three Algerians were arrested Friday
on preliminary charges of “kidnapping or arbitrary detention … in
connection with a terrorist undertaking (任務),” including one that French
media has said was an Algerian consular official.
The group is allegedly involved in the April 2024 kidnapping of an Algerian
influencer, Amir Boukhors, or Amir DZ, a known critic of the Algerian
government with 1.1 million followers on TikTok.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 157-points this morning from Friday's close, at 19,686
on turnover of 11-billion N-T.
The market closed up on Friday, despite Wall Street slumping overnight as
investors remained concerned about Donald Trump's trade war - as the local
main board ended a rollarcoaster ride of a trading week in positive
territory.
The Financial Supervisory Commission has said measures to curb short selling
on the local stock market have been extended (延伸) into this week as global
financial indexes still face uncertainties resulting from the latest round of
the Trump administration's tariff actions.
Cabinet delays release of NT$88 billion US tariff support package details
The Cabinet has postponed the release of details of its planned 88-billion
N-T support package aimed at mitigating (緩解) the impact of higher U-S
tariffs.
According to Premier Cho Jung-tai, the delay is due to uncertainty
surrounding the U-S position as ministries and agencies need more time to
finalize (敲定) the package's details, including how subsidies will be
allocated across various industries.
The statement comes after officials in Taipei and Washington began talks via
video conferencing last Friday regarding the "reciprocal tariffs" announced
by U-S President Donald Trump earlier this month.
DPP expels ex-aide of foreign minister at center of China spying case
The D-P-P has expelled a former assistant of Joseph Wu over allegations he
was involved in a Chinese espionage case.
The D-P-P's Yilan County headquarters announced the expulsion of Ho Jen-chieh
- who worked for Wu during his tenure as foreign minister between 2018 and
2024.
According to Qiu Jia-jin, the head of the D-P-P's Yilan headquarters, he
decision was unanimous, due to Ho's alleged actions that severely damaged to
the party's reputation and "run counter to (違反，背道而馳) the D-P-P's core
values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law."
Ho was detained by prosecutors in Taipei last Thursday after law enforcement
authorities searched his residence.
Israel Strikes Across Gaza Leave Two Dozen Dead
A new wave of Israeli strikes across Gaza has hit the last major hospital
providing critical health care in the territory's north.
At least 21 people were killed Sunday including children.
The predawn strike on Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City was the latest of several
attacks on the facility.
The emergency room is badly damaged, and staffers said patients were
evacuated after an Israeli warning and slept in the streets.
The war started when Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people during a 2023,
attack on southern Israel and took 250 people captive.
Many were eventually freed in ceasefire deals, and Israeli authorities have
vowed to pressure Hamas to release the remaining 59 hostages, 24 believed to
be alive.
It cut off all supplies to Gaza over a month ago, with more than 50-thousand
Palestinians killed in Israel’s retaliatory offensive, according to Gaza's
Health Ministry
Osaka Expo
The Expo 2025 has opened in Osaka with participants from more than 160
countries, regions and organizations showcasing their futuristic (超前新奇的)
exhibits inside about 80 pavillons of unique architecture.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 228-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
18,773 on turnover of 11-billion N-T.
Taiwan stocks finished up 9.25 percent Thursday, surging more than 1,600
points at the market's opening after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a
90-day pause on his steep "reciprocal" tariffs on most countries.
Three heavyweight stocks -- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC),
Hon Hai (Foxconn) and MediaTek -- hit their limit-up prices.
The market subsequently (隨後) flattened out, with many stocks hitting their
daily 10 percent limit-up prices, which also kept turnover relatively low.
Taiwan and Cambodia in talks over sending of 179 fraud suspects to China
Criminal Investigation Bureau says Taiwan is continuing talks with Cambodia
to prevent 179 Taiwan fraud suspects from being deported to China.
According to a member of bureau's liaison officer in Ho Chi Minh City,
negotiations are on going in order that the suspects are sent to Taiwan
instead to face legal consequences.
The statement comes after media reports out of Cambodia haven suggesting that
the Taiwan suspects were to be handed over to China as a goodwill (善意)
gesture to Beijing.
The Taiwanese suspects were all arrested on March 31 during raids of an
online telecommunication fraud center in Phnom Penh.
Reports say they are currently scheduled to be deported to China on Sunday
along with over 300 Chinese nationals.
Israel Frees 10 Palestinian Prisoners
Israel has freed 10 Palestinians detained from Gaza, the latest in periodic
releases from the thousands of people troops have seized during the military
campaign in the territory.
The men returned to the Gaza Strip and said they had suffered frequent abuse
while imprisoned, including beatings.
They were welcomed by family members at a hospital in central Gaza.
There was no immediate comment by the military.
Israeli officials have said that they abide by (遵守) the letter of the law
in the treatment of prisoners and investigate violations.
But there have been widespread reports of abuse of Palestinian detainees in
military prison camps and civilian prisons.
US Stocks Fall as Trump Confirms 145Percent China Tariffs
U.S. stocks fell on Thursday as President Trump clarified that he had raised
tariffs on Chinese goods by a total of 145 percent.
It comes as new inflation data shows that U.S. inflation eased more than
expected in March but economists suggest this is likely to be a temporary
reprieve (暫時緩解) before tariffs take effect.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington
Canada Mounties Bust BC Drug Labs
Canadian police have dismantled three drug labs in the Pacific-coast province
of British Columbia.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police also arrested two suspects, including
someone described as a “chemist,” but no charges have yet been laid as the
police probe continues.
The Mounties say they executed “numerous (許多的)” search warrants in late
March and found the three labs, which were equipped with sophisticated
equipment that is also used in “academic and professional research
facilities.”
Police say two of the illicit drug labs are believed to have been used to
produce fentanyl, but the purpose of the third lab remains “undetermined.”
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 864-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
18,256 on turnover of 15-billion N-T.
The market saw heavy losses for the third consecutive trading day on
Wednesday - as the main board tumbled more than 1,000-points after America
slapped a 32-per cent "reciprocal tariff" on Taiwan at noon yesterday.
Although the National Financial Stabilization Fund started its market
intervention yesterday, the decline was still the third steepest (最急劇的)in
history.
10,000 Chinese spouses face loss of residency in Taiwan over missing proof
The National Immigration Agency says about 10,000 Chinese spouses granted
"settlement residency" in Taiwan are at risk of losing that status for
failing to submit proof they renounced their Chinese household registration.
According to agency deputy director-general Chen Chieh-cheng, some 130,000
other Chinese spouses granted "settlement residency" have already provided
the required documentation (文件).
Chen says the reasons being cited for the delay by the some 10,000
individuals include health issues and challenges related to the COVID-19
pandemic.
Fifty questioned over Taichung Shin Kong Mitsukoshi explosion
The Taichung District Prosecutors' Office says 50 people have so far been
questioned as part of its on-going investigation into February's deadly
explosion at the city's Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store.
According to the prosecutors' office, is has questioned on-site workers, as
well as representatives from the Shin Chung Natural Gas Company and the
department store chain to clarify the cause of the gas explosion.
Prosecutors says some of have been listed as witnesses, while others have
already been listed as defendants and investigations are continuing regarding
possible criminal liability (責任).
The statement follows reports that although a gas meter had been removed, a
gas valve had not been turned off as renovation work was on-going at the
site.
The prosecutors' office has not commented on that report.
Trump pauses tariffs, increases China tariffs
US President Donald Trump has reversed course (逆轉政策) and paused global
tariffs on countries around the world for 90-days.
A 10% baseline duty will stay in place against all countries while the US
tries to do deals with individual countries.
However, tariffs against China have increased to 125%.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Pope Meets with UK King and Queen
Pope Francis met privately with King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the
Vatican during the royal couple’s four-day state visit to Italy and on the
occasion of their 20th wedding anniversary.
It was the first confirmed meeting since the pope’s return to the Vatican
after five weeks in the hospital for life-threatening double pneumonia.
Francis had planned to have an audience with Charles, but that was officially
postponed due to the pope’s health.
The pope issued (發布) a new invitation for a private audience, but it was
only confirmed on Wednesday morning.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 122-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
18,337 on turnover of 12.5-billion N-T.
The market extended its losses from the previous session on Tuesday -
declining more than 700 points - but the downturn was capped as some
investors appeared willing to move to the buy side.
Analysts say the lower declines came as bargain hunters chose to jump into
the trading floor due to the U-S markets showing signs of stabilizing
overnight.
NSB majority of espionage cases involve active, ex-military personnel
The National Security Bureau says prosecutors have indicted 159 people
suspected of spying for China since 2020 and of that total 60-per cent of
them were active-duty or retired military personnel.
The statement comes after the bureau released its latest report on
intelligence operations to the legislature.
According to the report, China is actively recruiting retired miltary
personnel and using them to approach active members, recruiting through the
internet, enticing (引誘) them with payments, and targeting indebted service
members.
National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen is scheduled to
explain further details of the report during a legislative hearing later
today.
CDC reporting three new measles cases
The Centers for Disease Control has confirmed three new measles cases.
The cases include two imported from Vietnam and one domestic infection
involving a man living in Taoyuan.
The C-D-C says the domestic case involves a man in his 20s, who developed
symptoms last Tuesday and he was not a direct contact of any previously
confirmed case, but his housemate had been listed as a contact (接觸過的人)
of an imported case from Vietnam.
The exact source of the local infection remains under investigation.
As of Monday, the C-D-C had recorded 22 confirmed measles cases since the
start of the year.
They include eight domestic infections and 14 imported cases -- all from
Vietnam.
UN SecGen Calls on Israel to Allow Aid into Gaza
The United Nations Secretary General has appealed to Israel to rescind its
decision to block aid into Gaza.
Israel stopped aid convoys from entering the strip last month -accusing Hamas
of diverting aid.
Antonio Guterres says aid is now running extremely low and that Israel has a
duty of ensuring (確保) food and medical supplies enter Gaza.
Jody Jacobs has more from the United Nations in New York.
Argentina Reaches IMF Deal for Bailout
The International Monetary Fund says it's reached a preliminary agreement
with cash-strapped Argentina on a $20 billion bailout package.
The IMF says the loan is a 48-month arrangement, and "builds on the
authorities’ impressive early progress in stabilizing the economy”.
As a staff-level agreement, the deal announced Tuesday still requires final
approval from the IMF’s executive board.
The deal delivers a lifeline to President Javier Milei, who has slashed
inflation and stabilized the economy after years of turmoil with a harsh
austerity program.
But without cash from the international lender, he has been unable to rebuild
the scarce (幾乎沒有，稀有的) foreign exchange reserves he inherited, which
he needs to repay debts and lift Argentina’s strict currency controls.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 167-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
19,064 on turnover of 6.9-billion N-T
The market registered its steepest ever daily decline on Monday - as the main
board tumbled 2,065 points due to a downturn in investor sentiment following
U-S President Donald Trump's tariff actions.
It was the first time the index had closed below the 20,000-point mark since
August 5 of last year - and out of 1,034 stocks traded on the Tai-Ex a total
of 945 fell by the maximum 10-per cent amid concerns that the tariffs could
undermine global trade.
Stabilization fund could hold special meeting to ease volatility
Meanwhile,
The Ministry of Finance says the National Financial Stabilization Fund has
not ruled out the possibility of convening a special meeting to discuss
measures to ease market volatility after U-S tariffs rattled financial
markets.
According to the finance ministry, the stabilization fund is closely
monitoring (監控) market conditions worldwide and could hold a special
meeting in a bid to shore up investor confidence and stabilize the local
capital market.
The stabilization fund is already slated to hold its regular meeting next
Monday.
The 500-billion N-T stabilization fund was established by the government in
2000 to serve as a buffer against unexpected external factors that might
disrupt the local bourse.
Presidential citation awarded to late Taiwanese poet Li Kuei-hsien
And,
A presidential citation has been awarded posthumously to late Taiwanese poet
Li Kuei-hsien.
Li died on January 15 in Taipei at the age of 85.
The award was presented to the poet's son, Li Shih-fei by Culture Minister Li
Yuan during a memorial ceremony for his father.
The culture minister said Li used poetry, a universal language, to lift the
visibility (能見度) of Taiwan literature in the world.
Li Kuei-hsien was born in Taipei in 1937 and began writing poems in junior
high school.
His first published poem was titled "Sakura" and appeared in the magazine
Wild Wind in 1953.
China Threatens Tariff Countermeasures
China has threatened to “resolutely take countermeasures” in response to
U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of an additional 50% tariff.
The Commerce Ministry statement issued earlier today said the U.S.‘s
imposition of “so-called ‘reciprocal tariffs’” on China is “completely
groundless (毫無根據的)".
China has taken retaliatory tariffs and the ministry hinted more many be
coming.
US Trump Admin Fights Return of Mistakenly Deported Man
The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to block a court order
requiring it to return a man who was mistakenly deported to a notorious
(惡名的) prison in El Salvador.
A District Court Judge has given the administration until just before
midnight Monday to facilitate (讓…順利進行) Kilmar Abrego Garcia's return
to the US.
Ira Spitzer reports.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 1,144-points this morning from last Wednesday's close,
at 20,153 on turnover of 15-billion N-T as investors reacted to U-S President
Donald Trump's 32-per cent tariff on goods from Taiwan.
The market closed slightly higher last Wednesday when investors appeared
reluctant to chase prices amid lingering concerns over the fresh round of
tariffs - that were pending announcement the Trump administration at the
time.
First Luxembourg parliamentarian group since 2019 visits Taiwan
The first group of parliamentarians from Luxembourg to visit Taiwan since
2019 has arrived in Taipei.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the delegation is being led by
Stephanie Weydert and includes three fellow members of the Chamber of
Deputies.
The foreign ministry says the delegation will be holding talks this week with
Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun, Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang, and
Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-ji.
They will also meet several NGOs representatives before departing on Friday.
The talks are expected to focus on enhancing bilateral relations, and issues
related to cross-strait relations, education, culture, and gender equality
(性別平等).
Three-day music festival in Kenting attracts over 1-million visitors
And,
Organizers of the Taiwan Music Festival in Kenting say this year's three day
event attracted over 1-million visitors.
The festival took place from last Thursday to Saturday.
County government officials say data provided by telecom operators shows that
attendance (參加) over the three-day period had exceeded 1-million.
The county government says it was the third consecutive year that the total
number of visitors has surpassed that number.
Japan Helicopter Crash Leaves 3 Dead
The Japan coast guard says a medical transport helicopter carrying a patient
fell into the sea in southwestern Japan, leaving three of the six people
aboard dead.
The pilot, a helicopter mechanic and a nurse were rescued by the coast guard
earlier in the day after they were found Sunday in the waters clinging (抓緊)
to inflatable lifesavers.
The bodies of the medical doctor, the patient, and her caretaker were later
recovered by a Japan Air Self-Defense Force helicopter.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
US Texas 2nd Child Death from Measles
A second child has died from measles-related causes in West Texas, where
cases are nearing 500.
AP correspondent Marcela Sanchez reports…..
Pope Speaks at Sunday Mass
Pope Francis has made a surprise entrance to St. Peter’s Square during a
special Jubilee Mass for the sick and medical workers in his first public
appearance at the Vatican since leaving the hospital.
The pontiff on Sunday lifted his hands to wave at the crowd that stood and
applauded (鼓掌) as he was rolled unannounced to the front of the altar
(聖壇) in the square.
He addressed the crowd of faithful and shared his experience of being ill,
and he also offered prayers for doctors, nurses and health care workers.
The pope was released from Gemelli hospital March 23rd, after battling
life-threatening pneumonia during a five-week hospital stay.
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Taiwan remains on US annual report on foreign trade barriers
Illegal entry of Chinese national ahead of PLA drills probed by prosecutors
Putin begins biggest Russian military call-up
Trump floats outreach to North Korean leader
Iceland volcano's eruption
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 188-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
20,884 on turnover of 5.2-billion N-T.
The market plunged more than 4-per cent on Monday on the back of investor
concerns over U-S President Donald Trump's tariff threats that could become
reality later this week.
Monday's decline was the fourth steepest in terms of points in the Tai-Ex's
history.
Lai urges steps to stabilize Taiwan's economy as U.S. tariffs loom
President Lai Ching-te has told Premier Cho Jung-tai to take steps to
guarantee Taiwan's economic stability ahead of the expected imposition of
"reciprocal tariffs" by the United States tomorrow.
According to Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo, Lai made the call
after hearing a presentation by Cho and members of the government's
"Taiwan-U.S. trade work group."
Kuo says the report included assessments (評估) of possible U-S tariff
levels, modeling and estimates of their economic impact, and various
potential response plans.
The Cabinet's Office of Trade Negotiations has said it's been preparing for
the tariffs and has already developed "multifaceted response plans."
Interior Minister disbands standby rescue team to help Myanmar after Earthquake
Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang says the government has disbanded a rescue
team that was on standby to travel to Myanmar following last Friday's
magnitude 7.7 earthquake.
According to Liu, her office made the decision after considering the
continuing military conflict between Myanmar's military junta and local rebel
groups over the past few days despite the strong earthquake.
Liu told reporters the government would be unable to guarantee the safety of
rescue team members once they arrive there and decided to take team members
off standby (支援) and allow them to return to their regular operations in
Taiwan.
The rescue teams had been on standby since late Friday.
Trump administration sanctions six Chinese officials over Hong Kong Crackdown
The US has announced sanctions against six officials from China and Hong Kong
over the Chinese government's crackdown on the city's pro-democracy movement.
Washington and its allies have accused (指控) Beijing of not honoring a
commitment to allow the formerly British territory a high degree of autonomy.
Ira Spitzer reports.
Lithuania 3 Missing Soldiers Bodies Recovered
The U.S. Army says three of the soldiers who went missing in Lithuania have
been found dead in an armored vehicle that was pulled from a swampy area in
Lithuania early Monday.
Another soldier is still missing.
The bodies of the three were recovered after a massive (大量的) six-day
effort by U.S., Polish and Lithuanian armed forces and authorities to dig the
M88 Hercules vehicle out of a peat bog at the training ground.
The Army says the soldiers were on a tactical training exercise when they and
their vehicle were reported missing early Tuesday.
Hundreds of Lithuanian and U.S. soldiers and rescuers had joined the search
through the thick forests and swampy terrain.
The Navy dive team is now searching the area using radar for the fourth
soldier who is still missing.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Taiwan Stock Exchange's main index opened down 348.26 points at 21,254.63
on turnover of NT$8.79 billion.
US and Japan defense chiefs take note of China's activates around Taiwan
The defense ministers of the United States and Japan says they "took note" of
military activities by China around Taiwan and reiterated their long-held
support for maintaining peace across Taiwan Strait.
The minister's comments come as U-S Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited
Japan on Sunday as part of his first trip to Asia since taking office
During his meeting with Japan's Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, the two sides
pledged (承諾的) to enhance their alliance and discussed China's growing
military threats.
An English-language press release issued by Japan's defense ministry said
"the ministers confirmed their opposition to any unilateral attempts to
change the status quo by force or coercion including in the East and South
China Seas."
Kenting guesthouse to be fined for exceeding price rise limit
A guesthouse in Kenting National Park will be fined for violating price
control rules.
Local authorities found it had increased its room rate by almost 900-per cent
for dates covering this week's long weekend Tomb Sweeping Day holiday.
The guesthouse was found not only to be engaging in price gouging but also
operating more rooms than permitted, with 15 rooms in use instead of the nine
registered (注冊).
The Pingtung County Bureau of Transport says the guesthouse faces fines of
between 10,000 and 50,000 for price gouging and a fine of 40,000 for
exceeding the allowed room count.
The guesthouse has also been ordered to stop operations.
Tonga quake
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake has caused slight damage in Tonga and brief
evacuations (疏散) before the threat of a tsunami passed.
The temblor hit around 100km (62 miles) northeast of the main island early
today…
Julie Walker reports.
Mideast Gaza
The U.N. says Gaza’s bakeries will run out of flour for bread within a week.
Agencies have cut food distributions to families in half.
Markets are empty of most vegetables.
Many aid workers cannot move around because of Israeli bombardment (轟擊).
Aid groups are trying to stretch out what little supplies they have as
Israel's blockade of all food, medicine, fuel and other supplies into Gaza
enters its fifth week.
Palestinians are crowding free kitchens for prepared meals, amid fears of a
catastrophic rise in hunger. Fuel and medicine will last some weeks longer
before hitting zero.
Pope Improvement
Pope Francis has shown ‘’a truly surprising improvement’’ since returning
to the Vatican to convalesce…
This… after surviving (倖存下來) a life-threatening bout with
double-pneumonia.
Trisha Thomas reports from Rome.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 116-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,836 on turnover of $5.7-billion N-T.
Cabinet to establish agency for strengthening personal data protection
The Cabinet has approved a proposal paving the way (（為…）創造條件) for the
establishment of an independent agency tasked with strengthening personal
data protection in Taiwan.
According to the Cabinet, the proposed bill and amendments will provide the
legal basis for the planned Personal Data Protection Commission.
Under the proposal, each government agency should also appoint a "personal
data protection officer" to coordinate and oversee efforts to strengthen data
protection and promote awareness of its importance.
The head of the planned agency's preparatory office, says the commission will
include five to seven commissioners serving for renewable four-year terms ..
.. and it will primarily be tasked with handling cases of personal data
breaches in both government agencies and private enterprises that "do not
have a specific competent authority.
Full-length photo of Taiwan's tallest tree
The Taiwan Forestry Research Institute has unveiled a full-length photo of
Taiwan's tallest tree.
The tree is a Taiwania nicknamed "Heaven Sword" and measures 84.1-meters in
height.
The forestry research institute says photo was made possible thanks to its
collaboration with a National Cheng Kung University team nicknamed "Taiwan
champion trees," and Steven Pearce, the leader of Australia's The Tree
Project.
According to the institute, the full photographing of the tree was completed
in January of 2023.
Institute Deputy Director Wu Meng-ling says the research team spent six days
climbing mountains and trekking up the Da'an River to reach the tree before
they could begin photographing it.
The tree was located using airborne light detection and ranging technology -
which can obtain (獲得) three-dimensional information over a large area in a
short time, which in turn helps to measure the height of trees.
US Rubio on Signalgate "Big Mistake"
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says someone made a big mistake (錯誤) by
adding a journalist to a group chat of top US officials ahead of US
airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington
Canada PM and Trump Schedule Phone Call
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says he will talk to U.S. President
Donald Trump soon after Trump announced 25% tariffs on auto imports.
Carney said Thursday that Trump reached out Wednesday night to schedule a
call, and the two leaders would speak "in the course of the next day or two."
Carney was sworn in (宣誓就職) as Canada’s new prime minister on March 14th,
but he hasn’t spoken with Trump since taking office.
Trump has declared a trade war on Canada and continues to call for the United
States' northern neighbor to become the 51st U.S. state, a position that has
infuriated Canadians.
King Charles Hospitalized for Treatment Side Effects
Buckingham Palace says King Charles III was hospitalized for observation on
Thursday after experiencing “temporary side effects,’’ related to a
scheduled cancer treatment.
His engagements for Thursday afternoon and Friday were cancelled.
The palace says the move is a "precautionary (預防性的) measure"
The 76-year-old king has been undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of
cancer for more than a year.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 167-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,093 on turnover of 5.4-billion N-T.
The market closed little changed on Wednesday, as many investors opted to
stay on the sidelines amid lingering concerns over tariff threats from the
Trump administration.
The slump came after tech stocks took hit on Wall Street overnight - as the
Nasdaq lost 2-per cent.
Turnover stood at 214-billion N-T and market watchers say the low turnover
was evidence that investors are reluctant to chase prices for now before the
White House announces its reciprocal tariff policy - which is expected by
April 2.
Analysts say the local main board is expected to continue to move in a narrow
range at around the 240-day moving average of 22,330 points before those
reciprocal tariff actions are launched.
Four former-servicemen found guilty of selling documents to China operative
The Taipei District Court has sentenced four former military personnel to
prison terms after finding them guilty of selling documents to a middleman
for the Chinese intelligence services.
Three of those sentenced were members of the 211th Military Police Battalion,
which guards the Presidential Office, while the fourth served in the
ministry's Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command.
The four were convicted for breaching (違反) national security laws and
accepting bribes and given sentences of between five and seven years.
The sentences can be appealed.
Academics slam Lai's populism, freedom of speech erosion
Some 75 academics are accusing President Lai Ching-te of using populism to
rally supporters, leading to the rapid erosion of free speech in Taiwan ..
.. and have all co-signed a statement titled "Defending Taiwan's Democracy,
Rule of Law, and Peace."
They're calling on the government to the government to halt its actions and
avoid (避免) further harming Taiwan's democracy and rule of law for the sake
of short-term political gain.
They're also arguing that "in order to defend" Taiwan's "democracy, rule of
law, peace and security," the government should "adhere to the constitutional
system and take immediate and effective measures to improve cross-strait
relations."
NKorea Kim Observes Drone Tests
North Korea says leader Kim Jong Un observed tests of newly developed
reconnaissance and attack drones this week and called for their increased
production.
Photos released by state media Thursday showed Kim observing what appeared to
be a large reconnaissance (偵察) drone roughly resembling Boeing’s E-7
Wedgetail airborne warning and control aircraft.
Other images showed exploding drones crashing into targets.
The report said the exploding drones feature unspecified artificial
intelligence capabilities.
State media said Kim expressed satisfaction with the drones’ performance and
approved plans to expand production, emphasizing that drones and AI should be
top priorities in efforts to advance his military and adapt it to modern
warfare.
Trump 25Percent Tariffs on Auto Imports
Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on all automobiles imported into the
United States.
The US president says the move is intended to boost (增強；推動) domestic
manufacturing but it's expected to raise prices for US car buyers.
Ira Spitzer has more.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 54-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,327
on turnover of 2.7-billion N-T.
The market rebounded from a slump the previous session on Tuesday - as large
cap electronics stocks were in focus following gains on Wall Street overnight
after U-S news media reports said the Trump administration may implement more
measured trade actions.
Power plants scale back operations as smog envelops northern Taiwan
The Ministry of Environment says power plants have temporarily been scaling
back operations after air pollution in the north reached unhealthy levels.
According to the ministry, "red warnings" - indicating air that is unhealthy
for all groups - were triggered at monitoring stations in Taipei, New Taipei,
Keelung and Taoyuan Tuesday afternoon ..
.. and it coordinated with Tai-Power to implement load reduction (減少) and
emissions controls at power plants in Keelung, Yunlin County, Taichung and
Kaohsiung in order to mitigate the effects of the pollution.
The environment ministry says the total reduced power generation amounted to
132.52-million kilowatt-hours as of 6PM.
Ex-captain charged with corruption sent back to Taiwan
A former army captain charged with corruption has been repatriated in a joint
mission by Taiwanese and Filipino authorities.
According to the Ministry of Justice's Investigation Bureau, Lee Chen-yu was
detained in the Philippines for over a year after he was arrested by Filipino
authorities in Cebu in February 2024 based on information from Taiwan that he
was a fugitive.
The bureau says Filipino authorities refused to deport Lee to Taiwan, because
they mistook him for another fugitive (逃犯) with the same name and needed to
investigate whether he was involved in other cases.
However, he was finally returned to Taiwan yesterday following talks between
Taiwan and Philippine officials.
Lee was formally arrested on his arrival at Taoyuan International Airport.
Ukraine Russia to Halt Black Sea Attacks
Ukraine and Russia have agreed to halt military strikes in the Black Sea and
to allow safe passage of commercial shipping vessels.
The move comes after U.S. officials held several days of talks with
representatives from Moscow and Kyiv in Saudi Arabia.
But major questions remain over whether this agreement will be able to be
effectively (有效地) implemented.
William Denselow reports from Kyiv.
King Charles Visit to Vatican Postponed
King Charles III’s scheduled audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican next
month has been postponed by mutual agreement after medical advice suggested
the pontiff would be better off with more rest.
Buckingham Palace made the announcement in a statement Tuesday.
The tentative audience was among details of the British monarch’s visit to
the Vatican and Italy last week by the palace.
The royal visit to Italy, which is scheduled to start on April 7, will
continue.
The Pope was released from hospital Sunday after 38 days of treatment (治療)
for double pneumonia and is under doctors orders to observe two months of
rest during which he should avoid large gatherings.
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900 to participate in military-free Tainan civil defense drill
Tainan presents MRT Blue Line plan
U.S. airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels
Turkey protests saw journalists arrested
Judge ruled to restrict DOGE access
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 139-points this morning from Friday's close, at 22,348
on turnover of 3.4-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Friday, following a lackluster session on Wall
Street overnight, as investors remain uneasy over uncertainty over U-S
President Donald Trump policies.
Investors also opted to shun (避開，躲避) tech shares following recent
fluctuations.
Labor rights groups to stage hunger strike in push for more days off
A coalition of labor rights groups has announced plans to launch a hunger
strike next month to demand the reinstatement of the seven days off scrapped
(取消) in 2016.
The announcement comes as lawmakers are slated to review bills on
"anniversaries and national holidays enforcement."
According to the "Work with Dignity" alliance, its calling on people to join
its 200-hour April 11 to 19 hunger strike, which will take place outside the
Legislative Yuan.
The alliance is also urging employers to pay more into employee pension pots
and for the establishment of a similar system for foreign workers.
Related bills are set to be reviewed in the coming week.
The 1st World Bird Fair--News
Taiwan's rich avian diversity attracts bird enthusiasts from around the
globe, positioning Taiwan as a key birdwatching hub.
Sponsored by the World Birdfairs Council, Taiwan's 1st World Bird Fair will
be co-hosted by the Taiwan Tourism Administration and National Park Service
from September 19th to 23rd 2025.
There'll be an exhibition open to the public for free on the 20th and 21st.
Organizers say they've also invited experts, tour operators and conservation
groups from home and abroad (國外) to join two forums focusing on the World
Bird Ecotourism Experience.
The event aims to promote bird conservation and birdwatching ecotourism.
The fair will take place at Taichung City's Civic Plaza, attracting birders
from around the world.
SKorea Overturns PM Impeachment
South Korea’s Constitutional Court overturned parliament’s impeachment of
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating him as acting president.
Han, South Korea’s No. 2 official, had become acting leader after President
Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached by the opposition-controlled National Assembly
over his Dec. 3 imposition (實施) of martial law that triggered a massive
political crisis.
But Han was impeached by the assembly as well in late December following
political strife with opposition lawmakers.
The Constitutional Court says today it has decided to overturn Han’s
impeachment.
The court has yet to issue a ruling on Yoon’s impeachment.
Yoon has been separately arrested and charged with rebellion in connection
with his martial law decree.
If convicted of that charge, he would face the death penalty or a life
sentence.
And if the court rules against him, South Korea must hold a national election
to find a new president.
Pope Returns to Vatican from Hospital
The Pope has arrived home at Vatican after 5-week hospital stay to beat
life-threatening bout of pneumonia (肺炎).
AP correspondent Trisha Thomas reports
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 15-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,362 on turnover of $4.2-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan staged a significant technical rebound, soaring more than
400 points Thursday led by the electronics sector, as buying was triggered by
a U.S. rally following a Federal Reserve decision described by the market as
dovish.
Artificial intelligence-related stocks also bounced back from a recent slump
with iPhone assembler and AI server maker Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. both
ending up, and buying was seen across the board, although the gains posted by
nontech stocks were largely capped.
Labor ministry mulls opening up six types of jobs to foreign students
The Ministry of Labor is planning to amend regulations that will allow
foreign students who have graduated from a Taiwan university to work six
types of jobs categorized by the ministry as "intermediate-skilled" jobs.
According to the labor ministry, revisions represent an interdepartmental
(跨部門的) effort to tackle a growing labor shortage.
The six types of jobs covered by the amended regulations include assistant
nurses, intercity and city bus drivers and cargo vehicle drivers.
The amendments will be made to employment qualifications, skill requirements,
and regulations on changing employers.
Officials say they will enter a public review period by the end of this month
at the earliest, to solicit input from the public before they go into effect.
The labor ministry's Cross-Border Workforce Management Division says the
positions will be open to graduated students from Hong Kong and Macau, but
not to those from China.
MH370 Search to Resume
A robotics company in Texas has been given the green light to resume a search
for Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 - 11 years after the plane disappeared
without a trace (無影無蹤) over the Indian Ocean.
Toni Waterman has more.
Turkey Protests Against Istanbul Mayor Arrest
Thousands of people have gathered outside Istanbul’s city hall for a second
consecutive night to rally against the arrest of the city’s popular mayor.
Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested Wednesday as part of investigations into
alleged corruption and terror links.
Many view the arrest of a prominent contender against President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan as a politically driven attempt to eliminate a key rival from the
next presidential race.
The government strongly rejects the claim insisting that the courts operate
independently.
On Thursday authorities detained 37 people for allegedly sharing
“provocative (煽動的)” content on social media following Imamoglu's arrest.
World Happiness Report Finland Top
A new global report says that people in Finland are the happiest in the
world.
The northern European country is leading the world in happiness for the
eighth year in a row.
The World Happiness Report released on Thursday says the top 20 happiest
countries include 14 Western industrial countries, two countries from Latin
America and one from the Middle East.
The United States has fallen to its lowest-ever position at 24, having
previously peaked at 11th place in 2012.
Afghanistan is again ranked (排名) as the unhappiest country in the world.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 210-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,171 on turnover of $6.7-billion N-T.
The market took a beating on Wednesday as the bellwether electronics sector
was in investor focus after tech stocks saw heavy losses on Wall Street
overnight ahead of the conclusion of the U-S Federal Reserve's two-day
policymaking meeting.
Market watchers say foreign institutional investors stayed on the sell side
during the session and the local main board could see further
unpredictability (不可預測性) as volatility on U-S markets is continuing to
dictate large-cap electronics stocks here in Taiwan.
Taipei animal protection office seeks new owner for bitey pit bull
Authorities in Taipei are seeking a new owner for a pit bull named "Lucky,"
who was confiscated from it owner after biting people on two separate
occasions this month.
The Taipei City Animal Protection Office says "Lucky" is currently being kept
alone to minimize (使降到最低) stress and is looking for owners who have
experience with pit bulls.
"Lucky" mauled people on two separate occasions, prompting the Taipei City
government to fine the owner 200,000 N-T for violating the Animal Protection
Act by allowing an aggressive animal out in public place without proper
supervision and precautions.
The authorities confiscated the dog on Tuesday.
The Taipei City government's Department of Economic Development says the
original owner is no longer allowed to look after Lucky due to his lack of
control over the animal.
Russia Ukraine Prisoner Swap
Russia and Ukraine say they have each swapped 175 prisoners in one of the
largest exchanges of the war began.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday the exchange included
severely (嚴重地) wounded fighters whom Russia had prosecuted on fabricated
(編造的) charges.
He says all those who returned will receive immediate medical and
psychological assistance.
Russia's Defense Ministry said it had released an additional 22 severely
wounded Ukraine captives as a goodwill gesture.
Originally, Russian President Vladimir Putin had promised to release 23
prisoners when he spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump about a potential
partial ceasefire.
There was no immediate comment on the reason the number changed.
Reknowned Pianist to Boycott US Over Trump Presidency
The concert pianist Andras Schiff has become the latest performer to announce
that he will boycott the United States over Donald Trump's presidency.
Mr. Schiff is widely considered (被視為) one of the world's leading
performers of music by Bach and Mozart, and has announced he is cancelling
plans to tour the country later this year.
From Washington, Simon Marks reports.
Pope Condition Continues to Improve
Pope Francis’s condition has continued to improve and he no longer needs to
use noninvasive mechanical ventilation to help him breathe at night.
The Vatican said 88-year-old pontiff is also reducing his reliance on
high-flow supplemental oxygen during the day.
The Holy See press office says his double pneumonia infection, while not
completely eliminated, is under control.
Francis celebrated Mass on Wednesday, on the anniversary of his installation
as pope 12 years ago.
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試乘新能源車款ARIYA、X-TRAIL e-POWER、KICKS e-POWER，就有機會獲得「價值5萬元
Formula E電動方程式賽事日本東京站雙人之旅」，入主再享4萬配件金及低頭款低月付方案。
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 26-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,245 on turnover of 4.1-billion N-T.
The market closed up on Tuesday, as buying was sparked by a rally on Wall
Street overnight on hopes that the U-S Federal Reserve will cut interest
rates after the release of worse-than-expected retail (零售) sales data in
February.
MND send Quadrennial Defense Review to LY for review
Defense Minister Wellington Koo is slated to meet with members of the
Legislative National Defense Committee later today to answer quesitons about
the Quadrennial Defense Report.
The report was sent to the Legislative Yuan yesterday for review.
This report focuses on the need to building strong defenses and a
multilayered deterrence (威懾), while also elaborating on military
cooperation with the United States.
The report has to be submitted to the the Legislative Yuan within 10 months
of the presidential inauguration.
CDC seeing an end to flu epidemic
The Centers for Disease Control says the ongoing influenza epidemic is
expected to end in late March.
According to the C-D-C, a total of around 108,000 outpatient and emergency
visits due to flu-like illness were reported from March 9 through 15 ..
.. and that figure indicate (顯示) a downward trend, but still an ongoing
epidemic.
The C-D-C says the most common respiratory pathogen in the community is the
flu virus, with the majority being influenza type A.
C-D-C Deputy Director-General Tseng Shu-hui says that the flu epidemic
remains at a "critical point" and "still requires continued monitoring."
UN Guterres Shocked at Israel's Gaza Strikes
The United Nations Secretary General has expressed shock at the overnight
Israeli attacks on Gaza.
Israel launched a series of air strikes on the enclave (飛地) on Monday night
ending an almost two month ceasefire.
Jody Jacobs reports from New York where the Security Council ismeeting on the
matter.
Mali Withdraws from FrenchSpeakingCountry Alliance
Mali has withdrawn from a global alliance of French-speaking countries, days
after two of its neighbors took the same step.
In a letter seen by The Associated Press on Tuesday, Mali’s foreign ministry
accused its French counterpart of “selective application of sanctions” and
“contempt for Mali’s sovereignty.”
On Monday, the alliance's spokeswoman said Burkina Faso and Niger had also
decided to remove their countries from the organization, which had already
suspended the membership of the three countries over military coups in recent
years.
Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso are now all ruled by military juntas that have
severed diplomatic ties with France and expelled (驅逐) French troops while
building security partnerships with Russia instead.
The three will have six months to discuss the terms of their withdrawal from
the alliance before it becomes final.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 85-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,204
on turnover of 4.8-billion N-T.
The market closed higher on Monday led by artificial intelligence related
stocks ahead off the start of Nvidia's annual G-P-U technology conference -
at which its hoped the company will be showcasing positive leads.
Chinese 'military unification' influencer 'in theory' must go by 24th
Interior Minister Liu Shi-fang says a Chinese national who advocated for
China's annexation of Taiwan through military force should, "in theory,"
leave the country within 10 days of receiving her deportation order.
According to Liu, the woman received that deportation order on Saturday.
Speaking during a legislative hearing, the interior minister said the
deportation order is "somewhat similar (相似的)" to registered mail - where
the time starts from the day after the recipient receives the letter.
.. and if "it was delivered to your house but you didn't receive it until the
next day, then counting would start from the third day, which means there is
some wiggle room."
The statement comes after the National Immigration Agency this past weekend
announced that a deportation order had been sent to a woman identified by a
public social media account known as "Yaya in Taiwan."
St. Kitts and Nevis foreign minister visits Taiwan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Saint Kitts and Nevis' foreign minister
is visiting Taiwan this week.
According to the ministry, it's the third time that Denzil Douglas has
visited Taiwan is his capacity (職位) as foreign minister and he will be
meeting with senior government officials during his five-day stay.
Douglas and his delegation were welcomed on arriving at Taoyuan International
Airport by Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi.
Douglas is scheduled to meet with President Lai Ching-te and Foreign Minister
Lin Chia-lung this week.
The delegation will also visit the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Israel Launches New Strikes Against Hamas
Israel launched new strikes against Hamas and promised ‘increasing military
force’ after talks on on further hostage releases stalled.
Early Friday morning, Israel’s Prime Minister’s office said it instructed
the army to strike Hamas across Gaza.
The statement said it was because of Hamas’ repeated refusals to release its
hostages and its rejection (拒絕) of all offers it received from the U.S.
presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and mediators.
The strikes come after nearly two months of a ceasefire to pause the 17-month
long war where dozens of hostages were released for nearly 2,000 Palestinian
prisoners.
Hamas is believed to have 24 living hostages and the bodies of 35 others.
Sweden Gives Uganda Funds for Ebola
Sweden has announced new funding of $2 million to support Uganda's response
to the ongoing Sudan Ebola Virus Outbreak.
The funding will strengthen efforts in the affected districts of Kampala,
Mbale, and Jinja – focusing on risk communication, infection prevention
(預防), and critical health services.
Michael Baleke reports.
Pope Shows Slight Improvement
Pope Francis is registering new slight improvements in his monthlong
treatment for double pneumonia.
The 88-year-old pope is now able to spend some time during the day off high
flows of oxygen and use just ordinary supplemental oxygen delivered by a
nasal tube.
Doctors are also trying to cut back on the amount of time he uses a
noninvasive (非侵入性的) mechanical ventilation mask at night, to force his
lungs to work more.
The Vatican press office also provided some details Monday on the first photo
of the pope released since his hospitalization.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 169-points this morning from Friday's close, at 22,138
on turnover of $5.5-billion N-T.
The market closed little changed on Friday after moving in consolidation mode
throughout the session after Canada and the European Union both took
retaliatory against measures against Donald Trump's tariffs.
Analsysts say investors will be keeping a close eye on how the U-S government
will impose reciprocal tariffs and the aftermath, which will affect global
financial markets.
MOFA protests rep office name change on South African gov't website
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has lodged an official protest over
the "unilateral" change to the name of Taiwan's representative office on a
South African government website.
The statement comes after an update to the Department of International
Relations and Cooperation website listed the "Taipei Liaison Office" as the
"Taipei Commercial Office."
According to the foreign ministry, the South African government is seeking to
"downgrade" the representative office and recategorize it as a "trade office"
based in the commercial capital Johannesburg.
South Africa has set a deadline of the end of this month for Taiwan to change
the name of its representative office and relocate it.
However, the foreign ministry is insisting that per an agreement signed the
year before diplomatic relations with South Africa ended in 1998, Taiwan is
permitted to operate a liaison office in Pretoria.
Kaohsiung's Fengshan Marathon apologizes for PLA rifle trophies
The organizers of Sunday's Fengshan Marathon in Kaohsiung have apologized for
giving out trophies shaped like a Chinese military rifle.
According to the Fengshan Road Running Association, it originally chose the
design for the trophies because the 2025 edition of the annual marathon
passed through three military academies.
However, the association says it recognized the choice was "inconsiderate"
and had apologized to those who received the trophies.
The association also says it will contact all trophy recipients to replace
the rifle-shaped trophies with alternatives.
The statement was issued after one of the participants of Sunday's marathon
posted a photograph of the trophy and joked about how it was shaped like
Chinese rifle.
Judge stalls Trump's order to speed deportations
The U-S government is slamming a federal judge's decision to stop the
administration from carrying out deportations under a sweeping (廣泛的) 18th
century law.
The A-P's Donna Warder has more.
Mark Carney heading to Paris and London
Canada's new Prime Minister Mark Carney is heading to Paris and London to
seek alliances as he deals U-S President Donald Trump's attacks on Canada's
sovereignty and economy.
Carney is purposely making his first foreign trip to the capital cities of
the two countries that shaped Canada's early existence.
At his swearing-in ceremony on Friday, Carney noted the country was built on
the bedrock (基礎) of three peoples, French, English and Indigenous.
He said Canada is fundamentally a different country from America and will
never, ever, in any way shape or form, be part of the United States.
SpaceX capsule arrives at the International Space Station
And finally,
A SpaceX capsule has arrived at the International Space Station, delivering
the replacements for NASA's two stuck astronauts.
The new crew pulled up Sunday, just 29 hours after blasting off.
The four newcomers will spend the next few days learning the station's ins
and outs from Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.
Then it will be time for those two to end their nine-month stay and head
home.
They expected to be gone just a week when they launched on Boeing's first
astronaut flight last June.
The Starliner capsule had so many problems that NASA insisted it come back
empty (空的).
Wilmore and Williams will come back via SpaceX.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 125-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,403 on turnover of 6.5-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed higher on a technical rebound Wednesday from a slump
a session earlier, led by large cap tech stocks.
But analysts say parts of earlier gains were eroded amid uncertainties caused
by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies.
With the rebound featuring tech stocks, old economy industries largely moved
in weakness caused by tariff concerns.
Taiwan Closed National Freeway Lane for Earliest Butterfly Protection in
Decade
Highway officials closed part of National Freeway 3 yesterday in Yunlin
County, due to a large migration of purple crow butterflies.
And according to local conservationists, this marked the earliest closure
(關閉) before the usual peak around the Tomb Sweeping Festival in early
April.
Conservationists reported over 30-thousand purple crow butterflies migrated
through the area in the morning, peaking at 690 per minute.
The Freeway Bureau installed a 1,100-meter protective net and closed an outer
lane once butterfly traffic exceeded 250 per minute.
Experts say an early migration was triggered by a colder winter followed by
recent warm weather, with butterfly numbers expected to surge from March 20th
until the end of the month.
EU Talks Ukraine and Security
France's Defense Minister revealed that 15 countries are willing to
contribute to a "new security architecture" in Ukraine.
This comes at meeting of European defense ministers, as Moscow considers
(考慮) an immediate 30-day ceasefire proposed by Washington and Kyiv.
Stuart Smith has more from the French capital.
Argentina Protests Against Austerity Measures
Argentine retirees and fans of several soccer teams have clashed with police
during a protest in front of Congress in the capital, Buenos Aires, against
the economic policies implemented by the government of President Javier
Milei.
What started as a peaceful demonstration escalated into violent clashes as
police deployed water cannons, tear gas, and pellets against stone-throwing
protesters.
For weeks, Buenos Aires retirees have held weekly protests demanding higher
pensions, citing a precarious standard of living.
The government of far-right President Javier Milei, who has championed a
policy of public spending cuts since coming to power a year and a half ago,
had warned of restrictions on entry to stadiums for those who cause disorder
(動亂).
Greenland Independence Party Surprise Victory in Parliamentary Elections
A party that favors a gradual path to Greenland’s independence from Denmark
has won a surprise victory in parliamentary elections.
Tuesday's voting was held in the shadow of U.S. President Donald Trump’s
stated goal of taking control of the island.
The Demokraatit Party, a pro-business party that favors a slow path to
independence, has pushed back against Trump’s rhetoric, saying it is for
Greenlanders to decide the future of the strategically (在戰略上) important
territory.
The mineral-rich Arctic island is also home to a U.S. air base and straddles
strategic air and sea routes in the North Atlantic.
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AIT offered funds to Kuma Academy
Taiwan Police and Coast Guard Officers Named in Smuggling Investigation
Britain congratulates Ukraine, US on deal
Yemen's Houthi rebels warning of attack on ships
Greenland votes in parliamentary elections.
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Government bemoans artists' China propaganda posts
Formosan black bear captured again, much thinner than before
Ceasefire Talks to end Russia-Ukraine War
Reports of MMR vaccines running low
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 27-points this morning from Friday's close, at 22,548
on turnover of 5.5-billion N-T.
The market closed lower on Friday, as selling was sparked by losses on Wall
Street overnight following the launch of a trade war by the Trump
administration.
Overall losses were capped by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, but market
watchers are warning that the local stock market will continue to struggle as
long as the impact of tariffs remains.
National Human Rights Commission members attend Tibet uprising event
Members of the National Human Rights Commission have attended an annual march
in Taipei organized by civic groups to commemorate the 1959 Tibetan uprising.
Speaking at the event, commission vice chair Wang Yu-ling said it's the first
time members of the agency have attended the annual event since its founding
in August 2020.
According to Wang, what the Chinese government has done in Tibet since the
1950s could be considered (把…當作) an act of "ethnic cleansing and
genocide," "human rights have no borders" and "today's Tibet could be the
future of Taiwan."
The march was attended by some 100 participants.
India largest of 90 buyer countries at Taipei machinery show
The External Trade Development Council says of the countries that made deals
at the 2025 Taipei International Machine Tool Show, India was the biggest
buyer.
The show took place last week at the Nangang Exhibition Hall in Taipei under
the main theme "AI and Robotics."
The event attracted (吸引了) more than 4,160 buyers from 90 countries who
made deals with over 1,000 participating exhibitors (參展商).
The five countries that made the most deals during the trade show were India,
Japan, China, South Korea and Malaysia.
US Palestinian Activist Arrested
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested a Palestinian activist
who helped lead Columbia University protests.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
Argentina Flooding Leaves 15 Dead
Officials in Argentina say heavy rains that flooded a city on the country's
east coast have killed at least 15 people.
Rescue teams on Sunday searched for dozens reported missing, after the
floodwaters resulting from rains that began pelting (急降，猛落) the city of
Bahia Blanca on Friday.
Crews have evacuated more than 1,450 people from the city located south of
the capital of Buenos Aires.
Those evacuated include patients from a local hospital.
Some 300 millimeters of rain have fallen in Bahia Blanca in recent days, when
the historical monthly average is about 129 millimeters.
No rain was forecast for the next 72 hours.
Nepal Protests Supporting Former King
Thousands of supporters have greeted Nepal’s former king in capital
Kathmandu and demanded his abolished monarchy be reinstated and Hinduism
brought back as a state religion.
An estimated 10,000 supporters of Gyanendra Shah blocked the main entrance to
Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport on Sunday as he arrived from a
tour of western Nepal.
Hundreds of riot police blocked the protesters from entering the airport and
there was no violence (暴力行為).
Massive street protests in 2006 forced Gyanendra to give up his authoritarian
rule but many Nepalis have since grown frustrated with the republic and a
struggling economy.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened opened down 19-points this morning from yesterday's close,
at 22,696 on turnover of $7.2-billion N-T.
Parent group calls for stop to publication of student test scores
The Taiwan Parent Education Association is urged high schools cease
publishing the scores of Taiwan's aptitude tests for high school and college
admission.
According to the association, some high schools publish the names of students
who achieved (達到了) a perfect score on the General Scholastic Ability Test
and this practice causes students stress over their test scores ..
… and contradicts the Ministry of Education's direction to not use test
scores as the only metric for being admitted to or applying to universities.
The association says high schools should stop publishing students' test
scores, and the media should stop reporting on the issue to allow more
students to be vetted by universities based on their achievements in a range
of areas, not just their test scores.
Tai Tzu-ying career tribute exhibition opens in Taipei
An exhibition honoring former world No. 1 badminton player Tai Tzu-ying is
now taking place in Taipei is celebration of her career.
Titled "Ying-credible Career -- Tai Tzu Ying Tribute Exhibition," the event
has been organized by her long-time sponsor Victor.
It's taking place until March 16 at the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park.
The exhibition features many of Tai's player credentials (證書), along with
game-used shuttlecocks, shoes, and medals-including 32 open titles.
Tai is still recovering from knee injuries that plagued her throughout 2024.
Tai previously stated that she plans to retire from competitive badminton at
the end of last year, but she has not yet made any official announcements
concerning her career.
US Ukraine Talks in Saudi Arabia Next Week
Officials from the U.S. and Ukraine are planning to meet in Saudi Arabia next
week to work on a structure for a possible ceasefire with Russia.
It comes after a week of turmoil (動盪) in relations, including arguments
between the leaders of Ukraine and the US at the White House.
Caroline Malone reports.
Australia Underage Gunman Detained on Plane
Police say a 17-year-old boy with a loaded shotgun boarded a plane in
Australia before being restrained by a pilot and two passengers.
Police and a passenger said the boy climbed through a hole in the airport
fence and posed as (冒充為) a maintenance worker to board the plane Thursday.
The boy was disarmed (拿走武器) and detained before police arrived on the
scene at Avalon Airport in Victoria state.
Police said Friday the boy had been charged with unlawfully taking control of
an aircraft, possessing a firearm and other crimes.
Mexico Monarch Butterfly Numbers Rebound
The number of monarch butterflies wintering in the mountains west of Mexico
City, rebounded this year, doubling the area they covered in 2024 despite the
stresses of climate change.
Mexico’s Commission for National Protected Areas said that this year,
butterflies covered 1.79 hectares compared to only 0.9 hectares the year
before.
Last year’s figure represented a 59% drop from 2023, the second lowest level
since record keeping began.
The annual butterfly count doesn’t calculate the individual (個) number of
butterflies, but rather the area they cover as they gather on tree branches
in the mountain forests.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 58-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,930
on turnover of $5.9-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Wednesday following a significant rebound
for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing - which closed the session with a
rise of 2-per cent ..
.. and that contributed about 160 points to the Tai-Ex's overall gains and
sent the electronics index up by 1.43-per cent.
FDA proposes relaxation of rules on Japanese beef imports
The Food and Drug Administration has released a draft revision to regulations
regarding Japanese bovine imports that, if implemented, would allow the
importation (輸入) of beef from cattle of any age.
Under current regulations, beef from Japan must meet several conditions,
including being derived from cattle under 30 months of age, inspected by a
veterinary officer, and produced by an officially-recognized factory.
F-D-A Deputy Director-General Lin Jin-fu says the government is seeking to
update the "Import regulations for Japanese beef and its products" to remove
the age limit for Japanese cattle - similar to regulatory practices in the
United States and Canada.
However, Lin says each batch of cattle products from Japan will still require
official veterinary certificates and be produced by "approved factories" to
be allowed to enter Taiwan.
US Supreme Court rejects Trump administration request to freeze foreign aid
The US Supreme Court has rejected (拒絕) an emergency request by the Trump
administration to freeze nearly 2 billion dollars in foreign aid.
The order requires the government to release the funds to aid groups for work
already completed.
Ira Spitzer reports.
Greece Protests Outside Parliament
Protesters have launched gasoline bombs and fireworks in clashes with police
outside Greece's parliament.
The protest Wednesday in central Athens is part of a nationwide wave of
demonstrations calling for politicians to be held accountable for a 2023 rail
disaster that claimed 57 lives.
Scores of youths set fire to trash bins and police in riot gear (防暴裝備)
responded with tear gas and baton charges.
There have been no immediate reports of injuries or arrests.
The fierce clashes erupted hours after opposition parties challenged
Greece’s center-right government with a no-confidence motion in parliament.
Victims' relatives want politicians to be held accountable for failures that
led to the head-on collision in February 2023.
Only rail officials have been charged.
Canada on Trump Tariffs
A senior Canadian government official says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is
not willing to lift Canada’s retaliatory tariffs if Trump leaves any tariffs
on Canada.
The official was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, only saying
Trump and Trudeau spoke by phone around midday.
Other Canadian officials publicly echoed (附和) Trudeau's position.
Canada's commerce secretary has said there might be carveouts
(從整體中獲取一些東西) coming to the 25% tariffs placed on Canada and Mexico
by President Donald Trump, a softening of the U.S. position after Tuesday’s
tax hike hurt the stock market, worried consumers and started a trade war.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex rebounded from recent losing sessions this morning - opening up
181-points yesterday's close, at 22,778 on turnover of 8.9-billion N-T.
The market closed down by 0.7-per cent on Tuesday, but managed to recoup some
of its early losses, as investor sentiment remained cautious in the wake of
volatility on Wall Street overnight …
.. which was sparked by U-S President Donald Trump confirming that tariffs on
imports from Canada and Mexico would go into effect later in the day.
Premier touts TSMC's expanded US plan
Premier Cho Jung-tai is voicing his support for Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing's new investment in the United States.
According to Cho, government sees T-S-M-C's expanded investment positively,
because it will boost Taiwan's competitive edge (競爭力) inthe global market,
and "making Taiwan stronger is the common stance of the government and
industry."
Cho says the government has long been encouraging domestic industries to
expand worldwide and is providing necessary assistance for such expansions.
The premier also says he hopes T-S-M-C's investments will continue to create
mutual benefits and a win-win situation with Taiwan's allies.
Cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee says the U-S has become the top destination
of Taiwanese investors, as local companies seek to extend their global reach
and the U-S accounted for 30-per cent of Taiwan's total overseas investment
last year.
CPBL head reacts to WBC fine
Chinese Professional Baseball League President Tsai Chi-chang is vowing to
reflect on the reasons the national team was find 20,000 U-S dollars for
violating regulations during last month's World Baseball Classic qualifiers
at the Taipei Dome.
The team was fined by tournament organizes - Major League Baseball - for
violating a rule regarding the use of electronic devices.
The M-L-B says movers were found to have used their phones in an office where
equipment was stored - in violations of (違反) a rule banning players or team
staff member from using electronic devices in all areas considered to be part
of the competition.
Tsai is admitted that mistakes were made, but stressing that he wasn't in the
dugout during the qualifying games and that the C-P-B-L will accept the fine
in accordance with the rules.
US Investors to Buy Panama Canal Ports
A consortium of US investors has agreed to buy majority stakes in two ports
on the Panama canal from a Hong Kong-based company for nearly 20 billion
dollars.
The deal comes in the wake of allegations by the Trump administration that
Chinese influence (影響) over the waterway poses a security risk to the US.
Ira Spitzer reports.
China Keeps 5Percent Growth Target
Meanwhile…
China is keeping its economic growth target at “around 5%” for 2025 despite
a looming trade war with the United States and other headwinds (阻力，逆風).
Premier Li Qiang announced the target in a report presented at the opening
session of the National People's Congress today.
The report says a target of around 5% is well aligned with the country's mid-
and long-term development goals.
The IMF has projected that China’s economy will grow 4.6% this year, down
from 5% in 2024, according to Chinese government statistics.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 247-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,508 on turnover of 10-billion N-T.
The market tumbled nearly 300 points on Monday as investor sentiment took a
hit follow comments by U-S President Donald Trump that his 25-per cent
tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico will take effect on March 4 as
planned.
FM believes Taiwan see more opportunities than threats in Trump's China
policy
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says he believes the confrontational policy
being seen in Donald Trump's second U-S presidency toward China is more of an
opportunity for Taiwan than a threat.
According to Lin, the main focus of Trump's second term is in countering
China …
… and although countering China does not necessarily mean supporting
Taiwan, the Trump administration's stance (立場) gives the island the
opportunity to find common interests.
Speaking during an interview with an online media outlet, Lin said for
Taiwan's national interests, the government is finding interests shared with
Washington and focusing on pushing policies where the interests of both
countries are aligned.
CDC reporting decline in flu case clinic visits
The Centers for Disease Control says its been seeing a decline in the number
of people seeking medical treatment for influenza-like symptoms.
According to the C-D-C, there were 105,436 flu-like outpatient and emergency
visits from between February 23 and March 1 -- a 24-per cent decline from
the previous week.
C-D-C Deputy Director General Philip Luo says the disease entered its
epidemic phase (階段) before the 228 Peace Memorial Day holiday and continued
to decline during the long weekend holiday, indicating it has entered a
"cooling phase."
Luo says the influenza is now expected to exit the epidemic phase by
mid-March.
US Trump Suspends Military Aide to Ukraine
US President Donald Trump has ordered an immediate suspension of American
military support for Ukraine, just days after his on-camera argument with the
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky.
The White House says the suspension will remain (保持) in force until the
Ukrainians demonstrate a "good faith commitment to peace".
Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.
Japan Fighting Forest Fire
Japan is fighting a forest fire that has damaged dozens of homes and forced
hundreds of residents to evacuate in a northeastern coastal city.
Officials say fire has burned about 2,100 hectares of forest in Ofunato since
it started Wednesday.
The northeastern regions have had their driest winter since 1946, when the
Japan Meteorological Agency started collecting data.
More than 2,000 troops and and firefighters have been deployed (部署) from
across the country.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 319-points this morning from Thursday's close, at
22,734 on turnover of 13-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Thursday - the final trading day of the week due to
the 228 holiday.
The main board tumbled nearly 350-points during that session, despite Wall
Street closing little changed overnight and Nvidia reporting strong profits
for the last quarter.
USAID funding cuts could impact Taiwan's health system
A doctor at the Taipei City Hospital's Zhongxing Branch is warning that cuts
to the U-S Agency for International Development could impact Taiwan's public
health system, which "relies"(依賴) on internationally collected data.
It comes after the U-S last month announced plans to eliminate more than
90-per cent of US-AID's foreign aid contracts, totaling more than 58-billion
dollars.
According Chiang Guan-yu, US-AID cuts will reduce (減少) information sharing
between American health agencies and international organizations such as the
World Health Organization - which in turn could negatively impact Taiwan.
The Centers for Disease Control says although Taiwan is not a member of the
W-H-O, there are other "friendly countries" besides the U-S that are willing
to exchange epidemic prevention information.
Another cold front to arrive tomorrow
The Central Weather Administration is warning that another cold front will
begin affecting (影響) the island from tomorrow - pushing the mercury down
once again into the mid-teens.
The cold front will see temperatures dropping by about 15-degrees from the
highs seen in recent days and the cold weather is forecast to last into the
coming weekend.
It's expected to bring rain to much of the island from Wednesday - when highs
of between 18 and 20 degrees are forecast for much of the island.
However, the mercury could drop to as low 13-degrees in the north and center
and to 14-degrees in the south.
Israel cuts off Gaza aid to pressure Hamas to accept new ceasefire proposal
Israel has cut off the entry of all food and other goods into Gaza in an echo
of the siege (圍城) it imposed in the earliest days of its war with Hamas.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
Canada PM to Meet with King Charles
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet with King Charles III today
to discuss U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to make Canada the 51st
state.
Trudeau says he will discuss matters of importance to Canadians and said
“nothing seems more important to Canadians right now than standing up for
our sovereignty and our independence as a nation.”
Charles is the head of state in Canada, which is a member of the British
Commonwealth of former colonies.
The king has come under criticism in Canada after Buckingham Palace declined
(拒絕) to comment on Trump’s threats to annex Canada.
Charles, who met Sunday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has
invited Trump to come to Scotland for a state visit.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 44-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,446
on turnover of $4.5-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan broke a two-session falling streak Wednesday, as artificial
intelligence stocks were boosted by expectations about an Nvidia Corp.
investor conference later in the day.
Analysts say after the index fell to the day's low of around 130 points, some
bargain hunters jumped into the trading floor to pick up AI stocks, helping
the broader market return to positive territory, and buying continued into
the end of the session.
Toddler hurt in Taichung blast discharged
A 2 year-old girl from Macau, who sustained severe head injuries in the
deadly gas explosion at a Taichung Shin Kong Mitsukoshi on February 13 has
been discharged from China Medical University Hospital.
She will be transported to Macau via a medical charter flight, according to
the hospital.
The girl's vital signs have stabilized after having been admitted in critical
condition and a deep coma, though intracranial (顱內的) pressure remains a
concern.
The family was visiting Taiwan as a group of 7 when the explosion occurred.
The girl's 85 year-old great-grandmother and 24 year-old uncle, who were both
injured in the gas explosion and later transferred to the hospital for
treatment, were also discharged Wednesday and are expected to return to Macau
on the same flight.
US registers first measles death in decade
A child in the US state of Texas has died from measles (麻疹) amid a
worsening outbreak.
The death is the first in the country from the disease in more than a decade.
Nick Harper has more.
NZ Raises Concerns on China's LiveFire Exercises
New Zealand’s foreign minister says China has agreed to consider concerns
that its military did not give enough notice before staging live-fire
exercises in the waters between New Zealand and Australia last week.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters said Wednesday in Beijing that his Chinese
counterpart Wang Yi took New Zealand's concerns on board.
Last Friday, passenger flights between Australia and New Zealand hurriedly
diverted (改變方向) after Chinese naval vessels warned pilots they were
flying above a live-fire exercise.
A Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson said the drills were in compliance
with international law and did not affect aviation safety.
Vatican Pope Shows Slight Improvement
The Vatican says Pope Francis has shown further slight improvement as he
battles double pneumonia, but doctors still say his prognosis (預後) is still
guarded (警戒著的 ).
A CT chest scan taken Tuesday evening showed the “normal evolution” of an
infection as it is being treated.
And the Vatican's latest update says tests have confirmed an improvement.
The slight kidney insufficiency detected a few days ago has receded, and
Francis is continuing to receive respiratory physiotherapy.
It was the first time the Vatican has said Francis was receiving
physiotherapy to help him expel (排出) fluid from his lungs.
Francis resumed work in the afternoon, after receiving the Eucharist in the
morning.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 64-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,222 on turnover of 5.8-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan extended their losses from a session earlier to close down
by more than 270 points Tuesday, with the sell-off sparked by fears over
future investments in artificial intelligence development, after Microsoft
reportedly cancelled (取消) some leases for data center capacity.
Analysts say investors rushed to cut their TSMC holdings as the company also
faces uncertainty created by a tariff war launched by the Trump
administration.
Taiwan’s New Maritime Training Ship Sets Sail on Maiden Voyage to Japan
A new maritime training ship is setting sail today on its maiden voyage to
Tokyo, Japan.
The Ministry of Education's "Yu-feng-lun"(御風輪), departed from Kaohsiung
Harbor around noon today, with faculty and students from National Kaohsiung
University of Science and Technology on board.
The 114-meter-long vessel accomodates up to 250 people, and includes
state-of-the-art training facilities including simulation (模擬) systems and
big data collection systems.
The ship is scheduled to return to Kaohsiung on March 10-th, before departing
on March 13-th for a second training voyage.
A total of 10 trips are planned before August this year, with over 1,700
trainees expected to participate.
(NS)
Taiwan clinches WBC spot with 6-3 win over Spain
Team Taiwan avoided missing the World Baseball Classic for the first time by
defeating Spain 6-3 in a do-or-die game in Taipei on Tuesday.
After narrowly escaping a mercy-rule loss to Spain in the WBC Qualifiers
opener last Friday, the home team got its revenge (復仇) at Taipei Dome.
The win-or-go-home game was a back-and-forth battle from the start, and
Taiwan captain Chen Chieh-hsien thanked fans for standing by them and
cheering even when WBC qualification at one point seemed out of reach.
With the win, Taiwan joined Nicaragua in securing a spots in the WBC, set to
take place in March 2026.
US DOGE Employees Resign
Twenty-one federal employees who had been working with the US's newly-named
Department of Government of Efficiency - or DOGE - have resigned in protest.
The anonymous employees wrote a letter blasting the Trump administration's
controversial (有爭議的) cost-cutting initiative which is being led by Elon
Musk.
Ira Spitzer reports.
Colombia "Narco Wig" Smuggler Busted
Colombian police apprehended a 40-year-old man attempting to smuggle several
bags of cocaine concealed beneath a meticulously (小心翼翼地) attached toupee
(假髮).
Police said the suspect was detained at Cartagena’s airport on Monday as he
prepared to board a flight to Amsterdam.
A scanner revealed the hidden cargo: 220 grams of cocaine packaged in small
bags, strategically placed under the “narco wig.”
Police estimate the street value of the drugs at over $10-thousand US dollars
in European markets.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 189-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,376 on turnover of $7.8-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan fell by more than 160 points Monday as investor sentiment
was spooked by weaker-than-expected trading in the United States, which
prompted fears of a U.S. slowdown.
But select old economy stocks still attracted rotational buying, with
shipping and steel stocks helping to prevent the Taiex from falling further."
Two Receive Deferred Prosecution in Core Pacific City Case
Prosecutors say two people involved in the Core Pacific City corruption case
have received deferred prosecution.
The Taipei District Prosecutor's Office says former Dingyue Development
Corporation president Chu Yea-hu (朱亞虎) and Core Pacific Group legal
affairs manager Chen Chun-yuan (陳俊源) admitted to the charges.
Officials say the two must pay $3.3-million and $1.2-million NT respectively
to the public treasury (國庫) within three months.
The Taipei District Prosecutors Office previously indicted former Taipei
Mayor Ko Wen-je, Weijing Group Chairman Shen Qing-jing, and nine others for
corruption, embezzlement, and other offenses.
(NS)
Macron Warns Trump not to "Surrender" Ukraine
French President Emmanuel Macron has warned Donald Trump not to "surrender"
(交出，放棄) Ukraine as he pushes for a peace deal with Russia.
The two leaders met at the White House on Monday, on the third anniversary of
Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Morocco Claims Dozens Arrested in Foiled IS Attack
Moroccan authorities have arrested a dozen people they said were planning
attacks on behalf of the Islamic State in the Sahel.
The country's top investigator said Monday that the dismantling (拆解) of one
of the group's terror cells reflected their growing regional ambitions.
They did not provide details about what they called imminent (即將發生的)
threats but released a series of videos and photographs showing officers
raiding compounds they said were being used to plan attacks.
In recent years, Morocco's security services claim to have dismantled 40
terrorist cells, including one as recently as January.
Greece Santorini Quakes in Gradual Decline
Scientists from the University of Athens monitoring an earthquake swarm near
the island of Santorini say the phenomenon is in “gradual decline” nearly a
month after the multiple tremors started.
The undersea shocks — sometimes recorded only minutes apart — led thousands
of residents and workers to flee the famed cliff-top towns of Santorini as
well as the nearby islands of Ios, Amorgos and Anafi.
Schools remain closed on those islands for a fourth week and many other
restrictions are still in effect.
But scientists said they are encouraged by the recent progression of the
earthquake swarm, while local authorities say thousands of those fled have
returned in recent days.
Officials say from January 26th to February 22nd, they've recorded more than
20-thousand earthquakes of magnitude 1 or higher.
The multiple earthquakes, attributed to natural tectonic (地殼構造的)
processes as well as magma movements below the seabed, have measured up to
magnitude 5.3 but have caused only minor damage.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 156-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,574 on turnover of $5.4-billion N-T.
Taiwanese Germans go to the polls
Taiwanese nationals with German citizenship have cast their ballots in
Germany's federal election Sunday for the first time.
This follows a change in the country's Nationality Law last year that allows
Germans with dual citizenship to vote.
More than 200,000 citizenship applications were received by the government
since the passage (通過) of the new law in June, including from a number of
Taiwanese people.
That's about two to three times higher than in previous years.
Yushan North Peak Sees Rime Frost
The Central Weather Administration says frost formations have been spotted on
parts of Yushan, due to early morning low temperatures.
The CWA says lows fell to "minus 5.2 degrees Celsius" on Taiwan's highest
peak at around 5am today, and rime frost formed on surfaces on the mountain.
Forecasters say the opaque (不透明的), granular deposits of ice crystals
occur in foggy or cloudy conditions when the water droplets in the air freeze
on cold surfaces.
Temperatures on Yushan returned to 2.8 degrees at around 8am.
(NS)
Ukraine Zelenskyy on US Aid Deal
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says a contentious (有爭議的) U.S.
proposal that would have seen $500 billion worth of profits from Ukrainian
rare minerals given to the United States as compensation for its wartime
assistance to Kyiv has been taken off the table.
Zelenskyy told a forum in Kyiv on Sunday that he was open to brokering a deal
that would let the U.S. profit from his country’s minerals, but that the
$500 billion sum initially proposed had been removed from the discussions.
The Ukrainian leader said considering aid as a debt to be repaid would be a
“Pandora's box” that would set a precedent requiring Kyiv to reimburse all
its backers.
U.S. officials have expressed confidence that a deal could be reached this
week.
US India Flight Diverted
An American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi lands safely in Rome
after security concerns.
Here's Julie Walker.
Japan Emporer Calls for Telling WWII Tragedy to Young Gen
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, marking his 65th birthday, stressed the importance
to keep telling the tragedy of the World War II to younger generations.
At the palace, Naruhito, accompanied by his wife, Empress Masako and their
daughter Princess Aiko, waved from the palace balcony to thank for the
cheering well-wishers.
The emporer pledging to contribute (貢獻，出力) to the effort to promote
understanding of the history and determination for peace as the world
observes the 80th anniversary of the war’s end.
Later Sunday, he was to celebrate his birthday at a palace banquet.
This year, Naruhito and Masako are expected to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki
to pay tribute to (表示敬意的舉動) those killed by the U.S. atomic bombings
and Okinawa, the site of one of the harshest battles in the war.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 39-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,526
on turnover of $3.6-billion N-T.
Joseph Wu rebuts Trump chip theft claim
National Security Council head Joseph Wu is rebutting claims by U-S President
Donald Trump that Taiwan stole the semiconductor business from America.
Speaking at the Halifax International Security Forum in Taipei, Wu stressed
that Taiwan "did not steal anything from anybody" ..
…. and stressed that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing "started from
scratch" with "some help from the international community."
The statements come after Trump earlier this week announced that America
could hit semiconductors with tariffs of around 25-per cent in the coming
weeks.
Wu told delegates at the forum that the government is continuing to assess
the potential impact of such a move and will be prepared to adjust its
economic structure if such a need arises.
He warned that those bearing the cost of such tariffs will be U-S consumers,
and he's sure eventually the Trump administration will reconsider (重新考慮)
its decision."
Taoyuan Airport MRT preparing for 200-millionth rider
The Taoyuan Metro Corporation says it's preparing to celebrate its
200-millionth passenger trip earlier than expected.
According to the Airport M-R-T operator, the milestone was originally
projected for March, but due increased ridership during the on-going Lantern
Festival, it's now expected to meet the number sometime this weekend.
The lucky passenger who takes the 200-millionth trip will receive a one-year
Greater Taipei commuter (通勤者) pass and a gifts worth 20,000 N-T.
The five passengers before and after them will receive two-month commuter
passes and special gifts.
Israel: Returned Remains Not Missing Mother
The Israeli military says the remains of two child hostages have been
identified but another body released by Hamas was not the boys’ mother.
Hamas militants had turned over four bodies Thursday under the tenuous
(脆弱的) ceasefire that has paused over 15 months of war.
Israeli confirmed one body was that of Oded Lifshitz, who was 83 when he was
abducted during the Hamas attack that started the war in 2023.
The military said later the remains of Ariel and Kfir Bibas had been
identified and the family notified.
But the military said the additional body was not that of their mother Shiri
Bibas nor any other hostage.
It called the failure to return four hostages Thursday a violation of the
utmost severity of the ceasefire agreement.
UN Alarm on DRC Fighting
The United Nations has once again sounded the alarm bells at the devastating
impact of the continued fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Some 35 thousand people have fled the east of the DRC to Burundi since the
beginning of February.
Rwanda-backed M-23 fighters continue to advance (前進) across both South and
North Kivu.
Jody Jacobs has an update from the United Nations Headquarters in New York…
Argentina Drops Some Charges in Payne Death Case
A court in Argentina has dropped charges of criminal negligence against three
of the five people indicted in connection with the death of Liam Payne, the
former One Direction singer who fell from a third-floor hotel balcony in
Buenos Aires last October.
In its decision, obtained (獲得) by The Associated Press on Thursday, the
Argentine federal appeals court ordered the other two defendants in the case
to remain in custody.
They are facing prosecution on charges they supplied the famed British
boyband star with narcotics.
The charge of negligent homicide carries a sentence of one to five years in
prison in Argentina.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened continued to lose ground this morning from yesterday's
decline - opening down 73-points at 23,530 on turnover of 5.1-billion N-T.
The market fell on Wednesday after U-S President Donald Trump threatened to
impose a 25-per cent tariff on chips, cars and pharmaceuticals (藥品).
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing was the focus of selling - as its share
price shed 0.91-per cent.
The stock's losses contributed about 80-points to the Tai-Ex's total decline
for the day and sent the electronics index lower by 0.38-per cent, while the
semiconductor sub-index was down 0.57-per cent.
Lai calls Taiwan 'a chess player, not a chess piece'
President Lai Ching-te is describing Taiwan as "a chess player, not a chess
piece" in the shifting geopolitical climate.
Lai made the statement during a meeting of the D-P-P's Central Standing
Committee, as he's seeking to reaffirm his administration's commitment to
strengthening the island's defense through increased spending and reforms
(改革).
D-P-P spokeswoman Han Ying says Lai expressed confidence Taiwan will be able
to successfully navigate the rapidly changing international landscape …
.. while at the same time, ensuring national security and preserving its
leading position in the global semiconductor supply chain.
More free flu vaccines to be available from today
And,
The Centers for Disease Control says 100,000 doses of newly purchased flu
vaccines for the free government-funded program are now available to
high-risk groups.
The vaccines passed inspection last Friday before being distributed
(散發、分配) to local health authorities for today's rollout.
Distribution of the flu vaccines doses comes as the C-D-C reported just over
148,000 hospital visits for flu-like illness last week.
The additional flu-vaccines doses are available to individuals aged 65 and
over, infants over the age of 6 months, preschool children and those at
higher risk of contracting the flu.
UN Warns of Rebel Offensive in Congo
Top United Nations officials in Africa have warned an emergency meeting of
the U.N. Security Council that the offensive of Rwanda-backed rebels in
mineral-rich eastern Congo is threatening peace in the wider region.
A U.N. special envoy for Congo urged the council on Wednesday to take "urgent
(緊迫的) and decisive steps to avert a wider regional war.”
The U.N. special envoy for the Africa’s Great Lakes region said the recent
seizure of major cities in eastern Congo by M23 rebels show that “the risk
of a regional conflagration is more real today than ever before.”
France’s U.N. ambassador called for the council to adopt a resolution urging
an end to the M23 offensive.
US Texas Measles Outbreak Spreads to Vaccinated
A measles outbreak linked to unvaccinated children in West Texas is now
spreading to (擴散，蔓延) vaccinated individuals.
Health officials say four people who have had their jabs, are among those
infected.
Toni Waterman has more.
Canada Announces HSR Plans
The Canadian government says it is moving ahead with a multi-billion dollar
plan to build a high-speed rail network between Quebec City and Toronto.
The planned rail network will be 100% electric, span approximately 1,000
kilometers, and reach speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a news conference the government will
commit the equivalent of (等值) $2.74 billion US dollars over six years to
iron out specifics before construction can begin.
Officials say it’s too soon to estimate the final cost of the project or
when it will be completed.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 76-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,589 on turnover of 4.8-billion N-T.
The market closed higher on Tuesday after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
got a boost from last-ditch buying.
However, turnover remained limited, as analysts say many investors are still
waiting for U-S President Donald Trump's decision regarding semiconductor
tariffs on Taiwan.
Lai promulgates amended law tightening recall petition rules
President Lai Ching-te has signed off on amended legislation that tightens
requirements for petitions used to initiate the recall of elected officials.
Promulgation of the amendments to the Public Officials Election And Recall
Act comes after lawmakers voted to uphold (贊成，維護) the legislation
following a re-vote requested by the Cabinet last week.
The amendments were proposed by the K-M-T and had the back of the Taiwan
People's Party.
The D-P-P says it is preparing to petition the Constitutional Court to rule
on the constitutionality of the amended law.
Banana prices to remain high until May or June
The Ministry of Agriculture says the price of bananas is expected to remain
high until May or June.
The statement comes as banana prices have shot up in recent weeks.
According to the Agriculture and Food Agency, the price of bananas at
Taipei's First and Second Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Markets on Monday was
107.1 N-T per kilogram.
That was an 84.2-per cent from the same date of last year.
The agency says the high prices are mainly the result of "several typhoons"
that struck Kaohsiung and Pingtung last year.
Prices for guavas, jujubes and wax apples have also risen this year due to
the impact (影響) of the typhoons.
US Agencies Expecitng Mass Layoffs
From the US….
Major layoffs are expected at NASA and NOAA this week.
New hires are expecting pink slips (解僱通知單), while hundreds of other
employees at the space and weather agencies have accepted the Trump
Administration's offer to leave.
Toni Waterman has more.
Australia Mass Whale Stranding
More than 150 false killer whales are stranded on a remote beach on
Australia’s island state of Tasmania.
Officials say marine experts including veterinarians are at the scene on
Wednesday near Arthur River on Tasmania’s northwest coast.
Of the 157 beached whales, 136 appeared to still be alive.
The inaccessibility (交通不便，難以接近) of the beach, ocean conditions and
challenges to getting specialist equipment to the remote area were
complicating (使複雜化) a response.
Authorities have not yet requested public help to rescue the whales.
Brazil Approves Joining OPEC
Brazil’s government has approved joining OPEC+, a group of major
oil-exporting nations.
Brazil was invited to join the group in 2023.
It includes the members of OPEC, the longstanding (長期存在的) group set up
to coordinate oil production to stabilize markets, plus several more
significant oil-producing nations.
Brazil’s participation will be limited to discussing industry-related
issues, but the South American country will not participate in decisions.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 45-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,550
on turnover of 3.3-billion N-T.
The market surged past the five-day moving average on Monday, after Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing saw a technical rebound, which helped the broader
market rebound from the previous session led by tech stocks.
Select old economy industries also attracted bargain hunters during the
trading day, including shipping stocks - as the transportation industry rose
1.9-per cent - while the financial sector added 0.76-per cent.
More free flu vaccines on the way
The Centers for Disease Control says it has now distributed some 100,000
additional government-funded flu vaccines and they will be administered
(給予、施用) from this Thursday.
According to the C-D-C, the vaccines passed inspection last Friday and have
been distributed to local health authorities.
Distribution of the flu vaccines doses come after the C-D-C last week
announced that T-T-Y Biopharm had been awarded the 12.7-million N-T contract
to supply the cell culture flu vaccines.
The doses will be then administered for individuals aged 65 and over, infants
over the age of 6 months, preschool children and those at higher risk of
contracting the flu.
Taipei street named after badminton's Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin
Olympic badminton gold medal winners - Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin - have had a
street named after them in Taipei.
The plaque for "Lin Yang Way" was unveiled at a ceremony at the Zhongshan
Junior High School - where both of them studied in their younger years.
According to Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, the city government chose to name
the street after Lee and Wang after local residents submitted a petition to
his office calling for the two-time Olympic gold medallists to be celebrated.
Residents won't have to change their addresses, as the street will also
preserve its original (原來的) name of "Lane 361 on Fuxing North Road."
Lee and Wang won gold in men's badminton doubles at both the 2020 Tokyo and
the 2024 Paris games.
US Trump Asks Supreme Court to Rule on Agency Head Firing
US President Donald Trump is seeking approval from the Supreme Court to
remove the leader of an independent ethics agency.
Hampton Dellinger, who oversees the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, an agency
dedicated to (致力於、專用的) safeguarding government employees who report
misconduct, is challenging his dismissal.
Mitch McCann reports
Toronto Delta Flipped Plane
A Delta Airlines plane flipped (翻轉) upon arrival at Toronto’s Pearson
Airport and ended up on its roof Monday, injuring 17 people.
The airport has confirmed on X that an “incident” occurred Monday with the
Delta flight from Minneapolis and that all 80 passengers and crew are
accounted for.
The number of people injured was down from early reports from paramedics that
19 were hurt. V
Investigators are looking into what caused the plane to flip.
According to the Meteorological Service of Canada, the airport was
experiencing blowing snow and winds of 51 kph.
It is at least the fourth major aviation mishap in North America in the past
month.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 105-points this morning from Friday's close, at 23,258
on turnover of 7.7-billion N-T.
The market tumbled nearly 250-points on Friday - bucking a regional upswing
as investors were spooked by concerns about U-S President Donald Trump's
latest tariff threat to hit exports from countries he says have trade
policies that are unfair to America.
MOFA thanks US for updating fact sheet
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung is expressing his gratitude to the U-S State
Department for reaffirming support toward Taiwan with what he's calling
additions "of positive, Taiwan-friendly wordings."
It comes after a fact sheet's contents were updated to remove a line
indicating Washington's long-held stance of not supporting Taiwanese
independence.
It previously stated that the U-S opposes "any unilateral changes to the
status quo from either side; we do not support Taiwan independence; and we
expect cross-Strait differences to be resolved (秆∕) by peaceful means."
However, in the updated version published the line stating that the U-S does
not support Taiwan's independence had been removed.
Audrey Tang extols Taiwan after Munich Cyber Security Conference
And,
Ambassador-at-large for cyber affairs, Audrey Tang says freedom and security
are not mutually exclusive and has been talking-up Taiwan's approach to
digital challenges.
Speaking in Germany on the sidelines of the Munich Cyber Security Conference,
Tang said "freedom and security are not a trade-off, but instead are a
deepening of democracy ..
… and "the stronger the social consensus, the greater the resilience and
security, and the better able to withstand threats."
Tang also addressed the conference, and in a 10-miunte speech she touted
Taiwan using measures such as real-name registration for online
advertisements, fighting online fraud and using artificial intelligence to
enhance (矗蔼) democracy.
Ukraine Refuses US Proposal for Minterals Access
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he directed his ministers not to
sign off on a proposed agreement to give the United States access to
Ukraineˇs rare earth minerals because the document was too focused on U.S.
interests.
The proposal, which was a key part of Zelenskyyˇs talks with U.S. Vice
President JD Vance on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on
Friday, did not offer any specific security guarantees in return.
That's according to one current and one former senior official familiar with
the talks.
US President Trump earlier this week jettisoned three years of U.S. policy
and announced he would likely meet soon with Russian President Vladimir Putin
to negotiate a deal to end almost three years of fighting.
Pope Recovering After Respiratory Infection
The Vatican says Pope Francis is stable, as he recovers (確) from a
respiratory infection in the hospital.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports the Pope
British Academy Film Awards
Papal thriller ¨Conclave〃 won four prizes including best picture at the
British Academy Film Awards, at a ceremony with no single dominant winner.
¨The Brutalist〃 also won four trophies on Sunday including best director
for Brady Corbet.
¨The Brutalist〃 star Adrien Brody took the prize for best actor, and Mikey
Madison won the best actress prize for ¨Anora.〃
Genre-bending musical ¨Emilia Perez〃 proved that itˇs still an awards
contender despite a multipronged backlash that looked to have dented (ゴ阑)
its chances.
It won the prize for best film not in the English language and the best
supporting actress prize for Zoe Saldana.
Kieran Culkin was named best supporting actor for ¨A Real Pain.〃
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Taiwan shares open lower
Malaysian influencer sentenced to 6 months in prison over scamming case
Taiwan nationals freed from Myanmar scam rings now in Thailand
New tariffs to be rolled out from U.S.
Changes to Chips act likely
--
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1/23至2/16全館累計消費滿3,000贈200，
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2025年6-7月 日韓假期 基隆港出發
早鳥優惠最高每房減6,000元
出發去: https://sofm.pse.is/75tfls
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Taiwan shares open lower
Malaysian influencer sentenced to 6 months in prison over scamming case
Taiwan nationals freed from Myanmar scam rings now in Thailand
New tariffs to be rolled out from U.S.
Changes to Chips act likely
--
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 26-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,263 on turnover of $5.5-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Wednesday - as early gains eroded as investor
sentiment was spooked by concerns that America could introduce tariffs on
semiconductors.
Environment Minister confirms carbon cap trade regulations are under discussion
Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming says his office has begun discussion
regarding carbon cap trade regulations.
According to Peng, the aim is to impose a stricter cap than the current
self-determined reductions.
Peng says his office will be inviting companies with a reputation (名聲) for
excellence to work together and form an alliance to better implement any
changes.
The government has said the carbon fee system will take effect this year -
meaning that imposed entities will have to pay their carbon fees according to
their 2025 emissions in May of 2026.
THSR Zuoying Station set passenger records in 2024
The Ministry of Transport says the number of High Speed Rail passengers hit a
record high last year - and the number of passengers entering and exiting
Zuoying Station in Kaohsiung both exceeded (超過) 10-million for the first
time.
According to the ministry, passenger volume on the High Speed Rail reached
78.25-million last year.
This marks a 7-per cent increase from the previous year and highest in its 18
years of operations.
The High Speed Rail's Taipei Station served the highest number of passengers.
That was followed by Taichung Station, then Zuoying Station in third - with
the number of passengers entering the station reaching 10.5-million and
10.4-million passengers leaving.
Russia makes contact with Syria
The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken to Syria's
interim (過渡時期) leader, in the first such top-level contact since the fall
of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Mimmi Montgomery reports
Australia Investigates After Nurse Claims to Have Killed Israelis
An Australian hospital is examining its patient records after a nurse claimed
online to have killed Israelis.
Officials say there was no evidence of harm to patients.
A police unit focusing on a surge in antisemitic crimes in Sydney since the
Israel-Hamas war began in 2023 is investigating possible breaches (違規行為)
of hate speech law.
Two nurses who took part in an online discussion with an Israeli influencer
on Tuesday during a night shift at Sydney’s Bankstown Hospital were
suspended on Wednesday.
Authorities say they will never work for the state health department again.
Brazil Defends Oil Exploration Near Mouth of Amazon
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is defending oil exploration
near the mouth of the Amazon River as a way to finance a transition to green
energy.
As part of statements pressing the country's enviornmental regulator to
approve the plan, Lula says new oil revenue (收入) could provide the funds
for the change.
The offshore area, Bloc 59, is located in the Equatorial Margin, about 160
kilometers from the coast.
In 2023, Brazil’s environmental regulator rejected a license, citing issues
such as a weak wildlife protection plan in the event of an oil spill that
could affect one of the world’s most biodiverse regions.
State-owned oil company Petrobras appealed and a decision is pending.
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2025年6-7月 日韓假期 基隆港出發
早鳥優惠最高每房減6,000元
出發去: https://sofm.pse.is/75swpz
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 65-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,449
on turnover of 4.8-billion N-T.
The market rebounded on Tuesday after a slump a session earlier as artificial
intelligence-related stocks were the center of investor focus on the back of
a rise in Nvidia's share price on Wall Street overnight.
Investors took cues from a 2.87-per cent increase in Nvidia shares on Wall
Street, but the main board failed to sustain its early gains by the end of
the session on the capped upturn by semiconductor stocks ..
.. which dealers are attributing to lingering concerns over possible massive
tariffs on chips by U-S President Donald Trump.
Ministers hold talks to promote cultural diplomacy in Japan, Europe
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung and Culture Minister Li Yuan have held talks
to discuss "cultural diplomacy" -- with a particular focus on the upcoming
Expo 2025 in Japan and cultural events in Europe.
According to the foreign ministry, it was the first time the two ministries
have held minister-level talks and Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Wu and
Deputy Culture Minister Sue Wang were also in attendance.
The ministry says, both sides talked about combining their resources to boost
Taiwan's visibility (能見度) on the world stage and one focus was the
upcoming Osaka World Expo, which will be held between April and October.
Another topic on the agenda was how Taiwan could took advantage of the
National Palace Museum's upcoming exhibitions in the Czech Republic and
France later this year.
CDC reporting highest weekly flu-related medical visits in a decade
The Centers for Disease Control says the number of outpatient (門診) and
emergency visits due to flu-like illness recorded last week was the highest
number for the same period since the 2015-2016 flu season.
According to the C-D-C, a total of 181,995 flu-like illness-related
outpatient and emergency visits were reported from February 2 to 8.
C-D-C Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Kuo Hung-wei says the number of
flu cases with severe complications is also rising, with 128 severe cases and
28 flu-related deaths recorded from February 4 to this past Monday.
Most of those cases were linked to H-1-N-1 infections.
Russia Frees American Prisoner
Russia has freed American detainee (被拘留者) Marc Fogel.
The 63-year-old school teacher was released from prison on Tuesday, according
to US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
He'd been arrested for the illegal possession of cannabis back in 2021 and
was given a 14-year prison sentence, which the United States viewed as
"wrongful."
Benji Hyer reports.
UN Warns of Congo Displacement
The U.N. says more than 110-thousand displaced people have in recent days
left settlement camps in eastern Congo’s cities controlled by Rwanda-backed
rebels after the rebels were accused of forced camp closures.
The U.N.’s humanitarian aid coordination agency said Tuesday that the M23
rebels issued a 72-hour ultimatum for people to leave the camps but later
clarified that such movement is voluntary.
Associated Press journalists witnessed some of the displaced people packing
up what is left of their belongings and dismantling makeshift shelters.
The forced camp closures have worsened (惡化) what is already one of the
world’s largest humanitarian crises.
At least 500-thousand people have reportedly been displaced in the region
following the M23's advance.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened gained 69-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,321 on turnover of 5.4-billion N-T.
The market fell sharply on Monday, as investors shied away from the
electronics sector due to concerns that U-S President Donald Trump will
impose heavy tariffs on chips.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing trended lower throughout the session -
losing 1.78-per cent by the end of the trading day.
And the stock's losses contributed about 160 points to the Tai-Ex's fall
total decline during the trading day.
Groups submit recall vote proposals for 12 more opposition lawmakers
D-P-P supporters have submitted more recall vote proposals targeting 12
opposition lawmakers to the Central Election Commission.
It brings the total number of opposition lawmakers now facing potential
(可能的) recall votes to 44.
The K-M-T lawmakers targeted by the proposals include Deputy Legislative
Speaker Johnny Chiang, and seven-term lawmaker Yang Chiung-ying from
Taichung, as well as K-M-T caucus secretary-general Lin Si-ming.
The latest recall vote proposals follow those submitted on February 3 in a
bid to recall 19 K-M-T lawmakers.
Taipei international book fair draws 570,000 visitors
And,
Organizers of the just concluded Taipei International Book Exhibition say
this year's event drew an estimated 570,000 visitors over six days.
The figure surpassed last year's turnout of 550,000.
According to Culture Minister Li Yuan, enthusiastic (熱情的) turnout this
year despite the cold weather, was an indication of people's passion for
reading and shows that the event was a huge success.
Thailand has been picked as the guest of honor for next year's Taipei
International Book Exhibition.
Hamas to Delay Release of Hostages
Hamas says it will delay the further release of hostages in the Gaza Strip
after accusing (指控) Israel of violating a ceasefire that began three weeks
ago.
Israel and Hamas are in the midst of a six-week ceasefire during which Hamas
has committed to freeing dozens of the hostages captured in its Oct. 7, 2023,
attack in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas’ said its plan to delay the next hostage release “until further
notice” depended on whether Israel “abides by its obligations.”
Three more Israeli hostages had been scheduled for release on Saturday, in
exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
US Texas Measles Outbreak Spreading
A measles outbreak in Texas is spreading.
Health officials say at least 10 children in one county have tested positive
in the past two weeks for the highly contagious disease - which can cause
fevers, rashes, brain swelling and even death.
All of the children are unvaccinated (未接種疫苗的).
Toni Waterman has more.
Saudi Doctoral Student Freed After Confinement Over Tweets
A Saudi doctoral student at Leeds University in Britain has been freed after
seeing her 34-year sentence for her activity on Twitter in Saudi Arabia
drastically (大幅度地) reduced.
Salma al-Shehab, a mother of two, had been sentenced to 34 years in prison
back in 2022 over her tweets.
Amnesty International and other rights organizations reported al-Shehab's
release, point out that she "spent almost 300 days in prolonged solitary
confinement, was denied legal representation, and was then repeatedly
convicted on terrorism charges"…"All just because she tweeted in support of
women’s rights and retweeted Saudi women’s rights activists.”
Al-Shehab was arrested as part of a wider crackdown on dissent in the kingdom
as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has taken over as its de facto ruler.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 57-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,422 on turnover of 7.5-billion N-T.
The market rose last Friday after recovering, as the bellwether electronics
sector - led by artificial intelligence-related stocks - regained its
footing, pushing the main board to close at the day's high.
Market watchers say investors appear to have moved away from U-S President
Donald Trump's tariff actions, and are now instead focusing on economic
fundamentals.
Luermen spring festival draws over 700,000 in Tainan
Organizers of the annual Lunar New Year event at Tainan's Lu-Er-Men Matsu
Temple say an estimated 700,000 people attended the event this past weekend
despite the cold weather.
The event marks the 'spring ox' ritual and was celebrated with a huge
two-hour long firework show, a drone light show featuring 500 drones forming
images of dragons, snakes, and the Goddess Matsu, a parade and musical
performances.
Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che was the guest of honor at the opening ceremony at
the temple in the city's Annan District.
He was accompanied by the four Japanese mayors from Fukushima Prefecture.
The Lu-Er-Men Spring Festival dates back to 1725 - and symbolized prosperity
for the coming year.
A large paper-mache ox is tossed into the crowd as part of the festival and
attendees (參加者) tear off pieces for good luck.
NKorea Kim Vows to Bolster Nuclear Program
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said an elevated U.S. security
partnership with South Korea and Japan poses a grave (嚴重) threat to his
country.
In a speech marking the 77th founding anniversary of the Korean People’s
Army, Kim said the U.S.-Japan-South Korea trilateral security partnership
established under a U.S. plot to form a NATO-like regional military bloc is
inviting military imbalance on the Korean Peninsula.
Kim vowed to further bolster the north's nuclear weapons program.
He has previously made similar warnings, but his latest statement implies
again that he won’t likely embrace US President Donald Trump’s overture to
meet him and revive diplomacy anytime soon.
US Alaska Crash Remains Recovered
Return to Table of contents
US authorities say the remains of all 10 people killed in Alaska plane crash
have been recovered (重新找到).
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports.
Russia Island on Alert After Chinese Ship Stranding
Part of Russia's Pacific island region of Sakhalin is on high alert after a
Chinese cargo ship ran aground off its southwest coast.
Local officials say there is no fuel spillage and no danger to the crew of
the An Yang 2, which is carrying coal and heavy fuel oil.
Russia's emergencies ministry said 20 crew were aboard.
Preparations are underway to pump fuel out of the damaged vessel, which is
stranded (擱淺) in shallow waters off the region's coast.
Earlier this year, hundreds of volunteers in southwestern Russia spent weeks
trying to contain a massive oil spill from two storm-stricken tankers in the
Kerch Strait near Crimea.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 27-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,290 on turnover of $5.8-billion N-T.
The market moved higher again on Thursday, after a Wall Street rally
overnight that followed better profit reports than expected from major
companies.
Philippines on track to lead Southeast Asian tourist arrivals in Taiwan for2024
The Tourism Administration says the Philippines is on track to become the top
Southeast Asian source of tourists to Taiwan in 2024.
It will be the first time that visitors from the Philippines will have topped
the list.
Data shows that 415,635 visitors were recorded arriving in Taiwan from
January to November.
The figure exceeded the 384,000 visitors from Malaysia and the 376,000
tourist arrivals from Singaporeans over the same period.
Thailand was fourth with 356,000 visitors, and Vietnam was fifth with 344,000.
According to the Tourism Administration, the Philippines ranked at number
five globally (全球) in terms of visitor arrivals in Taiwan - behind Japan,
Hong Kong and Macau, South Korea and the United States.
Russian Lawmaker on Trump Putin Meeting
A senior Russian lawmaker believes a meeting between US President Donald
Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could happen as early as this
month or next.
The chair of the Russian Parliament's International Affairs Committee told
Russian state media that plans for a meeting are at an "advanced (後階段的)
stage" and that "it will take place soon".
Stuart Smith has more from Kyiv
UNRWA Head on Israeli Ban
The head of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini,
says an Israeli ban on his institution has not forced it to halt (停止) its
services so far but that in the long run, the agency faces an “existential
threat.”
Israel last week formally banned UNRWA from operating on its territory.
Lazzarini says he sees his agency as the target of a “massive disinformation
campaign” with a “very great objective to try to dismantle the agency
because of political considerations.”
Greece Santorini Declares State of Emergency
Greece has declared a state of emergency on Santorini because of the hundreds
of undersea earthquakes that have shaken the resort island for nearly a week.
The ministry of civil protection’s announcement Thursday will provide
authorities faster access to state resources.
A magnitude 5.2 quake late Wednesday was the most powerful recorded since the
series of quakesstarted on Jan. 31.
A government spokesman says multiple emergency services and the military were
already mobilized to support the island.
The quakes has caused minimal (極微的) damage.
Experts don't yet know if it could be leading to a stronger earthquake.
Thousands of residents and seasonal workers have left, mostly evacuating to
the Greek mainland by ferry.
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CDC seeing surge in flu vaccinations after actress Barbie Hsu's death
Three active military officers indicted for leaking intelligence to China
Guterres warns Donald Trump against ethnic cleansing in Gaza
Philippines Vice President faces impeachment
Britain Deciphered Ancient Scrolls
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Prosecutors appeal Yilan magistrate's verdict
The Yilan District Prosecutors' Office has filed an appeal against the Yilan District Court's decision to sentence Yilan County Magistrate Lin Zi-miao to 12 1/2 years in prison.
The appeal comes after Lin was found guilty last December of seeking illegal gains through her supervisory role as a public official, money laundering and having unaccounted-for assets as a public official.
The prosecutor's office says it is seeking to have Lin retried on charges related to allegations she gave a tax waiver to a Luodong Township landowner.
The district court determined during the trial there was insufficient evidence to prove Lin had engaged in corruption.
Prosecutors are describing district court's verdict as "flawed" - saying and that the sentences for Lin and 13 other defendants were all too lenient.
Taipei International Book Exhibition opens
The Taipei International Book Exhibition is now open.
This year's show features Italy as the guest of honor and showcases the country's authors and illustrators.
Italy's representative to Taiwan says the 400 square-meter Italian Pavilion features the colors of the country's national flag with red walls and an artificial lawn symbolizing a plaza where visitors can sit and engage in discussions.
The Taipei Book Fair Foundation says the event will spotlight 11 major Italian authors in different fields, including contemporary literature, children's literature, and detective fiction.
They will making appearances to promote their new books and speak at forums at the show.
The Taipei International Book Exhibition is taking place at Hall 1 of the Taipei World Trade Center until February 9.
China tariffs
China has announced retaliatory tariffs on select US imports and an antitrust investigation into Google, just minutes after a sweeping levy on Chinese products imposed by Washington took effect.
But the impact of China's measures on U.S. exports may be limited… as Jennifer King reports.
Colombia orders cancellation of fracking contract
Colombian president Gustavo Petro has ordered the state-run oil company Ecopetrol to cancel a joint venture with U.S.-based Occidental Petroleum that was expected to produce around 90,000 barrels of oil per day.
The order cited environmental concerns.
Petro said that he was opposed to the recent extension of a deal between Ecopetrol and Occidental because it involved extracting oil through fracking, a technique that has been criticized by environmental groups.
Petro told his cabinet that he wanted the operation sold, and the money to be invested in clean energy…
Petro told his Cabinet that" We are against fracking, because fracking is the death of nature, and the death of humanity.”
Australia deals with rains
Monsoon rains have unleashed flooding in Australia's Queensland that claimed the lives of two people.
The week-long deluge dropped months of rainfall in a few days, devastating small rural towns on the state’s north coast.
Officials say the body of an 82-year-old woman was found in a paddock near the North Queensland town of Ingham on Tuesday.
It followed the death of a 63-year-old woman on Sunday.
The rain drove hundreds from their homes, washed out an important bridge and blocked drinking water supplies to the worst-hit area. meanwhile, heatwaves were recorded elsewhere in Australia, including in Western Australia.
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Lai meets with China-based business owners
Foreign labor may be allowed in waste, recycling industries from March
Europe Defense against U.S.
Hundreds of undersea earthquakes shake Greece Santorini
Trump and Musk move to dismantle USAID
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 728-points this morning from it January 22 close on
the final day of the Year of the Dragon at 22,796 on turnover of
27.3-billion N-T,
The market closed out the Year of the Dragon by moving sharply higher.
The exchange's market capitalization rose by more than 18-trillion N-T to
75.53-trillion N-T in the Year of the Dragon as a whole.
That figure totaled an average of about 1.36-million N-T for each of the
13.21-million investors in the market as of the end of 2024.
Tsai claims solid communication helped handle Trump
Former president Tsai Ing-wen has told the British newspaper, The Times that
she believes "solid communication" helped maintain a mutually beneficial
relationship between Taiwan and the U-S during the first administration of
U-S President Donald Trump.
According to Tsai, "strong, frequent and clear" communications between both
sides national security teams was a major factor in keeping Trump on the her
side ..
.. and such communications resulted in progress in economic, educational and
cultural exchanges.
Tsai also touted arms sale in the interview - saying U-S military sales to
Taiwan reached the highest level in 40 years under Trump during his first
term in office ..
.. the current D-P-P administration is happy to discuss how to further
strengthen the island's defense capabilities (能力) and increase its
investment in national defense with the new Trump administration.
RightsCon digital rights summit to be held in Taipei for first time
Taipei has been selected as the host city for the 2025 RightsCon.
According to the event's organizer, the international conference focusing on
digital rights will be held in Taipei later this month.
The event is organized by Access Now.
Access Now executive director Alejandro Mayoral Banos says it was a "was a
natural step" to choose Taiwan as the place to host the four-day summit
because of its protections of democracy, freedom, and human rights.
It will be the first time RightsCon is held in East Asia since its inception
(起始) in 2011.
Access Now says the February 24 to 27 event will include more than 550
discussion sessions - both in-person and online.
US State Secretary Warns Panama on China Canal Influence
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Panama must reduce Chinese influence
(影響) around the canal area or face possible US action
AP correspondent Donna Warder reports.
UK Palace Cuts Back on Kate Fashion Details
UK media reports that Kensington Palace is going to cut back on naming the
luxury labels that the Princess of Wales wears.
The newspaper reports that Kate was frustrated that too much attention was
being paid to her attire and not to the important issues she’s
highlighting.
Kate, who is married to Prince William, the eldest son of King Charles III,
is often dressed by fashion’s fanciest brands.
The princess, who has a foundation for early childhood development, is
launching a new initiative aimed at developing social and emotional skills.
In foreshadowing the new approach (方法), the palace did not release details
of her clothing during a recent visit to Wales.
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Government pledges to reduce carbon emissions by 26-30 percent by 2030
The government says it plans to further reduce carbon emissions to reflect
the island's commitment to net zero.
Speaking at the third meeting of the Presidential Office's climate change
committee, President Lai Ching-te announced what he called the government's
"more ambitious ( 有雄心的) carbon reduction targets."
According to Lai, his administration will work to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by between 26 and 30-per cent by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
Lai told the committee that the revised reductions mean Taiwan's carbon
emissions should be reduced between 30 and 34-per cent by 2032.
The president went on to say it's crucial for the people of Taiwan to take
more active steps in fulfilling a responsibilities to the international
community.
TaiwanICDF opens applications for overseas volunteers
The Taiwan I-C-D-F foreign aid agency has announced that's accepting
applications for its annual volunteer program that provides humanitarian and
other assistance to the nation's diplomatic allies and less-developed
countries.
The agency is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
And it says it will recruit 44 volunteers to work in areas such as
information technology, public health, veterinary science, nutritional
science, nursing, health education, mental health and epidemiological
(流行病學的) statistics.
Taiwanese nationals aged 20 or above are eligible (有資格的) to apply.
Those selected will be deployed to one of 11 countries in the Asia Pacific,
the Caribbean, Africa, and Central and South America for six months to a
year, it added.
The deadline for all applications is February 10.
Cold weather forecast in run-up to Lunar New Year
The Central Weather Administration says low temperatures and rain can be
expected ahead of Lunar New Year's Day next Wednesday.
A strong continental cold air mass is forecast to approach Taiwan on Monday -
sending the mercury down to below 10 degrees in some areas.
The cold front is forecast to be at strongest on Lunar New Year's Eve and
into Lunar New Year's Day - when parts of the north and east could see lows
of 9-degrees.
Other area will see lows of between 12 and 14-degrees next Tuesday and
Wednesday.
The weather administration says snow is also likely to fall at elevations
over 2,000-meters in the north and east.
The cold front is expected to weaken from next Thursday and temperatures
rebound.
However, another cold front is expected to approach the island on the second
to last day of the nine-day Lunar New Year holiday - once again bringing down
temperatures in the north and east.
Trump to Visit States Hit by Natural Disasters
US President Donald Trump will today visit North Carolina and California, two
American states recently ravaged (摧殘) by natural disasters.
Benji Hyer reports.
UN Climate Interrupting Schooling
The United Nations Children's Fund says over 200 million children had their
schooling interrupted last year because of heatwaves, cyclones, flooding and
other extreme weather.
UNICEF says it amounted to one in seven school-going children across the
world being kept out of class at some point in 2024 because of climate
crises.
The new UNICEF report released today also outlines (概述) how some countries
saw hundreds of their schools destroyed, with low-income nations in Asia and
sub-Saharan Africa hit especially hard.
But while deadly floods and cyclones hit the world in 2024, UNICEF says
heatwaves were “the predominant climate hazard shuttering schools last
year."
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First batch of data from ongoing lunar mission arrives in Taiwan
The National Central University says the first batch of data from a
Taiwan-made radiation detector has arrived after it it launched into orbit
last week.
The university's Deep Space Radiation Probe is aboard the HAKUTO-R Mission 2
lunar lander developed by Japanese space exploration company ispace and
launched from Florida on January 15 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
According to the university, the probe is "currently operating normally" and
its temperature is "within a safe range."
They say data so far has shown "brilliant (傑出的) results.
Taoyuan airport warns travelers should to arrive 3 hours early during LNY
The Taoyuan International Airport is advising travelers to arrive at least
three hours before their flight during the Lunar New Year holiday period
because of an sharp increase in passenger numbers.
According to the airport operator, an average of 145,000 travelers are
expected to pass through the airport each day from between tomorrow and
February 3.
The peak dates for departing (出發) passengers are expected to be tomorrow
and Saturday, while the peak for inbound travelers will be on the final
weekend of the holiday on February 1 and 2.
Peak hours for departing flights during the holiday period will be 7 to 9AM,
2 to 3PM and 11PM to 12AM.
While peak times for arrivals will be between 1 and 5PM and between 8 and
10PM.
US LA Wildfire Shuts Down Major Highway
A new fast-moving wildfire has broken out north of Los Angeles, forcing
thousands to evacuate their homes and closing a major highway.
The new blaze comes as the firefighters continue to battle the fires that
brought devastation (破壞) to Los Angeles two weeks ago.
Ira Spitzer reports.
SSudan Orders Telecoms to Block Social Media
South Sudanese authorities have ordered telecoms to block access to social
media for at least 30 days, citing concerns over the dissemination (傳播) of
graphic content relating to the ongoing violence against South Sudanese in
neighboring Sudan.
The temporary ban, which could be extended to up to 90 days, will come into
force at midnight Thursday, according to authorities.
They claim the temporary ban was necessary to protect the public.
Many South Sudanese have been angered by footage from Sudan that purports to
show killings by militia groups of South Sudanese in Gezira state.
Greece Statue Found in Garbage
Police in Greece say a marble statue of a woman believed to be more than
2,000 years old has been found abandoned in a garbage bag and handed to
archaeologists.
A resident found the headless statue near a trash bin and handed it over to
authorities near the northern city of Thessaloniki.
Archaeologists confirmed its historical significance, and it was confiscated
for preservation (保存).
Accidental discoveries of ancient artifacts are relatively common in Greece
during construction and public works.
Thessaloniki recent showcased a trove (（不知物主的）貴重發掘物) of
antiquities discovered during construction of a subway system.
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Labor Insurance Fund has good short-term prospects
Flu-like cases hit ten year high
570 kg of spice powder rejected at border for pesticide residue
Donald Trump unveils AI investment in USA
South Africa Mine Rescue
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小AI，剛領獎金投資什麼好?
2025投資絕不能少了美國
新上市的中信NASDAQ 009800，美股核心配置最佳選擇
還有鎖定創新實力的中信美國創新科技009801
太好了！現在就買起來
009800、009801讓投資再次偉大
2月11日盛大掛牌，各大券商皆可下單
https://sofm.pse.is/74sxka
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
Tai-Ex opening lower
Magnitude 6.4 earthquake topples buildings in Tainan district
Budget vote in LY expected today
President Donald Trump signs new executive orders
Canada expressed relief about U.S. Tariffs
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Delegation members injured in car crash in Palau return home
Survey shows one-fifth of Taiwan adults use TikTok or Douyin
Trump planning flurry of executive action in inauguration day
Mideast Wars with exchanges of hostages and prisoners
US TikTok Ban Halted for Now
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 165-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,190 on turnover of $9-billion N-T.
Taiwan's first lunar mission successfully launched
Taiwan's National Central University (NCU) says it has successfully launched
the country's first lunar mission on Wednesday (Taipei time)…
Tts Deep Space Radiation Probe (DSRP) was carried into space and expected to
land on the moon in four months.
The probe was aboard the lunar lander HAKUTO-R Mission 2 developed by ispace,
a Japanese lunar exploration company, and launched from Florida.
The DSRP is Taiwan's first domestically-built scientific payload for a lunar
mission and the first to leave low Earth orbit (LEO), which extends to
(延長到) an altitude of 2,000 kilometers
The mission is aimed at measuring the expected radiation dose between the
earth and the moon, as well as on the lunar surface, and understanding the
radiation-caused anomalies of electronics commonly used on board a
spacecraft.
Blinken defends US policy on Gaza
From the US….
Protesters disrupted (被擾亂的) Secretary of State Antony Blinken's final
news conference, as he defended US policy on Gaza.
AP Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports
South African dead miners
Police say the death toll in a monthslong standoff between authorities and
miners trapped while working illegally underground at an abandoned gold mine
in South Africa has risen to at least 87.
The miners are suspected to have died of starvation and dehydration (脫水).
Karen Chammas return with this report.
India Satellite Docks in Space
Space officials in India say they have docked two satellites in space to
become the fourth nation to complete such a mission, in a milestone for the
country’s scientific ambitions.
The two satellites weighing 220 kilograms each were blasted into orbit on a
single rocket in December and sent into slightly different orbits.
India's Space Research Organization says the two satellites were maneuvered
(操縱) back together Thursday in a precision operation.
The mission had been postponed twice earlier due to technical issues.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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UL.OS，來自日本大塚製藥 男人系健膚專家
獨家保濕成分 AMP，全天候滋潤你的肌膚，讓你從 AM 到 PM 都狀態滿分，健康又有型！
各大藥妝店與網購平台，熱賣中！
https://bit.ly/3DdDJLu
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 303-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,818 on turnover of $8.3-billion N-T.
Seven Indicted in Taiwan for Selling Tainted Condiments
Seven people have been indicted for selling condiments containing banned
Sudan dyes.
Prosecutors in Yunlin County say employees of Chiseng Hong Ltd., including
its general manager and his son, violated food safety laws, forged documents,
and committed fraud.
The case began in February 2024, when officials found Sudan III dye in chili
powder made by the company.
An expanded investigation later discovered Sudan I in their curry powder.
Despite knowing about the contamination since 2023, the company continued
producing and selling the tainted products, earning 6.77 million NT.
Prosecutors are seeking heavy punishments for the seven individuals and fines
for the company, citing deliberate (故意的) actions to hide toxic ingredients
for profit.
Two related firms, Chiseng Hong and Rich's Spice International, were also
listed as defendants.
UN Guterres Welcomes Ceasefire btwn Hamas Israel
United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres has welcomed the
announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Speaking to reporters in New York on Wednesday shortly after the announcement
was made, Guterres said the UN stands ready to assist in the implementation
(執行) of the agreement.
Jody Jacobs reports from New York.
SAfrica Mine Rescue Operation Ends
South African police have ended a rescue operation at an abandoned gold mine
where hundreds of illegal miners were trapped for months and say they believe
they have rescued all the survivors and retrieved all the bodies of those who
died.
They said they had retrieved 78 bodies and rescued 246 survivors.
The announcement on Wednesday was a surprise and came just a day after the
police minister said the rescue operation would likely last until at least
next week.
Police say rescuers would do a final sweep of the mine today to ensure (確保)
no more survivors or bodies were underground.
UK Chagos Islands Discuss with Trump
Britain’s government has confirmed that it will not finalize a deal to hand
over sovereignty of the contested Chagos Islands to Mauritius until
President-elect Donald Trump’s administration is consulted.
The governments of Britain and Mauritius have been negotiating in recent
months to complete an agreement to settle the future of the contested
(有爭議的) Indian Ocean archipelago, which is home to a strategically
important U.K.-U.S. naval and bomber base.
But the agreement was opposed by Trump and his supporters.
The president-elect’s pick for secretary of state, Marco Rubio, warned last
year that the deal posed “a serious threat” to U.S. national security.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 40-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,757 on turnover of $3.9-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan staged a technical rebound, rising about 300 points Tuesday,
following a slump the previous session, as the bellwether electronics sector
led the gains ahead of an investor conference by contract chipmaker Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing Co..
The momentum continued as TSMC saw buying accelerate, in particular in the
late trading session, helping the Taiex return to the 120-day moving average
of 22,565 points at the end of the session.
Taichung Police Destroy Drugs Worth Over NT$100 Million
Taichung police have incinerated illegal drugs and paraphernalia (用具) worth
over 100 million NT at the Houli Refuse Incineration Plant.
The haul included 140 kilograms of Category 3 and 4 substances like ketamine
and mephedrone, along with drug-use equipment.
Officers said the destruction follows strict inventory checks and
demonstrates their commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against narcotics.
Taiwan to Launch First Satellite for Air Pollution Monitoring
Taiwan plans to launch its first satellite to monitor (監測) air pollution
and greenhouse gases within three years.
The Ministry of Environment is working with the National Space Organization
on the project, which has a 61-billion NT budget.
The satellite will track cross-border pollution from China and Southeast
Asia, monitor fine particulate matter like PM2.5, and measure greenhouse
gases such as carbon dioxide and methane.
Equipped with advanced sensors, it will improve the accuracy of environmental
monitoring.
Officials say the project includes four satellites to provide multi-timeframe
data.
The first satellite is expected to launch by 2027.
This effort builds on recent experiments, such as a 3D air quality study in
southern Taiwan, and aims to strengthen pollution control strategies using
cutting-edge technology.
California Threat of New Wildfires Looms
Officials in California are concerned about the growing threat of new
wildfires, with strong winds expected to worsen conditions across the state.
The fires have already claimed at least 24 lives and displaced (流離失所的)
more than 100,000 people.
Mitch McCann reports:
Congo Chinese Citizens Sentenced for Exploiting Mineral Resources
Three Chinese citizens have been sentenced to 7 years in prison and ordered
to pay $600,000 in fines for illegally exploiting mineral resources in Congo,
according to court filings.
The ruling marks the first time foreign mineral brokers have been convicted
for unauthorized mineral exploitation in the DRC without authorization from
Congolese authorities.
The defendants were also found guilty of fraud, money laundering and looting
(搶劫), after being arrested earlier this month with 10 gold bars and
$400-thosuand in cash.
It is unclear if they will remain in the eastern city of Bukavu, where they
are held, or if they will be transferred elsewhere.
Lawyers for the defendants say they intend to appeal, claiming the judgment
is unjustified.
UK Princess of Wales Reveals Cancer in Remission
Britain's Princess of Wales says that her cancer is in remission
((疾病的）緩解期) following a visit to the hospital where she received
treatment.
In a statement on social media, the princess offered her heartfelt thanks to
those who helped her and her husband Prince William.
Tuesday’s announcement marked the first official update on her condition
since September, when Kate said she had completed chemotherapy.
The princess still hasn’t revealed what type of cancer she was treated for.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
美股開外掛，股價屢屢創新高，好想跟一波，還來得及嗎？
馬上搜尋009800、中信NASDAQ，美國那斯達克經典濃縮款，產業龍頭All in One！009801、中信美國創新科技，重壓美國科技巨擘，可望駕馭美股多頭！
哇，太棒了！想讓投資再次偉大，千萬不能錯過！
10元起步，投資美國頂尖企業，1/13~1/17速洽全台各大證券商。
https://bit.ly/4gMfIti
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 86-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,574
on turnover of $5.6-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan took a beating, plunging more than 500 points Monday, with
selling sparked by steep declines on U.S. markets at the end of last week
amid rising worries over the Federal Reserve's next move.
The market opened up, but sell-off accelerated in the afternoon session, with
weakness seen among other electronics heavyweights, dragging down the Taiex
down to almost the day's low at the end of the session.
Non-tech stocks moved lower in line with the broader market, with some
exceptions in the petrochemical industry, which was boosted by higher
international crude oil prices, after the U.S. Treasury Department announced
sanctions against Russia's oil industry.
Yunlin touts success in waste reduction -- by searching people's trash bags
The Yunlin County government says it has reduced the county's overall trash
volume by 7 percent after implementing a search policy.
The Yunlin Environmental Protection Bureau says the county's waste output had
risen to around 400 metric tons per day, and the local government has
instructed waste management workers to search some residents' trash bags and
refuse those that contained food scraps and other recyclable materials.
Since implementing the policy, almost 20-thousand bags of trash hve been
rejected, out of about 100-thousand.
The bureau says Yunlin's monthly trash volume last November was 1,200 metric
tons lower than in July, equivalent to (等值的；相等的) around 7 percent less
trash per day.
The bureau says currently, the county generates 360 metric tons of trash per
day, which it hopes to reduce to 340 metric tons by the end of this year.
NKorea Test Fires Projectile
South Korea’s military says North Korea has test-fired at least one
unidentified projectile toward its eastern waters in its second launch event
of 2025.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff on Tuesday didn’t immediately provide
(提供) more details.
The launch followed North Korea’s first ballistic launch of the year last
week.
The North described that the test involved a new hypersonic
intermediate-range missile designed to strike targets in the Pacific as
leader Kim Jong Un vowed to further expand his collection of nuclear-capable
weapons to counter rivals.
Romania Protests Calling for Election Resumption
Demonstrations were held in the Romanian capital on Sunday calling for a
resumption (繼續) of presidential elections.
The election was annulled in December by the Constitutional Court citing the
illegal use of digital technology to influence the results.
William Denselow reports from Brussels.
British Declassified Documents Reveal Spy Details
Newly declassified British documents show that Queen Elizabeth II wasn’t
told details of her long-time art adviser's double life as a Soviet spy
because palace officials didn’t want to add to her worries.
The files about royal art historian Anthony Blunt are among a trove from the
intelligence agency MI5 released Tuesday by Britain’s National Archives.
They shed new light on the spy ring linked to Cambridge University who
spilled secrets (洩漏祕密) to the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
Blunt confessed to espionage in 1964, but according to the files the queen
was not given full details until 1973.
Her private secretary reported that “she took it all very calmly and without
surprise."
Blunt was not publicly exposed as a spy until 1979.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 58-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,070
on turnover of $6.5-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed lower amid continuing concerns over volatility on the
U.S. markets and inflationary pressure after the return of Donald Trump, who
has vowed to raise tariffs, to the White House in January.
And analysts say the financial sector came under heavy pressure, contributing
to the downward movement of the Taiex.
Miaoli Hits 1 Degree Early Morning
Parts of Miaoli County have recorded the lowest temperature of the season
this morning.
According to the Central Weather Administration, monitoring stations
confirmed that San-wan Township reached 1-degree-Celsius at around 7am.
And nearby, Hsinchu County's E-mei Township recorded temperatures of
2.1-degrees.
Meteorologist Wu De-rong says the extreme low was likely caused by clear
skies and strong radiative (輻射的) cooling.
He says skies will likely remain clear over the next two days with warmer
daytime temperatures, but cold early mornings and nights.
Then on Wednesday, another front carrying cold air and rain is expected to
move over the island for another two days.
(NS)
Taiwanese artist wins international postcard contest in Japan
A Taiwanese artist was awarded the top prize in a postcard competition at a
regional art museum in Japan.
Lee Li-chin was the first non-Japanese competitor to win the annual 10x15
World Contest.
On Saturday, she received the Mayor's Award for her postcard depiction (描寫)
of the Kawai Shrine in Kyoto, which combined embroidery and oil painting.
Lee says she was inspired by the striking red color of traditional Shinto
gates against surrounding green mountains, during her first visit to Kyoto.
Speaking to the Japanese media, she said wanted to enrich her world by
participating in the art contest and hoped to convey a message of love
through her work.
US Cali Firefighting Continues
Firefighters are attempting (試圖) to corral wildfires in Los Angeles, but
strong winds are forecast to return this week.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
Turkey Rescued Gorilla Recovering at Zoo
A young gorilla rescued from a plane’s cargo hold is recovering at an
Istanbul zoo while wildlife officers consider returning him to his natural
habitat.
The 5-month-old gorilla was discovered in a box on a Turkish Airlines flight
from Nigeria to Thailand last month.
After a public competition, he has been named Zeytin, or Olive, and is
recuperating (正在康復中) at Polonezkoy Zoo.
The director of Istanbul nature conservation says it's important to return
the gorilla “to an absolutely safe environment.”
Both western and eastern gorillas, which populate central Africa’s remote
(偏僻的) forests and mountains — are classified as endangered by the
International Union for Conservation of Nature.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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美股開外掛，股價屢屢創新高，好想跟一波，還來得及嗎？
馬上搜尋009800、中信NASDAQ，美國那斯達克經典濃縮款，產業龍頭All in One！009801、中信美國創新科技，重壓美國科技巨擘，可望駕馭美股多頭！
哇，太棒了！想讓投資再次偉大，千萬不能錯過！
10元起步，投資美國頂尖企業，1/13~1/17速洽全台各大證券商。
https://bit.ly/4gMfIti
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Saline Supply Secured Through Lunar New Year
Y F Chemical Corporation, Taiwan's largest saline producer, has resumed full
production after addressing violations that halted operations last year.
The Health Ministry announced that saline supplies are now sufficient
(充足的) to meet hospital needs through the Lunar New Year.
Other manufacturers have increased output, and imported saline stocks remain
high, with hundreds of thousands of bags in reserve.
While a global shortage of soft-bag saline packaging caused recent delays,
officials expect supply to stabilize next week.
The FDA has coordinated with manufacturers to prioritize deliveries for any
reported shortages.
Hospitals have also increased their inventories ahead of the holiday season
to ensure uninterrupted care.
Record NT$1.05 Billion in Lunar New Year Lottery Prizes
Taiwan Lottery announced a record $1.05 billion NT in bonus prizes for this
year's Lunar New Year lottery.
The prizes will be drawn daily over 20 days from January 24th to February
12th, covering popular games like Lotto 6/49, Daily Cash, and Bingo Bingo.
The Lotto 6/49 top prize will be $100 million NT, while the Big Red Envelope
game offers up to $1 million NT per winner from a prize pool of $480 million
NT.
Smaller prizes are also available through additional (額外的) draws,
including the Small Red Envelope game.
For Bingo Bingo, prize amounts will increase during the holiday lottery
period.
This year's Lunar New Year bonus prizes are the largest ever.
UN: Syrian Refugees Desperate Conditions
The United Nations is warning more than 125,000 Syrian refugees are facing
"desperate conditions" as they return to their home country.
The UN's refugee agency U.N.H.C.R says many people have arrived back in Syria
following last month's fall of the Assad regime.
But families find themselves with little shelter and few economic prospects
(前途).
Sally Patterson reports from New York.
Ukraine Zelenskyy Austin on Trump Presidency
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd
Austin used their final meeting in Germany to press the incoming Trump
administration not to give up on Kyiv’s fight.
Austin warned that to cease military support now “will only invite more
aggression, chaos and war.”
President-elect Donald Trump’s pronouncements about pushing for a quick end
to the war and his kinship (親切感) with Putin have triggered (觸發) concern
among allies.
But Austin said "no responsible leader will let Putin have his way.”
And while Austin acknowledged he has no idea what Trump will do, he said the
international leaders gathered Thursday in Germany talked about the need to
continue the mission.
UN Forecasts Modest World Economy Growth
The United Nations says the world economy resisted battering by conflicts and
inflation last year and is expected to grow a subdued 2.8% in 2025.
The U.N. projected last January that global economic growth would be 2.4% in
2024.
It said Thursday that the rate was estimated to have been slightly higher, at
2.8%.
Both remain below the 3% rate the world saw before the COVID-19 pandemic
started in 2020.
In their 'World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025, U.N. economists wrote
that their positive prediction was driven by the strong but slowing growth
forecast for China and the United States and by robust (旺盛的) performance
anticipated for India and Indonesia.
The European Union, Japan, and United Kingdom are expected to experience
modest recovery.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
美股開外掛，股價屢屢創新高，好想跟一波，還來得及嗎？
馬上搜尋009800、中信NASDAQ，美國那斯達克經典濃縮款，產業龍頭All in One！009801、中信美國創新科技，重壓美國科技巨擘，可望駕馭美股多頭！
哇，太棒了！想讓投資再次偉大，千萬不能錯過！
10元起步，投資美國頂尖企業，1/13~1/17速洽全台各大證券商。
https://bit.ly/4gMfIti
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 0.6-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,407 on turnover of $6.3-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed lower Wednesday as the bellwether electronics sector
came under pressure in the wake of heavy losses suffered by tech stocks in
the United States overnight.
The market opened down as electronics heavyweights, such as Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., slid following a 1.89 percent fall in the
tech-heavy Nasdaq index overnight.
That weakness continued to the end of the session as last ditch selling sent
TSMC to the day's low.
iRent Faces Scrutiny Over Data Collection Practices
iRent car rental service is under fire for allegedly collecting excessive
personal data, including spousal (配偶的) information, and sharing it with
affiliated companies.
The Highway Bureau has demanded corrections following complaints from the
Consumers' Foundation.
While iRent says users agreed to share their data, officials found its
necessity unclear.
The company has promised to stop sharing data within its group for marketing
and will revise (修訂) its privacy policy, letting users opt in for data
sharing.
Inspectors are reviewing if iRent's practices comply with data protection
laws.
The company must submit evidence by January 17th for further investigation.
US LA Battles Wildfires
Wildfires are continuing to rage through Los Angeles, with tens of thousands
of residents forced to evacuate.
At least five people have died so far, with the fires spreading at an
unprecedented (史無前例) pace.
It's now the largest fire in the city's history.
Ira Spitzer reports from LA.
Israel Recovers Body of at Least One Hostage
Israel’s military says troops have recovered the body of another hostage
from Gaza.
The military said on Wednesday that Yosef AlZayadni's body was recovered in
an underground tunnel in southern Gaza.
It said it was examining whether a second body was that of another hostage.
The men were taken captive (俘虜) during Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7, 2023.
Israel and Hamas have been considering a ceasefire deal that would free the
remaining 100 or so hostages and would halt the fighting in Gaza.
Israel believes a third of the remaining hostages are dead.
However, AlZayadni was believed to still be alive before Wednesday's
announcement.
Canada Finance Minister on Trump 51st State Comments
Canada's finance minister says U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s comments
that Canada should become the 51st state are now counter productive.
He says Trump was smiling when he made the comment at dinner at Mar-a-Lago
with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in late November, but the joke is over.
Trump has repeatedly floated the idea that Canada should join the United
States as the 51st state, saying Tuesday he would not use military force to
invade the country, which is home to more than 40 million people and is a
founding NATO partner.
Instead, Trump said he would rely on “economic force” as he erroneously
cast the U.S. trade deficit with Canada as a subsidy (補貼).
The U.S. relies on Canada for approximately 60% of its crude oil imports.
Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states, and is also the
largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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美股開外掛，股價屢屢創新高，好想跟一波，還來得及嗎？
馬上搜尋009800、中信NASDAQ，美國那斯達克經典濃縮款，產業龍頭All in One！009801、中信美國創新科技，重壓美國科技巨擘，可望駕馭美股多頭！
哇，太棒了！想讓投資再次偉大，千萬不能錯過！
10元起步，投資美國頂尖企業，1/13~1/17速洽全台各大證券商。
https://bit.ly/4gMfIti
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 129-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,522 on turnover of 9.4-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan extended their momentum from a session earlier to close
above the 23,600 point level Tuesday, with the bellwether electronics sector
continuing to drive the broader market higher after a rally by tech stocks in
the United States overnight.
Analysts say "Investors continued to chase TSMC amid optimism over artificial
intelligence development", but "Non-tech stocks largely moved in weakness and
also capped the gains on the broader market".
UK Launches Electronic Travel Authorization
The UK has introduced its Electronic Travel Authorization system, now
required for visa-exempt (免除，豁免) travelers, including Taiwanese
nationals with a National ID number.
Starting today, visitors must apply online or via the UK ETA app before
entering the UK.
Each application costs ￡10 Pounds, or around 410NT, and takes about three
working days to process.
Approved ETAs are valid for two years, allowing multiple entries, with each
stay capped at six months.
Meanwhile, the EU's European Entry/Exit System, initially planned for
November 2024, has been delayed due to unfinished upgrades at Schengen
airports.
No new launch date has been announced.
Taiwanese passport holders can still enter Schengen countries visa-free for
now.
Updates on the EES will follow as details become available.
(PB)
LA Evacuations Amid Fastmoving Wildfire
Thousands of people in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood west of Los
Angeles have been ordered to evacuate (撤離) due to a fast-moving wildfire.
Dangerous windy conditions are forecast to continue into Wednesday.
Ira Spitzer has more from California.
Australia Plane Crash Leaves Dead and Missing
Officials say three people have been seriously injured and another three are
missing after a seaplane crashed off an Australian tourist island.
Police say only one of the seven people aboard the Cessna 208 Caravan was
rescued without injury after the crash during takeoff from Rottnest Island on
Tuesday afternoon.
The plane was returning to its base in Perth.
Officials say specialist (專家) investigators are being sent to the scene.
The three injured people were flown to a Perth hospital in serious but stable
conditions.
Britain Hearing on Shein Labor Practices
A lawyer for Shein summoned to a British parliamentary hearing has evaded
questions on whether the fast-fashion giant sells products containing cotton
from China.
That angered lawmakers seeking answers on the retailer’s labor practices and
allegations of forced labor in its supply chains.
Executives from Shein and its rival Temu were grilled on their labor rights
compliance and how they source their products at Parliament’s business and
trade committee Tuesday.
Committee officials say statements by the Shein lawyer have given lawmakers
“zero confidence” in the integrity (正直，誠實) of Shein’s supply chains.
The hearing came amid reports that Shein is preparing for a $62 billion US
dollar listing in London.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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美股開外掛，股價屢屢創新高，好想跟一波，還來得及嗎？
馬上搜尋009800、中信NASDAQ，美國那斯達克經典濃縮款，產業龍頭All in One！009801、中信美國創新科技，重壓美國科技巨擘，可望駕馭美股多頭！
哇，太棒了！想讓投資再次偉大，千萬不能錯過！
10元起步，投資美國頂尖企業，1/13~1/17速洽全台各大證券商。
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MND: China Rocket Launch Passes Over Central Taiwan
The Ministry of National Defense says a Chinese rocket launched earlier this
morning posed no threat to Taiwan.
Officials say the rocket was launched from Sichuan at 4am, and its flight
path passed over central Taiwan en route to the western Pacific, at an
altitude above Earth's atmosphere.
The MND says the military closely monitored the launch using intelligence and
surveillance systems, maintaining appropriate (適當的) alerts and responses.
Officials emphasized that there is no danger to Taiwan from the launch.
(NS)
Miaoli Records Lowest Temp for Flatlands This Winter
The coldest temperature of the winter season has been recorded in Miaoli
County.
Monitoring stations in the county's San-wan Township recorded lows of 4.2
degrees early this morning, and Meteorologist Wu De-rong confirms that this
is the lowest recorded temperature for flatland areas, so far this season.
Wu says the current cold front combined with radiative (輻射的) cooling has
significantly lowered temperatures, with parts of Miaoli County dropping
below 6 degrees this morning.
The Central Weather Administration has issued cold surge advisories for 13
cities and counties, mostly in northern, and central Taiwan, as well as parts
of the south.
Wu says athe cold front will continue, with lows dipping to 5 degrees in some
areas.
And from this Thursday, the cold will intensifying, with stronger winds, and
wet, chilly weather.
He says northern Taiwan could see highs of just 13 degrees, and mountain
snowfall is possible above 2,000 meters.
(NS)
NKorea Claims New Hypersonic Missile in Test
North Korea says its latest weapons test was a new hypersonic
intermediate-range missile designed to strike targets in the Pacific.
The North Korean state media report came a day after South Korea’s military
said it detected North Korea launching a missile that flew 1,100 kilometers
before landing in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.
North Korea demonstrated multiple weapons systems last year that can target
its neighbors and the United States, including solid-fuel intercontinental
ballistic missiles.
There are concerns that its military capabilities could advance further
through technology transfers from Russia, as the two countries align
(使結盟；使密切合作) over the war in Ukraine.
Kim reiterated that his nuclear push was aimed at countering threats posed by
hostile forces but didn't directly mention the U.S.
Nigeria Activates Quaratine for Visitors from China
Nigeria says it is activating (啟動) surveillance measures on people coming
into the country from China.
This follows the outbreak of a virus in the country, causing respiratory
problems especially among children.
Tesem Akende reports.
Indonesia Gains BRICS Membership
Brazil has announced that Indonesia has been admitted as a full member of
BRICS, the bloc of developing economies.
Brazil holds the group’s presidency for 2025.
Indonesia’s candidacy was endorsed (贊同的) by BRICS leaders in August 2023,
according to Brazil’s Foreign Ministry.
However, the Asian nation opted to formally join the bloc only after the
formation of its newly elected government in 2024.
BRICS was formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2009, and added South
Africa in 2010.
Last year, the alliance expanded to embrace Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the
United Arab Emirates.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 224-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,132 on turnover of 7.1-billion N-T.
PM2.5 haze from China to affect Taiwan in coming week: MOENV
The Ministry of Environment says Taiwan will experience poorer air quality and visibility (能見度) from today through Thursday due to fine particulate matter moving in from China.
The ministry says air quality across Taiwan is expected to range from "moderate to orange" warning levels on those days, with the orange warning level meaning that air quality is "unhealthy for sensitive groups" .
Officials say PM2.5 concentrations measuring 40-50 micrograms per cubic meter possible in northern parts of the country today, with the haze then sweeping southward across the island.
The World Health Organization has recommended in its air quality guidelines that 24-hour average exposures to PM2.5 particulates should not exceed 15 micrograms per cubic meter.
Air quality in areas north of Hsinchu and Miaoli counties is expected to improve from Tuesday, though other areas will continue to be affected until at least Thursday, when another wave of pollution from China may also roll into Taiwan.
HeHuanShan Sees Season's Heaviest Snowfall
Hehuanshan saw its heaviest snowfall of the winter overnight, drawing crowds of snow chasers despite freezing temperatures.
Local officials say snowfall began at around 8 p.m. yesterday and continued into the early morning.
Workers at Songxue Lodge reported about 0.5 centimeters of accumulation.
Cold air combined with moisture caused snow and sleet to blanket roads and slopes.
The snowfall led the Directorate General of Highways to restrict (限制) access to Hehuanshan’s main route, Provincial Highway 14A.
As of early this morning, parts of the road between Kunyang and Xiaofengkou remained icy, prompting continued snow chain requirements.
Drivers were urged to proceed cautiously and follow traffic and safety advisories.
SKorea Requests Police Takeover Impeached President Arrest Attempt
South Korea’s anti-corruption agency has requested that police take over efforts to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol after its investigators failed to bring him to custody following a standoff with the presidential security service last week.
The agency and police confirmed the discussion today, hours before the one-week warrant for Yoon’s detention was to expire (到期).
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials will likely seek a new court warrant to extend the window for Yoon’s detention, according to police.
Venezuela Opposition Leader Urges Protests Against Maduro
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has urged supporters to demonstrate across the country, telling them in a video message that President Nicolas Maduro will not step down on his own and they “must make him leave.”
Machado on Sunday instructed supporters to demonstrate Thursday, the day before Venezuela’s next presidential term is set to begin.
Her message came hours after the government again made clear its intention (意圖) to arrest retired diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez, who claims to have defeated Maduro in last year’s election.
Gonzalez left Venezuela for exile in Spain in September after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest.
US NYC Congestion Toll
New York City now has a toll (收費) to enter the heart of the Big Apple.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 187-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,019 on turnover of $5.7-billion N-T.
Women over 50 seeking assisted reproduction grew by 45% in 2022
The Health Promotion Administration says data shows that number of women over
the age of 50 seeking (尋求) assisted reproduction treatment grew by 45-per
cent in 2022.
According to the administration's latest report, a total of 58,476 married
women received assisted reproduction that year, marking an increase of 8,824
from 2021.
Of those women, 36.1-per cent were aged between 35 and 39, 33.3-per cent
between the ages of 40 and 44 and 19.9-per cent were aged between 30-34.
The administration says although there were only 355 women aged over 50, that
figure represented a 45-per cent increase from the previous year.
The report shows that a total of 11,549 babies were born in 2022 due to
assisted reproduction - 1,775 more than the previous year.
UK Government Unveils New Laws To Tackle Suspected People Smugglers
The U-K Government has announced new laws aimed at tackling (對付) suspected
people smugglers.
It comes after figures showed a 25-per cent increase in the number of
migrants crossing the English Channel in 2024.
The measures form part of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill
and look to curb the activity of smuggling gangs responsible for channel
crossings.
Simon Gaitan has more.
Australia Surfer Missing After Shark Attack
Authorities say a surfer missing in Australia is believed dead in a shark
attack and they are searching the waters where the man disappeared.
The 28-year-old was at a popular surf beach in South Australia where a man
was killed by a white shark in 2023.
A witness who saw the shark attack on Thursday evening local time at Granites
Beach, near the coastal town of Streaky Bay, rode into the sea on a jet ski
and retrieved the man’s surfboard, police told local media, but there was no
sign of the victim.
Shark attacks in Australia are rare, but the state of South Australia has
registered more episodes (一連串事件) in the past two years than usual.
There were five shark attacks off the state’s coast in 2023, three of them
fatal.
Scientists at the time said they did not know the reason for the cluster.
Sports Piracy Network Dismantled
A Europol operation during last summer’s European Championship and Paris
Olympics dismantled a network of several hundred providers of illegal
streaming of sports and other pirated (盜版的) content.
Spain’s top soccer league announced the results Thursday.
La Liga says it cooperated in the investigation.
The European Union’s law enforcement agency identified more than 560
resellers of pirated content that included streaming of movies, series and TV
channels.
More than 100 suspects were identified and 11 were arrested.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Taiex Opening Down
The Taiex opened down 59 points this morning on the first trading day of the year, at 22,975, on turnover of $3.87 billion NT.
Lai proposes talks with Beijing to ease tourism restrictions
President Lai Ching-te is describing China as the "real barrier" to cross-strait exchanges - not Taiwan - and he is urging Beijing to hold talks with Taipei to ease restrictions on tourism.
Speaking at the Presidential Office following his New Year's Day address, Lai said if China is genuinely sincere about reopening tourism links …
… then the Taiwan Strait Tourism Association and the Association for Tourism Exchange across the Taiwan Straits should begin negotiations to ease those restrictions."
Lai cited government data - saying the number of Taiwanese traveling to China for tourism or business reached 2.05-million between January and November of last year - while only 285,000 Chinese tourists visited Taiwan during the same period.
He also criticized Beijing for banning Chinese students from pursuing (追求) degrees in Taiwan.
Tamkang Bridge makes CNN's architecture projects set to shape the world in 2025 list
The under construction Tamkang Bridge linking New Taipei City's Bali and Tamsui districts has made CNN's list of the top 11 architecture projects set to shape the world in 2025.
The 920-meter long road, light rail and pedestrian bridge was designed by Iraqi-British architect architect Zaha Hadid.
When completed it will be the world's longest single-tower, asymmetric (不對稱的) cable-stayed suspension bridge.
It ranks 11th in CNN's list of architectural projects set to shape the world this year.
CNN describes it as featuring "a surprisingly slender profile, with the entire structure supported by just a single concrete mast - which the firm's project description says minimizes the bridge's visual impact on its surroundings."
The bridge is set to open for traffic in the first half of next year.
Montenegro Shooting Leaves 10 Dead
Montenegro’s interior minister says at least 10 people, including two children, were killed in a shooting in the western city of Cetinje.
The shooter, who was on the run, also seriously wounded four people in the attack on Wednesday.
Police dispatched (發送，派遣) special troops to search for the attacker in the city, located some 30 kilometers northwest of the capital, Podgorica.
A statement said the man fled the scene armed after opening fire at the bar.
US Las Vegas Police Investigate Trump Towers Vehicle Fire
Police in Las Vegas are investigating a vehicle explosion outside the city's Trump Towers hotel complex.
Videos circulating online show a Tesla cyber truck exploding (爆炸) in front of the hotel entrance.
Ira Spitzer reports.
Puerto Rico Power Partially Restored
Electric power has been restored to nearly all affected customers across Puerto Rico after a sweeping blackout plunged the U.S. territory into darkness on New Year’s Eve.
By Wednesday afternoon, energy officials said power was back up for 98% of Puerto Rico’s 1.47 million utility customers.
Luma Energy, the private company overseeing transmission and distribution of power in the archipelago, said lights returned to households as well as Puerto Rico’s hospitals and water and sewage facilities after the massive outage that exposed the persistent electricity problems plaguing (困擾) the island.
Still, the company warned that customers could still see persistent temporary outages.
It said full restoration across the island could take up to two days.
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蘋果、Google、Amazon，這些美國頂尖企業，都從車庫誕生。他們不僅改變世界，更引領未來財富方向！
009800、中信NASDAQ，009801、中信美國創新科技，與企業龍頭並肩同行，可望駕馭美股成長潛力與多頭動能。
10元起步，009800、009801，隨美股一起榮耀，1/13~1/17速洽全台各大證券商。
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 96-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,094 on turnover of 3.7-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Monday as a decline on Wall Street at the end of
last week resulted in the selling of large cap electronics stocks.
Turnover also remained thin as foreign institutional investors remain away
from the market for the New Year's Day holiday, making it hard for the main
board to rally - leaving the Tai-Ex in consolidation mode.
Government revises 2030 carbon reduction target upwards
The government has revised its 2030 target for the reduction of carbon
emissions upwards - but is warning that uncertainties over electricity usage
and climate change technologies remain.
According to Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming, the government will now
pursue (追求) a goal of reducing carbon emissions by between 26 and 30-per
cent by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
That's up from the previous goal of between 23 and 25-per cent set in
December of 2022.
Peng says the wider margin of error than the previous forecast is due to
several uncertainties - including international political and economic
developments - which could affect progress on climate change issues
differently across countries.
Institute publishes new batch of Chiang diaries
Academia Historica has published the fourth batch of Chiang Kai-shek and
Chiang Ching-kuo's diaries.
The diaries were formerly a part of a collection at Stanford University
The were returned to Taiwan in September of last year following years-long
legal battle over their ownership.
Academia Historica has since been digitizing them and making them publicly
available in chronological (時間順序) order.
The fourth and latest set to been released includes Chiang Kai-shek's diaries
from 1930 to 1933 and Chiang Ching-kuo's diaries from 1943 to 1944.
South Korean Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Impeached President Yoon Suk
Yeol
South Korea's anti-corruption agency says that a court has issued warrants to
detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol and search his office.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials said in a
statement that the Seoul Western District Court issued warrants Tuesday to
detain Yoon over his stunning (令人驚嘆的) yet short-lived martial law decree
earlier this month and to search the presidential office in central Seoul.
The agency said it is investigating whether his declaration of martial law
amounted to rebellion.
Yoon's powers have been suspended since the opposition-controlled National
Assembly voted to impeach him on Dec. 14.
The Constitutional Court is to determine whether to dismiss Yoon as president
or reinstate him.
US: Treasury Targeted by Chinese Hackers
US Treasury officials say Chinese state-sponsored hackers breached the
department's systems this month, stealing unclassified documents in a "major
incident (事件)".
Ira Spitzer has more.
Greece to Launch GovOperated App
Greece says it will enhance parental oversight of mobile devices in 2025 by
building a government-operated app, that will help get digital age
verification and browsing controls.
The country's minister of digital governance said the Kids Wallet app will
launch in March and is aimed at safeguarding children under the age of 15
from the risks of excessive and inappropriate internet use.
He said the initiative will help hold social media platforms more accountable
(應負責任的) for enforcing age controls.
The app could be pre-installed on smartphones sold in Greece by the end of
next year.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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美股開外掛，股價屢屢創新高，好想跟一波，還來得及嗎？
馬上搜尋009800、中信NASDAQ，美國那斯達克經典濃縮款，產業龍頭All in One！009801、中信美國創新科技，重壓美國科技巨擘，可望駕馭美股多頭！
哇，太棒了！想讓投資再次偉大，千萬不能錯過！
10元起步，投資美國頂尖企業，1/13~1/17速洽全台各大證券商。
https://bit.ly/4gMfIti
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened flat this morning from Friday's close, at 23,274 on
turnover of 3.2-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher Friday as turnover stayed low with many
foreign institutional investors still away from the market for the New Year's
holiday
Turnover fell below the 300-billion N-T level, but select large-cap stocks in
both the electronics and non-tech sectors appeared resilient, helping the
broader market end above the previous close.
MAC to investigate allegations of Taiwanese citizens holding Chinese ID
The Mainland Affairs Council says it will open investigations into
allegations of Taiwanese citizens holding Chinese I-D cards.
The statement follows claims made by Taiwanese YouTubers in a recent
documentary.
According to the council, the holding of Chinese I-D cards by Taiwanese
citizens is evidence of Beijing's United Front efforts and is not about
"making friends, but about 'offering benefits (好處)".
The move comes after YouTubers Ba Jiong and Chen Po-yuan released a
60-minute video this past weekend …
.. in which they interviewed an unnamed intermediary who claimed that
approximately 100,000 Taiwanese citizens currently hold a Chinese ID card.
Black-faced spoonbill sets record by returning to Taiwan 9 years straight
And,
A single black-faced spoonbill has broken Taiwan's record for the most
documented visits by one of the migratory species.
The female bird has been identified by its leg band as T-69 and broke the
record after being found to have traveled to Taiwan for nine consecutive
(連續的) years.
The Taijiang National Park Headquarters says the bird has returned to Tainan
annually every October since 2015.
The migratory bird's repeated presence has resulted in bird watchers dubbing
it "Daughter of Tainan" and "Daughter of Taijiang."
Of the 4,100 spoonbills counted in Taiwan, 2,088 were spotted in Tainan.
SKorea Jetliner Crash Leaves Dead and Injured
A jetliner skidded off a runway, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into
flames in South Korea after its landing gear apparently failed to deploy.
Officials said all but two of the 181 people on board were killed Sunday in
one of the country’s worst aviation (航空) disasters.
The 737-800 operated by Jeju Air plane arrived from Bangkok and crashed while
attempting to land in the town of Muan, about 290 kilometers south of Seoul.
Footage of the crash aired by South Korean television channels showed the
plane skidding across the airstrip at high speed, evidently with its landing
gear (起落架；起落裝置) still closed.
Officials were investigating the cause of the crash, including whether the
aircraft was struck by birds, Lee said.
Investigators retrieved the jet's flight data and cockpit voice recorders,
but they say it may take months to complete the probe into the crash.
Tornadoes in Texas and Mississippi kill 2 as storm system moves across
southern U.S.
Tornadoes and severe (劇烈) storms have ripped through the U-S States of
Texas and Mississippi, killing at least four people over the weekend.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 4-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,251
on turnover of $2.95-billion N-T.
Presidential Office simulation shows need for better government coordination
National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General, Lin Fei-fan says central
and local governments need to improve their coordination to better defend
Taiwan.
The statement follows a "tabletop simulation" at the Presidential Office.
According to Lin, although emergency response protocols are well established,
various government agencies at different levels need to enhance their ability
to coordinate and communicate more effectively during emergencies.
Lin says currently, each agency tends to approach issues separately without
considering how they can collaborate (合作) with each other and improve their
"response to complex threats" ….
.. and the "tabletop simulation" exposed potential manpower shortages
affecting entities overseen by the Ministry of the Interior - including
law enforcement agencies, fire departments, the air service corps and others.
It was carried out during the second meeting of the Presidential Office's
Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee and included the participation
of Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and other top central and local government
officials.
Azerbaijan Day of Mourning for Plane Crash Victims
Azerbaijan is observing a nationwide day of mourning for the victims of the
air crash that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured as
speculation (
猜測) has been mounting about a possible cause of the crash …
.. with reports saying it was likely hit by Russian air defence systems.
The A-P's Rica Ann Garcia reports …
Finland Detains RussianLinked Ship After Cable Damage
Finnish police say authorities detained a ship linked to neighboring Russia
as they investigate whether it damaged a Baltic Sea power cable and several
data cables.
It was the latest incident involving disruption (破壞) of key infrastructure.
Police and border guards boarded the Eagle S and took control as they
investigate damage to the Estlink-2 undersea power cable.
The cable brings electricity from Finland to Estonia across the Baltic Sea.
The cable went down on Wednesday.
The incident follows damage to two data cables and the Nord Stream gas
pipelines.
Both have been termed sabotage.
US FDA Proposes New Testing Rules For Asbestos in Cosmetics
From the US…
The Food and Drug Administration is proposing a rule that cosmetic (化妝品)
companies would need to take extra steps to ensure that any products
containing talc are free of asbestos.
AP's Lisa Dwyer reports
Subject: C*OUTRO
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從尖牙股(FAANG)到科技7巨頭，這些頂尖企業正在改寫未來，大者恆大趨勢無可避免。【中國信託美國聚焦成長基金】重倉鎖定高CP值美國產業巨頭，美牛再起、趁勢追擊，讓您的投資跟上世界頂尖企業成長速度！
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened opened up 56-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,276 on turnover of $23-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed higher Wednesday on the back of a rally in the United
States overnight, but turnover shrank further as many foreign institutional
investors spent Christmas Day off the trading floor.
Contract chipmaker TSMC contributed about 80 points to the Taiex's rise, and
sent the electronics index higher by 0.62 percent.
Taiwan's consular affairs chief named as new envoy to Greece
Taiwan's top diplomat in charge of consular affairs has been named as the
country's new representative to Greece.
Calvin Ho will now fill a post that has been vacant (空缺) for more than six
months.
Former representative to Greece Sherman Kuo vacated the post after his
resignation was approved by the Presidential Office on June 19.
The foreign ministry at the time said Kuo resigned for personal reasons.
Calvin Ho previously served as the ambassador to Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines and as an ambassador on home assignment in the foreign ministry's
Department of International Cooperation and Economic Affairs …
…. before heading the Bureau of Consular Affairs.
Ho was responsible for pushing for an online passport renewal application
service that will soon complete a four-month trial run before being fully
implemented next year.
US Trump Suspect Trial Date Pushed Back
The trial of man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump has been
pushed back.
AP correspondent Shelley Adler reports
Japan Energy Policy to Bolster Renewables
A Japanese government panel has largely supported a draft energy policy
calling for bolstering renewables up to half of Japanese electricity needs by
2040.
It also recommends maximizing the use of nuclear power to accommodate the
growing demand for power in the era of AI while meeting decarbonization
targets.
The Cabinet is expected to formally approve the plan by March following a
period of public consultation (商議).
The policy says nuclear energy should account for 20% of Japan’s energy
supply in 2040, with renewables expanded to 40-50% and coal-fired power
reduced to 30-40%.
UK King Charles Annual Christmas Message
King Charles III used his annual Christmas message to hail the selflessness
of those who have cared for both him and Kate, the Princess of Wales this
year, after both were diagnosed with cancer.
The 76-year-old monarch said he and his family are “continually” impressed
by those who dedicate their lives to help others.
The broadcast Wednesday was the king’s third Christmas speech since he
ascended the throne after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died.
It's the first since he was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in
February.
He was joined by Prince William, Kate and other family but his
scandal-plagued (備受醜聞困擾) brother, Andrew, was absent.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 106-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,226 on turnover of 2.4-billion N-T.
The market closed marginally higher on Tuesday despite rising by over
200-points early in the session - as investor uncertainty kicked-in over
Donald Trump's pending return to the White House.
Analysts say Trump's possible tariffs have spooked many investors - which has
led to uncertainty in the local market.
Lawmakers reject Lai's justice nominees
Lawmakers have rejected all seven justice nominees selected by President Lai
Ching-te to fill the vacancies on the Constitutional Court.
None of the seven nominees, including law professor Chang Wen-zhen and former
lawmaker Yao Li-ming received the necessary 57 votes in the 113-seat
Legislature for approval.
Chang and Yao had also been nominated by Lai to serve as the head and deputy
head of the Judicial Yuan.
The K-M-T has argued that all of Lai's nominees were partisan (偏袒的).
Flu epidemic expected this week
And,
The Centers for Disease Control says over 90,000 flu-like cases were reported
last week - and influenza will enter an epidemic phase later this week.
According to the C-D-C, total of 94,882 visits to emergency departments and
outpatient clinics (門診) for flu-like symptoms were reported from December
15 through 21.
That was a 16-per cent increase compared to the number of cases recorded the
previous week.
The C-D-C is saying based on predictions, the flu epidemic phase is expected
to begin this week, with a peak in the number of cases likely to be seen
around the Lunar New Year holiday period.
Haiti Journalists Killed by Gangs in Hospital Reopening
Two reporters were killed in Haiti, as authorities tried to reopen
Port-au-Prince’s biggest public hospital after it was shut down by gangs
earlier this year.
AP's Lisa Dwyer reports
Kurds Launch Counteroffensive in Syria
Kurdish-led fighters in Syria, known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, say
they have launched a counter-offensive against the Ankara-backed Syrian
National Army to take back areas near Syria’s northern border with Turkey.
The Kurdish-led force is Washington’s critical ally in Syria, targeting
sleeper cells (秘密行動人員) of the extremist Islamic State group scattered
across the country’s east.
Since the fall of Bashar Assad earlier this month, clashes have intensified
(加劇的) between the U.S.-backed group and the SNA, which captured the key
city of Manbij and the areas surrounding it.
A Britain-based opposition war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human
Rights, says that since the SNA’s offensive in northern Syria against the
Kurds started earlier this month, dozens from both sides have been killed.
Russia Baby Mammoth Remains
The 50,000-year-old remains of a baby mammoth uncovered by melting permafrost
have been unveiled to the public by researchers in Russia’s Siberia region.
They call it the best-preserved mammoth body ever found.
The female mammoth nicknamed Yana weighs more than 100 kilograms and is 120
centimeters tall.
Her remains are one of seven mammoth carcasses recovered worldwide.
Yana will now be studied by scientists at Russia's North-Eastern Federal
University, which called the find “exceptional” (特殊的).
The university has a dedicated (專門的) mammoth research center and museum.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 156-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,260 on turnover of 7.5-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Monday and recouped most of the losses
seen in the previous two sessions after Wall Street rose at the end of last
week.
Monday's point gains were the seventh most for a single day and the sixth
most this year - and also helped the Tai-Ex recover from a 658-point tumble
in the previous two trading sessions last week.
TRC could see NT$12 billion loss in 1st year as company
The Taiwan Railway Corporation says it will likely post losses of 12-billion
N-T this year - its first year as a state-owned corporation after having been
a government agency for decades.
According to the rail operator, the projected loss will exceed (超過) the
estimated loss of over 7.4-billion N-T budgeted last year and the
11.4-billion N-T loss that the former Taiwan Railways Administration posted
for 2023.
The railway corporation says it will also be saddled with an additional
2-billion N-T in expenses that were needed to convert the former government
agency into a commercial company.
However, corporation Chairman Du Wei is remaining upbeat about the company's
future - saying its operating income could turn positive by as early as 2026.
Two acquitted of endangering flights with drone near Taoyuan Airport
The Taoyuan District Court has acquitted two men of endangering flight safety
when they repeatedly flew a drone near Taoyuan International Airport.
They were found to have operated a U-A-V in the vicinity of the airport at
least 10 times between June 24 and July 25 of last year.
Traffic at the airport was disrupted on several occasions - with the most
serious incident leading to a temporary suspension of takeoffs and landings
at around on June 29.
However, the court ruled there was insufficient (不足的) evidence to prove
that their conduct met the requirements for criminal conviction under Article
101 of Taiwan's Civil Aviation Act.
The court ruling can be appealed.
UN Syria Open to Investigating War Crimes
The U.N. organization assisting in investigating the most serious crimes in
Syria says the country’s new authorities were “very receptive” to its
request for cooperation during a just-concluded visit to Damascus — and it
is preparing to deploy (展開行動).
The visit was the first since the organization was established by the U.N.
General Assembly in 2016 to assist in evidence-gathering and prosecution of
individuals responsible for possible war crimes, crimes against humanity and
genocide since Syria’s civil war began in 2011.
UN officials Monday highlighted the urgency of preserving documents and other
evidence before it is lost.
Slovenia Hiker Rescue Resumes Amid Heavy Snow
A rescue of hikers in Slovenia resumes (重新開始, 恢復) as snow brings
traffic chaos and power outages across the Balkans
AP correspondent Charles de Ledesma reports
Greece Royal Family Granted Greek Citizenship
Members of Greece’s former royal family have expressed “deep emotion”
after being granted Greek citizenship, ending a decades-old dispute with the
country's government.
Greece abolished the monarchy in a 1974 referendum and the former royal
family was stripped of its citizenship two decades later during a dispute
over the former royal estate that passed to state control.
Now, the ten descendants (子孫，後代) of the late King Constantine II, who
died last year aged 82, formally recognized Greece’s status as a
presidential parliamentary democracy and renouncing any claims to royal
authority or titles.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 301-points this morning from Friday's close, at 22,812
on turnover of $5.7-billion N-T.
The market tumbled over 400-points on Friday, as investors opted to sit on
the sidelines (場邊) awaiting the release of U-S personal spending data for
November.
Health ministry previews tighter betel nut regulations
The Ministry of Health has previewed a proposal to tighten regulations on the
sale and use of betel nut.
The regulations are similar to tobacco control laws.
The draft proposal is titled the Betel Nut Hazard Prevention Act and is now
undergoing a 60-day period for soliciting (徵求) public opinion.
The draft bill bans the use of betel nut by pregnant women and people under
the age of 18.
Venders found to have sold betel nut to pregnant women and people under the
age of 18 face a fine of up 250,000 N-T.
The proposal also seeks to discourage images of betel nut use in films and
television programs.
High Speed Rail on track to break ridership record this year
The High Speed Rail Corporation says the number of journeys taken on the
network this year is set to exceed (超過) the all-time-high recorded in 2023.
According the rail company, the number of journeys taken reached 71.1 million
in November - exceeding the figure of around 66.4 million for the same
11-month period last year.
While in terms of the average daily ridership, there were 224,000 journeys in
November 2024, an increase of 7-per cent compared to the 209,000 journeys
recorded in November of 2023.
Data shows apart from a dip during the COVID pandemic, the annual number of
journeys has grown steadily (穩定) from around 15.6-million in 2007 to
73.1-million in 2023.
US 2Navy Pilots Shot Down
The US military says 2 US Navy pilots were shot down, then rescued over the
Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
Germany Christmas Market Attacker Tipoffs
German authorities say they received tipoffs last year about the suspect in a
car attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg as more details emerged
(出現了).
Authorities have identified the suspect as a Saudi doctor who arrived in
Germany in 2006.
He was reportedly a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy.
Authorities say he does not fit the usual profile of perpetrators of
extremist attacks.
Italy Trevi Fountain Returns
Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain reopened Sunday after three months of
renovations on the 18th-century monument that’s one of the Italian
capital’s main attractions.
The opening is just in time for the inauguration of the 2025 Jubilee Holy
Year that is expected to draw millions of visitors.
To manage the overwhelming number of visitors, Rome City officials have been
devising a plan to block off the area around the fountain.
Visitors will be required to book online and pay 2 euros ($2.20) to enter.
Once inside, they will have 30 minutes to enjoy the fountain.
City lore has it that tossing a coin into the Baroque fountain will ensure
(確保) a return trip to Rome.
The tradition generates an estimated 1.5 million euros annually, which has
been donated to charity for the past 15 years.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 134-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,798 on turnover of $5.02-billion N-T.
The market came under heavy pressure on Thursday - as it tumbled more than
230 points to close below the 23,000 point mark - due to selling
sparked by a plunge on Wall Street overnight after the U-S Federal Reserve
implied it plans to slow the pace of its rate cut cycle.
Selling was seen across the board with the bellwether electronics sector in
focus before its losses were trimmed in the afternoon session, which managed
to cap the downturn by the end of the trading day.
Police officer suspended from duty for leaking secrets
A police officer has been detained for allegedly leaking secrets about
President Lai Ching-te's itinerary while he was seconded to the National
Security Bureau.
According to the Sixth Special Police Corps, an investigation found that the
police officer likely leaked undisclosed (未公開的) information related to
Lai to his friends during his tenure at the N-S-B which began in May.
The police officer was discharged from the N-S-B and returned to the Sixth
Special Police Corps on December 8.
A court approved a request by prosecutors to detain him for allegedly leaking
secrets and violating the Classified National Security Information Protection
Act on December 9.
The police corps says it has also suspended the officer in accordance with
the Police Personnel Management Act.
UN Chief warns 'AI arms race' could have major security implications
The UN's top official is warning artificial intelligence is evolving faster
than our ability to govern it.
Antonio Guterres said on Thursday there's an urgent need for global
governance (治理) frameworks.
He joined US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a Security Council meeting
to discuss the opportunities and risks of AI.
Sally Patterson reports from New York, where the United Nations is
headquartered.
Kenya Declares GenderBased Violence Most Pressing Security Threat
The Kenyan government has declared gender-based violence the nation’s most
pressing (緊迫) security threat, with 100 women killed in the past four
months alone, most of them by men who were known to them, including intimate
partners.
Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary referred to the escalating crisis as “the
elephant in the room,” and said authorities have investigated most of the
cases, which are pending in court.
The official says since September 2023, a staggering 7,107 cases of sexual
and gender-based violence have been reported in Kenya.
He adds that the police inspector general has formed a specialized unit to
combat femicides — the killing of girls or women because of their gender.
Kenya's Cabinet this week approved the setting up of a presidential working
group to provide recommendations on how to stop gender-based violence.
Wright Contempt of Court
An Australian computer scientist who falsely claimed to be the founder of the
bitcoin cryptocurrency has been found to have committed contempt of court by
breaching an order of London’s High Court.
In a judgment on Thursday, the justice on the case said Craig Wright had
committed “a clear breach” of an order in March that barred him from
launching or threatening further legal action related to bitcoin.
Wright, who is not in the U.K., has been sentenced to 12 months in prison,
suspended for two years
For eight years, Wright had claimed that he was the man behind “Satoshi
Nakamoto,” the pseudonym (筆名;假名) that masked the identity of the creator
of bitcoin.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 221-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,948 on turnover of $8.5-billion N-T.
The market closed moderately higher on Wednesday after initial (最初的)
losses registered early in the trading day as market sentiment remained
cautious ahead of the conclusion of the U-S Federal Reserve's policymaking
meeting.
Top tech, science official pledges to build 'Chip Team Taiwan'
National Science and Technology Council Minister Wu Cheng-wen says the
government plans to launch (發射) a key initiative aimed at fostering
domestic production of drones and other advanced technologies.
According to Wu, the initiative will bring together companies specializing in
advanced I-C design and chip manufacturing to support the system needs of
Taiwanese firms developing drones.
Wu says the establishment of the so-called "Chip Team Taiwan" comes, as
although Taiwan has a well-developed supply chain encompassing I-C design,
wafer manufacturing, testing and packaging, most of those products and
services are being exported overseas.
According to the science and technology minister, the planned initiative
reflects the government's efforts to build up domestic markets for drones,
robotics and communications satellites while reducing reliance on Chinese
suppliers.
Wu - who also serves as the Cabinet's minister without portfolio - also says
more details concerning the "Chip Team Taiwan" initiative will be unveiled in
the coming months.
Israel Hopeful of Ceasefire Agreement Before Hanukkah
Ahead of the latest UN Security Council meeting, Israel's Permanent
Representative to the UN told reporters he was hopeful (充滿希望) for a
ceasefire agreement with Hamas before the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah - next
week.
Correspondent Mitch McCann reports from New York:
France Highest Court Upholds Sarkozy Corruption Conviction
France’s highest court has upheld an appeal court decision which had found
former President Nicolas Sarkozy guilty of corruption and influence peddling.
Sarkozy, who faces one year in prison, is entitled to ask to be detained at
home with an electronic bracelet — as is the case for any sentence of two
years or less.
He was found guilty of corruption and influence peddling (權力叫賣) by both a
Paris court in 2021 and an appeals court in 2023 for trying to bribe a
magistrate in exchange for information about a legal case in which he was
implicated.
Sarkozy says he will seek to bring the case to the European Court of Human
Rights.
Alberta Premier Responds to Trump Claims About Canada Subsidies
Alberta's premier says millions of American jobs and companies rely on
affordable imports from Canada.
Danielle Smith says "affordable raw materials from Canada" help "make
trillions of dollars of wealth" in the US.
The premier of oil rich Alberta was responding to US President-elect Donald
Trump's claims that the United States “subsidizes” Canada, and his threat
of a 25% tariff on all Canadian goods.
Smith ignored Trump’s other claims that "many Canadians want Canada to
become the 51st State", and pointed out that Alberta sends 4.3 million
barrels of oil and gas to the U.S each day.
Her comments come a day after Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Trump’s plan to
impose sweeping 25% tariffs on all Canada products would be a “disaster”
(災難) that would hurt U.S. stock markets.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally down this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,014 on turnover of 7-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly lower on Tuesday as Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing fell into negative territory and as investors are being
cautious ahead of the conclusion of this week's two-day policymaking meeting
of the U-S Federal Reserve.
New Examination Yuan head confirmed by Legislature
Lawmakers have confirmed the appointment of Chou Hung-hsien and Hsu
Shu-hsiang as the new president and vice president of the Examination Yuan.
The appointments of six members of the Examination Yuan have also been
confirmed following a vote in the Legislative Yuan.
Chou is the incumbent Examination Yuan vice president, and was confirmed by a
vote of 59 to 53.
Chou has worked in public office for the past 16 years, serving in various
(各種各樣的) positions including in the Examination Yuan and the Executive
Yuan.
Supreme Prosecutors Office prosecutor Ker Li-ling is the only one of
President Lai Ching-te's seven nominees for the Examination Yuan not to have
been be confirmed by the Legislature.
The president, a vice president, and between seven and nine members of the
body responsible for administering (施行) national civil servant exams and
appointing, training and protecting the rights of civil service personnel are
appointed by the president to four-year terms.
CDC reporting decline in enterovirus cases
The Centers for Disease Control is reporting a decline (減少) in the number
of enterovirus case being reported to health authorities.
According to the C-D-C, outpatient and emergency visits from between December
8 and 14 totaled 17,508 a decline of 21.4-per cent from the previous week.
However, C-D-C Deputy Director-General Tseng Shu-hui is warning that that the
enterovirus epidemic remains at its highest level in a decade for this period
despite the decline in the number of weekly cases.
Health officials say monitoring over the past four weeks has found that the
coxsackie-virus A-16 strain was the most prevalent (流行) circulating here in
Taiwan.
And that was followed by the A-6, A-2, and enterovirus D-68 strains.
US Mangione Faces Murder Charges in NY
The suspect accused of (被指控) killing a top healthcare insurance official
has been charged with murder in New York
Luigi Mangione was indicted on 11 counts on Tuesday, including first-degree
murder and murder as an act of terrorism.
His lawyer says he plans to plead not guilty to the charges.
Sally Patterson has more.
Denmark AntiWhaling Activist Freed from Prison
Anti-whaling activist Paul Watson will not be extradited to Japan after being
freed from prison in Denmark, his lawyer said.
The Canadian-American citizen is now planning to return home to be reunited
with his family during the festive season after spending five months in
custody in Greenland.
Japan had asked Denmark to extradite Watson, who was arrested earlier this
year under a Japanese warrant.
The former head of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, whose high seas
confrontations with whaling vessels have drawn support from celebrities and
featured in a reality television series, said he is “quite relieved”
(鬆了口氣) to be free.
Watson's foundation said he faced a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison in
Japan, which does not have an extradition treaty with Denmark.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 91-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,131
on turnover of 8.7-billion N-T.
The market bucked the regional downward trend and traded marginally higher on
Monday - as investors shrugged off a decline on Wall Street at the end of
last week.
Taipei-Shanghai Twin City Forum Taking Place Today
The Taipei-Shanghai Twin City Forum has gotten underway.
Shanghai's delegation is being led Vice Mayor Hua Yuan - who arrived in
Taiwan yesterday
Hua is leading a delegation of about 90 people to attend today's event.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has said he believes the forum can help promote
peace across the Taiwan Strait and that it's a rare platform for official
cross-strait dialogue, which could help ease tensions (緊張局勢) between
Taiwan and China.
The Mainland Affairs Council announced last Friday that it had denied entry
applications for 10 members of Shanghai delegation.
The two cities are expected to sign memorandums of understanding on smart
medical care and zoo animal exchanges during today's forum.
Taichung mayor to Visit Japan
Taichung City Mayor Lu Shiow-yen says she plans to visit Japan next year.
According to Lu, her itinerary is still be worked out, but she's likely to
travel to Miyazaki Prefecture - which recently formed a sister city
relationship Taichung.
The mayor's announcement came after K-M-T Taichung City Councilor Liu
Shih-chou made public that the city has proposed a budget of just over
4-million for city exchange visits next year.
Liu also said the city government should organize ( 安排，籌劃) a visit to
Japan.
Lu Shiow-yen made her first overseas visit in four years in April - when she
traveled to Singapore.
She also traveled to the U-S in July.
Israeli Leader Phone Call with Trump
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President-elect Donald
Trump had a "very warm" phone call according to the Israeli leader.
He said they spoke about the need to complete Israel's victory, and bring
home the hostages being held in Gaza - something Trump has said must happen
before his inauguration (就職典禮).
Kate Fisher reports from Washington
India Zakir Hussain Obit
Zakir Hussain, one of India’s most accomplished classical musicians who
defied genres and introduced tabla to a global audience, has died at the age
of 73.
His family said the Indian classical music icon died on Sunday from chronic
lung disease at a hospital in San Francisco.
Hussain was considered the greatest tabla player of his generation and his
career spanned six decades, during which he collaborated (合作) with the
likes of singer-songwriter George Harrison, jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd,
and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
In 2024, Hussain became the first musician from India to win three Grammy
awards in the same year.
Hussain is survived by his wife and two daughters.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 186-points this morning from Friday's close, at 23,207
on turnover of 6.7-billion N-T.
The market closed marginally lower on Friday, following Wall Street's decline
overnight in response to potentially discouraging data on the U-S economy.
First Batch of M1A2 MBTs Arrive in Taiwan
The first shipment of M1A2T Abrams main battle tanks have arrived in Taiwan.
The shipment of 38 tanks arrived at the Port of Taipei.
Unloading operations began late last night and the tanks were then
transported an Army base in Hsinchu County.
They are the first batch of 108 Abrams tanks that the U-S State Department
approved (核准) for sale with related equipment to Taiwan in 2019.
The defense ministry has said Taiwan will take delivery of 42 more Abrams
main battle tanks next year and 28 in 2026.
Environmental Groups Call for More Citizen Involvement in Green Initiatives
And,
Environmental groups have been rallying in Taichung calling for greater
citizen involvement in green initiatives.
The rally in front of Taichung City Hall was organized by groups including
Air Clean Taiwan and the Changhua Medical Alliance for Public Affairs.
According to Air Clean Taiwan, the passing of environmental impact
evaluations of two planned nongreen energy facilities in the last 40 days are
examples of the need for more citizen involvement (公民參與).
Air Clean Taiwan says the conversion of a Taipower coal power station into a
gas-fired plant and C-P-C's plans for a liquid natural gas receiving terminal
project in Kaohsiung should not have passed their environmental impact
evaluations.
SKorea Authorities to Request Impeached President Appear for Questioning
South Korean law enforcement authorities will request that impeached
President Yoon Suk Yeol appear for questioning this week over his short-lived
martial law decree as they expand a probe into whether his actions amounted
to rebellion.
Police say a joint investigative team plans to convey a request to Yoon’s
office that he appears for questioning on Wednesday.
Yoon was impeached by the opposition-controlled National Assembly on Saturday
over his martial law enforcement on Dec. 3.
His presidential powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court
decides whether to formally remove him from office.
If Yoon is dismissed (被解僱、終止工作), an election to choose his successor
must be held within 60 days.
Ukrainian Drone Hits Russia
A Ukrainian drone has struck Russia's Chechnya as Kyiv continues pushback
(反對，反抗) after Moscow bombardment
AP correspondent Karen Chammas reports.
NMacedonia Arrest Suspects in Planned Terrorist Attacks
North Macedonian authorities say four people suspected of planning terrorist
attacks have been arrested.
Officials say the arrests came during raids on several locations in the
western towns of Struga and Gostivar on Sunday.
They say the detained men are suspected of being “part of terrorist
organizations (and) have been under surveillance for a long time,”
All four are Macedonian citizens and were expected to face an investigating
magistrate.
The officials say they aimed to recruit (招募) people from other Balkan
countries to commit terrorist acts, without giving details.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 44 points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,002 on turnover of 3.4 billion NT.
The market rebounded on Thursday, after Wall Street resumed its upward climb as an update on inflation in America appeared to clear the way for more help for the economy from the U-S Federal Reserve.
AIT says Chinese Activity Not Response to Lai's US Stopovers
The American Institute in Taiwan says it doesn't believe increased Chinese military activity near Taiwan this week was a response to President Lai Ching-te's recent stopovers in the United States.
The institute believes the "elevated activity in the East China Sea and South China Sea follows a broader increase in China's military posture (姿態) and military exercises over the last several years ..
.. and it does not see this wider activity as a response to Lai's transit (轉機)."
An A-I-T spokesperson says the United States continues to call on Beijing to "avoid any destabilizing or escalatory actions (升級動作) that might undermine regional peace and stability… and will continue coordinating with allies and partners regarding our shared concerns."
The statement was issued by A-I-T following China's designating of seven areas east of Zhejiang and Fujian provinces from Monday to Wednesday as "temporary reserved areas" of airspace (空域保留區).
Government Seeking Private Investment in Public Infrastructure
The National Development Council says it's seeking private investment in public infrastructure (基礎建設) projects.
According to the N-D-C's Economic Development Department, the government is set to create a ministerial-level mechanism (機制) to encourage such investment in order to "boost cooperation between the government and the private sector in jointly building Taiwan."
Department head Chiu Chiu-ying says the mechanism will bring together officials from the N-D-C, the Ministry of Finance and the Financial Supervisory Commission to work with private enterprises …
.. who are interested in investing in "major public infrastructure projects" projected to "yield stable returns."
Chiu also says it's hoped that bringing in private capital (私人資金) for public projects will help alleviate financial burdens on both central and local governments.
Lows of 11°C Forecast for North and Center
The Central Weather Administration says a continental cold air mass is forecast to bring temperatures in the north and center down to 11 degrees early Sunday morning.
According to the administration's forecast center, cold air mass will affect Taiwan from tomorrow through Sunday.
The effects of the cold front will be the strongest on early Sunday morning - with lows of between 11 and 13 degrees forecast for the north and center, while other areas could see lows of between 14 and 15 degrees.
The mercury will rebound slightly on Monday.
However, another cold air mass is forecast to begin affecting the island next Friday.
Nato calls on nations to ramp up defense spending
In global news,
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is urging European nations to shift to a wartime mindset…
He also pointed up a need to ramp up (增加) defense spending to counter an aggressive Russia… as Sagher Meghani reports.
US Mideast Initiatve
Meanwhile…
Top U.S. officials are in the Middle East pressing for stability in Syria and an end to Israel’s 14-month war in the Gaza Strip in a last-ditch diplomatic push by the outgoing Biden administration.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Jordan and Turkey on Thursday for talks on how to ensure a peaceful transition of power in Syria following the ouster of longtime President Bashar Assad.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan is in Israel in a bid to wrap up a ceasefire with Hamas militants.
Sullivan expressed cautious optimism that conditions are ripe for halting (中止) the conflict.
South Korea latest
And…
The leader of South Korea's ruling party is expressing support for impeaching President Yoon Suk Yeoul over his martial law declaration.
Local media reports say Han Dong-hoon now says removing Yoon is the only viable option left to restore politicial stability (恢復穩定政治).
On Thursday, the embattled president defended his martial law declaration, which some media reports considred a confession of treason.
Han voiced his support days before South Korea's National Assembly holds a second vote calling for Yoon to be impeached.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 147-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,050 on turnover of $5-billion N-T.
The market's downward momentum continued on Wednesday - but at a greater pace
compared with the previous session - after Wall Street declined overnight as
investors awaited the latest update on inflation in America.
New Taipei's Tamkang Bridge Heading for Completion
Transport Minister Chen Shi-kai is touting the progress being made in
construction of the Dan-Jiang Bridge in New Taipei - which he says is
nearing 80-per cent completion.
Speaking during a inspection tour of the bridge's main section, Chen said
when completed, it will not only ease (緩解) traffic congestion on the Guandu
Bridge and improve travel between Tamsui and Taipei .. but will also become a
landmark tourist attraction
The transport minister also praised the bridge's design - saying New Taipei
City could use its 70-story-high tower to launch New Year's fireworks.
The bridge has been designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, who died
in 2016, and a connects New Taipei's Tamsui and Bali districts.
When completed it will be the world's longest single-tower, asymmetric
cable-stayed suspension bridge.
The New Taipei City Government says it expects construction of the bridge to
be completed by next year and it is currently slated to open to traffic in
2026.
UN General Assembly Votes in Favor of Gaza Ceasefire
The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly voted in favour of a
ceasefire in Gaza.
While this vote is not legally binding (並不具有法律約束力), it's a strong
political signal.
The United States has once again voted against the ceasefire.
Jody Jacobs has more from the United Nations in New York.
SKorea President Defends Martial Law Decree
The South Korean president has defended his martial law decree as act of
governance and denied rebellion charges.
Yoon Suk Yeol’s televised statement today came hours before the main liberal
opposition Democratic Party submits a new impeachment motion against Yoon.
The opposition party plans to put the motion on a floor vote this Saturday.
Its earlier attempt to impeach Yoon fell through last Saturday, with ruling
party lawmakers boycotting a vote at the National Assembly.
Yoon’s Dec. 3 martial law decree has generated political chaos (混亂) and
protests calling for his ouster.
Paris Olympics Less Polluting but Not Carbon Neutral
The Paris Olympics says it was far less polluting than recent Games but is
not claiming to have been “carbon neutral” despite funding projects to
compensate for its emissions.
Organizers said Wednesday that this summer’s Olympics and Paralympics
generated 1.59 million tons of climate-warming carbon dioxide.
That's including everything from the food athletes ate and construction of
their rooms to flights that spectators (觀眾) took and energy that powered
events.
According to a French government carbon-impact calculator, "that many tons of
CO2" is equivalent to driving a car 182-thousand-675 times around the globe.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 16-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,108 on turnover of 2-billion N-T.
The market closed the day down on Tuesday after Nvidia pulled Wall Street
lower overnight - and that resulted in the main board retreating to just
above the 5-day moving average.
First Agreement Under Taiwan-US 21st-Century Trade Initiative Takes Effect
The first agreement under the Taiwan-US Initiative on 21st-Century Trade has
officially come into effect.
The Office of Trade Negotiations says the move marks a "significant
milestone" in bilateral trade relations between Taipei and Washington.
The agreement covers commitments to customs administration and trade
facilitation, regulatory (
監管) practices, rules for running domestic service industries,
anti-corruption and small- and medium-sized enterprises.
According to the Office of Trade Negotiations, the initial agreement received
unanimous support from the U-S Congress and both sides will continue to
discuss implementation (執行) details and share any concerns.
Taipei Mayor Stressed Taipei-Shanghai Forum Aiming to Maintain Cross-Strait Peace
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an is stressing that his administration will be
hosting Shanghai officials at next week's Taipei-Shanghai Twin City Forum to
help promote peace across the Taiwan Strait.
Speaking at a city government meeting, Chiang described the annual forum as a
rare platform for official cross-strait dialogue (對話), which could help
ease tensions between Taiwan and China.
According to Chiang, Taiwan has had limited exchanges with China in recent
years and he firmly believes it's "better to understand each other than to
misunderstand."
The 102-member Shanghai delegation to this year's forum is being led by Hua
Yuan, one of the city's eight vice mayors.
Israel Airstrikes Across Syria
Israel carried out a wave of heavy airstrikes across Syria as its troops
advanced deeper into the country.
That's according to a Syrian opposition war monitor.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, the Israeli defense minister announced that his forces
had destroyed Syria’s navy.
Israel acknowledged pushing into a buffer zone inside Syria following the
overthrow of President Bashar Assad.
But it remained unclear if its soldiers had gone beyond that area, which was
established more than 50 years ago.
Israel denied it is advancing on the Syrian capital of Damascus.
Israeli officials have said they are striking military assets to prevent
(防止) them from falling into the hands of extremists.
US Files War Crimes Charges Against Syrian Military Officials
The United States has filed war crimes charges against two high-ranking
Syrian military figures who it accuses of torturing American citizens.
It comes after the government of Bashar al-Assad collapsed (瓦解), with the
former president fleeing the country.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
NMacedonia Protests Against Air Pollution
Protesters across North Macedonia have taken part in demonstrations to demand
better air quality in cities that are among the most polluted in Europe.
In the capital, Skopje, the protesters gathered Tuesday outside the
Environment Ministry, some wearing gas masks to highlight the problem blamed
by authorities for some 3,500 premature deaths annually.
According to European Union health authorities, pollution levels in Skopje
and other Macedonian cities often exceed World Health Organization's limits
by more than four times.
Pollution levels often spike during the winter months, with many urban
households unable to afford (買得起) central heating, burning wood, old
tires, plastic, and other waste materials.
Protest organizers called for national action, demandingstricter government
regulation of traffic and industry, citing decades of neglect.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 44-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,228 on turnover of 6.7-billion N-T.
The market rose on Monday as investors reacted to Wall Street hitting new
records on Friday following the release of positive U-S jobs data.
FTC Extends Uber Eats-Foodpanda Merger Review
The Fair Trade Commission is extending its review of a Uber Eats' proposed
acquisition (獲得, 收購) of Foodpanda and the results of the review will now
be released in March at the at the latest.
The commission had previously said it planned to issue the results of it
review into the merger on December 19.
The commission says it chose to delay the release due to concerns the merger
could impact market dynamics as well as the economy.
Commission deputy chairperson Chen Zhi-min says the greatest concern is that
if Uber Eats acquires Foodpanda, the combined entitly would have market share
of between 80 and 90-per cent and that could increase restrictions on market
competition.
Former President and Tech Heavyweights Attend Morris Chang Memoir Event
And,
Former President Tsai Ing-wen has joined some of the tech world's biggest
names at a book launch (新書發布) event for the second installment of Morris
Chang's memoir.
Tsai was joined by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing C-E-O C.C. Wei, Quanta
Computer Chairman Barry Lam and Acer C-E-O Jason Chen at the presentation in
Taipei.
Chang has been working on his autobiography since retiring in 2018.
The second installment covers Chang's life until his retirement.
US Police Question POI in CEO Killing
Police are questioning a man in connection with the killing of a health
insurance boss in New York.
26 year-old Luigi Mangione was detained (被拘留) on firearms charges at a
McDonald's in Pennsylvania on Monday.
US correspondent Kate Fisher reports
Nobel Peace Prize Winner Calls on Putin to Stop Making Nuclear Threats
Terumi Tanaka, a survivor of the U.S. atomic bombings of Japan and the
representative of an organization that won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize,
has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop making nuclear threats
(威脅).
The 92-year-old spoke at a news conference in Oslo, Norway, a day before the
award ceremony where he is to deliver a lecture on behalf of Nihon Hidankyo,
an organization of survivors of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that
won this year’s prize.
He said that his organization’s message to Putin is that “nuclear weapons
are things which must never be used.”
Greece Ancient Statue Discovered
Work to lay natural gas pipelines near the foot of the Acropolis has
uncovered an ancient marble statue of a young man buried almost upright
(直立) in a brick-lined pit.
Greece's Culture Ministry says in a statement that the nude statue resembles
ancient representations of messenger of the Greek gods Hermes and may have
decorated the townhouse of a wealthy Roman-era Athenian.
The ministry suggested it could be a Roman-era copy of a fifth century B.C.
original.
The ministry says the statue has been taken to a conservation workshop for
further examination.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 94-points this morning from Friday's close, at 23,287 on
turnover of 6-billion N-T.
The market lost ground last Friday to close below the 23,200 point mark as
investors awaited U-S November jobs data.
Although semiconductor stocks traded down, analysts say gains (增加) for
artificial intelligence development related stocks lent support to the wider
tech sector to stem the downturn on the main board.
Former Legislative Speaker Proposes New Cross-Strait Narrative
Former Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng has unveiled a new cross-strait
narrative - advocating for "separate governance without division" between
Taiwan and China.
Speaking during the launch of the Moral Peace Union cross-strait think tank,
Wang said "the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are not subordinate to each
other in terms of governance (治理) but share sovereignty without division."
According to Wang, his proposal acknowledges the reality that the two sides
across the Taiwan Strait are governed separately while keeping avenues open
for fostering peaceful relations.
Taiwan-Made E-Buses Heading to Paraguay
And,
A shipment of domestically made electric buses is heading to Paraguay - with
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung describing it as milestone in Taiwan's efforts
to help the South American country go green by exporting local technology.
The shipment left Taipei Port this past weekend.
Taking to Facebook, the foreign minister said he, Paraguay's Ambassador to
Taiwan Carlos Jose Fleitas, and Master Transportation Bus Manufacturing
Chairman Wu Ting-fa were at the port to see off the batch (批次) of 30
e-buses.
The buses are expected to arrive in Paraguay by the end of February.
Biden on Assad Ousting
US President Joe Biden has offered his nation's ongoing support for Syria
following the ousting of Bashar Al Assad by opposition forces.
But it's not clear Biden's approach will be shared by his successor (接班人)
Donald Trump, who takes over in January.
Our Washington correspondent Jagruti Dave has more…
Notre Dame Hosts First Mass Since Reopening
Notre Dame Cathedral has hosted its first Mass since the catastrophic fire of
2019.
Archbishop Laurent Ulrich presided over the Mass, including consecrating a
new bronze altar.
The public Mass came after the official reopening of the building Saturday
with Donald Trump and other VIPs.
Notre Dame’s journey from ruin to resurrection was defined by extraordinary
(非凡的) craftsmanship and nearly $1 billion in global donations.
The liturgy was attended by 2,500 people, including French President Emmanuel
Macron, clergy, dignitaries and a few lucky members of the general public who
stood in long lines to enter.
The cathedral, which previously welcomed 12 million annual visitors, is
expected to draw 15 million in its new chapter.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Earthquake off of Hualian
Anti-Surrogacy Protester Bemoan Bill
South Korea Martial Law Aftermath
Tsunami warning called off in California
NASA Moon Missions delayed
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 53-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,308
on turnover of 5.7-billion N-T.
The market bucked the regional downward trend and traded higher on Wednesday,
after tech stocks pushed the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq to more record highs on
Wall Street overnight.
Market watchers say the upwards momentum on the main board entered a third
day, as investors shrugged off the short-lived martial law period in South
Korea and amid continuing net purchases of stocks by foreign investors.
Taipei-Shanghai Twin-City Forum Scheduled for December 17
The Taipei City Government has announced that the 15th Taipei-Shanghai
Twin-City Forum will be be taking place in the city on December 17.
The announcement was also made simultaneously by the Shanghai City
Government.
The city says delegation of around 100 people from Shanghai will attend the
event - which will be taking place at the Regent Hotel under the theme of
"Smart governance (治理), sustainable future."
The delegation from China will be led by Shanghai Vice Mayor Hua Yuan and
will engage in exchanges with Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an.
The Taipei City Government has previously said two sides will sign
memorandums of cooperation in "smart medical care" and "zoo animal exchanges"
at the forum.
Taipei and Shanghai have taken turns hosting the forum every year since 2010.
MOL Could Establish Hotline for Filing Bullying Complaints
Labor Minister Hung Sun-han says his office is considering establishing a
hotline for the general public to report workplace bullying after his office
sets up a dedicated (專用) complaint channel for its own agencies.
Speaking a legislative hearing, Hong said the move is aimed at prevent
workplace bullying in the private sector.
According to Hong, the labor ministry is also assessing the feasibility of
creating a hotline for filing complaints and providing counseling regarding
workplace bullying that would be available to the public.
SKorea Defense Minister Resigns After Martial Law Fiasco
South Korea’s defense minister is resigning following the president's failed
attempt at imposing (強制實行) martial law on Tuesday.
There are also sustained calls for leader Yoon Suk Yeol to step down as he
faces impeachment over the fiasco.
Chris Gilbert reports.
Canada Vancouver Stabbing Leaves Two Injured and Suspect Dead
Police say a stabbing suspect is dead after being shot by police in the
Canadian city of Vancouver in a convenience store.
Vancouver Police say the suspect has died in hospital.
Authorities say two people suffered injuries that are not thought to be life
threatening.
Witnesses say a man stole liquor and a knife from a restaurant then used the
weapon across the street to stab (刺) people in a 7-Eleven store.
UNESCO Lists Zinc Roof Restoration Techniques as Intangile Cultural Heritage
UNESCO has listed the restoration techniques for the zinc roofs of Paris as
an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The art involves removing old pieces of zinc, then measuring and
custom-cutting new pieces using a Parisian folding machine, and assembling
and fixing the pieces onto the roof.
And the United Nations agency says "with nearly 80 percent of the roofs in
Paris covered in zinc, the city is a living archive (檔案) of these skills
that shape the unique identity of its urban landscape."
Roofers are hoping the UNESCO recognition will inspire others to join their
ranks and improve their working conditions.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening up
Government to Continue Seeking Support for CPTPP Bid
Health Ministry to Address Surrogacy Issue in Separate Amendments
South Korea's opposition party calls on President Yoon to step down
UN Security Council convenes urgent meeting on Syria
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 235-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,972 on turnover of $8.3-billion N-T.
Labor Funds Earn NT$20.9 Billion in October
The Ministry of Labor reports that Labor Funds grew by $20.9 billion NT in
October.
That brings total gains for 2024 to $93.91 billion NT.
The funds, managed by the Bureau of Labor Funds, are valued at $6.88 trillion
NT with a 14.96 percent return rate for the first 10 months of the year.
Key funds include the Labor Pension Fund, with a 14.59-percent return, and
the Labor Retirement Fund, at 17.92-percent.
The National Pension Insurance Fund also saw a strong performance, reaching a
16.01-percent return.
Over the past decade, these funds have delivered an average annual return of
6.7-percent.
Officials warned of global market uncertainty (不確定) due to interest rate
policies, uneven growth, and geopolitical tensions, but noted Taiwan’s stock
market remained solid in October.
Rain and Cooler Weather in Northern Taiwan
The northeast monsoon is bringing cooler weather and rain to northern Taiwan
today.
Greater Taipei, Yilan, Hualien, and Matsu could see showers, with heavy rain
expected in northeastern mountains.
Other areas, including Penghu and Kinmen, will stay mostly dry and sunny.
Drivers in central and southern Taiwan should watch for thick morning fog
that’s reducing visibility (能見度) to under 200 meters in some places.
Strong winds are hitting coastal areas, including Taoyuan and Hsinchu, and
islands like Penghu and Matsu.
Air quality in western Taiwan is worsening due to pollution buildup.
Central and southern areas are under an “Orange Alert,” with some spots
reaching “Red Alert” levels.
Israel Launches Airstrikes After Hezbollah Projectiles
Israel has unleashed its largest wave of airstrikes across Lebanon since
agreeing to a ceasefire with Hezbollah last week, killing at least 11 people.
The strikes came after the Lebanese militant group fired a volley of
projectiles earlier on Monday as a warning over what it said were Israeli
truce (休戰) violations.
This was apparently the first time Hezbollah took aim at Israeli forces after
the 60-day ceasefire went into effect last week.
The increasingly fragile ceasefire aims to end more than a year of war
between Hezbollah and Israel — part of a wider regional conflict sparked by
the devastating Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
Guinea Football Stampede Leaves Dozens Dead
There's growing anger in Guinea after dozens were killed in a stampede at a
football match.
Officials say clashes broke out among football fans at the stadium after a
contested (有爭議的) goal.
Correspondent Nabil Ahmed Rufai reports.
NZ SpadeToothed Whale Dissection
Scientists and culture experts in New Zealand have begun the first-ever
dissection of a spade-toothed whale, the world's rarest whale species.
The creature, which washed up dead on a beach on New Zealand's South Island
in July, is only the seventh specimen (樣本) ever found.
None has ever been seen alive at sea.
Over the next week, researchers will study the 5-meter-long male at an
agricultural research center near the city of Dunedin.
Almost nothing is known about it but scientists, working with Maori cultural
experts, hope to answer some of the many lingering questions this week,
including where they live, what they eat, how they produce sound and how this
specimen died.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
TSMC Boosts Taiwan Stocks Above Key Level
Taiwan stocks are up this morning, with the TAIEX index jumping over 350
points to 22-thousand-614, recovering key quarterly and six-month averages.
The rally was led by TSMC, which climbed back above $1,000 NT, rising $24 NT
to $1,020 NT.
Other blue-chip stocks also gained, with Hon Hai up $4 NT to $199.5 NT and
MediaTek rising to $1-thousand-285 NT.
Analysts say TSMC remains the main driver of the market, though concerns
linger (徘徊) over U.S. tariffs and tech bans targeting China.
They believe the AI trend continues to provide strong momentum but warn that
potential policy changes in the U.S. under Donald Trump could bring fresh
challenges.
(PB)
Taiwan CDC announces free shipping for HIV tests until end of December
Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control has announced a free shipping incentive
(優惠) for home HIV tests until the end of the month…
The CDC said members of the general public are entitled to a free shipping
subsidy until Dec. 31 for Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV) home tests
ordered through the program's official website.
The program was announced in observation of the international World AIDS Day
which falls on Dec. 1 since it was first introduced in 1988.
Those who purchase kits from the site have to just pay NT$200 for each test
kit, which can be delivered to partnering outlets such as FamilyMart and
7-Eleven.
CDC statistics show Taiwan experienced an increase of 834 HIV positive
patients from the beginning of the year until the end of October, which was a
4.8 percent increase compared to the same time frame last year.
Syria Rushes in Reinforcements as Insurgents Seize Aleppo
The Syrian military rushed reinforcements to the northwest and launched
airstrikes Sunday in an attempt to push back insurgents who seized the
country’s largest city of Aleppo.
The insurgents launched a two-pronged attack on Aleppo and the countryside
around Idlib, before moving toward neighboring Hama province.
On Sunday, government troops created what they called a “strong defensive
line” in northern Hama, according to Britain-based opposition war monitor
the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Meanwhile, jets struck the cities of Idlib and Aleppo, killing at least 15
people.
Syrian President Bashar Assad's office says Iran has pledged to help the
government counter the surprise offensive (進攻).
Arab leaders, including Jordan’s King Abdullah II and United Arab Emirates
President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, have also called Assad to
express their solidarity.
Canada on Communicating Border Difference to Trump
Canada’s ambassador to the United States says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
was successful in getting President-elect Donald Trump and some key cabinet
nominees to understand that lumping Canada in with Mexico over the flow of
drugs and migrants into the U.S. is unfair.
Kirsten Hillman says Trudeau’s dinner with Trump on Friday was a very
important step in getting Trump to back away from threatened tariffs on all
products.
Trump threatened (威脅) to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico
if they don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across
their borders.
Hillman says Trudeau's message that the Canadian border is vastly different
from the Mexican border was really understood.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 96-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,202 on turnover of 4.9-billion N-T.
The market closed lower on Thursday, following losses for big tech stocks on
Wall Street overnight.
Cabinet Proposes Ban on Corporal Punishment by Parents
The Cabinet has approved draft legal amendments aimed at rescinding the right
of parents to use physical force to punish their children.
The draft amendments were proposed by the Ministry of Justice.
They seek to change Article 1085 of the Civil Code, which currently states
that parents "may, within the limit of necessity, inflict punishment upon
their children."
The revised version of the article will instead state that parents should
"give consideration to (充分考慮) their children's age and level of
development, respect their personalities, and not engage in mentally or
physically violent behavior against them."
Court Bans Kaohsiung City Councilor from Leaving Country
The Kaohsiung District Court has banned city councilor Huang Shao-ting from
leaving the country for eight months as he remain under investigation in a
corruption case.
The ruling came after the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors' Office charged
Huang with violating the Criminal Code and Anti-Corruption Act.
Prosecutors also charged 13 other individuals, including Huang's wife with
embezzlement (貪污) related offenses.
The prosecutors' office says Huang is believed to have embezzled some
14-million N-T during his three-terms as a Kaohsiung City councilor.
Mexico President Clarifies Immigration Stance
Mexico's President Claudia Shienbaum is clarifying (澄清) her country's
stance on immigration - after Donald Trump claimed she "had agreed to stop
migration through Mexico - into the United States."
Toni Waterman has more.
Russia Sentences Human Rights Lawyer
A Russian human rights group says a court in Russia convicted a prominent
(著名的) lawyer and sentenced him to seven years in prison for speaking out
against the war in Ukraine on social media.
The verdict in the case of Dmitry Talantov, who once chaired a regional
association of lawyers in Russia’s central Udmurtia republic, is the latest
in the Kremlin crackdown on dissent after sending troops into Ukraine in
February 2022.
Talantov is one of dozens of Russians arrested under a law adopted just over
a week after the invasion that essentially bans any public expression about
the war that deviates from the official narrative.
According to the rights group OVD-Info, some 1,100 people have been
implicated in criminal cases over their anti-war stance since February 2022.
A total of 340 of them are currently behind bars or have been involuntarily
committed to medical institutions.
Canada Antitrust Watchdog Suing Google
Canada’s antitrust watchdog is suing Google over alleged anticompetitive
conduct in the tech giant’s online advertising business and wants the
company to sell off two of its services and pay a penalty.
The Competition Bureau says that such action is necessary because an
investigation it conducted into Google found that the company “unlawfully”
tied together its ad tech tools to maintain its market dominance (主導地位).
The matter is headed for the Competition Tribunal, a quasi-judicial body that
hears cases brought forward by the competition commissioner about
non-compliance (不合規) with the Competition Act.
The bureau is asking the tribunal to order Google to sell its publisher ad
server, and its ad exchange.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 45-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,380
on turnover of 5-billion N-T.
The market plunged on Wednesday losing more than 370-points, as foreign
institutional investors increased short futures positions to hedge against
potential risks in the spot market.
Investor sentiment remained cautious after U-S President-elect Donald Trump's
threats of tariffs on goods from China, Canada and Mexico - which pushed down
large-cap tech stocks.
While foreign institutional investors appeared cautious and selling was
focused on tech heavyweights - as it was seen as the most effective way to
drive down the spot market and profit from futures.
Chinese Student Group Arrives in Taiwan for 9-Day Visit
A group of 40 Chinese college students and faculty members have arrived in
Taiwan for a nine-day trip at the invitation of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation.
Foundation C-E-O Hsiao Hsu-tsen is describing the the visit as an exciting
event at a time when the cross-strait relationship faces challenges and he
believes a common dialogue between the two sides and can help improve
relations.
Hsiao is also thanking the government for allowing the visit to take place.
The delegation is made up of students from seven Chinese universities and
includes six-time Olympic table tennis champion Ma Long of the Beijing Sport
University, and 2020 Tokyo Olympic shooting gold medalist Yang Qian, who
studies at the Tsinghua University.
Sunny Skies and Low Temperatures Forecast through Sunday
And,
The Central Weather Administration says a cold front has pushed temperatures
down islandwide - and the current conditions will persist through the weekend
According to the administration's forecast center, the lowest temperature in
low lying areas this morning was recorded in Miaoli County's Sanwan Township,
where the mercury dropped to 8.4-degrees.
The mercury fell to 8.8-degrees in New Taipei's Shiding District and to
9.2-degrees in Hsinchu County's Emei Township.
Meteorologist Daniel Wu says the current weather system will likely qualify
as this winter's first "continental cold air mass" -- meaning that it will
bring temperatures of 10 degrees or below in some low-lying areas, or
possibly below 14 degrees at the Taipei weather station.
G7 condemns Russia's "irresponsible and threatening nuclear rhetoric" after
talks in Italy
The G7 has condemned Russia's "irresponsible and threatening nuclear
rhetoric" after two days of talks in Italy.
It was the final meeting for foreign ministers from the group, which includes
the U.S., U.K. and Japan, before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes
office.
Giles Gibson reports from Rome.
Canada Mulls Retaliatory Tariffs After Trump Threat
A government official says Canada is already examining possible retaliatory
tariffs on certain items from the United States.
Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if
the countries don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants
across southern and northern borders.
He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from
Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders.
A Canadian government official said Canada is preparing for every eventuality
(可能性) and has started thinking about what items to target with tariffs.
The official stressed no decision has been made.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally lower this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,665 on turnover of 4.3-billion N-T.
The market fell sharply on Tuesday following U-S President-elect Donald
Trump's threat to impose (施) steep tariffs on goods made in Canada, Mexico
and China - and the downturn was led by the bellwether electronics sector.
Ticker-Tape Parade for Premier 12 Winning Team
Taiwan's Premier 12 Championship title winning baseball team has been
welcomed home with a ticker-tape parade in Taipei.
The parade saw players and coaches driven in a convoy of vehicles from the
intersection of Ketagalan Boulevard and Gongyuan Road - before passing
through Xiangyang Road and the Canyon of Heroes" along Guanqian Road ..
…. where confetti (五彩碎紙) were released to pay tribute to the team.
The convoy then turned left onto Zhongxiao West Road before turning onto
Chongqing South Road and ending at the Presidential Office.
The jeeps and trucks in the convoy were driven by uniformed military
personnel and included both civilian and military vehicles.
It was escorted along the route by police officers on electric scooters.
The parade attracted tens of thousands of flag waving and screaming fans who
came out to get a glimpse of the tournament winning players and coaches.
Core Pacific City Corruption Case Suspect Remains Detained
The Taipei District Court has extended a detention order for a key suspect in
the Core Pacific City corruption case.
The court approved the extension after the Taipei District Prosecutors Office
said there was concern that Lee Wen-tsung could destroy evidence or collude
(串通) with others if released from detention.
Lee previously ran Ko Wen-je's office during his second term as Taipei mayor.
Prosecutors have said they believe Lee was involved in the allegedly corrupt
real-estate dealings.
Lee was first ordered detained in late September.
Biden Confirms IsraelHezbollah Ceasefire Deal
US President Joe Biden has confirmed a ceasefire agreement has been reached
between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
Thousands of people have been killed - and more than a million displaced
(流離失所) - in the latest round of the conflict, which began following the
October 7th attacks by Hamas in Israel.
Ira Spitzer reports.
Colombia to Impose Visa Requirement on UK Citizens
Colombia's President Gustavo Petro says that his country will impose visa
requirements on British citizens.
The announcement Tuesday comes after the United Kingdom removed Colombia from
a list of countries whose nationals can visit Britain without tourist visas.
The British embassy in Colombia said that over the past two years, there has
been a “significant” increase in the number of Colombians who arrive at UK
airports and make “unjustified” asylum claims.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 158-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,789 on turnover of 5.7-billion N-T.
The market gave up most of its initial gains on Monday, but still managed to
end the marginally higher with expanded turnover before regular index
adjustments by M-S-C-I took effect after the close of trading.
Main Suspect in Taiyen Green Energy Fraud Case Turns Himself In
Former D-P-P lawmaker Chen Qi-yu has turned himself in to prosecutors as part
of an investigation into allegations of fraud at a state-linked green energy
enterprise in Tainan.
He arrived at the Tainan District Prosecutors' Office with his lawyer three
weeks after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Prosecutors says they believe Chen violated the Securities and Exchange Act
for breach of trust (違反信託) offenses and the Criminal Code for knowingly
causing a public servant to publish an official document containing false
information.
A court has now ordered Chen to be detained as prosecutors continue their
investigation.
Surgeon Indicted over China Organ Transplants
The Changhua District Prosecutors' Office has indicted a surgeon and four
accomplices for allegedly facilitating illegal organ transplants conducted in
China.
The prosecutors' office says the transplant specialist orchestrated
(精心策劃的) a criminal ring that profited from sending 10 Taiwanese patients
to China to undergo organ transplant surgery between 2016 and 2019.
According to prosecutors, the group charged patients between 5 and
7.5-million N-T for liver transplants and between 3 and 3.5-million N-T for
kidney transplants that were conducted in China's Shandong and Hunan
provinces.
Prosecutors are seeking a six-year sentence for the surgeon and three year
sentences for the four accomplices.
US Federal Criminal Cases Against Trump Dropped
US President-elect Donald Trump looks set to escape trial for his alleged
efforts to overturn the 2020 election result after investigators filed a
motion to drop the case.
Special counsel Jack Smith on Monday moved to dismiss
(駁回（指法官因證據不足而）) the charges against the former President due to
a long-standing Justice Department policy that bars the prosecution of a
sitting President.
Benji Hyer reports.
Turkey Detains Dozens Joining Rally for Women Protection
Police have detained dozens of people in Istanbul who tried to join a rally
calling for greater protection for women in Turkey, where more than 400 women
have been murdered this year.
The demonstrators tried to enter the main pedestrian street to mark the
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Monday.
But there is a ban on all protests in the area.
Many demonstrators protested President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's decision in
2021 that withdrew (退出) Turkey from a landmark European agreement to
protect women from violence.
The agreement was signed in Istanbul and is named for the city.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 91-points this morning from Friday's close, at 22,996 on
turnover of 5.3-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Friday - jumping more than 300 points as
buying was sparked by rally on Wall Street staged by tech stocks overnight.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing continued to serve as an anchor for the
upturn, but gains were still capped ahead of technical resistance at the
20-day moving average of around 22,984 points.
Taiwan Wins Premier 12 at Tokyo Dome
Taiwan has made history after beating Japan 4-0 in the Premier 12
Championship Game at the Tokyo Dome.
Taiwan took an early 4-0 lead thanks to two home runs in the top of the fifth
inning - a solo by catcher Lin Chia-cheng and a three-run homer by team
captain, center fielder Chen Jie-hsien.
Taiwan's starter pitcher Lin Yu-min cruised through four scoreless innings -
giving up only one hit, three walks and striking out three.
While Taiwan's three relievers were able to contain (遏制) the Japanese
batters for the rest of the game to seal the historic win.
Taiwan was rated second to last by Japanese media before the Premier12
tournament began and was widely considered an underdog.
Premier Asks Mew Labor Minister to Revamp Policies
Premier Cho Jung-tai says newly appointed Labor Minister Hong Shen-han has
been asked to devise a comprehensive labor policy following the suicide of a
Ministry of Labor employee.
According to the premier, Hong must develop an "inclusive (包容性) labor
policy" that protects workers while addressing the demands of various
industries, while also creating a supportive and equitable workplace for his
colleagues while boosting their morale.
Hong was appointed to succeed Ho Pei-shan on Friday.
Ho's resignation was accepted by the premier earlier that same day following
criticism over her handling of the suicide case.
The premier says he chose Hong to lead the labor ministry because he used to
be a civil rights activist and is trusted by many workers.
WFP says in 2025 hunger will reach alarming highs
The World Food Programme says global food hunger is set to increase by ten
percent.
WFP made the announcement on Friday as it began an appeal close a funding gap
of 17 billion dollars that it needs to address the escalating (不斷升級)
global hunger crisis.
Jody Jacobs reports from the United Nations in New York.
Russian Plane Lands Safely in Turkey After Fire
Turkey's transportation ministry says the engine of a Russian plane with 95
people on board caught fire after landing at Antalya airport in southern
Turkey.
All passengers and crew were safely evacuated.
The flight from Sochi was carrying 89 passengers and six crew members Sunday.
The pilot made an emergency call after the aircraft landed at 9:34 p.m. local
time, and airport rescue and firefighting crews quickly extinguished (熄滅)
the fire.
Efforts were underway to remove the aircraft from the runway.
Arrivals at the airport have been temporarily suspended while departures were
taking place from a nearby military-run runway.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 244-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,800 on turnover of $5.09-billion N-T.
Education Ministry-Funded Youth Overseas Program to Start Next Year
The Ministry of Education says a program designed to encourage young people
to participate in volunteering, internships, and other learning activities
overseas with government funding will begin receiving applications next year.
According to Deputy Education Minister Yeh Bing-cheng, the program is being
supported by the newly established Youth Overseas Dream Fund and aims to help
young people go abroad and "broaden their horizons."
Yeh says the government hopes to select around 550 young people in 2025 for
the program - which is open to Taiwan nationals aged between 15 to 30.
The deputy education minister is encouraging young people with "good ideas,"
regardless of their family's financial status, to apply.
Selected applicants (申請人) will receive grants of up to 2-million N-T for
their own proposals.
Projects currently being negotiated included student tours to the central
government agencies in France as well as to different Indigenous villages in
Canada.
UN Condemns Iran Nuclear Noncompliance
The U.N. nuclear watchdog’s board has condemned Iran for failing to
cooperate fully with the agency, the second time it has done so in just five
months.
The International Atomic Energy Agency also called on Tehran to provide
answers in a long-running investigation into uranium particles found at two
locations that Tehran has failed to declare as nuclear sites.
Diplomats say that 19 members of the IAEA board voted for the resolution,
while Russia, China and Burkina Faso opposed it, and 12 abstained and one did
not vote, according to diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity to
describe the outcome of the closed-doors vote.
The resolution comes on the heels of a confidential report earlier this week
in which the IAEA said Iran has defied international demands to rein in its
nuclear program and has increased its stockpile (儲存，逐步積累的東西) of
uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels.
Nigeria Calls for Military Partnerships in Africa
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has called on military formations in African
countries to strengthen alliances in the bid to defeat insecurity (不安全) on
the continent.
Tesem Akende reports from Jos.
Canada PM Announces Tax Break
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plans to temporarily lift the federal
sales tax off a slew of items and send checks to millions of Canadians who
are dealing with rising costs as a federal election looms.
The measures come as an inflation-driven affordability (負擔能力) crunch
(困難) has left voters unhappy with the Trudeau government.
The federal goods and services tax break would begin Dec. 14 and end Feb. 15.
It will apply to a number of items including children’s clothing and shoes,
toys, diapers, restaurant meals and beer and wine.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
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11/1-11/30期間，課程限時優惠低於38折，使用折扣碼「f350」再折350元！
還有週年慶限定「解任務、拿豪禮」活動，完成任務可抽萬元好禮。
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高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
--
華碩商用電腦ASUS Expert 台灣市佔第一！
通過多項美國軍規測試，以優異產品品質、高擴充性及完整的軟硬體解決方案，助企業降低擁有成本、簡化管理。
客製化保固與在地服務，IT專家華碩商用小隊是各企業、政教單位的最強後盾。
商用AIPC首選「華碩」，值得信賴! https://bit.ly/3CpbcSI
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
Labor Minister Apologizes Following Workplace Suicide
Severe Cases and Deaths from Flu Reach 10-Year High
HK National Security Law Sentences
UN Secretary General concerned about the escalation of Russia's war on Ukraine
Brazil's Police Arrested Five Accused over Coup Plot
Flanagan Win's Britain's Leading Nonfiction Book Prize
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 68-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,614
on turnover of 4-billion N-T.
The market tumbled on Monday, falling almost 200 points, as the bellwether
electronics sector trended lower after a decline on Wall Street at the end of
last week sparked by fears the U-S Federal Reserve is set to slow down the
pace of its current rate cut cycle.
Court Rules Women's League has KMT Links
The Taipei High Administrative Court has ruled that the National Women's
League was an affiliate of the K-M-T before 2004 and as such has been ordered
pay 17.89-billion N-T to the state.
The ruling comes after the women's group sued the Ill-gotten Party Assets
Settlement Committee in 2018.
The lawsuit was filed shortly after the committee classified (分類) the
National Women's League as a K-M-T affiliate in February of that year.
The women's league had argued it had not been controlled or run by the
political party and the committee's classification was incorrect.
The committee also froze the assets of the women's group, including
38.5-billion N-T in cash.
Man Involved in High Speed Rail Knife Incident Released on Bail
The Taipei District Court has released man who punched a woman on a high
speed rail train and damaged a tray table with a knife on 29,000 N-T bail.
The court ruling comes after the Railway Police Bureau's Taipei branch
announced it had arrested in Nantou.
The suspect was then referred to the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office for
further investigation on suspicion of threatening members of the public,
assault (攻擊) and damaging private property.
The incident occurred while the train was traveling between Banqiao Station in
New Taipei and Taipei Station.
The Railway Police Bureau says it will increase the number of patrols to
ensure passenger safety.
Biden Pledges Funding to Fight Poverty
US President Joe Biden has pledged $4 billion for the world's poorest
countries.
The announcement came after Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva
launched a global alliance (全球性聯盟) to fight hunger and poverty at the
G20 meeting of the world's leading economies in Rio de Janeiro.
Kate Fisher reports
Finland Germany Undersea Cable Severed
German and Finland have expressed deep concern over the discovery of a
severed undersea cable between the countries through the Baltic Sea.
The two countries say it raises suspicions of sabotage and that an
investigation is underway.
Finnish authorities say the severed data cable was detected Monday in the
cable that runs nearly 1.200 kilometers from the Finnish capital, Helsinki,
to the German port city of Rostock.
They say Finland’s international data and telecommunications connections are
secured by running them through several redundant (額外的，重複的) lines, and
the effects of a single cable failure would depend on the security level of
service providers’ connections.
Greece to Make Early Repayment on Debt
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis says Greece is set to make an early
repayment of $5.3 billion in bailout-era debt in 2025.
Mitsotakis on Monday described the move as a signal of the nation’s fiscal
recovery.
Finance Ministry officials say they plan to reduce debt through primary
surpluses, loan repayments and combating tax evasion.
Mitsotakis’ center-right government was elected for a second term in 2023.
It's struggling to address a cost of living crisis that has sapped (削弱了)
Greeks’ spending power.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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華碩商用電腦ASUS Expert 台灣市佔第一！
通過多項美國軍規測試，以優異產品品質、高擴充性及完整的軟硬體解決方案，助企業降低擁有成本、簡化管理。
客製化保固與在地服務，IT專家華碩商用小隊是各企業、政教單位的最強後盾。
商用AIPC首選「華碩」，值得信賴! https://bit.ly/3CpbcSI
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 40-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,694 on turnover of 4.6-billion N-T.
Advocacy group calls for stricter licensing after fatal bus collision
A road safety advocacy group is calling for reforms to Taiwan's driver
licensing and retraining system..
.. after a pedestrian was killed and 15 other people were injured in a
two-bus collision in Taipei over the weekend.
Taiwan Vision Zero Alliance says that "Taiwan's driver's licenses are among
the easiest to obtain in the world, and there is no mandatory retraining
system for drivers".
The alliance said that under current regulations, individuals who have held a
standard car driver's license for two years and have completed a driver
training course are eligible to take a test to obtain a commercial bus
driver's license, putting inexperienced bus drivers on the road and
endangering vulnerable road users.
The group said it had previously submitted (已提交) a report to the Ministry
of Transportation and Communications, urging the government to reform its
driver licensing and retraining systems.
Temperatures in the north could drop to 16 degrees next week: CWA
The Central Weather Administration says that temperatures in northern and
northeastern Taiwan could drop to as low as 16 degrees Celsius Monday and
Tuesday, due to monsoon effects.
Forecasters say it could drop to 18 degrees in low-lying areas and 16 degrees
in open coastal areas or areas near mountains … during these two days.
Temperatures are expected to rebound on Wednesday, with lows of 20-21 degrees
in the north and northeast.
Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon and the periphery (外圍) of Typhoon Man-yi
are expected to bring rain to northern and northeastern Taiwan next week,
especially to mountainous areas in greater Taipei, Keelung North Coast and
northeastern Taiwan.
Ukraine: Russian Strike Leaves Dead and Wounded
A Ukrainian official says a Russian strike on a nine-story building in the
city of Sumy killed eight people and wounded dozens, as Russia launched a
massive drone and missile attack described by officials as the largest in
recent months.
The official says among the eight killed in Sumy, 40 kilometers from the
border with Russia, were two children.
More than 400 people were evacuated from the building.
The rescuers are checking every apartment looking for people who might be
still in the damaged building.
The attack targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as fears mount about
Moscow’s intentions to devastate Ukraine’s power generation capacity (容量)
before winter.
Biden Visits Amazon
Joe Biden becomes the first sitting US president to visit the Amazon
rainforest
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 52-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,767
on turnover of $5.8-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed lower Thursday as heavyweights across the board came
under pressure to push down the broader market after a mixed performance of
the U.S. markets overnight,.
Market sentiment weakened amid growing fears that the U.S. Federal Reserve
will slow down its pace in a rate-cut cycle following the return to the
presidency of Donald Trump, who has threatened to raise tariffs when he takes
office in January, which could boost inflation.
NGO calls for universal affordable childcare, flexible parental leave
The Childcare Policy Alliance is calling on the government to establish
universal affordable childcare and more flexible parental leave systems…
…to help boost Taiwan's low birth rates.
The NGO argued that the existing childcare allowance is inadequate for
long-term childcare expenses and often pressures women to leave the
workforce, as it doesn't fully support the costs associated with (與 相關聯)
quality childcare.
It also emphasized that flexible leave policies encourage more men to
participate in childcare, which could help counter traditional gender roles
and promote a "dual income, dual childcare" model.
The alliance critiqued the government' s current policies, including the
rigid 30-day minimum parental leave block, which is too rigid for parents
needing to take leave on an ad-hoc basis.
UNRWA Chief: Agency Facing Darkest Hour
The UN's aid agency in Gaza is facing its '"darkest hour", according to its
top official.
Philippe Lazzarini says the situation in the strip has become "dystopian",
and urged member states to increase spending on UNRWA.
Sally Patterson reports from New York, where the United Nations is
headquartered.
Philippines Transports Supplies to Disputed Shoal
The Philippine navy has transported food and other supplies to a territorial
ship outpost in a shoal in the South China Sea without any confrontation with
Chinese forces guarding the area.
The Philippine delivery of supplies and military personnel to the Second
Thomas Shoal was the third such trip without any violent clash since July,
when Chinese and Philippine diplomats signed a rare deal to halt a spike in
violent confrontations (對抗).
It’s the first known agreement by China with any one rival claimant country
in a specific shoal in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in
its entirety.
The Philippines occupied the shoal by permanently beaching a navy ship in its
shallows in 1999, prompting China, which also claims it, to surround the
atoll with its coast guard and naval forces in what has been a continuing
territorial standoff.
Italy Colosseum to Host Gladiator Fights
The ancient Roman Colosseum will be the venue of gladiator fights for the
first time in two millennia under a $1.5 million sponsorship deal with
Airbnb.
Under the deal announced by Airbnb and the Colosseum on Wednesday, the
sponsorship by the short-term rental giant will cover the renewal of an
educational program inside the ancient Roman amphitheater (露天劇場) covering
the history of the structure and gladiators.
Eight of the platform’s users and their plus-ones will be able to
participate in faux gladiator fights after the Colosseum’s closing time on
May 7-8, taking the same underground route used by gladiators in ancient Rome
to reach the arena.
The “gladiators” will be chosen from the applicants by lottery.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 39-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,821 on turnover of $6.3-billion N-T.
Zombie drug' set to be reclassified as Category 2 narcotic: Premier
Taiwan's government is planning to reclassify etomidate, or the "zombie
drug", as a Category 2 narcotic today.
That means illicit use of etomidate could result in a prison sentence of up
to 3 years.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said the move is likely to proceed (繼續) after
today's narcotics review committee under the Ministry of Justice …
… and is intended to bolster frontline law enforcement efforts and combat
the spread of emerging drugs.
Statistics from the Criminal Investigation Bureau show that from July to
November this year, there were over 2 thousand 600 cases involving etomidate,
with some 3 thousand individuals involved.
Number of Japanese visitors to Taiwan grows nearly 50%: Agency
Over 1 million Japanese travelers visited Taiwan in the first 10 months of
this year -- over 50 percent more than that of last year.
With this growth, the Tourism Administration projects that the number of
Japanese visitors will reach a new high in the fourth quarter, the largest Q4
total since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Data shows that Japan was the second-largest source of inbound (入境)
visitors to Taiwan in the first eight months of the year, accounting for 16
percent of all arrivals.
This follows Hong Kong, which contributed 16.2 percent.
US Trump Nominates Rubio for Secretary of State
US President-elect Donald Trump will nominate Florida Senator Marco Rubio to
be his secretary of state.
Trump also announced the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard as his Director of
National Intelligence.
Ira Spitzer has more
Sudan Keeps Chad Border Crossing open for Aid
Sudan’s military-controlled government says a key border crossing with Chad
will stay open to keep much-needed humanitarian aid flowing into the western
Darfur region which has been a center of fighting in the country's ongoing
war.
Sudan's ruling Sovereign Council says the decision on the Adre crossing
followed a meeting with United Nations agencies and local and international
aid groups.
The border crossing was closed earlier this year but reopened in August for
three months by the Sovereign Council to address the catastrophic (災難性的)
humanitarian situation in Darfur.
The U.N. welcomed the government's announcement that the Adre crossing will
remain open for another three months.
Denmark Royal Court Phasing Labeling System
Denmark’s royal court says it will phase out a labeling system dating to the
1800s that grants companies the right to use the image of the Danish crown on
their letterhead, packaging and labels.
The palace says the five-year renewable designations, including “Holder of
the Royal Warrant” and “By Appointment to the Royal Danish Court” and
others, will be phased out by Dec. 31, 2029.
Currently, there are 104 Danish suppliers and five foreign companies who can
use such designations (稱號) and images of the Danish crown on their
products.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 86.9-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,894 on turnover of $8.4-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan took a beating Tuesday as the bellwether electronics sector
came under heavy pressure amid growing angst over United States-China trade
ties after Donald Trump becomes U.S. president in January.
Contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. led the downturn as
investors feared Trump will impose more restrictions on chip shipments to
China, sending the Taiex below the 23,000-point mark by the end of the
trading session.
Celebrity anti-fraud ambassador questioned in fraud investigation
A Taiwanese singer who served as an anti-fraud ambassador for the Criminal
Investigation Bureau was recently questioned in a fraud investigation, though
police have said she is not a suspect.
Singer Shara Lin revealed in a video on social media that she had been
summoned (被召喚) for questioning by the Chiayi City Police Department, where
the alleged fraud victim lived.
Chiayi police say Lin was summoned because illicit cash flows from the
alleged fraud were connected to her bank account.
Lin says the case involved a suspect who had defrauded a victim of tens of
thousands of dollars, and then transferred the illicit money into several
different accounts, one of which belonged to her friend.
Lin did not explain why her friend had received money from the alleged
fraudster, but she urged viewers to be aware of potential scams and to use
the government's 165 hotline if they have any questions.
US Prohibits Airlines from Flying to Haiti
The Federal Aviation Administration is prohibiting U.S. airlines from flying
to Haiti for 30 days after gangs shot two planes.
The United Nations also said Tuesday that it temporarily (暫時地) suspended
flights to the capital, limiting humanitarian aid coming into the country.
Bullets hit a Spirit plane when it was about to land Monday in the country’s
capital, injuring a flight attendant and forcing the airport to shut down.
JetBlue and American Airlines said that their planes had also been shot while
leaving the airport.
The shootings were part of a wave of violence that erupted in Haiti as the
country swore in its new prime minister after a politically tumultuous
(混亂的) process.
US Northeast Fire Warnings
A fire warning for much of America's northeast is back in effect, as a major
wildfire burns across the border of New York state, and New Jersey.
Rainfall has brought little relief (緩和) amid drought-like conditions and
high winds.
Mitch McCann reports:
British Writer Samantha Harvey Wins Booker Prize
British writer Samantha Harvey has won the Booker Prize for fiction with
“Orbital,” a short novel set aboard the International Space Station.
Harvey was awarded the $64-thousand US dollar prize for what she has called a
“space pastoral” about six astronauts circling the Earth, which she began
writing during COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
Harvey has written four previous novels and a memoir about insomnia.
She is the first British writer since 2020 to win the Booker.
Harvey beat five other finalists (入圍者) from Canada, the United States,
Australia and the Netherlands, chosen from among 156 novels submitted by
publishers.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
--
你想知道國際大事的幕後真相嗎？
好奇各產業背後的脈絡是什麼嗎？
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《新聞幕後》邀請各領域的專家，從產業內幕到全球大事，帶你深入了解更多產業故事！
立即點擊收聽 https://bit.ly/4hURLSa
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 253-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,277 on turnover of 10.7-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed slightly lower Monday despite a late rally in which
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing recovered most of its early losses due to
its sound fundamentals.
The Taiex had strong technical support as it tested the five-day moving
average, and bounced back well above that level by the end of the trading
session.
Deputy speaker departs for U.S., France
Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang from the opposition KMT departed
Taiwan late on Sunday for a trip to the United States and France where he
will conduct exchanges with American and French lawmakers.
Chiang's office says he is scheduled to attend a round of meetings which will
be held by the Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce of North America in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida.
While in the U.S., the deputy speaker will also meet with American
congresspersons to discuss the result of the U.S. presidential election and
how Taiwan could be impacted.
After a two-day stay in the U.S., Chiang will head to France and join a
cross-party delegation consisting of (由…組成) ruling Democratic Progressive
Party and opposition Taiwan People's Party lawmakers visiting the French
Senate.
His office says the trip to the French Senate will focus on Taiwan's
participation in international organizations and combating disinformation.
Protesters Demand Justice After Station Roof Collapse
Anti-government protesters in Serbia are demanding arrests and the
resignations of top officials over the deadly collapse of a concrete roof at
a railway station that killed 14 people in a northern city this month.
The rally in Belgrade blamed the collapse on rampant (猖獗的，泛濫的)
corruption and sloppy renovation work on the station building in Novi Sad.
The work was part of a wider deal with Chinese state companies involved in a
number of infrastructure projects in the Balkan country.
Authorities have opened an investigation and Serbia’s construction minister
submitted his resignation last week, but no one has been charged or detained.
Scientists Predict 2024 Hottest Year on Record
Scientists are "virtually certain" that 2024 will be the warmest year on
record.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service, a European agency, made the
announcement on Monday, reinforcing (加固) predictions made earlier in the
year.
It comes as world leaders gather in Azerbaijan for the United Nations' annual
climate conference.
Sally Patterson reports.
Emperor Penguin Found in Australia
An emperor penguin found malnourished far from its Antarctic home on the
Australian south coast is being cared for by a wildlife expert.
A government statement says the adult male was found earlier this month on a
popular tourist beach in southwest Australia — about 3,500 kilometers north
of the icy waters off the Antarctic coast.
Researchers say the largest penguin species has never been reported in
Australia before.
And they have no idea why the penguin traveled to the Australian town.
Experts are focusing their efforts on rehabilitating (使康復) the bird, but
say "options are still being worked through" on if the penguin could
potentially be returned to Antarctica.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 76-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,478 on turnover of $7.2-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan moved higher by more than 140 points Friday after the
Federal Reserve cut its key interest rates as expected, sparking a rally
among tech stocks on the U.S. markets overnight.
The local bellwether electronics sector attracted most of the market's
attention throughout the trading session, while old economy and financial
stocks largely lost their luster, capping the gains on the broader market.
Thousands march in Taipei for better wildlife conservation
Animal rights groups took to the streets on Sunday to appeal for better stray
animal management and improved wildlife conservation.
According to Taiwan Walk for Wildlife, around 2-thousand people participated
in the event in Taipei.
The 2024 Walk for Wildlife, a one-hour march that looped (環行) through
streets near the Legislative Yuan, began after TWW members, wildlife
conservation experts, and legislators from across party lines delivered
remarks.
T-W-W says the goal of the march was to get the government to improve the
management and reduction of stray dogs and cats and strengthen the management
of stray dogs in ecological hotspots.
The protesters presented a petition to the head of the Ministry of
Agriculture's Animal Welfare Department, who responded by saying that
authorities "respect and understand" the demands and will promote those that
have gained social consensus, while also tightening stray dog control in some
areas.
Washington Post: Trump Tells Putin to Avoid Escalation in Ukraine
US President-Elect Donald Trump has told his Russian counterpart to avoid an
escalation in Ukraine according to a Washington Post report.
The conflict (戰爭，衝突) could be one of the topics US President Joe Biden
discusses when he meets Donald Trump at the White House this week.
Our Washington Correspondent Jagruti Dave has more.
Netherlands Demonstrators Detained After Soccer Clashes
Police have detained dozens of people for taking part in a demonstration in
central Amsterdam that had been outlawed following violent clashes targeting
fans of an Israeli soccer club.
Amsterdam's mayor banned all demonstrations over the weekend in the aftermath
of the scenes of youths on scooters and on foot attacking Maccabi Tel Aviv
supporters (支持者) on Thursday and Friday.
It was widely condemned as a violent outburst of antisemitism in the Dutch
capital.
Local media reports showed police detaining one man Sunday who was taking
part in a small demonstration on the central Dam Square.
Police said on X they detained more than 50 people.
UK Jamie Oliver Children's Book Withdrawn
A children’s book written by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has been
withdrawn from sale after it was criticized for causing offense to Indigenous
Australians.
The Guardian newspaper reported that the National Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Education Corporation blasted “Billy And The Epic Escape”
for employing a series of tropes about Indigenous Australians, including
their relationships with the natural and spiritual worlds.
The group criticized one of the subplots (次要情節) of the fantasy novel,
which tells the story of an Indigenous girl living in foster care, for
contributing to the “erasure, trivialisation (使顯得不重要), and
stereotyping of First Nations peoples and experiences.”
Following the criticism, Oliver apologized “wholeheartedly.”
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 199-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,608 on turnover of $8-billion N-T.
Economics Minister Upbeat on Taiwan's Future Despite Trump Tariff Threats
Economics Minister Kuo Jyh-huei says he believes U-S President-elect Donald
Trump's mooted 10-per cent tariff on all U-S imports will have a limited
effect on Taiwan.
However, Kuo is warning that Trump's proposed 60-per cent levy on
Chinese-made products will have an impact on Taiwanese firms operating in
China.
According to Kuo, he agrees with media speculation that Trump's election win
could result in more Taiwanese businesses in China to return to Taiwan, and
the government has policies planned to assist supply chains with overseas
market arrangements (安排).
Kuo says Trump's claim that Taiwan "stole" America's chip industry was a
"misunderstanding" .. and many experts on the matter believe that the U.S.
and Taiwan complement each other in the semiconductor supply chain.
National Taiwan University Ranks 26th in Asia in Latest QS Rankings
The National Taiwan University remains Taiwan's top-ranking institution in
the latest Q-S 2025 Asia University Rankings - despite dropping five places
from last year.
The N-T-U earned 85.5-points to be tied for 26th place in the rankings with a
Malaysian university.
It scored highest among Taiwanese universities in the "Academic Reputation"
and "Employer Reputation" categories, which account for 30 and 20-per cent of
the overall score.
The N-T-U fell to 21st place in the 2024 rankings, marking its first drop
after peaking (達到尖峰) at 19th from 2021 to 2023.
France: Israeli Police Forcibly Enter FrenchOwned Church in Jerusalem
The French foreign ministry says armed Israeli police forced their way into a
French-owned church compound in the contested city of Jerusalem.
Two consulate members were briefly detained and a top French diplomat
abandoned (棄) his planned visit to the site.
The incident Thursday threatened to further strain relations between Israel
and France weeks after French President Emmanuel Macron’s call for an arms
embargo on Israel prompted backlash from right-wing Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu.
The French Foreign Ministry said it would summon the Israeli ambassador in
protest in the coming days.
Aid Groups Report Concerns After Trump Victory
Migrant aid groups say they are fielding a high number of calls from people
anxious after Donald Trump's victory in Tuesday's elections.
The president-elect has vowed mass deportations in his second term in office.
Toni Waterman has more
Australia Man Sentenced to Prison for Nazi Salute
A self-described Nazi has become the first person in Australia to be
sentenced to prison for performing an outlawed salute.
Jacob Hersant was ordered by a magistrate to spend one month behind bars.
The gesture is outlawed nationwide.
He performed the salute before news cameras outside the Victoria County Court
last year.
Hersant’s lawyer says the sentence will be appealed.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 38-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,180 on turnover of $7.3-billion N-T.
The market closed moderately higher on Wednesday as investors waited for the
outcome of the U-S presidential election.
The bellwether electronics sector once again acted a driver for the broader
market, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in focus.
Conscripts Test Domestically Made Portable Launchers
A group of conscripts drafted following this year's lengthening of mandatory
military service has fired domestically made portable (便於攜帶的) rocket
launchers during a media event.
The live-fire exercises took place at that Southern Taiwan Military Training
Center in Tainan.
Conscripts who spent several weeks training with man-portable
shoulder-launched Kestrel and fired several rounds from the domestically
built weapon system.
Defense officials say most of the rockets hit targets some 200-meters away,
however, one of the conscripts' launchers failed to fire due to a
malfunction.
The deputy commander of the training center says the launcher that failed to
fire has been handed over the the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science
and Technology for further examination.
The conscripts were part of the first group that began their compulsory
service earlier this year after the government extended military service for
men to one year from the previous four months.
US Trump Presidency for Supreme Court
Looking ahead after the US election, Donald Trump's presidency could assure
(保證) a conservative Supreme Court majority for decades
AP correspondent Haya Panjwani reports…
Canada Orders TikTok Dissolution
The Canadian government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian
business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the
social media app but said it won’t block access
(使用或看見某物的權利或機會).
Canada's industry minister says it is meant to address risks related to
ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.
TikTok is wildly popular with young people, but its Chinese ownership has
raised fears that Beijing could use it to collect data on Western users or
push pro-China narratives and misinformation.
Amazon Deforestation Drops
Amazon rainforest loss in Brazil dropped by one-third compared to the
previous year, according to official monitoring.
The statistics were announced Wednesday in Brazil’s presidential palace,
That is the lowest level of destruction in nine years.
Moreover, deforestation in Brazil’s vast savannah (稀樹草原) also decreased
by 25.7%, the first decline in five years.
The area destroyed reached 8,174 square kilometers.
The results sharply contrast with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s
predecessor, far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro, who prioritized agribusiness
expansion and weakened environmental agencies.
Deforestation hit a 15-year high under his term.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,112 on turnover of 5.2-billion N-T.
The market moved moderately higher on Tuesday, but turnover remained thin as
many investors opted to stay on the sidelines as they await the outcome of
the U-S presidential election.
Two Hometown Association Heads Indicted for China-Funded Trip
The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted the heads of two Chinese
hometown associations for organizing a China-funded trip to Anhui Province
for local K-M-T officials in the run-up to January's elections.
According to the prosecutors' office, the presidents of the Taiwan and Taipei
Anhui Province hometown associations have been charged with violating (違反)
the Anti-Infiltration Act.
Prosecutors says the two defendants acted at the request of the head the
Anhui Province Taiwan Affairs Office to recruit 24 K-M-T party officials and
ward chiefs from Taipei's Wanhua and Nangang districts for the trip.
Former Police Officer Acquitted in Fatal Shooting Incident
The Taoyuan District Court has acquitted a former police officer who
accidentally shot and killed a passenger in a vehicle that failed to pull
over after being ordered to do so in March of 2020.
The vehicle instead sped off, sparking a chase in which the driver reversed
into the police officer's patrol car twice.
The former police officer, who was the deputy head of the Taoyuan Police
Department's Bade Precinct when the incident occurred, discharged his hand
gun five times - aiming at the moving vehicle's back tire - but two bullets
hit a female passenger (乘客) in the car's back seat.
She was struck in the leg and back and later died in a nearby hospital.
The former police officer had been charged with negligent homicide.
Netanyahu fires Yoav Gallant…
Benjamin Netanyahu has fired Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
The Israeli Prime Minister said he was forced to remove Gallant from his post
due to a "crisis of trust" between the two men.
Netanyahu and Gallant have repeatedly been at odds (意見不一致，不和) over
the war in Gaza.
Giles Gibson reports from Tel Aviv.
Netflix Offices Raided in France Netherlands
Judicial officials say prosecutors and police investigators who specialize in
fighting major fraud and corruption have raided Netflix offices in France and
the Netherlands.
The raids on Tuesday are part of a French probe of suspected financial
wrongdoing.
French and Dutch authorities have been working together for many months on
the investigation centering on the suspected laundering of tax fraud and
off-the-books (不入賬的,未經登錄的) work.
In France, police investigators carried out searches of the streaming
giant’s French headquarters.
In the Netherlands, Dutch prosecutors also raided Netflix’s European
headquarters in Amsterdam.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 95-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,870 on turnover of 4-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Monday - rising more than 180-points - as it
rebounded from a session earlier after buying was sparked by gains on Wall
Street at the end of last week.
The bellwether electronics sector led the upturn, but turnover was low amid
lingering investor caution ahead of the U-S presidential election.
Agricultural Losses from Typhoon Kong-Rey Top NT$1.3 billion
The Ministry of Agriculture says losses (損失) due to damage to farms and
agricultural facilities caused by Typhoon Kong-Rey currently stand at
1.32-billion N-T.
According to the ministry, farms in Yunlin County were the hardest hit -
suffering estimated losses of 365-million N-T.
That was followed by Hualien County, where farming losses stand at
317-million N-T, Taichung which has reported losses of 296-million N-T, and
Taitung County, where agricultural losses stand at 179-million N-T.
Broken down by crops, pears grown on 640 hectares of farmland in Taichung
suffered losses of at least 233-million N-T - the most of any crop.
Frank Wu Takes Office as SEF Chairman
Former Control Yuan member Frank Wu has assumed the chairmanship of the
Straits Exchange Foundation.
Wu was elected to the post by the foundation's board of directors and
supervisors.
He replaces acting chair Rock Hsu.
Hsu had served as the interim head of the foundation following the
resignation (辭職) of Cheng Wen-tsan, who stepped down from the post in July
after being charged in a corruption case related to his tenure as Taoyuan
mayor.
Speaking after being elected, Wu said he hopes that the Association for
Relations Across the Taiwan Straits will show reciprocal goodwill and work
collaboratively to improve bilateral relations.
US Election Day Eve in the US
It's Election Day eve in the US and both Vice President Kamala Harris and
former president Donald Trump are campaigning Monday in Pennsylvania, the
battleground state with the largest number of electoral votes at stake
(處於危急關頭).
Kate Fisher reports from Washington
Russia Rocket Carries Iranian Satellites into Orbit
A Russian rocket has blasted off successfully to carry a pair of Iranian
satellites into orbit.
The Soyuz rocket lifted off as scheduled today from a launchpad
(（火箭）發射台) in far eastern Russia and put its payload in a designated
orbit nine minutes later.
It carried two Russian Earth observation satellites and several dozen smaller
satellites, including the two Iranian ones.
Iran’s two satellites were the first launched on behalf of the country’s
private sector.
French Groups on Displacement After Paris Olympics
A coalition of over 100 organizations has reported that nearly 20,000
individuals were displaced from informal housing in Paris and surrounding
areas during preparations for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
The group claims these evictions are part of “social cleansing,” citing
evidence including government documents that reference the Olympics as
justification.
Eviction operations surged by 41% compared to the previous year, with over
4,500 minors affected.
French officials, including President Emmanuel Macron, have stated that every
displaced person was offered alternative (可供選擇的) housing and emphasized
the creation of a social legacy linked to the Games.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 59-points this morning from Friday's close, at 22,839 on
turnover of 5.4-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly lower on Friday as Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing recouped most of its early heavy losses following a plunge by
I-C stocks on Wall Street at the end of last week.
Work to Restore Power and Access to Typhoon-Hit Villages Continues
The Central Emergency Operation Center says efforts to repair the damage
caused by Typhoon Kong-Rey are ongoing.
The statement comes as more than 8,000 households remain without power and
access to several rural communities remains blocked following last week's
storm.
According to the center, 8,164 households across Taiwan are still without
power and work to restore electricity expected to wrap-up later today.
A total of 965,342 households experienced power outages as the typhoon
battered Taiwan and several locations remain cut off due to damage to access
roads, which continues to hinder progress in restoring (恢復) power.
Water supplies have been restored to all 63,016 households affected by the
storm.
2nd Taiwanese Volunteer Soldier Killed in Ukraine
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the death of a second Taiwan
national in Ukraine.
Deputy spokesman Hsiao Guang-wei says his office was able to confirm the
death through the International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine.
According to Hsiao, the foreign ministry has contacted the man's family and
will offer assistance (協助) to them should they need any in dealings with
matters related to his death.
D-P-P lawmaker Puma Shen has named the volunteer soldier as Wu Chong-da.
Shen says the 44-year-old Kaohsiung native was a veteran of Taiwan's Army
Special Forces Command and was killed fighting on the frontline in Ukraine.
Israel Military Seizes Syrian Citizen
The Israeli military says it has carried out a ground raid into Syria,
seizing a Syrian citizen involved in Iranian networks.
It was the first time in the current war that Israel announced its troops
operated in Syrian territory.
Syria did not immediately confirm the Sunday announcement.
The Israeli military said the seizure was part of a special operation “that
took place in recent months,” though it did not say exactly when it occurred
(發生).
It says the man seized had been under military surveillance for many months
and was involved in Iranian initiatives targeting areas of the
Israeli-annexed Golan Heights.
US Trump and Harris on Campaign Sprint
White House hopefuls Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are tearing through
(匆忙行動) a number of swing states in the last days of the US election
campaign - whose undecided voters could ultimately decide the result of this
race.
Our US Correspondent Jagruti Dave has more.
Congo MPOX Shows Signs of Stabilizing
Some health officials say mpox cases in Congo appear to be “stabilizing.”
It's a possible sign that the epidemic for which the World Health
Organization made a global emergency declaration in August might be on the
decline.
WHO says Congo has reported about 200 to 300 lab-confirmed mpox cases every
week recently, which is down from nearly 400 cases a week in July.
But the U.N. health agency acknowledges (承認) that only 40% to 50% of
suspected infections in Congo were being tested.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 382-points this morning from Wednesday's close, at
22,439 on turnover of 18-billion N-T.
Government Cites Importance of US-Korea Communique on Cross-Strait Stability
The government is thanking the U-S and South Korea for expressing their
concern about the security of the Taiwan Strait in a joint communique for the
fourth consecutive year.
According to the government, Taiwan will continue to work with like-minded
countries such as the U-S and South Korea to contribute to "peace, stability
and prosperity (繁榮) in the Taiwan Strait and the region.
The statement comes after Washington and Seoul issued the joint communique
earlier this week - in which both sides stated that their respective
governments have taken note of the importance of maintaining stability in the
Taiwan Strait …
…. and reaffirmed security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
It was issued following talks between U-S Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin
and his Korean counterpart Kim Yong-hyun at the 56th Security Consultative
Meeting in Washington, D.C.
CWA Says Footage May Show Tornado Touching Down in Hualien
The Central Weather Administration says it's not ruling out the possibility
that video footage (片段) posted to the internet on Thursday showed a tornado
touching down in Hualien County's Xiu-Lin Township.
The 20-second video has been widely shared on social media ..
.. and it appears to show a rotating column of wind and rain in Hualien's
Jia-Wan Village, and was taken as Taiwan was being battered by Typhoon
Kong-Rey.
The weather administration's office in Hualien initially said that it was
difficult to judge whether it was tornado based on the brief footage, which
could just show low clouds being blown along quickly at ground level.
The administration's forecast center later issued a statement saying it had
reviewed the footage and determined that it showed a circulating motion
similar to a tornado.
However, the forecast center went on to say it's not ruling out the
possibility that a tornado had formed, although additional evidence is be
needed to confirm that.
Spain Flooding Leaves Over 100 Dead
Crews are searching for bodies in stranded cars and buildings following flash
floods in Spain that claimed at least 158 lives.
The death toll could rise more as search efforts continue Thursday.
An unknown number remains missing.
Spain's transport minister says dead bodies remain inside some of the
hundreds of stranded (被困住的) vehicles.
Officials say 155 people have died in the eastern region of Valencia.
Elon Musk May Continue Cash Prize Giveaway for Election
Elon Musk can continue to give away money to US voters, following a ruling
from a Philadelphia judge.
The billionaire is facing a lawsuit over the controversial million-dollar
prizes he's awarded to swing state voters.
Legal action has been put on hold.
Musk, who is publicly backing Republican nominee Donald Trump, denies any
wrongdoing (不當行為).
Sally Patterson has more.
Canada Busts Drug SuperLab
Canadian police dismantled what they say is the largest, most sophisticated
illicit drug “super lab” in the country.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police believe organized crime ran the operation
where there was mass-production and distribution of fentanyl and
methamphetamine across Canada and internationally.
Officers served search warrants (搜查令) last week on the drug lab in
Falkland, British Columbia and associated locations in Surrey, in Metro
Vancouver.
Police said they seized 54 kilograms of fentanyl, “massive” amounts of
precursor chemicals, 390 kilograms of methamphetamine, and smaller amounts of
cocaine, MDMA and cannabis.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
CWA: Typhoon Kong-rey Strengthens May Make Landfall Hualien or South
Tomorow Noon to Evening
The Central Weather Administration is expanding its land warning, as Typhoon
Kong-rey continues to pick up strength.
The CWA says the storm's maintaining its radius of 300 kilometers, and the
land warning now includes Hualien, Taitung, Pingtung, and the Hengchun
Peninsula.
Officials say the storm is moving quickly, and could make landfall sometime
between tomorrow noon and evening, with the eye of the storm arriving south
of Hualien County.
Kong-rey is currently about 520 kilometers southeast of Eluanbi, but
forecasters say the storm's periphery (外圍) could hit southeastern Taiwan
early tomorrow morning.
The CWA says based on the typhoon's current path and speed, the entire island
may be included in the land warning as soon as late tonight.
Kong-rey is packing sustained wind speeds of 184 kilometers per hour, with
gusts of up to 227 kilometers per hour.
A heavy rain advisory is also in effect, for Keelung North Coast, as well as
mountainous areas in Taipei, New Taipei, and Yilan.
(NS)
Taiwan donates 500 metric tons of rice to storm-hit Philippines
Taiwan donated 500 metric tons of rice to the Philippines in the wake of
recent destruction caused by Tropical Storm Trami and Typhoon Gaemi in late
July, at a ceremony held in the city of Makati on Tuesday.
Wallace Chow, head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the
Philippines, handed over a bag of rice printed with a Republic of China
(Taiwan) flag and "Love from Taiwan" to Philippine officials during the
ceremony.
Chow also says the Taiwan Technical Mission in the Philippines will soon
begin projects in Isabela and Cagayan provinces in northeastern Luzon to
increase rice production, in a bid to ensure (確保) no one will suffer from
hunger when the Southeast Asian country is hit by natural disasters in the
future.
Philippine officials say their country appreciates the generosity of Taiwan
for the donation, which will go a long way in easing the burden of victims
and the poorest in the communities.
UK Teen Accused of Stabbing Attack Also Made Ricin
Police say a British teen accused of fatally stabbing 3 girls also made
poison and had a terror manual (手冊).
AP correspondent Haya Panjwani reports
Argentina Hotel Collapse
Authorities say a 10-story hotel under renovation in Argentina has collapsed,
leaving one person dead and at least seven trapped in the debris.
Firefighters searching for survivors rescued a woman who was alive from the
rubble of the Dubrovnik Hotel in Villa Gesell, 350-kilometers south of the
capital Buenos Aires.
Officials say an 80-year-old man died in the collapse, and between seven and
nine people, presumably (據推測) masons working on the hotel's restoration,
remain trapped.
A prosecutor opened an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse,
but Villa Gesell’s municipality said in a press release the hotel was
undergoing a renovation without the proper permits.
China Launches 3 Astronauts to Orbiting Space Station
China launched a new three-person crew to its orbiting space station today,
as the country seeks to expand (擴張) its exploration of outer space.
The team of two men and one woman will replace the astronauts who have lived
on the Tiangong space station for the last six months.
They are expected to stay until April or May of next year.
The new mission commander went to space in the Shenzhou-14 mission in 2022,
while the other two, are first-time space travelers, born in the 1990s.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
--
《遇見，預見 》 Podcast 第三季重磅回歸！每週一 、五更新，一起制定人生實用策略。
由知性主持人曾寶儀與 8 位知名來賓，攜手大學生，透過分享一個又一個真實且深刻的故事，一起及早規劃，與世界告別的那一天，不留遺憾 。
https://apple.co/3NE81Ji
衛生福利部 廣告
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 150-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,048 on turnover of $4.7-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan saw initial gains eroded (侵蝕) and closed in negative
territory, falling more than 150 points, Monday as the bellwether electronics
sector encountered profit taking leading the broader market to move lower
Analysts say ahead of the upcoming United States presidential election on
Nov. 5, local investors appeared reluctant to chase prices for the moment
despite gains in the early morning session with turnover staying low.
Detention extended for city councilor
The Taipei District Court on Monday approved an extension of detention for
Taipei City Councilor Ying Hsiao-wei, while the Taiwan High Court rejected
real estate tycoon Sheen Ching-jing's appeal to have his detention ended.
The two individuals are both in custody as part of an alleged corruption
case, known as the "Core Pacific City Case," that has embroiled (捲入其中)
TPP leader Ko Wen-je.
Ying, of the opposition KMT, is accused of acting as a go-between between
Sheen and high-ranking city government officials in the construction project,
including then-Taipei City Mayor Ko.
Sheen, founder and chairman of the Core Pacific Group, is alleged to have
bribed Taipei city officials to illegally increase the floor area ratio f a
site formerly occupied by Core Pacific City, in order to raise the property's
financial value.
Ying is to be held incommunicado for two more months as of Oct. 29, as ruled
by the Taipei District Court.
Sheen's attorney applied for the suspension of his detention, citing his poor
health, a request that has now be rejected for the second time by the High
Court.
NATO confirms North Korean forces in Russia’s Kursk
NATO's Secretary-General has confirmed that North Korean forces are in the
Russian territory of Kursk.
That region is partially (部分地) controlled by Ukraine signaling that they
are now or soon to be in direct combat.
William Denselow reports from Brussels where NATO is headquartered.
Israel Passes Laws Restricting UN Aid Agency
Israel’s parliament has passed two laws that severely restrict the U.N.
agency responsible for distributing aid in Gaza.
The first bill passed Monday bans the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees,
or UNRWA, from conducting “any activity” or providing any service inside
Israel.
The second cuts ties with the main U.N. provider of aid to Gaza and
designates (指定) it a terror organization.
The votes followed a fiery debate between supporters of the laws and its
opponents, mostly members of Arab parliamentary parties.
Brazil Fines Meatpacking Companies and Suppliers
Brazil's environmental agency levied $64 million in fines against 23
meatpacking and their suppliers companies for buying and selling cattle
raised illegally on deforested land in the Amazon.
The operation tracked 18-thousand head of cattle raised in 260 square
kilometers of pasture that was under embargo (禁運) due to illegal
deforestation.
The companies targeted included JBS, the largest meatpacking company in the
world.
Cattle raising is the Amazon’s main deforestation driver, with 90% of the
total cleared area converted to pasture.
That represents an area of 590-thousand square kilometers, slightly larger
than France.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 107-points this morning from Friday's close, at 23,455
on turnover of 5.5-billion N-T.
The market staged a technical rebound on Friday, rising more than 150 points
after a slump a session earlier.
The bellwether electronics sector led the gains in the wake of gains posted
by the tech heavy Nasdaq on Wall Street overnight.
However, turnover was reduced as many investors stayed on the sidelines as
they were reluctant (不願意，不情願的) to chase prices.
Foreign Minister Invites Guatemalan President to Visit Taiwan
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has invited Guatemalan President Bernardo
Arevalo to visit Taiwan.
Lin made the offer at the end of his trip to the country this past weekend.
Guatemala was the first stop on Lin's trip to five of Taiwan's Caribbean and
Latin American diplomatic allies.
He is now in St. Vincent and the Grenadines where he attend the country's
45th Independence Day celebrations (慶祝活動) on Sunday.
Lin is also scheduled to visit St. Lucia, Belize and St. Kitts and Nevis.
Golfer Pan finishes 6th at Zozo Championship in Japan
And,
Taiwanese golfer Pan Cheng-tsung has finished sixth at the 2024 Zozo
Championship in Japan after finishing on a 13-under par 267 over four days.
Pan put in his best performance on the last round on Sunday to end on a
4-under par 66 that was paced by six birdies at the Narashino Country Club in
Chiba Prefecture's Inzai City.
Pan took only two bogies on the front nine to finish the tourney in a tie for
sixth with four other players.
Aside from the three birdies and no bogey performance on the back nine, Pan
also took only two strokes off the tee to the green on the 18th hole.
The four-day event was co-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour and the P-G-A
Tour.
Report: Chinese Hackers Intercept US Political Figures Calls
Chinese state-affiliated hackers intercepted (截取) audio from the phone
calls of US political figures, including an unnamed campaign adviser of
Donald Trump, according to the Washington Post.
The FBI and the US cybersecurity and infrastructure security agency are
investigating, as Laura Westbrook reports.
Laura Westbrook.
UK Jamie Oliver on Stolen Cheddar
British chef Jamie Oliver has issued a plea to his social media followers to
help solve the mystery of nearly 22 metric ton of award-winning cheddar that
was stolen in a scam.
Oliver told his 10.5 million Instagram fans to be on the lookout for “lorry
loads of very posh cheese."
Nearly 1,000 wheels artisanal cheddar worth $390-thousand US dollars were
swiped from Neal’s Yard Dairy in London by a con artist posing as a (假扮)
wholesale distributor for a major French retailer.
London police and international authorities are investigating.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 63-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,255
on turnover of $4.6-billion N-T.
Foreign Minister Arrives in Guatemala on Five Allies Trip
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung is now in Guatemala on the leg of his 11-day
trip to five of Taiwan's diplomatic allies in Latin America and the
Caribbean.
It is Lin's first overseas trip since he took office in May.
Taking to Facebook, Lin said he and his wife, together with a governmental
delegation, were welcomed by Guatemala's vice foreign minister on their
arrival at Guatemala City's La Aurora International Airport.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Lin will be meeting with President
Bernardo Arevalo and Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez during his stay
in Guatemala.
According to the foreign ministry, President Lai Ching-te has appointed Lin
as a special envoy (使者) to represent his government at celebrations to mark
the 45th Independence Day of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Lin is also scheduled to visit Saint Lucia, Belize, and Saint Kitts and
Nevis.
He is scheduled to return to Taiwan on November 2.
ICC Reports Mongolia for Failure to Arrest Putin
A panel of judges at the International Criminal Court has reported Mongolia
to the court’s oversight organization for failing to arrest Russian
President Vladimir Putin when he visited the Asian nation last month.
Putin’s visit was his first to a member state of the court since it issued
an arrest warrant for him last year on war crimes charges, accusing him of
personal responsibility for the abductions (綁架) of children from Ukraine.
Russia is not a member of the court and the Kremlin has rejected the charges.
The court said in a statement that its member states are "duty-bound to
arrest and surrender individuals subject to ICC warrants, regardless of
official position or nationality.”
What the assembly will now do remains unclear.
While Putin was in Mongolia, a court said that the organization that is made
up of all 124 of the court's member states can “take any measure it deems
appropriate.”
UN: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Out of Control
A new United Nations report suggests that annual greenhouse gas emissions are
at an all-time high.
The UN Environment Programme says urgent action must be taken to prevent
catastrophic (災難性的) spikes in temperature and avoid the worst impact of
climate change.
Jody Jacobs has more from the United Nations in New York…
Canada to Cut New Immigrant Targets
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada will significantly reduce the
number of new immigrants in the country after acknowledging his government
failed to get the balance right coming out of the pandemic.
Trudeau’s Liberal government had targeted bringing in 500-thousand new
permanent residents in both 2025 and 2026.
Trudeau now says next year’s target will be 395-thousand new permanent
residents, which will continue to fall in 2026 and 2027.
Trudeau says immigration is essential for Canada’s future but it must be
controlled and it must be sustainable (可持續的).
The country's immigration minister says the lower immigration numbers will
help with the housing shortage in the country.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
新北市勞工局提醒您，醫院或工地周遭常見外國籍看護或臨時工的名片或廣告，可能為非法外國人，若違法聘僱將面臨15-75萬罰鍰，如有聘僱外國人需求，應向政府機關提出申請才有保障。
【新北市政府勞工局廣告】
更多詳情請見
https://bit.ly/3AcrhdE
--
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/3y7SoFB
--
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
Court Delays Ruling Core Pacific City Detention Hearing
Foreign Minister on a 10-Day Trip to Latin America and the Caribbean
Mideast Wars latest
Turkey explosion
North Korea troops in Russia
Canada's Trudeau asked to step aside
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 133-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,402 on turnover of 6.8-billion N-T.
The market closed marginally lower on Tuesday after rebounding from a heavy
early downturn as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing trimmed (修整, 減少) its
losses in the late in the session.
The main board continued to see interest in artificial intelligence related
stocks such as Hon Hai, while a strong rebound by the financial sector also
lent some support to the broader market.
Premier Claims to Make Concessions to Break Budget Delay
Premier Cho Jung-tai is seeking to break a deadlock in the Legislative Yuan
over the government's general budget for next year.
Speaking during a legislative hearing, Cho said the Cabinet will increase
funding for compensation to Indigenous peoples for a logging ban, as
requested by opposition lawmakers, in a bid to break the standoff.
However, he stressed the "concession" will be a one-off (一次性的)
"exception" and if lawmakers fail to pass the 2025 general budget soon, the
Cabinet could bring the issue to the Constitutional Court.
Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu has said a next round of cross-party caucus
talks will take place tomorrow.
Taiwan Railway Corporation to Raise Salaries
And,
The Taiwan Railway Corporation has announced plans to increase employee
salaries.
According to the rail operator, the pay rises will range from 1,800 to 3,140
N-T.
The company says the move will see the basic monthly salary for entry-level
employee rising to 36,140 N-T.
Back pay and overtime compensation will also be adjusted (調整) from the
employee's start date.
The railway corporation says it will also seek to review and increase hazard
pay, salaries for night shift employees and regional allowances.
US Georgial Rejects GOP Bid to Change Election Rules
From the US….
Georgia's Supreme Court has unanimously rejected a bid by Republicans to
reinstate a slew (很多，大量) of new, controversial election rules - two
weeks before election day.
A lower court last week had called the rules "illegal, unconstitutional and
void."
Toni Waterman has the story
Mexico President Announces New Agriculture Plan
Mexico's new president has announced an agriculture plan that could change
the country's food production and distribution.
President Claudia Sheinbaum pledged Tuesday to revive (復原) government
stores and continue efforts to achieve “food sovereignty” to make Mexico
capable of producing all the food it eats.
The pledges run counter to what Mexican food sales look like today when
consumption of most of the old basics has fallen.
Sheinbaum says her policy is mainly focused on increasing bean and corn
production.
The government will also focus on supporting coffee production, but mainly
for instant coffee, which it claims is used by 84% of Mexican households.
The plan will also seek to support cocoa production, but mainly for powdered
baking and hot chocolate, not fine chocolate bars.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
--
新北市勞工局提醒您，醫院或工地周遭常見外國籍看護或臨時工的名片或廣告，可能為非法外國人，若違法聘僱將面臨15-75萬罰鍰，如有聘僱外國人需求，應向政府機關提出申請才有保障。
【新北市政府勞工局廣告】
更多詳情請見
https://bit.ly/3AcrhdE
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 114-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,428 on turnover of 8.5-billion N-T.
The market managed to close slightly higher on Monday - that, despite initial
gains being limited as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing fell into
consolidation mode after rallying at the end of last week.
Market watchers say many investors opted to shift to the sell side, locking
in profits built for T-S-M-C, as the main board moved closer to the nearest
technical resistance ahead of the 23,700 point level.
General Budget Talks Break Down in LY Again
Lawmakers remain deadlocked over the government's general budget for next
year after another another round of cross-party caucus negotiations broke
down with no agreements being made.
Legislative review of the 3.13-trillion N-T general budget proposal presented
by the Cabinet has now been in limbo for weeks.
The main issue is the opposition caucuses' rejection of the Cabinet's
compensation plan for the logging ban, on grounds that there were
deficiencies in the proposal.
The Cabinet has budgeted 40,000 N-T per hectare for landowners or users
affected by the ban.
However, that figure is below the 60,000 N-T required under the amendments to
the Logging Ban Compensation for Lands Reserved for Indigenous Peoples Act.
Former Vice Premier Lin Hsin-i to Attend November's APEC Summit
The Presidential Office says businessman and senior presidential advisor Lin
Hsin-i will attend November's APEC summit in Peru as President Lai Ching-te's
official envoy.
According to the Presidential Office, Lai asked Lin to attend the meeting in
the hope he will use his "professional and abundant experience to fully
expound the meaning of the government's policies" and "effectively increase
Taiwan's visibility (能見度) and importance" in Lima.
The office also says the trip will be aimed at promoting cooperation on
"green digital transformations, digital innovation, digital health, small and
medium-sized enterprise growth, women's economic empowerment, inclusive
growth, and food security."
Lin previously attended three APEC meetings in Brunei in 2000, in China in
2001, and in South Korea in 2005.
SKorea Summons Russian Ambassador Over NKorean Troops
South Korea has summoned the Russian ambassador to demand the immediate
pullout of North Korean troops allegedly deployed in Russia.
South Korea’s spy agency said last week it had confirmed that North Korea
sent 1,500 special operation forces to Russia earlier this month to support
Russia’s war against Ukraine.
During a meeting with Russia's ambassador, the south's vice foreign minister
"condemned in the strongest terms” North Korea’s troop dispatch that he
said poses “grave security threat” to South Korea and the international
community.
The minister says South Korea in collaboration (合作) with the international
community will mobilize all available means to deal with an act that
threatens its vital national security interests.
The Russian Embassy quoted its ambassador as saying that the Russian-North
Korean cooperation is not aimed against the security interests of South
Korea.
US Infant Deaths Rise After Abortion Access Overturned
New research shows that hundreds of more infants have died in the United
States than expected since the Supreme Court overturned abortion access in
the Dobbs decision of 2022. Since then, more than 20 states have implemented
(實施) bans or restrictions on the medical procedure.
Toni Waterman has more.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 115-points this morning from Friday's close, at 23,602
on turnover of 5.5-billion N-T.
The market made major gains last Friday - as it closed the session up over
430-points despite Wall Street drifting to a mixed close overnight - as
investors were buoyed by the latest signals that America's economy is doing
just fine.
G7 Defense Minister Criticize China's Military Exercises
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is thanking the defense ministers of the G-7
member states for their voicing of support for the need to maintain the
peaceful status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
The statement comes after the G-7 defense ministers has issued a joint
declaration criticizing China for what they're calling its provocative
actions near Taiwan.
It was issued after the defense ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy,
Japan, the U-K and the U-S gathered in Naples this past weekend.
The joint statement said the ministers reaffirm that maintaining peace and
stability across the Taiwan Strait is indispensable (不可或缺) to
international security and prosperity and are concerned about provocative
actions, particularly the recent Chinese military drills around Taiwan.
Hualien Becomes Colorful Canvas for Meeting of Styles Street Art Event
And,
More than 50 walls in Hualien County have been transformed into artworks as
part of an international Meeting of Styles graffiti festival.
The Meeting of Styles event originated in Germany.
It concluded on Sunday in Hualien.
The three-day graffiti project brought together artists from across Taiwan
and overseas to revitalize (振興Zhenx?ng) areas in the city with bright and
lively murals.
Hualien City Mayor Wei Chia-yen described his city's Meeting of Styles as
"lively" on Facebook - saying the murals could bring "new life" to the
structures hit by natural disasters this year.
This year marked the second Meeting of Styles in Taiwan, following an event
in New Taipei City in 2022.
Israel strikes Lebanon latest
Hundreds of residents fled (逃離) their homes in the Lebanese capital late on
Sunday after Israel said it was preparing attacks on sites linked to the
financial operations of Lebanon's Hezbollah group.
Karen Chammas reports
Cyprus Thwarts Digital Attack
Cyprus says it has successfully thwarted (阻撓) a digital attack aimed at
blocking access to the government’s central online portal.
It was the latest in a string of similar attacks over a three-day period
against state-run utilities and the Cypriot subsidiary of a Greek energy
company.
Cypriot digital authorities say they foiled the attack whose purpose was
exclusively to prevent access to specific government websites.
The distributed denial-of-service attack only affected the main government
portal gov.cy “for a few minutes” and that no other online government
ministry or service website was affected.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 567-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,621 on turnover of $16.7-billion N-T.
The market staged a mild technical rebound on Thursday as investors were
encouraged by a rally on Wall Street overnight on the back of some positive
earnings reports.
Momentum accelerated in the afternoon session, as artificial
intelligence-related stocks bounced back from Wednesday's decline ..
…. and that helped the main board stay above the nearest technical
resistance around the five-day moving average of 23,046 points by the end of
the trading day.
20 'Yetis' to Appear at Daan Forest Park's Nuit Blanche in November
The 2024 Taipei Nuit Blanche will be taking place on November 2 in the city's
Daan District - with organizers saying it will feature (以……為特色) 20
"abominable snowmen" as well as still artworks, performances and video
screenings
According to Taipei Deputy Mayor Lin Yi-hua, the Nuit Blanche is now in its
ninth year and has become a major event that highlights Taipei's "cultural
vibrancy."
Taipei Nuit Blanche's artistic director Agi Chen says events will also be
taking place at the nearby Yongkang Street and Dongmen shopping areas as well
as the Jianguo Holiday Markets.
The 2024 Taipei Nuit Blanche will take place on Saturday November 2 from 2PM
to 2AM the following day.
Israel Claims Hamas Leader Killed in Gaza
Israel says it has killed Hamas' top leader during a strike in Gaza.
AP Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports
Ukraine Zelenskyy: NKorean Troops Preparing to Join Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his government has intelligence
information that 10,000 troops from North Korea are being prepared to join
Russian forces fighting against his country.
Zelenskyy told reporters at NATO headquarters, that the personnel had not yet
been moved to Ukraine or to Russia.
Zelenskyy did not go into further details about the claim, but warned that a
third nation wading into the hostilities (戰爭行為) would turn the conflict
into a “world war.”
The Ukrainian leader’s comments raised the stakes for his Western allies as
he met with European Union leaders and then NATO defense ministers to discuss
his “victory plan” to end the country’s devastating war with Russia.
Germany Fire Station Didn't Have Fire Alarm
A new fire station in central Germany, which was destroyed in a fire, did not
have a fire alarm system.
According to local media is reports, the fire broke out early Wednesday
morning at the Stadtallendorf fire station in Hesse and destroyed, among
other things, the equipment hall and almost a dozen emergency vehicles.
No one was injured, but initial (最初的) estimates put the damage at up to
$26-million US dollars.
Local officials say no fire alarm system was installed in the building
because experts had considered it not necessary.
Reports say the station opened less than a year ago.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
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戒菸服務合約醫事機構查詢: https://bit.ly/3ZQrWMa
國民健康署廣告
--
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 103-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,114 on turnover of $7.7-billion N-T.
The market took a beating on Wednesday as it tumbled more than 280 points
amid selling sparked by a disappointing sales outlook from semiconductor
equipment supplier A-S-M-L Holdings.
Market watchers say futures-led selling also pushed down the local main
board, while foreign institutional investors - who held a large number of
short position contracts - opted to (選擇) dumped stocks on the spot market
to profit in futures.
New Taipei Museum Reopens After Flood Damage from Typhoon Krathon
The Juming Museum in New Taipei's Jinshan District has reopened to the public
- over 10-days after suffering extensive (大面積的) damage from flooding
caused by Typhoon Krathon.
Floodwaters breached the museum's storage facilities, knocked down sculptures
displayed outside, and flooded low-lying areas on the museum's 110,000-square
meter campus when the storm battered Taiwan on October 4.
According to the museum's director Liu Bo-cun, 50 indoor and 86 outdoor
artworks were damaged, as was some of the museum's electrical equipment.
Liu says the works of art will all be professionally restored.
The Juming Museum is the largest outdoor museum in Taiwan and was designed by
and presents the works of late contemporary Taiwanese sculptor Ju Ming.
Israel says no aid shortage in Gaza
The Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations says there is no shortage of aid
in Gaza.
Speaking to reporters in New York on Wednesday ahead of another emergency
session of the UN Security Council, Danny Danon laid the blame (責怪，歸咎於)
squarely at the feet of Hamas, claiming it hijacks the aid.
Jody Jacobs has more from the United Nations….
Nigeria Tanker Explosion Leaves Dead and Injured.
More than 140 people, including children, are dead in Nigeria after an
overturned gasoline tanker truck exploded in flames while they tried to scoop
up fuel.
Dozens more were injured.
Police say the accident occurred at midnight in northern Jigawa state when
the tanker driver lost control on a highway.
Residents rushed to the scene before the blaze, and witnesses say the ensuing
(隨後的) fire spread so quickly that many couldn't escape.
People often salvage fuel from tanker accidents in the country, especially
because of soaring fuel prices, which have tripled since the government ended
costly gas subsidies last year.
Liam Payne Obit
Former One Direction singer Liam Payne was found dead after falling from a
third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday.
He was 31.
Buenos Aires police said in a statement that Payne fell from the third floor,
resulting in “extremely (非常，極其) serious injuries.”
Medics confirmed his death on the spot.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 103-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,114 on turnover of $7.7-billion N-T.
The market took a beating on Wednesday as it tumbled more than 280 points
amid selling sparked by a disappointing sales outlook from semiconductor
equipment supplier A-S-M-L Holdings.
Market watchers say futures-led selling also pushed down the local main
board, while foreign institutional investors - who held a large number of
short position contracts - opted to (選擇) dumped stocks on the spot market
to profit in futures.
New Taipei Museum Reopens After Flood Damage from Typhoon Krathon
The Juming Museum in New Taipei's Jinshan District has reopened to the public
- over 10-days after suffering extensive (大面積的) damage from flooding
caused by Typhoon Krathon.
Floodwaters breached the museum's storage facilities, knocked down sculptures
displayed outside, and flooded low-lying areas on the museum's 110,000-square
meter campus when the storm battered Taiwan on October 4.
According to the museum's director Liu Bo-cun, 50 indoor and 86 outdoor
artworks were damaged, as was some of the museum's electrical equipment.
Liu says the works of art will all be professionally restored.
The Juming Museum is the largest outdoor museum in Taiwan and was designed by
and presents the works of late contemporary Taiwanese sculptor Ju Ming.
Israel says no aid shortage in Gaza
The Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations says there is no shortage of aid
in Gaza.
Speaking to reporters in New York on Wednesday ahead of another emergency
session of the UN Security Council, Danny Danon laid the blame (責怪，歸咎於)
squarely at the feet of Hamas, claiming it hijacks the aid.
Jody Jacobs has more from the United Nations….
Nigeria Tanker Explosion Leaves Dead and Injured.
More than 140 people, including children, are dead in Nigeria after an
overturned gasoline tanker truck exploded in flames while they tried to scoop
up fuel.
Dozens more were injured.
Police say the accident occurred at midnight in northern Jigawa state when
the tanker driver lost control on a highway.
Residents rushed to the scene before the blaze, and witnesses say the ensuing
(隨後的) fire spread so quickly that many couldn't escape.
People often salvage fuel from tanker accidents in the country, especially
because of soaring fuel prices, which have tripled since the government ended
costly gas subsidies last year.
Liam Payne Obit
Former One Direction singer Liam Payne was found dead after falling from a
third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday.
He was 31.
Buenos Aires police said in a statement that Payne fell from the third floor,
resulting in “extremely (非常，極其) serious injuries.”
Medics confirmed his death on the spot.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 103-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,114 on turnover of $7.7-billion N-T.
The market took a beating on Wednesday as it tumbled more than 280 points
amid selling sparked by a disappointing sales outlook from semiconductor
equipment supplier A-S-M-L Holdings.
Market watchers say futures-led selling also pushed down the local main
board, while foreign institutional investors - who held a large number of
short position contracts - opted to (選擇) dumped stocks on the spot market
to profit in futures.
New Taipei Museum Reopens After Flood Damage from Typhoon Krathon
The Juming Museum in New Taipei's Jinshan District has reopened to the public
- over 10-days after suffering extensive (大面積的) damage from flooding
caused by Typhoon Krathon.
Floodwaters breached the museum's storage facilities, knocked down sculptures
displayed outside, and flooded low-lying areas on the museum's 110,000-square
meter campus when the storm battered Taiwan on October 4.
According to the museum's director Liu Bo-cun, 50 indoor and 86 outdoor
artworks were damaged, as was some of the museum's electrical equipment.
Liu says the works of art will all be professionally restored.
The Juming Museum is the largest outdoor museum in Taiwan and was designed by
and presents the works of late contemporary Taiwanese sculptor Ju Ming.
Israel says no aid shortage in Gaza
The Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations says there is no shortage of aid
in Gaza.
Speaking to reporters in New York on Wednesday ahead of another emergency
session of the UN Security Council, Danny Danon laid the blame (責怪，歸咎於)
squarely at the feet of Hamas, claiming it hijacks the aid.
Jody Jacobs has more from the United Nations….
Nigeria Tanker Explosion Leaves Dead and Injured.
More than 140 people, including children, are dead in Nigeria after an
overturned gasoline tanker truck exploded in flames while they tried to scoop
up fuel.
Dozens more were injured.
Police say the accident occurred at midnight in northern Jigawa state when
the tanker driver lost control on a highway.
Residents rushed to the scene before the blaze, and witnesses say the ensuing
(隨後的) fire spread so quickly that many couldn't escape.
People often salvage fuel from tanker accidents in the country, especially
because of soaring fuel prices, which have tripled since the government ended
costly gas subsidies last year.
Liam Payne Obit
Former One Direction singer Liam Payne was found dead after falling from a
third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday.
He was 31.
Buenos Aires police said in a statement that Payne fell from the third floor,
resulting in “extremely (非常，極其) serious injuries.”
Medics confirmed his death on the spot.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 301-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,991 on turnover of $7-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan surged more than 300 points Tuesday, with buying sparked by
a rally on U.S. markets overnight.
The bellwether electronics sector led the gains with artificial intelligence
related stocks in focus.
Investors took their cue from robust AI chip designer Nvidia Corp. Monday to
pick up large cap stocks, including contract chipmaker TSMC, to vault the
main board over the 23,200 point mark.
Taiwan's food self-sufficiency rate drops to 30.3%
Taiwan's food self-sufficiency rate in 2023 dropped to 30.3 percent… that's
the lowest figure in 18 years.
The Ministry of Agriculture's latest Food Supply & Utilization (使用率)
Annual Report represents a drop from 30.8 percent in 2022 and 33 percent in
2013.
Its lowest recorded rate was at 30.2 percent rate in 2005.
The MOA pointed to a decrease in the domestic production of rice, which is
the largest single source of calories in Taiwan…. and THAT was partly
caused by a drought which took place in 2023.
The MOA also reported a drop in the amount of meat raised domestically in
Taiwan.
That decline was driven by factors that included avian flu and the
modernization of pork-rearing facilities, which reduced production and led to
a greater reliance on imports.
UK Sanctions “Extremist Israeli Settlers”
The UK has announced new sanctions targeting "extremist Israeli settlers".
The sanctions also target (把……作為目標) organisations the UK government
says have supported violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
Simon Gaitan reports.
UN Warning on Natural Disasters in Asia Pacific
A U.N. official says disasters, including those wrought by fiercer storms,
are threatening more people and could derail economic progress in the Asia
Pacific region.
U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Kamal Kishore, who heads the U.N. Office for
Disaster Risk Reduction, issued the warning Tuesday in a speech at the start
of a regional ministerial conference on disaster mitigation hosted by the
Philippines, one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries.
He said “disasters are now affecting record numbers of people and
threatening their lives and livelihoods.”
He added that if left unchecked (未被制止的), these disasters could endanger
the development of the region.
Kishore said Asia Pacific countries should regularly dedicate funds in their
national budgets for the reduction of disaster risk, and should allocate a
larger proportion of foreign development aid to disaster prevention and “not
simply response.”
Egypt Museum Opening for Trial Run
The long-delayed Grand Egyptian Museum will partially open its main galleries
today, showcasing 12 halls that exhibit aspects of ancient Egypt.
More than 100-thousand of Egypt’s ancient treasures will be displayed in the
world’s largest archaeological museum.
It is near the Giza Pyramids and will open the halls for 4,000 visitors a day
as a trial run until the official opening date, which is yet to be announced.
The museum has been under construction for more than a decade and has cost
well over $1 billion so far.
Its opening has been repeatedly delayed for various (各種各樣的) reasons,
including the COVID-19 pandemic.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 108-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,084 on turnover of $5.9-billion N-T.
Shares closed higher on Monday despite Chinese military drills around Taiwan.
Large-cap tech stocks appeared resilient amid optimism toward an investor
conference scheduled by TSMC Thursday, where the chipmaker could give
positive leads in the current boom of an artificial intelligence era.
MAC condemns China's sanctioning of Taiwan businessman, lawmaker
The Mainland Affairs Council on Monday condemned China over its sanctioning
of Taiwanese businessman Robert Tsao and DPP Legislator Puma Shen, calling
the move detrimental to cross-strait relations.
In a statement, the MAC said the Republic of China is a sovereign country and
that attempts to undermine (破壞) a free and democratic society will only
drive the two sides further apart.
It made the remarks after China announced earlier in the day the imposition
of sanctions including an entry ban on Tsao and Shen for being "Taiwan
independence die-hards."
The Taiwan Affairs Office in China may have been referring to the Kuma
Academy, a war-preparedness organization established by Shen and supported by
Tsao, the founder of contract chipmaker United Microelectronics Corp.
In 2022, Tsao made aT$1 billion NT donation to the academy, a volunteer
civilian training organization with a mission to "prepare a pre-war mentality
for civilians and cultivate self-defense capability."
UN Concerned as Israel Fires on UN Peacekeepers
The U.N. Security Council expressed “strong concern” as Israel has fired on
and wounded U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon during intensified
fighting.
It reiterated its support for their role in supporting security in the
region.
The statement Monday is the first by the U.N.’s most powerful body since
Israel began firing on the positions of the peacekeeping force.
The U.N. peacekeeping chief told reporters that Secretary-General Antonio
Guterres confirmed Monday that peacekeepers will remain in all their
positions even as Israel has urged the peacekeepers to move north.
Israel has been escalating its campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon across a
U.N.-drawn boundary (邊界) between the two countries.
Hurricane Helene clean-up efforts hampered by 'armed militia' groups
Hurricane relief workers in the US state of North Carolina have been
evacuated following threats from 'armed militia'.
This comes as US authorities are trying to stem a flow of false claims
circulating (散佈) about the government's response to recent storms -
including some made by former president Donald Trump.
Sally Patterson reports.
Kenya Protests Against Nuclear Plant
Dozens have rallied against a proposal to build Kenya’s first nuclear power
plant in one of the country’s top coastal tourist hubs.
Muslim for Human Rights led the march Friday in the town of Kilifi to the
county governor’s office where they handed him a petition (請願書,) opposing
the construction of the plant.
Kilifi County is also home to Arabuko Sokoke forest, which is on the
tentative list of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, as a significant natural
habitat for the conservation of rare and endangered species.
The construction of the plant is set to begin in 2027 and be operational by
2034, at a cost of about $3.8 billion US dollars.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 45-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,947
on turnover of 4.6-billion N-T.
The market gained more 240-points on Friday, despite Wall Street pulling back
from its recent record highs on Thursday on the back of disappointing reports
on inflation and unemployment in America.
MND Responds to China's "Joint Sword-2024B" Drills Surrounding Taiwan
The Ministry of National Defense is condemning China's holding of drills in
the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan proper - describing Beijing's actions as
being "irrational and provocative behavior."
According to the ministry, troops have been deployed in order to protect and
defend the sovereignty of the Republic of China.
The statement comes after China's Eastern Theater Command earlier this
morning announced that its army, navy, air force and rocket forces are
conducting "Joint Sword-2024B" drills in the Taiwan Strait and the north,
south and east of Taiwan.
According to a spokesperson for the theater command, the drills focus on
joint sea-air combat readiness patrol, the blockade and control of key ports
and areas, strikes on sea and land targets, and the seizure of comprehensive
(全面的) battlefield control.
Mercury to Hit Highs of 31-33 degrees Before Weekend
The Central Weather Administration says we can expect to see the mercury
hitting highs of between 31 and-33 degrees - and mostly clear skies with some
localized (小範圍的) showers island-wide from today through Friday.
However, temperatures in the north and northeast will drop to highs of
between 27 and 28-degrees over the weekend and rain is also forecast in those
areas due to the arrival of northeasterly winds
However, residents of the center and south can expect to see cloudy to sunny
skies over the weekend.
US to Send Air Defense Kit to Israel
The United States will deploy a sophisticated high-altitude anti-missile
system to Israel to help bolster its air defences.
The Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence — or THAAD — battery is being sent
along with 100 American troops to help operate (操作) it.
It comes after Iran launched two direct missile attacks on Israel this year.
Benji Hyer reports.
Ukraine Urges Intl Orgs to Respond to POW Execution Claims
Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman has urged international organizations to
respond to a claim that several Ukrainian prisoners of war were executed in
Russia’s Kursk region where Kyiv had launched an incursion in August.
Dmytro Lubinets says he sent letters to the United Nations and the
International Committee of the Red Cross regarding the claim.
Ukrainian battlefield analysis site DeepState which is close to Ukraine’s
Defense Ministry said Sunday that Russian troops shot and killed nine
Ukrainian “drone operators and contractors” on Oct. 10th after they had
surrendered (投降).
Earlier this month, Ukraine’s Prosecutor-General’s Office said that Russian
troops had killed 16 captured Ukrainian soldiers in the partially occupied
Donetsk region.
There was no immediate response from Russian officials.
China to Assist Vietnam with Railway Development
China has agreed to assist Vietnam on cross-border railway development and
take steps to expand agricultural imports from its smaller neighbor.
Vietnam’s official media said that Chinese Premier Li Qiang pledged Sunday
that China would further open its market to high-quality fruits, seafood and
other Vietnamese products.
Li's visit to Hanoi came two week after Vietnam condemned China for what it
described as an assault by Chinese law enforcement personnel on Vietnamese
fishers in the South China Sea.
Vietnam's prime minister told Li that both sides should respect each other’s
legitimate (合法的，正當的) rights and interests and resolve disputes through
peaceful means.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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Keelung Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang Recall Vote on Sunday
Union Welcomes New Pricing Regulations for Delivery Devices
South Koreas Thrilled with Nobel Literature Award
TD Bank hit with record-breaking fine
Mexico Mayor took office after predecessor got killed
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 25-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,637
on turnover of 3.3-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Tuesday, despite Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
helping the main board recoup some of its early losses.
While investors remained upbeat about T-S-M-C's outlook in expectation of an
investor conference scheduled for next week, old economy stocks took a hit
after investors took cues (提示) from decline on Wall Street overnight.
FM Thanks US for Bipartisan Support
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung is thanking the United Statss for its
bipartisan support of Taiwan's defense.
Lin made the statement during a legislative hearing after U-S Vice President
Kamala Harris told 60 Minutes that Washington must support Taiwan's ability
to defend itself.
Speaking during the interview with host Bill Whitaker, the Democratic party's
presidential candidate said while the U-S needs to maintain a one China
policy, that includes supporting Taiwan's ability to defend itself and
ensuring (確保) the freedom of the Taiwan Strait.
According to the foreign minister, regardless of the ruling party - Taiwan
has seen a strengthening in its relations with the U-S in recent years.
Taiwan Ranks World's 14th Richest Country
And,
Taiwan has been listed in 14th place among the world's wealthiest countries in
terms of G-D-P per capita in the latest World's 100 Richest Countries 2024
rankings released by Forbes magazine.
Taiwan's G-D-P per capita stands at 76,860 U-S dollars, which puts it one
spot above Hong Kong with 75,130 U-S dollars.
The magazine's list of the richest countries in the world is compiled based
on G-D-P per capita data, as estimated by the International Monetary Fund.
However, the magazine also considers purchasing power parity when compiling
(編輯,編製) its rankings.
Luxembourg topped the 2024 Forbes list with a G-D-P per capita of 143,740 U-S
dollars.
UK MI5 Warning on Sharp Rise in Plots Against Order
The head of MI5 says Britain is facing a staggering rise in attempts at
assassination, sabotage and other crimes backed by Russia and Iran.
Ken McCallum says hostile states are increasingly recruiting criminals to
carry out plots.
The head of the U.K.’s domestic intelligence agency said in a rare public
speech on Tuesday that MI5 and police have tackled 20 Tehran-backed plots
since 2022.
He says the number of state-threat investigations undertaken by MI5 has risen
by 48% in the past year, with Iran, Russia and China the main perpetrators.
He warned that Iran could expand its targets in the United Kingdom if
Britain’s ally Israel attacks in response to Iran’s recent missile barrage.
McCallum said Russia is trying to use arson and sabotage (破壞) to create
disorder on the streets of Britain and other European countries.
Brazil Lifts X Ban After Musk Backs Down
Brazil's Supreme Court has ruled that X can resume operations in the country,
ending a five-week suspension over concerns about the content on the social
media platform.
X's owner Elon Musk agreed to several concessions (讓步) in order to have the
ban lifted.
Ira Spitzer reports.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally (略微地) down this morning from yesterday's
close, at 22,691 on turnover of 5-billion N-T.
The market rebounded from Friday's downturn on Monday - gaining almost 400
points on the back of a rally by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.
Analysts say market sentiment improved as investors reacted to gains on Wall
Street at the end of last week - where better-than-expected nonfarm payroll
data for September indicated that the U-S economy remains resilient.
Environmental Groups Pan Recommended Carbon Fee
Environmental groups are criticizing the basic carbon fee and preferential
rates proposed by the government - calling them "passive" and too low to
affect the behavior of big carbon emitters.
The criticisim comes after a review committee recommended setting a basic
carbon fee rate of 300 N-T per metric ton of carbon emissions.
The groups says the basic carbon fees are too low to effectively reduce
carbon emissions and companies could see them as an affordable (付得起的)
operating expense or pass them on to consumers rather than invest resources
to reduce emissions and the fees.
Ariel Lin Wins best Leading Actress at Asian Film Award
Actress Ariel Lin has won the award for Best Lead Female Actor at the 2024
Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards in South Korea.
Lin won the award for her performance in the Taiwanese television drama
"Imperfect Us."
She received the award in-person at the ceremony in Busan - where she gave a
teary (熱淚盈眶) speech in Korean, saying that the award was "a great
motivation for both me and the work."
The Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards is now in its sixth year.
It's organized jointly by the Busan International Film Festival and South
Korea's National I-T Industry Promotion Agency.
NKorea Kim Issues Warning for Nuclear Weapons
North Korea says leader Kim Jong Un has warned again that he could use
nuclear weapons in potential conflicts with South Korea and the United
States.
State media today said Kim made such a warning in his speech at a university.
Kim said North Korea’s nuclear response posture must be fully enhanced
because South Korea and the United States are pushing to beef up their
military alliance based on joint nuclear and strategic planning, a move that
he said would increase (增加) the danger of breaking the balance of power on
the Korean Peninsula.
Kim has issued similar threats to use nuclear weapons preemptively numerous
times, but his latest warning came as outside experts say North Korea could
ramp up animosities ahead of next month’s U.S. presidential election.
US Scientists Win Nobel for microMRNA Discovery
American scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun have won this year's Nobel
Prize in physiology (生理)or medicine for the discovery of microRNA, a tiny
molecule that governs how cells in the body function.
It has been connected to heart disease, cancers and viral diseases.
Kate fisher reports
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4ckCQ0r
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 176-points this morning from Friday's close, at 22,479
on turnover of 6.4-billion N-T.
The market closed lower Friday.
However, those losses were limited () after Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing received a boost from buying towards the end of the session
that allowed it to recoup its earlier losses.
MOFA Touts National Day Guests
Foreign dignitaries and delegations are scheduled to arrive in the coming
days to take part in this year's Double Ten National Day celebrations.
Among the VIPs expected this year are the deputy prime ministers of Belize
and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the first lady of Guatemala, and the
speakers of Saint Lucia's upper and lower houses.
Along with attending a series of celebratory events in the lead-up to
National Day, guests are scheduled to meet with President Lai Ching-te, Vice
President Hsiao Bi-khim and other senior government officials.
They are also expected to visit multiple government agencies to discuss
(討論) semiconductors, public health and medicine, social welfare.
Disaster Response Center Disbands
The mechanisms set up by the Central Disaster Response Center o deal with
Typhoon Krathon's effects have now been disbanded.
Howevr, recovery is work continuing in parts of the island.
According to the center, Typhoon Krathon killed four and injured 719 people
in Taiwan since forming in late September.
A total of 9,499 disaster-related incidents were reported, while one person
remains (仍然是) missing.
Clean-up work is still underway in Keelung, New Taipei, Kaohsiung, Pingtung
and Kinmen.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs says 435,634 households experienced
temporary power outages, while 608,073 households reported water supply
problems due to the typhoon.
While agricultural losses currently total nearly 390-million N-T.
NZ Navy Vessel Oil Spill "Highly Probably"
Samoan officials say an oil spill from a grounded New Zealand navy ship which
sank and caught fire off the coast of Samoa is “highly probable”.
Officials in the Pacific island nation are conducting an environmental impact
assessment (評估) in the area where the ship sank on Sunday morning.
All 75 people on board the "H-M-N-Z-S Mana-wanui" were taken to safety on
life rafts.
New Zealand will hold a court of inquiry into the loss of the ship, which was
one of nine in its navy.
The cause of the disaster is not known.
US Gulf Coast Faces Another Hurricane
Another hurricane is barreling (飛馳) towards the already storm-ravaged US
gulf-coast.
A state of emergency has been declared in parts of Florida while the state is
still clearing up from the effects of hurricane Helene.
US correspondent Kate Fisher reports
UK PM Staff Reshuffle
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff has quit, citing
concerns that growing news reports about her role “risked becoming a
distraction to the government.”
Sue Gray’s resignation came after recent reports about tensions between her
and Starmer’s chief adviser Morgan McSweeney, and that she was earning more
than the prime minister.
The BBC has reported that Gray’s annual salary was about, $223-thousand US
dollars. That's nearly $4-thousand dollars higher than Starmer's pay.
Gray said she accepted a new role as Starmer’s envoy (使者) for the regions
and nations.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 176-points this morning from Friday's close, at 22,479
on turnover of 6.4-billion N-T.
The market closed lower Friday.
However, those losses were limited () after Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing received a boost from buying towards the end of the session
that allowed it to recoup its earlier losses.
MOFA Touts National Day Guests
Foreign dignitaries and delegations are scheduled to arrive in the coming
days to take part in this year's Double Ten National Day celebrations.
Among the VIPs expected this year are the deputy prime ministers of Belize
and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the first lady of Guatemala, and the
speakers of Saint Lucia's upper and lower houses.
Along with attending a series of celebratory events in the lead-up to
National Day, guests are scheduled to meet with President Lai Ching-te, Vice
President Hsiao Bi-khim and other senior government officials.
They are also expected to visit multiple government agencies to discuss
(討論) semiconductors, public health and medicine, social welfare.
Disaster Response Center Disbands
The mechanisms set up by the Central Disaster Response Center o deal with
Typhoon Krathon's effects have now been disbanded.
Howevr, recovery is work continuing in parts of the island.
According to the center, Typhoon Krathon killed four and injured 719 people
in Taiwan since forming in late September.
A total of 9,499 disaster-related incidents were reported, while one person
remains (仍然是) missing.
Clean-up work is still underway in Keelung, New Taipei, Kaohsiung, Pingtung
and Kinmen.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs says 435,634 households experienced
temporary power outages, while 608,073 households reported water supply
problems due to the typhoon.
While agricultural losses currently total nearly 390-million N-T.
NZ Navy Vessel Oil Spill "Highly Probably"
Samoan officials say an oil spill from a grounded New Zealand navy ship which
sank and caught fire off the coast of Samoa is “highly probable”.
Officials in the Pacific island nation are conducting an environmental impact
assessment (評估) in the area where the ship sank on Sunday morning.
All 75 people on board the "H-M-N-Z-S Mana-wanui" were taken to safety on
life rafts.
New Zealand will hold a court of inquiry into the loss of the ship, which was
one of nine in its navy.
The cause of the disaster is not known.
US Gulf Coast Faces Another Hurricane
Another hurricane is barreling (飛馳) towards the already storm-ravaged US
gulf-coast.
A state of emergency has been declared in parts of Florida while the state is
still clearing up from the effects of hurricane Helene.
US correspondent Kate Fisher reports
UK PM Staff Reshuffle
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff has quit, citing
concerns that growing news reports about her role “risked becoming a
distraction to the government.”
Sue Gray’s resignation came after recent reports about tensions between her
and Starmer’s chief adviser Morgan McSweeney, and that she was earning more
than the prime minister.
The BBC has reported that Gray’s annual salary was about, $223-thousand US
dollars. That's nearly $4-thousand dollars higher than Starmer's pay.
Gray said she accepted a new role as Starmer’s envoy (使者) for the regions
and nations.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4ckCQ0r
--
新北市勞工局提醒您，醫院或工地周遭常見外國籍看護或臨時工的名片或廣告，可能為非法外國人，若違法聘僱將面臨15-75萬罰鍰，如有聘僱外國人需求，應向政府機關提出申請才有保障。
【新北市政府勞工局廣告】
更多詳情請見
https://bit.ly/3AcrhdE
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex re-opened this morning follow two days of typhoon closures .. and
it opened up 69-points this morning from Tuesday's close, at 22,459 on
turnover of 10.8-billion N-T.
The market moved higher on Tuesday to close above the 60-day moving average
following a technical rebound by large-cap tech stocks.
However, turnover was limited as many investors opted to stay on the
sidelines due to Typhoon Krathon.
NIA Deports Chinese Couple Accused of Disrupting Hongkongers' Event
The National Immigration Agency says it has deported a Chinese couple accused
of disrupting a pro-democracy event in Taipei organized by Hong Kong
residents.
According to the agency, the couple were escorted (護送，押送) by immigration
officials to Taoyuan International Airport before boarding their flight to
China.
The immigration agency says it has also cancelled their entry permits for
violations of the Regulations Governing the Approval of Entry of People of
the Mainland Area into Taiwan Area.
Officials say the couple applied to visit a family member in Taiwan at the
end of September, but that person had returned to China in July.
The immigration agency says the couple was aware they were violating the
rules when applying for temporary entry permits based on visiting family
members living in Taiwan.
The couple were filmed harassing group of Hong Kongers earlier this week in
Taipei's Ximending before being taken away by police.
UN Security Council Pledges Support for Guterres
United Nations Security Council members have all committed their full support
to Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
This after the Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz deemed (視為) the UN
chief "persona non grata" following his statement on the Iran missile attack
on Israel.
Jody Jacobs has more…
Brazil G20 Agree to Tropical Forest Initiative
Environment ministers of the Group of 20 nations agreed Thursday to support
the creation of funding sources for ecosystem services, acknowledging
Brazil’s proposal to establish a trust fund for forest conservation.
Named the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, the Brazilian initiative would
reward tropical forest countries for protecting the critical biomes.
The plan benefits all tropical forest nations based on the area preserved,
paying local and Indigenous communities involved for maintaining ecosystems.
The environment ministers of leading rich and developing countries assembled
(聚集) this week in Rio de Janeiro for four-day meetings to discuss climate
change and sustainability.
The topic is one of Brazil’s priorities as it hosts the G20 presidency until
the end of the year, with heads of state convening in Rio next month.
France Owl Treasure Hunt Over
And…
A 31-year-long treasure hunt that drew in thousands of enthusiasts across
France appears to have come to an end after official social media accounts
linked to the search said the token needed to claim the grand prize had been
found.
The hunt, “On the Trail of the Golden Owl,” was based on a book of riddles
published in 1993.
Participants had to solve 11 puzzles in the book — and a 12th one that was
hidden — to decipher the exact location of the token
(代幣，有象徵意義的物品), which would then be exchanged for the real prize,
an owl made of silver and gold and studded with diamond chips.
It has an estimated worth of about 165-thousand US dollars.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
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時間｜2024/10/11（五） – 10/13（日）
地點｜臺北流行音樂中心產業園區內（戶外表演空間、 LivehouseD、LegacyTERA）
➤ 購票｜ https://bit.ly/4epwn5g
--
MITSUI OUTLET PARK 林口
超日本週年慶 10/4(五)-10/27(日)
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⭐永豐卡友最高回饋5%
活動詳情 https://bit.ly/4gQTmrp
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 105-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,329 on turnover of 4.2 -billion N-T.
The market tumbled nearly 600-points on Monday on the back of steep declines
in the share price of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and other tech
heavyweights.
Analysts says Monday's downturn came as investors moved their money from tech
stocks into non-tech stocks.
Tai Power to Hike Electricity Rates for Industrial Users
The Ministry of Economic Affairs says Tai-Power will be raising electricity
rates for industrial users from October 16.
The statement follows a meeting of the ministry's electricity price review
committee.
The hike in price means that industrial users will see their electricity
rates increase by an average of 12.5-per cent.
Tai-Power had been seeking an increase of 14-per cent, but the committee says
it opted for a lower figure in order to ensure (確保) that Taiwan businesses
remain competitive.
It's the second electricity rate hike this year and was proposed as part of
government efforts to shore-up Tai-Power's finances.
National Day Gala Tickets Snapped Up in 15 Minutes
The Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism says all 5,400 tickets
for the 2024 National Day Gala were snapped-up within 15 minutes of release
on Monday.
The event will be taking place this coming Saturday at the Taipei Dome and it
will be the venue's first large-scale non-sporting event.
Organizers made the 5,400 tickets available through the "udn fun life" online
ticketing platform at noon.
Four-hundred of those tickets were reserved for (保留給) senior citizens.
Personal information was required by those lucky enough to have booked their
seats and tickets cannot be transferred.
The National Day Gala will feature performance by singers Jody Chiang and
Huang Fei.
US Man Pleads Not Guilty to Trump Assassination Attempt
The man accused of plotting to kill former president Donald Trump at his
Florida golf course has pleaded not guilty to five counts including
attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate.
Prosecutors allege Ryan Routh stalked (跟蹤) Donald Trump before setting up
what they called a "sniper's nest" at the edge of his golf course in west
Palm Beach, Florida.
US correspondent Kate Fisher reports
Japan PM Resigns
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has resigned with his Cabinet, paving
the way for his likely successor Shigeru Ishiba to take office.
Ishiba was chosen as the governing Liberal Democratic Party’s leader on
Friday to replace Kishida, who announced in August his resignation at the end
of his three-year term.
Ishiba is assured to be prime minister later today in a vote by parliament
because it is dominated by his party’s ruling coalition (執政聯盟).
Ishiba will then announce his new Cabinet later in the day.
On Monday, Ishiba said he planned to call a parliamentary election to be held
on Oct. 27 after he is formally chosen as prime minister.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 178 -points this morning from Friday's close, at
22,643 on turnover of 6.9-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex lost ground on Friday, despite Wall Street rising to an another
all-time high overnight and other regional markets moving mostly higher,
fueled by China's moves to revive (復活) its economy.
Two More Suspects Detained in Core Pacific City Investigation
The Taipei District Court has ordered two more suspects in the Core Pacific
City investigation to be detained for their alleged involvement in the case.
The latest suspects to have been ordered detained are former Dingyue
Development Corporation President Zhu Ya-hu and Lee Wen-zong, the former
director-general of former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je's office in 2015.
Both suspects were questioned late Friday and into Saturday before
prosecutors applied for detention orders (羈留令).
Zhu and Lee were questioned after prosecutors and officials from the Agency
Against Corruption launched a second wave of searches on 29 locations last
Friday.
Seven people have so far been detained in connection with the investigation,
which was launched in May.
Former Hong Kong Lawmaker to Open Restaurant in Taipei
Former Hong Kong lawmaker and pro-democracy activist Tanya Chan has announced
she's opening a new restaurant in Taipei and will serve as its head chef.
Chan moved to Taiwan three years ago.
And and she's taken to Facebook to say the restaurant will be called "Red
Cotton" and will be located in the city's Songshan District.
According to Chan, she rarely (很少) had time to cook during her previous
life as a lawyer and lawmaker in Hong Kong, but after coming to Taiwan she
missed the flavors of Hong Kong.
Chan served as a legislative councilor for Hong Kong Island from 2008 to 2012
and again from 2016 to 2020.
ISrael Strikes Houthi Targets in Yemen
Israel strikes Houthi targets in Yemen, as Hezbollah confirms (證實) the
death of a senior official
AP correspondent Karen Chammas reports….
Macao Leader Candidate on Goals
The sole candidate in the election for Macao’s next leader has pledged to
diversify the economy of the Chinese casino city, a goal previously laid out
by Beijing.
Sam Hou-fai, the city’s former top judge, told reporters that the
diversification is a key issue he must address.
He told election committee members who will vote on Oct. 13 that the city
learnt a lesson from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Macao’s tourism and gaming industries suffered a big slump because of the
virus controls.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed hopes that the former Portuguese
colony can promote healthy and sustainable (可持續的) economic development.
Macao is the only place in China where casinos are legal.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 120-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,979 on turnover of $5.9-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex continued to gain ground on Thursday, as other regional markets
rallied on the back of news that China plans to spend billions of dollars to
help rebuild the capital of its state-run banks.
Kaohsiung City Councilor Missing Amid Corruption Probe
Authorities in Kaohsiung says a city councilor under investigation for
corruption has gone missing.
According to the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors' Office, officials have been
seeking to contact Huang Shao-ting in connection with an investigation into
allegations of embezzlement of public funds.
Prosecutors says Huang missing yesterday evening after investigators searched
his residence and office earlier in the day.
Huang also failed to attend the Kaohsiung City council meeting on Thursday.
Reports are citing several people who live near his office as saying Huang
was last seen leaving the office carrying a suitcase early Thursday morning
before getting into a taxi and leaving without saying hello to them.
The prosecutors' office, says the missing city councilor is under
investigation for allegedly inflating (誇大, 抬高) the fees of
publicly-funded assistants working in his constituency office.
Huang's mother has also been questioned as part of the investigation.
Guinea Presidential Palace Shots Fired
Shots have been fired near the presidential palace in Guinea’s capital
Conakry, with the army briefly locking down and evacuating the city center.
Local journalist Fode Toure, who was a few hundred meters from the
presidential palace, said he heard gunshots and saw people running away in
panic.
An AP reporter near the palace saw heavily armed soldiers patrolling the
streets.
A diplomatic official close to Guinea’s leader said that 11 dissident
soldiers opened fire on the special forces around the presidential palace,
but they were overpowered.
Three of the assailants were killed and eight others were arrested, he said,
adding that the situation (情況) is under control.
US Biden Announces Ukraine Assistance Bill
US President Joe Biden has announced $8 billion in new military assistance
(援助) for Ukraine to help it defend itself against Russia's invasion.
It comes as the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is in Washington
meeting Biden and democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala
Harris.
From Washington. Kate fisher reports
Pope Encourages EU to Welcome Migrants
Pope Francis is urging Europe to be beacon of peace amid war and a welcome
home for migrants.
He made the appeal as he arrived on Thursday in Luxembourg to encourage
Catholics in the country.
The pope skipped his traditional walk down the plane aisle to greet
(向…打招呼) journalists during the flight from Rome.
He had cancelled his audiences earlier in the week because of a slight flu.
Francis was in Luxembourg for just a few hours before flying onto Belgium,
where he will stay through the weekend.
There, immigration and peace are expected to be on the agenda.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
--
遠東商銀Podcast節目《十樂不設 💰進人生》第二季開播啦！
跟著演藝圈最會存錢的小梁哥梁赫群，一起學習金融知識、理財心法！
讓你財富不設限、快樂不受限 ！
現在聽節目還有機會抽住宿券喔！
收聽連結: https://bit.ly/3zrsqxG
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 79-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,841
on turnover of 8.2-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Wednesday after Wall Street posted more
record-high closes overnight.
Investors were buoyed by a strong showing by Nvidia on U-S markets overnight
- which allowed Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing to close above the 1,000
N-T mark - as the chipmaker led the rise on the local main board and other
AI-related stocks followed.
MOFA Thanks US President Joe Biden for Taiwan Comments
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expressing its thanks to U-S President Joe
Biden for his speech at the United Nations General Assembly - in which he
stressed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Speaking in New York Biden reiterated America's support for stability in the
Taiwan Strait, condemned military aggression (侵略) in the South China Sea
and stated the U-S' commitment to deepening security cooperation in the
Indo-Pacific region.
Biden's comments come after he hosted Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio,
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and India's Prime Minister
Narendra Modi at the Quad Leaders Summit in Wilmington, Delaware this past
weekend.
The leaders voiced their opposition (反對) to any attempt to change the
"status quo" in the Taiwan Strait.
More Chinese Tourists Arrive in Kinmen
More Chinese tourists have arrived in Kinmen.
According to China's Taiwan Affairs Office, 27 of them traveled to the
outlying island on Wednesday as independent tourists and more could travel
there in the future.
The office also called on the Lai administration to ensure the smooth flow of
tourism exchanges "for the well-being of people on both sides."
The arrival of the 27 Chinese Tourists in Kinmen comes after first
post-COVID-19 tour group from China's Xiamen City traveled to Kinmen for a
two-day trip this past Sunday.
That 22-member group traveled on direct ferry via the "mini-three links" from
Xiamen City.
UK PM Tells Britons to Leave Lebanon
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has told an estimated (估計，大約)10,000
Britons in Lebanon, "now is the time to leave," as Israel attacks Hezbollah
across the country.
Lebanese authorities believe well over 500 have been killed since airstrikes
began on Monday.
Stuart Smith reports from London.
EU Set to Remove Some Protections for
The European Union is moving toward backing plans to remove some of its
protections for wolves on the continent as their population grows.
Ambassadors of the 27 EU nations reached a qualified majority Wednesday to
seek to loosen protection rules enshrined in the European Convention on the
Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats.
Farmers in many members countrieshave been increasingly angered by attacks on
their livestock by wolfpacks as the animals have taken hold in woods and
fields close to agricultural lands.
Wolves remain a “strictly protected” species in most of Europe, but their
numbers are estimated to have grown by 25% over the last decade.
Under the plans the EU backs, wolves would be downgraded (降級) from
“strictly protected” to “protected," allowing for more measures to keep
them at bay from farmers and the population.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 137-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,569 on turnover of 8.9-billion N-T.
The market gained more than 140-points on Tuesday as Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing recouped early losses, which helped the broader market return
to positive territory by the end of the session.
Other heavyweights in the old economy sector, in particular those in the
transportation industry also moved higher, adding momentum (衝力、動量) to
the local main board -- which pushed the index past stiff technical
resistance ahead of the 60-day moving average.
2025 Government Budget Bill Stalled
A legislative review of the 2025 central government budget remains stalled
after opposition lawmakers demanded the Cabinet revise its spending plan.
The move effectively stops any further reviews of the budget outside of the
Procedure Committee.
D-P-P lawmaker Shen Fa-hui is describing the move as
"unprecedented"(史無前例) arguing that the main task of the new legislative
session is to review and pass the budget bill.
However, K-M-T lawmaker Chen Yu-ren has been quick to point out that
President Lai Ching-te and Premier Cho Jung-tai employed the same procedural
tactic in the D-P-P's failed move to hold up the central government budget
bill when they were lawmakers in 2008.
Grounded Mirage-2000s Back in Operation
Defense officials say the Air Force's fleet on Mirage-2000 fighter jets has
returned to normal operations.
The aircraft had been grounded (（飛機）停飛) for safety checks following a
crash earlier this month.
The resumption of normal flight operations came after the Air Force lifted
the grounding order for all of Taiwan's 50-plus Mirage-2000s following the
completion of a round of safety checks in the wake of the September 10 crash.
The Air Force has said that preliminary indications are that one of the
crashed fighter jet's engines lost thrust before the aircraft crashed.
However, a full investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Military aid to Ukraine
The U.S. has unveiled its latest military aid package worth about $375
million for Ukraine.
This comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy embarks (出發) on a
visit to the United States…
Sagher Meghani reports from Washington.
Thailand Legalizes SameSex Marriage
Thailand’s landmark marriage equality bill has been officially written into
law, allowing same-sex couples to legally wed.
The law was published in the Royal Gazette after endorsement by Thailand's
king, and will come into effect in 120 days.
This means LGBTQ+ couples will be able to register their marriage in January
next year, making Thailand the third place in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal,
to allow same-sex marriage.
The bill, which grants full legal, financial and medical rights for marriage
partners of any gender, sailed through (順利通過) both the House of
Representatives and the Senate in April and June respectively.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 11-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,273 on turnover of 3.2-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Monday as it extended momentum from the previous
session on the back of strong momentum in the bellwether electronics sector -
which continued to lead the broader market higher.
However, turnover failed to register any significant expansion, with many
investors opting to stay on the sidelines amid concerns of volatility on Wall
Street in the lead-up to the U-S presidential election in November.
US Executives Visiting to Explore Drone Tech Collaborations
More than 20 executives from U-S companies that manufacture drone and
anti-drone systems are visiting Taiwan this week to explore collaboration and
trade opportunities.
The trip has been organized by the American Institute in Taiwan and the U-S
Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration.
According to A-I-T, the delegation includes representatives from Northrop
Grumman, AEVEX Aerospace and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, among
others.
A-I-T says the business development mission will help foster the
relationships between U-S and Taiwan companies that are needed to increase
global supply chain resilience (彈性).
Forest Fire Drill Alert to be Sent out in Parts of Kaohsiung Friday
And,
The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency is reminding residents of two
Kaohsiung districts that they will receive a forest fire drill text warning
on their phones this Friday.
A message reading "Forest Fire Alert Drill. Please don't panic" will be
delivered through the Public Warning Cell Broadcast Service between 2:30 and
3:30PM.
It will be sent phone users in Tianliao and Cishan districts.
According to the agency, the drill is part of the efforts to help raise
awareness (提高認識) of forest fires in higher-risk areas in central and
southern Taiwan, particularly during October's dry season.
Japan Claims Russia Plane Violates Airspace
Japan is protesting to Moscow after claiming a Russian plane violated its
airspace on Monday.
The incursion triggered (觸發) a Japanese Self-Defense Force jet to respond
with signal flares for the first time ever.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
Congo Prisoners Released
Congo's minister of justice says nearly 1,700 ill inmates have been released
from the country's largest prison as part of an effort to thin out Congo's
overcrowded prisons.
The operation took place Monday at Makala Central Prison in the capital
Kinshasa.
Severely ill prisoners received immediate medical care, while others were
sent home on buses provided by the ministry of justice and a state-owned
company.
Makala prison, Congo’s largest penitentiary (監獄) with a capacity for 1,500
people, holds more than 12,000 inmates, most of whom are awaiting trial,
according to information from Amnesty International.
The country's minister of justice says there are plans for the construction
of a new prison in Kinshasa, without giving more details.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,170 on turnover of 2.5-billion N-T.
The market gained on Friday, as investors were buoyed by Wall Street's
romping to record highs overnight after the U-S following the Federal
Reserve's decision to make big interest rate cuts.
MND Reveals FPV Drone Development Project
The Ministry of National Defense has confirmed that a recent promotional
video showed footage of a first-person view drone system.
The statement comes after the Military News Agency released video footage of
the drone system earlier this month.
That footage showed soldiers using laptops and remote controls to launch
small, explosive-laden drones, which detonated on striking a car and
speedboat being used as targets (目標).
F-P-V drones are piloted from the drone's point of view via an onboard
camera, footage from which is transmitted to the pilot's monitor screen or
video goggles.
Investigators into Possible Foul Play in Taitung Food Poisoning Case
The Taitung District Prosecutors' Office says it is considering the
possibility of foul play in a food poisoning case last week that left three
people dead.
The statement comes after test results from the scene showed suspiciously
(可疑地) high levels of pesticide in the first victim's kitchenware.
According to chief prosecutor Chen Yen-qiu, authorities are looking into the
source of millet and the preparation process of glutinous millet dumplings,
which were discovered to contain a high level of terbufos.
Terbufos is a hazardous chemical compound found in some pesticides.
US Polling Shows Tight Race with Harris Increasing Lead
New polling over the weekend shows US Vice President Kamala Harris has
increased her lead (領先) nationally over her Republican rival Donald Trump
in the Presidential election.
Our Washington Correspondent Jagruti Dave has the details.
Bolivia Clashes between Protesters and Supporters
Bolivia’s pro-government supporters and security forces have confronted
(面對) protesters loyal to former President Evo Morales in a street melee.
The protesters and counterprotesters hurled firecrackers, small dynamite
bombs and stones at each other across a dusty sprawl in the city of El Alto
on Sunday, while riot police unleashed tear gas into the crowds.
Health authorities say at least eight people were injured.
The standoff erupted while thousands of Bolivians supporting Morales
continued a weeklong march to the capital.
Report: Rhino Population Rises Slightly, but Killings Rise
A new report finds that the rhino population across the world has increased
slightly but so have the killings, mostly in South Africa, as poaching fed by
huge demand for rhino horns remains a top threat.
Conservationists said in the report that the number of white rhinos increased
by just over 1-thousand-500 from 2022, to 2023, but the black and greater
one-horned rhino stayed the same.
Another subspecies, the northern white rhino, is technically extinct with
only two females being kept in a secure private conservancy (自然保護區,) in
Kenya.
With all five subspecies combined, there are just under 28-thousand rhinos
left in the world, from 500,000 at the beginning of the 20th century.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
--
《育成社福基金會》30週年，陪伴憨寶貝及其家庭，勇敢創造生命各種可能！
台灣身心障礙人口超過120萬，意即，每20人就有一位障礙者；
他們的一輩子都需要被認真照顧，立即捐款「終身照顧計畫」，
不一樣的認真，值得一樣認真的你支持。
了解更多: https://bit.ly/4gucETA
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 204-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,246 on turnover of $6.6-billion N-T.
The market gained more than 360 points on Thursday to close above the 22,000
point mark as investors reacted positively to moves by the U-S Federal
Reserve to cut interest rates for the first time in four years.
Investors rushed to pick up large-cap stocks across the board, led by the
bellwether electronics sector, which managed to rebound from a wobbly
(變來變去的) start to the trading day.
Cabinet OKs Amendments to Halve Amusement Taxes
The Cabinet has passed an amendment to the Amusement Tax Act.
The move will reduce tax rates on most entertainment activities by at least
half, with the exception of (除了) golf.
Amusement taxes are levied on tickets sold or fees charged by amusement
facilities or activities and collected by local governments.
The Ministry of Finance says the amendments are aimed at assisting local
governments to develop local cultural events and competitions, boost regional
economic development and retain financial autonomy.
EU China Pledge Increased Dialogue
European Union and Chinese trade representatives have agreed to intensify
(強化) efforts to resolve a dispute over electric vehicles.
The EU has imposed tariffs of up to 35 percent on electric vehicle's from
China accusing Beijing of imposing unfair subsidies and flooding the European
market.
William Denselow reports from Brussels.
Rwanda Begins Mpox Vaccination Campaign
The African health agency says that Rwanda has started a vaccination campaign
against mpox with 1,000 doses it obtained from Nigeria.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says vaccination
started Tuesday targeting seven districts with high-risk populations who
neighbor Congo.
Congo has been at the epicenter (震央) of an outbreak on the African
continent, where nearly 3-thousand new mpox cases and 14 new deaths have been
recorded in the last week.
This brings the total number of cases to over 6-thousand, with 738 deaths
since the beginning of the year.
Italy Churchill Portrait Returned to Canada
A ceremony at the Canadian Embassy in Rome has marked the successful recovery
of a stolen photo portrait of Winston Churchill, known as “The Roaring
Lion,” after a two-year search.
Italy's police handed over the portrait to the Canadian ambassador to Italy,
who praised the cooperation between Italian and Canadian investigators that
led to the recovery.
The 1941 portrait of the British leader was taken by Ottawa photographer
Yousuf Karsh.
Canadian police say it was stolen from the Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel in
Ottawa sometime between Christmas 2021 and Jan. 2022, and replaced with a
forgery (偽造品).
The original was found to have been sold at auction and the Italian buyer has
returned it.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 3.4-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,675 on turnover of $3.2-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Wednesday as investors awaited the outcome of the
U-S Federal Reserve's two-day policymaking meeting.
Selling focused on large-cap tech stocks, which pushed the broader market
near the 20-day moving average of 21,801-points, while select old economy
stocks appeared resilient to investor caution.
23 People, Including Serving Military Officers, Charged with Spying for
China
The Tainan District Prosecutors' Office has indicted 23 people on charges of
spying for China.
The 23 include eight serving personnel from the Air Force, the Army, the Navy
and the Coast Guard Administration.
According to the prosecutors' office, the espionage (間諜) ring was created
by two brothers in 2021 and targeted serving personnel who were having
financial problems.
Reports says they received some 5-million N-T over a two and half year period
from China to gather sensitive information.
The the Ministry of National Defense has said the active service personnel
were not high ranking officers and little access to restricted information.
UN Calls for Israel to Withdraw from Occupied Palestinian Territory
The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a Palestinian-drafted
resolution that demands Israel end "its unlawful presence in the Occupied
Palestinian Territory" within 12 months.
The resolution received 124 votes in favor, while 43 countries abstained and
Israel, the United States and 12 others voted no.
Jody Jacobs reports from the United Nations in New York.
NKorea Kim Supervised Missil Tests
North Korea says leader Kim Jong Un has supervised successful tests of two
types of missiles as he ordered officials to bolster up his country’s
military capabilities to repel U.S.-led threats.
The tests were apparent references to the multiple missile launches that
neighboring countries said North Korea performed off its east coast on
Wednesday, extending its run of weapons display as confrontations
(對抗，衝突) with the U.S. and South Korea escalate.
State media said Thursday that Kim oversaw the launch of the North's newly
built Hwasongpho ballistic missile tipped with a dummy “4.5-ton super-large
conventional warhead.”
Kim also guided the launch of an improved “strategic” cruise missile, a
word implying the weapons were developed to carry nuclear warheads.
DR Cracks Drug Trafficking Ring
Officials from the U.S. and the Dominican Republic have arrested nearly a
dozen suspects after they launched a joint operation to crack down on a
regional drug trafficking ring.
Officials with the Dominican Republic’s Anti-Drug Agency and agents with the
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Southern Command fanned out
(散開) across the Caribbean country early Wednesday as part of the operation.
Among those arrested are the suspected heads of the ring that officials say
received drugs from South America in the Dominican Republic and neighboring
Puerto Rico and then shipped them to the United States and Europe.
Officials said the drug trafficking ring is responsible for more than two
tons of drugs seized in the Dominican Republic.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
E*EZ NEWS SEPTEMBER 18 , 2024
E*Tai-Ex Opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 36-points this morning from Monday's close, at 21,813
on turnover of 4.5-billion N-T.
The market was closed yesterday for the Mid-Autumn Festival
holiday - but
ended the trading day moderately higher on Monday, despite turnover dipping
to an over seven-month low.
Large-cap tech stocks largely moved in a narrow range throughout the session
due to a lull in investor interest, but buying rotated to the old economy
sector, helping the broader market end above the previous closing bell.
E*NDC to Open Start-Up Innovation Hub in Tokyo
The National Development Council is scheduled to open an overseas innovation
hub 創新中心 in Tokyo today.
The move is part of the government's efforts to boost exchanges between
innovation start-ups, enterprises and investment institutions in Taiwan and
Japan.
N-D-C head Paul Liu says the hub is expected to serve as a regular bilateral
platform for comprehensive exchanges between Taiwan and Japan, paving the
way for greater substantive business cooperation.
Liu also says the N-D-C is also planning to set up similar platforms in the
Untied States and Southeast Asia.
E*MOI Holding Plane Crash and Earthquake Drills Today
The Ministry of the Interior is holding separate plane crash and earthquake
drills today as part of a three-day national exercise to mark the annual
National Disaster Prevention Day.
According to the ministry, more than 1,300 people, including the public,
central and local government officials, and Japanese N-G-O staff, are
participating in the drills.
The plane crash drill will simulate 假裝 a plane crash following a typhoon
and will take place in Penghu, while the earthquake drill will simulate a
magnitude 7.3 earthquake striking Chiayi County's Zhuqi Township.
E*Hezbollah pagers
Israel's Mossad spy agency planted a small amount of explosives inside 5000
Taiwan-made pagers ordered by the Lebanese group Hezbollah… months before
Tuesday's detonations 霹靂.
That's according to a senior Lebanese security source and another source
cited by the Reuters News Agency.
The details shed light on an unprecedented Hezbollah security breach that saw
thousands of pagers detonate across Lebanon, killing nine people and wounding
nearly 3,000 others, including the group's fighters and Iran's envoy to
Beirut.
E*North Korea tests two ballistic missiles
Japan’s military reports that North Korea had test-fired two ballistic
missiles.
It happened on Wednesday at a time when tensions with Washington and
neighbors are escalating.
The launches came days after North Korea showcased a secretive uranium
enrichment 鈾濃縮 facility.
Japan’s Defense Ministry didn’t provide details about the missiles,
including their type and range.
Japan’s coast guard said the missiles had likely fallen into waters between
the Korean Peninsula and Japan.
Subject: E*Republicans shoot down IVF protection bill
U-S Senate Republicans have blocked a bill that would offer new protections
for in vitro fertilization 體外受精.
It's the second time Democrats have tried - and failed - to get the measure
passed.
Ed Donahue reports.
<
[CLIP]
Slug:
E*Instagram introduces stricter rules for teens
Social media platform, Instagram, will automatically make teenagers' accounts
private and give parents more control, under revamped 改造過的 rules.
It's the company's most significant move yet to manage how minors use
Instagram as congress seeks to impose regulations on the industry.
Kate Fisher reports.
<
[CLIP]
Slug:
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 101-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,754 on turnover of $5.4-billion N-T.
The market soared more than 600 points on Thursday on the back of significant
gains by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and other large-cap tech stocks.
T-S-M-C saw its share price rise by 4.79-per cent, to close at 940 N-T.
And the spike in the company's share price came after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang
told a conference in San Francisco that Nvidia is struggling to keep up with
"incredible" levels of demand from its customers.
MOI to Hold Plane Crash and Earthquake Drills Next Wednesday
The Ministry of the Interior says it will be holding a series of drills next
Wednesday as part of a three-day national exercise to mark the annual
National Disaster Prevention Day.
According to the ministry, more than 1,300 people, including the public,
central and local government officials, and Japanese NGO staff, will
participate (參加) in the drills.
A plane crash drill will simulate a plane crash following a typhoon and will
take place in Penghu County, while the earthquake drill will simulate a
magnitude 7.3 earthquake striking Chiayi County's Zhuqi Township.
In addition to the drills, a text alert will be sent to people's mobile
phones at 9:21AM on September 20 by the Central Weather Administration, along
with an alarm sound.
Sirens will also sound across the island at 10AM, warning people in coastal
towns to be aware of a possible tsunami.
While all television channels will cut to the Public Television Service for a
two-minute broadcast of disaster prevention information from 10:59 to
11:01AM.
NKorea Releases Images of Purported Nuclear Production Facility
North Korea has offered a rare glimpse into a secretive (秘密的) facility to
produce nuclear materials as it says leader Kim Jong Un visited the area and
called for stronger efforts to increase his nuclear weapons.
It’s unclear if the site is its previously known nuclear-enrichment site in
Yongbyon, north of Pyongyang, or another that was undisclosed until now.
The images North Korea’s media released of the area could provide outside
experts a valuable source of information for estimating the amount of nuclear
ingredients North Korea has.
The report today said Kim expressed “great satisfaction repeatedly” over
North Korea's technical force in the nuclear power field.
US Trump Rules Out 2nd Debate
Former US president Donald Trump has categorically ruled out another debate
with his rival (競爭對手) for the White House Kamala Harris.
The Harris campaign had called for a second debate between the pair, after
polls suggested she performed better during Tuesday night's showdown.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Canada Churchill Portrait to be Returned
Canadian police say a renowned portrait of Winston Churchill that was
reported stolen from an Ottawa hotel has been tracked down in Italy.
Investigators will travel to Rome later this month to retrieve the 1941
portrait of the British leader taken by Ottawa photographer Yousuf Karsh.
Officials say once it is in Ottawa police custody, the portrait will be
returned to the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, where it will once again be
displayed as a notable (顯著的) historic portrait.
"The Roaring Lion” was stolen from the Fairmont Chateau Laurier sometime
between Christmas Day 2021 and Jan. 6, 2022, and replaced with a forgery.
The swap was uncovered months later.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 101-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,754 on turnover of $5.4-billion N-T.
The market soared more than 600 points on Thursday on the back of significant
gains by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and other large-cap tech stocks.
T-S-M-C saw its share price rise by 4.79-per cent, to close at 940 N-T.
And the spike in the company's share price came after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang
told a conference in San Francisco that Nvidia is struggling to keep up with
"incredible" levels of demand from its customers.
MOI to Hold Plane Crash and Earthquake Drills Next Wednesday
The Ministry of the Interior says it will be holding a series of drills next
Wednesday as part of a three-day national exercise to mark the annual
National Disaster Prevention Day.
According to the ministry, more than 1,300 people, including the public,
central and local government officials, and Japanese NGO staff, will
participate (參加) in the drills.
A plane crash drill will simulate a plane crash following a typhoon and will
take place in Penghu County, while the earthquake drill will simulate a
magnitude 7.3 earthquake striking Chiayi County's Zhuqi Township.
In addition to the drills, a text alert will be sent to people's mobile
phones at 9:21AM on September 20 by the Central Weather Administration, along
with an alarm sound.
Sirens will also sound across the island at 10AM, warning people in coastal
towns to be aware of a possible tsunami.
While all television channels will cut to the Public Television Service for a
two-minute broadcast of disaster prevention information from 10:59 to
11:01AM.
NKorea Releases Images of Purported Nuclear Production Facility
North Korea has offered a rare glimpse into a secretive (秘密的) facility to
produce nuclear materials as it says leader Kim Jong Un visited the area and
called for stronger efforts to increase his nuclear weapons.
It’s unclear if the site is its previously known nuclear-enrichment site in
Yongbyon, north of Pyongyang, or another that was undisclosed until now.
The images North Korea’s media released of the area could provide outside
experts a valuable source of information for estimating the amount of nuclear
ingredients North Korea has.
The report today said Kim expressed “great satisfaction repeatedly” over
North Korea's technical force in the nuclear power field.
US Trump Rules Out 2nd Debate
Former US president Donald Trump has categorically ruled out another debate
with his rival (競爭對手) for the White House Kamala Harris.
The Harris campaign had called for a second debate between the pair, after
polls suggested she performed better during Tuesday night's showdown.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Canada Churchill Portrait to be Returned
Canadian police say a renowned portrait of Winston Churchill that was
reported stolen from an Ottawa hotel has been tracked down in Italy.
Investigators will travel to Rome later this month to retrieve the 1941
portrait of the British leader taken by Ottawa photographer Yousuf Karsh.
Officials say once it is in Ottawa police custody, the portrait will be
returned to the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, where it will once again be
displayed as a notable (顯著的) historic portrait.
"The Roaring Lion” was stolen from the Fairmont Chateau Laurier sometime
between Christmas Day 2021 and Jan. 6, 2022, and replaced with a forgery.
The swap was uncovered months later.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 343-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,374 on turnover of $7.6-billion N-T.
The market closed down slightly on Wednesday after moving in consolidation
mode as investers sentiment was muted ahead of the release of August's
consumer price index data.
Tech heavyweights fluctuated in narrow range before selling emerged late in
the session - but turnover still shrank to its second lowest level so far
this year as many investors opted to stay on the sidelines.
Taiwan Wins 15 R&D 100 Awards
The Ministry of Economic Affairs says Taiwan research institutions have won
15 awards at this year's R&D 100 Awards.
The awards tally set a new record as the highest number of Taiwan has ever
received at the not for profit innovation-focused program.
It was the most of any country in Asia and the second most worldwide,
trailing only the United States.
According to the ministry's Department of Industrial Technology, Taiwan's
award-winning projects or technologies focused on a wide range of areas,
including semiconductors, information and communication technology, net zero
and artificial intelligence.
Economics Minister Guo Zhi-hui says 90 percent of Taiwan's award-winning
technologies this year have either been transferred (轉移) to manufacturers
or used to establish new startups ..
The R&D 100 Awards is a US-based not for profit innovation-focused program
established in 1963.
NKorea Launches Multiple Missiles Towards Sea
South Korea says North Korea has fired multiple short-range ballistic
missiles toward the sea.
Today's launches are North Korea’s first public weapons firing activities in
more than two months.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the missiles launched
from North Korea’s capital flying about 360 kilometers before landing in the
waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.
The reported fight distances suggest the missiles were designed to attack
targets in South Korea.
On Monday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to redouble (加倍) efforts
to make his nuclear force fully ready for combat with the United States and
its allies.
UN's refugee appeals for millions to scale up Mpox response in Africa
The United Nations Refugee agency is appealing for $21 million to urgently
(緊急地) scale up health services for forcibly displaced people in African
countries impacted by the mpox emergency.
According to the organisation the funding is to support critical response and
prevention efforts in 35 countries across the continent.
Jody Jacobs has more…
Smashed Ancient Jar Repaired and Back on Display
An Israeli museum has put back on display a rare Bronze-Era jar that a
4-year-old accidentally smashed.
Last month, a family from northern Israel was visiting the museum when their
youngest son tipped over the jar, smashing it into pieces.
Restoration experts were able to carefully piece the 3,500-year-old item back
together.
The jar at the Hecht Museum in Haifa was one of the only containers of its
size and from that period still complete when it was discovered.
It was likely used to hold wine or oil, and dates back to between 2200 and
1500 B.C.
The museum invited the family back for a special visit and hands-on activity
to illustrate (說明) the restoration process.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 25-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,089
on turnover of 2.8-billion N-T.
The market closed down on Tuesday - as early gains were rubbed-out on the
back of lingering (持續的) investor concerns about possible further
volatility on Wall Street despite a rebound overnight.
Although most large cap electronics stocks came under pressure during the
trading day, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing remained resilient to keep
the tech sector and the broader market from falling further.
MOFA Cites Inflation for Over 60% Hike in High-Level Travel Budget
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is defending a decision to raise its budget
for high-level overseas trips by over 60-per cent.
According to ministry spokesman Jeff Liu, the significant increase in the
budget allocated for next year is due to global inflation and rising
commodity prices.
The 2025 budget proposal lists 424-million N-T for overseas travel - that's
an increase of 160-million N-T compared with the budget allocated (分配) for
overseas travel for this year.
The statement comes after opposition lawmakers questioned the budget increase
and called on the foreign ministry to provide more details about how the
money will be spent.
CDC Warns of Ongoing Diarrhea Risks Ahead of Mid-Autumn Festival
The Centers for Disease Control is warning about the risks of diarrhea ahead
of next week's Mid-Autumn Festival - noting that a significant number of
clusters in Taiwan had been caused by a previously less common strain of
norovirus.
According to the C-D-C, just over 130,000 people with diarrhea visited
emergency and outpatient departments from September 1 through 7.
Although that was a 1.5-per cent decline from the previous week, health
officials are stressing (強調) that it was the highest number for the same
period since 2019.
The C-D-C says 101 diarrhea clusters has also been reported over the past
four weeks, marking a five-year high for the same period.
US Presidential Debate Ongoing
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have taken the debate stage in Philadelphia,
where they’ll fight to sway 2024 election voters on the biggest stage in
U.S. politics.
The event offers Americans their most detailed look at a campaign that’s
dramatically (戲劇性地) changed since the last debate in June.
It’s the only debate that’s been firmly scheduled and could be the only
time voters see Harris and Trump go head-to-head before the November general
election
The debate has no audience, no written notes, and no live mics when
candidates aren’t speaking, according to rules the host network ABC News
shared.
So far Trump has spoken about abortion rights, saying the issue should be
left up to the states, while Harris spoke about her plans to create an
"opportunity economy", and criticized Trump's economic plan as "all about tax
breaks for the richest people".
Space X Launches Mission with Private Citizen Spacewalk
SpaceX has launched a capsule carrying four private citizens into orbit on a
five day mission set to make history by including the first spacewalk
conducted by a non government crew.
The journey will also take the four private astronauts to the highest orbital
altitude (高度) that humans have reached since the Apollo moon mission in
1972.
Kate Fisher reports
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 108 -points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,252 on turnover of 4.8-billion N-T.
The market closed sharply lower on Monday, driven by heavy losses on Wall
Street late last week and the day's sell-off was concentrated in the
bellwether electronics sector.
However, bargain hunters turned active late in the session, which capped
losses above 20,922-points - which is the intraday low set on September 4.
Business Leaders Urge Government to Scale Back Carbon Fee Rate Plans
Business groups are criticizing the government's proposed carbon fee rate
range - arguing the plan will increase costs for companies and ultimately
(程沧) pass the buck onto consumers.
The statement comes after a review committee announced that it's recommending
setting a basic carbon fee rate in the range of between 300 and 500 N-T per
metric ton of carbon emissions.
According to the Third Wednesday Club, the proposed carbon fee rate, combined
with a planned minimum wage hike, will increase costs by "at least 10-per
cent" for some companies ..
.. and the initial carbon fee rate should not exceed 100 N-T per metric ton
of emissions.
PLG Star Chou Yi-hsiang Quits Pilots Following Drunk Driving Incident
And,
Taoyuan Pilots star player Chou Yi-hsiang has quit the team after his refusal
to take a breathalyzer test in August was made public.
According to a statement issued by the pro-basketball league franchise, the
small forward requested to leave the team because "he felt he had let the
public down."
That request was accepted effective immediately.
The franchise says Chou's drunk driving and his refusal to take the
breathalyzer test was a serious violation of the team's management principles
and his contract and the Pilots' "strongly condemn (宁砫) his actions."
Chou's driving license has been revoked and he is now required to attend road
safety lectures.
UN Chief on Gaza Death and Destruction
The UN chief says the United Nations is offering to mediate (秸秆), as he
calls the death and destruction in Gaza the worst he's seen.
AP correspondent Ed Donahue.
UK Kate Returning to Some Public Duties
Kate, the Princess of Wales, says she has completed chemotherapy and will
return to some public duties in the coming months.
The 42-year-old wife of Prince William is expected to undertake a light
program of engagements until the end of the year.
Kate said Monday that while she had completed her chemotherapy treatment, the
path to full recovery would be long and she would ¨take each day as it
comes.〃
She had announced in March that she was being treated for an undisclosed type
of cancer.
Kate attended a ceremonial (祸Α) birthday parade for her father-in-law King
Charles III in June, and the following month presented the men's winner's
trophy at the Wimbledon tennis championships.
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Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
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高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。
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Tai-Ex opening down
Submarines to be Built in Updated 2-3-2 Sequence
Taiwan Beats Japan to Win U-18 Asian Baseball Championship
Trump and Harris neck and neck
Mideast Tensions remain
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 68-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,255
on turnover of $3.8-billion N-T.
MND Earmarks NT$4.9 billion to Boost Backbone Network
The Ministry of National Defense has earmarked about 4.9-billion N-T to
acquire backbone subnetworks for faster and more stable battlefield data
transmission.
The budget request is pending legislative review.
It approved it will fund 213 backbone subnetworks, 179 microwave transmission
subsystems, power generators and fiber channels to facilitate data
transmission to command centers and weapons launch platforms across different
services of the armed forces.
According to the defense ministry, the planned systems are expected to boost
the survivability (生存能力) of critical military command and control systems
during wartime by establishing a round-island fiber optic communication
system and a high-capacity data transmission network.
They are also expected to ensure uninterrupted data transmissions between
command and control centers, harbors, airports, and joint intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance systems.
Some 59-million N-T has been earmarked for the design and planning of the
systems and on-site evaluations for next year.
The project will take place from 2025 to 2030.
FDC Hotel Chain Tests 4-Day Workweek at Sun Moon Lake Jotel
F-D-C International Hotels has announced that it's become the first company
in Taiwan's hospitality industry to implement a four-day workweek on a trial
basis.
The hotel and restaurant operator says it began a trial run of the new system
at the Fleur de Chine Hotel near Sun Moon Lake on September 1.
The move means employees get three days off a week.
The trial will last six months.
F-D-C says the four-day workweek policy will not impact the quality of the
service customers receive and the company is continuously monitoring and
evaluating the impact of the new system.
According to F-D-C Chairman Sheng Zhi-ren, he believes having three days off
every week can improve employees' job satisfaction and enhance (提高) overall
work efficiency and creativity.
US Hunter Biden to Plead Responsibility in Tax Evasion Trial
Hunter Biden, son of US president Joe Biden, has offered to plead
responsibility in his tax evasion case to avoid a potentially (潛在地)
embarrassing trial.
The plea would mean he maintains his innocence but accepts punishment for
avoiding more than a million dollars of taxes.
US correspondent Nick Harper reports.
France Macron Names New PM
President Emmanuel Macron has named EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as
France’s new prime minister after more than 50 days of caretaker government.
Thursday's appointment of the 73-year-old Barnier follows weeks of intense
(激烈的) efforts by Macron and his aides to find a candidate who might be
able to build loose groupings of backers in parliament and survive promised
attempts by Macron’s opponents to quickly topple the new government.
Barnier is the oldest of the 26 prime ministers that have served modern
France’s Fifth Republic.
He replaces the youngest, Gabriel Attal, who was 34 when he was appointed
just eight months ago.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
INTRO
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Taiex open
The Taiex opened up 178.34 points at 21,271.09, on turnover of NT$4.81
billion.
The upward tick came after the index suffered its third steepest decline in
history, tumbling almost 1,000 points on the back of a sell-off triggered by
Wall Street.
DPP Secretary-General Tells America that Taiwan is Determined to Defend
Itself Against China
D-P-P Secretary-General Lin You-chang says Taiwan is determined to defend
itself against China.
During a public seminar hosted by the Global Taiwan Institute in Washington,
D.C., Lin said Taiwan's will to defend itself, as well its investments in
national security, continue to grow stronger ..
.. and while the Lai administration has the ideal of pursuing peace, Taiwan
must not have illusions about China, as Beijing's intention to seize Taiwan
has never changed regardless of which party is in power in Taiwan.
Lin said Beijing has only adjusted its approach from using "shells and
missiles" during Chen Shui-bian's presidency, to "money" during Ma
Ying-jeou's presidency, and "shells, missiles, silver bullets, and cognitive
warfare" during Tsai Ing-wen's presidency.
Lin said that under President Lai Ching-te, China is using all of those
approaches as well as disinformation (假信息) and legal battles in an attempt
to disrupt and infiltrate Taiwanese society.
Taipei Zoo Announces Deaths of Three Long-Term Residents
And,
The Taipei Zoo has announced the deaths of three of long term residents -- a
white rhino, its last American bison, and a Bengal tiger.
American bison (野牛) Chiao-wa died on Wednesday, while Bengal tiger
Hsin-chun and white rhino Hsi-min died on Monday this week.
Chiao-wa was born at the zoo in October of 1999 and it was the last American
bison at the zoo.
Hsin-chun was the last Bengal tiger at the Taipei Zoo, it died after
suffering from chronic kidney disease.
While white rhino Hsi-min was 44 years old and one of the oldest residents in
the zoo's African Animal Area.
Georgia Mass Shootings
U-S authorities say a 14-year-old student has opened fire (開槍) at a Georgia
high school and killed four persons.
Nine people were also wounded.
The dead have been identified as two students and two teachers at Apalachee
High School in Winder.
Haya Panjwani reports.
<
[CLIP]
Slug:
North Korea sends more trash-carrying balloons toward South Korea.
North Korea is flying more trash-carrying balloons toward South Korea in the
latest round of Cold War-style psychological warfare between the rivals.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (參謀長聯席會議) says it detected more
balloons launched from North Korea on Thursday morning following launches the
previous evening.
The joint chiefs said North Korea launched around 420 balloons from Wednesday
evening to early Thursday and that about 20 of them had been discovered so
far in the South Korean capital of Seoul and nearby Gyeonggi province.
It says the balloons were filled with paper waste, plastic bottles and other
trash but contained no dangerous materials.
New study sheds light on plastic pollution
A new study finds that every year people create 57 million tons of plastic
pollution.
The material winds up everywhere from the deepest oceans to the highest peak
of Mount Everest to inside people's bodies.
More than two-thirds of it is in the Global South (南方國家)
Researchers in the United Kingdom examined waste produced at the local level
in more than 50,000 cities and towns.
They looked at waste that gets into the open environment, rather than plastic
that goes into landfills or gets burned properly.
But experts say that the study's focus on pollution, rather than growing
plastic production, lets the plastics industry off the hook.
OUTRO
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 518-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,575 on turnover of 11.9-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed lower Tuesday as turnover shrank to the lowest in
more than seven months amid caution over the U.S. economy, ahead of the
release of August manufacturing activity data.
Large cap tech stocks largely moved lower led by contract chipmaker TSMC as
investors appeared wary of movements on U.S. markets with futures there on
the decline, pointing to a possible fall on spot markets later in the day.
Tropical Storm Yagi to Bring Extreme High Temperatures
Tropical Storm Yagi may bring extreme high temperatures to parts of the
island today.
The Central Weather Administration says the storm currently moving towards
China, does not pose a direct threat to Taiwan, but subsiding (下沉) airflow
caused by Yagi will cause high temperatures over the western half of the
island.
Forecasters say that's particularly the case for northern regions, which
highs of up to 38-degrees expected in Hsinchu today.
The CWA has issued heat warnings for large parts of the north, as well as for
Hualien, Yunlin and Tainan.
And the storm may cause some precipitation as well, with sporadic showers
across the north, east, and mountainous areas, as well as brief thunderstorms
in central and southern Taiwan.
(NS)
US Files Criminal Charges Against Hamas Leader
US prosecutors have filed criminal charges against Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar
and five other militants in the group.
The charges, related to the October 7th attack on Israel, include terrorism,
and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction (大規模殺傷性).
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
IAEA Says Zaporizhzhia Plant "Very Fragile"
The head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog has described the situation
at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant as “very fragile” following fresh
attacks near the site in central Ukraine.
He also vows to expand International Atomic Energy Agency inspections to
include critical electricity supplies.
Rafael Mariano Grossi has highlighted the vulnerability of Ukraine’s energy
infrastructure because of Russian attacks.
The Zaporizhzhia plant came under Russian control in the wake of Moscow's
full-scale (全面的) invasion in 2022.
The IAEA says ongoing attacks in the area and damage to Ukraine’s national
grid threaten the power supply that's vital to nuclear power stations.
Nvidia shares fall
In related news…..
Chipmaker NVIDIA lost more market value than any other stock in a single day.
CNBC reports the stock fell 9.5 percent, or about $279 billion in market
value.
It is now down 23.3% since June 20.
But it is up, however, 118% in 2024.
But NVIDIA didn't drop on its own.
Its fall saw a basket of chip stocks retreat -- Intel fell almost 8%, Marvell
slid 8.2%, and AMD dropped 7.8%, and Qualcomm fell nearly 7%.
The stock is down another 2% after hours. The action comes after Bloomberg
reported that the Department of Justice is taking a closer look at antitrust
(反壟斷) concerns for Nvidia.
CNBC says chip stocks were gainin steam on optimism that the artificial
intelligence boom will require companies to buy more semiconductors to keep
up with AI applications.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 5.01 points at 22,240.11 Tuesday on turnover of NT$2.54
billion.
A rally in the home stretch of Monday's session led by Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) pulled the Taiex up from the day's low.
The financial sector attracted interest on rumors that the Financial
Supervisory Commission (FSC) will agree to a tender offer proposed by CTBC
Financial Holding Co. to acquire Shin Kong Financial Holding Co.
Taiwan may continue to drift today, with U-S markets closed for the Labor Day
weekend.
SEMICON Taiwan 2024 opens Wednesday with CEO summit, tech forums
More than 20 international forums on leading-edge semiconductor technologies
will be held at this year's SEMICON Taiwan, which is expected to draw some
85,000 overseas visitors from 56 countries.
Organizers say a round of international forums kick off before the formal
opening of the expo, will include the "most eye-catching CEO Summit" that
features talks by major figures in the semiconductor industry,
Another highlight… an "AI chip talk of the century" among major figures
from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, ASE Technology, Samsung Electronics,
and Google tomorrow afternoon.
This year's expo will feature 16 main themes, including advanced
manufacturing, heterogeneous integration, green manufacturing, and
semiconductor cybersecurity (網路安全).
But the exhibit will also feature be some new areas "such as artificial
intelligence (AI), smart mobility, silicon photonics, and precision
machinery.
Taiwanese firms in Japan to benefit from 'one-stop' service center: Minister
Taiwan's economics minister says the government is planning to set up a
one-stop service center in Kyushu, Japan to assist Taiwanese companies that
are expanding there.
Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Jyh-huei says the government-funded service
will be "like a science park" that will facilitate the needs of Taiwanese
companies on Kyushu island and help them with the logistics (後勤) of
establishing businesses there.
Kuo did not specify the exact location of the planned office but said it will
not be in Kumamoto, the Kyushu prefecture in which Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing Company has a fab and is preparing to build another one.
The minister says Nagasaki, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kitakyushu are some of the
Kyushu prefectures that have expressed interest in welcoming Taiwanese
companies.
Britain to suspend sales of some weapons to Israel
The U.K. government says it's suspending exports of some weapons to Israel
because they could be used to break international law.
Here's Foreign Secretary David Lammy
Lammy told lawmakers the decision related to about 30 of 350 export licenses
to Israel and wasn't an arms embargo (禁令，禁運).
The United Kingdom is among a number of Israel’s longstanding allies whose
governments are under growing pressure to halt weapons exports because of the
toll of the nearly 11-month-old war in Gaza.
Biden: Netanyahu not doing enough to secure hostage deal
Meanwhile…
US President Joe Biden says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not
doing enough to secure (獲得) a hostage deal.
It comes after Hamas' killed six hostages, including an American citizen.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
<
[CLIP]
Slug:
Philippines Tropical Storm Yagi
A fierce storm is blowing out of the northern Philippines after leaving at
least 14 people dead in landslides, floods and swollen waterways.
Tropical Storm Yagi swept past Paoay town in Ilocos Norte province into the
South China Sea with sustained winds of up to 75 kilometers per hour and
gusts of up to 125 kph.
It was forecast to strengthen into a typhoon as it barrels (飛馳)
northwestward over the sea toward southern China.
Storm warnings remained in most northern Philippine provinces, where
residents were warned of the lingering danger of landslides in rain-soaked
mountain villages and floodings in the farming lowlands of the Philippines'
most populous region.
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every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
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生活處處需要用到錢
你的存款由中央存保來守護
在台灣如遇到金融機構發生問題
中央存款保險公司將依法賠付存款人
最高享有新臺幣300萬元保額
新臺幣加外幣存款，本金利息都有保！
https://bit.ly/4cGHepO
免保費 #打拼人生要有存保 #中央存保廣告
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 74-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,342
on turnover of $3.5-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed higher Friday but gains were limited by looming
downgrades to the country's weighting in two of MSCI Inc.'s major indices.
The bellwether electronics sector saw most of its upturn eroded, while select
nontech stocks in the transportation and construction industries attracted
rotational buying to lend support to the broader market.
CWA: Sunny to Cloudy Skies with Afternoon Thundershowers
The Central Weather Administration says skies across Taiwan will be mostly
sunny or cloudy with occasional thundershowers in some areas.
Forecasters say the short thunderstorms will be in central and southern
regions or mountainous areas during the afternoon.
For daytime temperatures, the CWA says most areas will see highs of 33 to 36
degrees Celsius, with a possibility of temperatures exceeding 37 degrees in
regions north of Hsinchu.
Meanwhile….
Tropical Storm Yagi is located about 890 kilometers southeast of Eluanbi, and
is expected to move northwest toward the northern part of Luzon Island and
the Bashi Channel.
Officials say starting Tuesday evening, moisture (濕氣、水分) levels along
Taiwan's eastern half and southern regions are expected to increase due to
the influence of the storm's outer bands.
(NS)
US Biden Speaks with Family of Hostage Killed in Gaza
Joe Biden has spoken with the family of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old
Israeli-American, whose body was among the six discovered by the IDF in
southern Gaza.
The US President and Vice-President Kamala Harris also issued statements
reaffirming (重申) their commitment to secure the release of the remaining
hostages held by Hamas.
Jagruti Dave has more from Washington.
<
[CLIP]
Slug:
Philippines Raid CyberGambling Complex
Philippine authorities have raided a suspected illegal online gaming and
cyberscam complex and taken into custody more than 160 people who were
committing (犯) internet-based crimes.
Philippine officials say the raid were carried out by more than 100
government agents, backed by military intelligence, on Saturday on a resort
compound in Lapu-Lapu city.
The move is part of an ongoing crackdown after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
ordered a ban in July on widespread online gaming operations that cater
mostly to clients in China, where illegal gambling is banned.
Marcos said then that the massive gambling operations have ignored Philippine
laws and also committed other crimes, including financial scams, human
trafficking, torture, kidnappings and murder.
Paris Paralympics Postponed Events in Seine to Go Ahead Today
Paralympics organizers say triathlon competitions in Paris scheduled for
Sunday have been postponed for a day because of concerns about water quality
in the Seine River after heavy rainfall.
Late Sunday night, organizers confirmed the 11 para triathlon events would go
ahead today, saying in a statement that new water testing results and
monitoring "indicate that water quality continues to improve and will be
within the World Triathlon thresholds on race day."
Rainstorms hit the French capital Friday and Saturday.
Heavy rains cause wastewater and runoff to flow into the river, leading to a
rise in bacteria levels including E. Coli.
The disruption is another hiccup (造成短暫延誤或中斷的小問題) for the city’s
efforts to clean up the river for future public swimming.
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every day in the afternoon.
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中路特區指標建築『百俊吾双』
60米大興西路，27層雙塔地標，600坪泳池花園，壯闊落成
42至52坪戶戶挑高3米4大氣尺度，即可入住！
實品屋全新完工，敬邀名家鑑賞
預約專線：03-3311688
https://bit.ly/4dCXCbE
--
生活處處需要用到錢
你的存款由中央存保來守護
在台灣如遇到金融機構發生問題
中央存款保險公司將依法賠付存款人
最高享有新臺幣300萬元保額
新臺幣加外幣存款，本金利息都有保！
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免保費 #打拼人生要有存保 #中央存保廣告
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 28-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,230
on turnover of $5-billion N-T.
The market grounded on Thursday, as investors reacted to Wall Street trending
lower overnight, as Nvidia's stock price fell 2.1-per cent, despite the
company reporting strong profit.
Carbon Fee Collection to Start in 2026
The Ministry of Environment says carbon fees will begin to collected in 2026.
According to the ministry, the government will use next year a preparation
window for the plan, during which only reporting of emission amounts for the
previous year will be required.
The statement comes after the regulations for carbon fee collection and how
fee-liable (需要付費的) enterprises can qualify for preferential rates by
achieving certain emission reduction targets were made public.
Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming is calling the plan a milestone signifying
Taiwan "has entered the era of carbon pricing."
The regulations will oversee how carbon fees are collected, management of
fee-liable enterprises' reduction projects, and standards determining whether
the reduction projects undertaken by the enterprises qualify them for
preferential carbon fee rates.
The environment minister says carbon fee scheme will cover those companies
that emit more than 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year,
which covers 281 enterprises based on data from 2022.
Israel Hamas Agree to Pause for Polio Vaccination
The United Nations says an agreement has been reached for limited pauses in
fighting to allow for the polio vaccination drive (大規模疫苗接種活動) to
take place in Gaza.
The Israeli military and Hamas have agreed to three-day pauses as hundreds of
children need to receive the vaccine after a baby contracted the first
confirmed polio case in 25 years in the Palestinian territory.
Jody Jacobs reports from the United Nations…
Thailand Indicts Police in Red Bull Heir Case
Prosecutors in Thailand have indicted a former national police chief in
connection with an alleged cover-up of a 2012 crash involving an heir to the
Red Bull energy drink fortune that killed a police officer.
The former police chief, along with a former deputy attorney general and six
other people were arraigned (提審) Thursday on charges alleging they
conspired to alter the recorded speed of the Ferrari driven by Vorayuth
“Boss” Yoovidhya to help him evade a speeding charge.
Police have said Vorayuth smashed his Ferrari into the police officer’s
motorbike on a major Bangkok road in 2012.
Vorayuth fled abroad, where he remains.
Ecuador Begins Dismantling Oil Drilling Block in National Park
Ecuador says it has begun to dismantle infrastructure on a controversial oil
drilling block in Yasuni National Park, home to the Waorani Indigenous
people.
After a historic referendum last year that favored keeping oil in the ground
in Yasuni, the country’s top court ordered the government to halt operations
and remove wells by Aug. 30.
Last week, the government asked the court for an extension of five years and
five months to complete the task.
The drilling block is in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Ending oil drilling at the 43-ITT oil block could cost $1.3 billion,
according to government estimates.
Oil accounts for nearly one-third of Ecuador’s GDP, and its economy is
struggling to meet its domestic debt obligations (義務).
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Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
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中路特區指標建築『百俊吾双』
60米大興西路，27層雙塔地標，600坪泳池花園，壯闊落成
42至52坪戶戶挑高3米4大氣尺度，即可入住！
實品屋全新完工，敬邀名家鑑賞
預約專線：03-3311688
https://bit.ly/4dCXCbE
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 25-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,210
on turnover of 2.9-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly lower on Tuesday on the back of thin turnover
following heavy losses suffered by tech stocks on Wall Street overnight.
Sentiment also turned cautious amid a sudden sharp rise in international
crude oil prices, which could potentially rekindling (重新點燃) inflation,
and is leading to doubts over whether the U-S Federal Reserve will slow down
its pace in a rate cut cycle.
KMT Lawmaker Released on Bail in Corruption Probe
The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has released K-M-T lawmaker Zheng
Tien-cai on bail of 2-million N-T.
Zheng has also been barred from leaving Taiwan.
His release came after he was questioned by prosecutors as part of a
corruption investigation.
According to the prosecutors' office, Zheng received several million N-T
dollars in bribes from several green energy companies between 2020 and 2023.
Nine other people were summoned (被傳喚) for questioning in connection with
the same case and released without bail last week.
MOL to Ease Hotel Job Access for Foreign Students
The Ministry of Labor says foreign students graduating from colleges and
universities here in Taiwan will be eligible (有資格的) for mid-level jobs in
the hotel industry from from today.
The move is as part of government efforts to address workforce shortages in
the hospitality sector.
According to the labor ministry, graduates must hold associate degrees or
higher from local schools in order to be eligible to qualify for jobs in
housekeeping, cleaning, room booking, reception and restaurant waiting
service at hotels.
The entry-level monthly salary is 30,000 N-T, rising to 33,000 N-T if a
contract is renewed.
US Harris Walz Agree to First Sitdown Interview
US presidential hopeful Kamala Harris has agreed to her first sit-down
interview since taking over the Democratic ticket from Joe Biden.
It follows weeks of criticism (批評) from her Republican rival Donald Trump
who has suggested she was scared of facing the media.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Egypt Artifacts Recovered from Netherlands
Egypt has recovered three ancient artifacts after they were smuggled out of
the country and found in the Netherlands.
Egyptian authorities say two of the items were for sale in an antiques shop.
The items include a mummified head, a ceramic (陶瓷的) figurine, and the side
of a wooden tomb.
Dutch police and the cultural heritage inspection unit retrieved the
figurines and parts of the tomb after determining that they were smuggled out
of Egypt.
A Dutch individual handed over the mummified head, which he had inherited
from a family member, to local authorities.
Egyptian authorities say more than 30-thousand artifacts have been recovered
from around the world since 2014.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
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華碩商用電腦ASUS Expert台灣市佔第一！
通過多項軍規測試，以優異品質、高擴充性、完整軟硬體解決方案，幫助企業降低擁有成本、簡化管理。
結合客製化保固與在地服務，華碩商用小隊是各大企業、政教單位的最強後盾。
商用AIPC首選「華碩」，值得信賴！ https://bit.ly/3AiUT8T
--
中路特區指標建築『百俊吾双』
60米大興西路，27層雙塔地標，600坪泳池花園，壯闊落成
42至52坪戶戶挑高3米4大氣尺度，即可入住！
實品屋全新完工，敬邀名家鑑賞
預約專線：03-3311688
https://bit.ly/4dCXCbE
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 60-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,179 on turnover of 2.8-billion N-T.
The market closed moderately higher on Monday after giving up early gains
ahead of stiff technical resistance at around the 60-day moving average.
Gains posted by the bellwether electronics sector fell off early in the
trading day, but non-tech stocks, in particular those in the financial
sector, attracted strong buying, preventing the broader market from falling
further.
Taiwan and Japan Hold 6th Maritime Talks in Taipei
Representatives from Taiwan and Japan have held the sixth edition of the
Maritime Affairs Cooperation Dialogue in Taipei.
Agencies involved in the meeting included the Ocean Affairs Council, the
Coast Guard Administration, the Ocean Conservation Administration, the
Nuclear Safety Commission and the Fisheries Agency.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the talks focused on
cooperation on maritime security, conservation of the marine environment,
"marine power development," fisheries and marine science.
However, neither side has disclosed any information about the outcome (結果)
of the meeting, which took place at the Grand Hotel.
Liu Ya-ting and Chen Po-yen to be Flag Bearers at Paris Paralympics
And,
Javelin (標槍) thrower and three-time Paralympian, Liu Ya-ting and table
tennis player Chen Po-yen have been named as Taiwan's flag bearers at the
opening ceremony of the Paris Paralympics.
The ceremony will be taking place in the French capital Thursday morning
Taiwan time.
It will be the second time that Liu will have been Taiwan's flag bearer at
the Paralympics opening ceremony, following the Tokyo Paralympics,
And at the age of 17, Chen Po-yen is the youngest member of the Taiwanese
team at the Paris Paralympics.
Taiwan Paralympic team consists of 13 athletes, who will be competing in
archery, athletics, badminton, judo, table tennis, taekwondo and
powerlifting.
Army Private who Fled to NKorea to Plead Guilty to Desertion
A US army private who fled to North Korea will plead guilty to desertion
(擅離職守).
AP correspondent Lisa Dwyer reports
France Macron Comments on Durov Arrest
French President Emmanuel Macron says the arrest in France of the CEO of the
popular messaging app Telegram, Pavel Durov, wasn’t a political move but
part of an independent investigation.
Macron posted on the social media that his country “is deeply committed” to
freedom of expression but “freedoms are upheld (捍衛、堅持) within a legal
framework, both on social media and in real life, to protect citizens and
respect their fundamental rights.”
French media reported that Durov was detained at a Paris airport Saturday on
an arrest warrant alleging his platform has been used for money laundering,
drug trafficking and other offenses.
Colombia Airlines Resume Flights After Fuel Shortage
Two Colombian airlines say they will operate most of their flights today and
resume full schedules Wednesday, after warning earlier Monday that they would
have to cancel dozens of flights due to shortages of jet fuel.
The late announcements by the airlines capped off a turbulent (動盪的) day
for Colombia’s aviation industry that saw hundred of passengers grounded and
others struggling to rebook their flights.
The two companies carry more than 70% of Colombia’s domestic air passengers.
On Sunday, Colombia’s national oil company announced it had imported
100-thousand barrels of jet fuel to ensure supplies for domestic airlines
after the carriers complained they were not receiving enough fuel from
suppliers.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
華碩商用電腦ASUS Expert台灣市佔第一！
通過多項軍規測試，以優異品質、高擴充性、完整軟硬體解決方案，幫助企業降低擁有成本、簡化管理。
結合客製化保固與在地服務，華碩商用小隊是各大企業、政教單位的最強後盾。
商用AIPC首選「華碩」，值得信賴！ https://bit.ly/3AiUT8T
--
中路特區指標建築『百俊吾双』
60米大興西路，27層雙塔地標，600坪泳池花園，壯闊落成
42至52坪戶戶挑高3米4大氣尺度，即可入住！
實品屋全新完工，敬邀名家鑑賞
預約專線：03-3311688
https://bit.ly/4dCXCbE
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 92-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,250
on turnover of $5.4-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed almost flat Friday after recovering from initial
weakness driven by cautious sentiment ahead of a speech planned by the U.S.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for later in the day.
Large-cap tech stocks benefited from bargain hunting to help the broader
market regain its footing by the end of the session, while transactions
increased in the financial sector after Taishin Financial Holding Co. and
Shin Kong Financial Holding Co. agreed to a merger deal.
Taiwan hosts chef workshop to promote culinary tourism
The Ministry of Economic Affairs is holding a workshop featuring renowned
chefs and restaurants that started Saturday to enhance food industry
exchanges and promote tourism in Taiwan.
The Ministry says four acclaimed chefs, Andre Chiang, Zor Tan, Thomas Chien
and Wes Kuo, were invited to the three-day workshop to share their
experiences of working in fine dining.
Representatives from restaurants including Shin Yeh Restaurant Group, and Jin
Xia were also present, along with food critics (美食評論家) from different
generations, to discuss their expertise.
Deputy Economics Minister Chen Chern-chyi says the ministry will hold similar
activities in the future, including a culinary competition called "Taiwan
Select," to showcase restaurants and attract international and domestic
tourists.
British Journalist Killed in Russian Strike on Ukraine
Reuters news agency confirms that a member of a British journalistic team has
been killed after Russian forces struck a hotel overnight in eastern Ukraine.
In a statement on social media, the Donetsk regional prosecutor’s office
said that the body was recovered from underneath the rubble (瓦礫) late
Sunday evening.
Two other members of the six-person Reuters crew were hospitalized.
Local officials said the hotel was struck by an Iskander-M Russian ballistic
missile, leaving the reporters with blast injuries, concussions and cuts on
the body.
US Harris Campaign Raises 540Million
US Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign says she's raised $540 million
dollars since announcing (宣告) her run for President in November's election.
It's been over a month since incumbent President Joe Biden dropped out of the
race.
Our US Correspondent Jagruti Dave reports.
France Telegram CEO Detained
French broadcast media reports say the founder and CEO of the popular
messaging service Telegram has been detained at a Paris airport.
Pavel Durov is being held on an arrest warrant (逮捕令) alleging his platform
has been used for money laundering, drug trafficking and other offenses.
Durov is a dual citizen of France and Russia.
French broadcasters reported that Durov was arrested on Saturday evening
after landing in France from Azerbaijan.
French prosecutors declined to comment on Durov’s arrest when contacted by
The Associated Press on Sunday.
Durov’s representatives couldn’t be immediately reached for comment.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
華碩商用電腦ASUS Expert台灣市佔第一！
通過多項軍規測試，以優異品質、高擴充性、完整軟硬體解決方案，幫助企業降低擁有成本、簡化管理。
結合客製化保固與在地服務，華碩商用小隊是各大企業、政教單位的最強後盾。
商用AIPC首選「華碩」，值得信賴！ https://bit.ly/3AiUT8T
--
中路特區指標建築『百俊吾双』
60米大興西路，27層雙塔地標，600坪泳池花園，壯闊落成
42至52坪戶戶挑高3米4大氣尺度，即可入住！
實品屋全新完工，敬邀名家鑑賞
預約專線：03-3311688
https://bit.ly/4dCXCbE
華碩商用電腦ASUS Expert台灣市佔第一！
通過多項軍規測試，以優異品質、高擴充性、完整軟硬體解決方案，幫助企業降低擁有成本、簡化管理。
結合客製化保固與在地服務，華碩商用小隊是各大企業、政教單位的最強後盾。
商用AIPC首選「華碩」，值得信賴！ https://bit.ly/3AiUT8T
--
中路特區指標建築『百俊吾双』
60米大興西路，27層雙塔地標，600坪泳池花園，壯闊落成
42至52坪戶戶挑高3米4大氣尺度，即可入住！
實品屋全新完工，敬邀名家鑑賞
預約專線：03-3311688
https://bit.ly/4dCXCbE
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
Taiwan shares down
Chiang Announced that Twin City Forum will Take Place in Late September
US Warship Transits Taiwan Strait
Palestinians to push for resolution for Israel to leave occupied territories
Trump visits border
華碩商用電腦ASUS Expert台灣市佔第一！
通過多項軍規測試，以優異品質、高擴充性、完整軟硬體解決方案，幫助企業降低擁有成本、簡化管理。
結合客製化保固與在地服務，華碩商用小隊是各大企業、政教單位的最強後盾。
商用AIPC首選「華碩」，值得信賴！ https://bit.ly/3AiUT8T
--
中路特區指標建築『百俊吾双』
60米大興西路，27層雙塔地標，600坪泳池花園，壯闊落成
42至52坪戶戶挑高3米4大氣尺度，即可入住！
實品屋全新完工，敬邀名家鑑賞
預約專線：03-3311688
https://bit.ly/4dCXCbE
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
Kinmen Lawmaker Urges China to Lift Restrictions on Travel to Taiwan
AMD to open R&D Hubs in Tainan and Kaohsiung
Russia Leader Met Chinese premier Li Qiang
Russia drones attacks from Ukraine
Violence costs the world nearly 20 trillion dollars
Taylor Swift cancel concerts in Vienna
中路特區指標建築『百俊吾双』
60米大興西路，27層雙塔地標，600坪泳池花園，壯闊落成
42至52坪戶戶挑高3米4大氣尺度，即可入住！
實品屋全新完工，敬邀名家鑑賞
預約專線：03-3311688
https://bit.ly/4dCXCbE
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
TPP Suspends Huang Shan-shan's Membership
Deputy Transport Minister Appointed Acting MOTC Head
Blinken ends trip to Middle East
Former Tropical Storm Jongdari Brings Torrential Rains to South Korea
Russian Bridges Collapse as Kyiv's Offensive Intensifies
中路特區指標建築『百俊吾双』
60米大興西路，27層雙塔地標，600坪泳池花園，壯闊落成
42至52坪戶戶挑高3米4大氣尺度，即可入住！
實品屋全新完工，敬邀名家鑑賞
預約專線：03-3311688
https://bit.ly/4dCXCbE
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
Tai-Ex opening up
Under 30's Earn Highest Ever Income in 2023
Expanded IVF Subsidy Program Marks 3rd Anniversary with Over 20,000 Newborns
Mideast latest Israel-Hamas cease-fire
Philippines-US agreement about Afghan Immigrants
中路特區指標建築『百俊吾双』
60米大興西路，27層雙塔地標，600坪泳池花園，壯闊落成
42至52坪戶戶挑高3米4大氣尺度，即可入住！
實品屋全新完工，敬邀名家鑑賞
預約專線：03-3311688
https://bit.ly/4dCXCbE
--
華碩商用電腦ASUS Expert台灣市佔第一！
通過多項軍規測試，以優異品質、高擴充性、完整軟硬體解決方案，幫助企業降低擁有成本、簡化管理。
結合客製化保固與在地服務，華碩商用小隊是各大企業、政教單位的最強後盾。
商用AIPC首選「華碩」，值得信賴！ https://bit.ly/3AiUT8T
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
Tai-Ex opening down
Cross-Party Delegation of Lawmakers to Attend Democratic National Convention
Lin Yu-ting's Hometown of Yingge Celebrate Olympic Gold
US Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz
Northern Ireland WW2 Bomb Removal
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 220-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,114 on turnover of $7.7-billion N-T.
Earthquake Update 10PM
No major damage has been reported after this morning's magnitude 6.3
earthquake.
The tremors at 7:35am caused some disruptions to traffic, as mass
transportation systems underwent checks for safety.
The Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation says the city's MRT ran at reduced
speeds for a brief time, before returning to normal operations.
The quake registered an intensity of 3 in Taichung, and metro trains there
stopped at station platforms for two minutes, before running at lower speeds.
All lines have been reported undamaged.
Meanwhile….
The Central Weather Administration says aftershocks of magnitude 5.5 or
higher may occur in the next three days.
The CWA says with recent heavy rains, they are advising (勸告) members of the
public to stay on alert for landslides.
(NS)
Taiwan CDC raises travel alert for 7 African countries due to mpox
The Centers for Disease Control raised its travel alert for the Democratic
Republic of the Congo (DRC) and six other African countries…
… after the World Health Organization declared the mpox outbreak in Africa
a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
The alert follows a surge in m-pox cases in the DRC and a rising number of
African countries…
The D-R-C has been elevated to "Level 2: Alert", advising Taiwanese travelers
to take enhanced (提高的) precautions.
So far this year, the D-R-C has reported over 15 thousand 600 cases and 537
deaths due to m-pox.
(CNA_IG)
UNICEF: More Gaza Children will Die if Polio Vaccine Not Delivered
The United Nations Children's Fund, Unicef says if polio vaccines don't get
distributed immediately, children in Gaza will die.
1.2 million doses of the vaccine have been approved by the World Health
Organisation following the discovery of poliovirus type 2 in July by the
Global Polio Laboratory Network in sewage (污水) samples collected in Gaza.
Jody Jacobs has more…
Ukraine Troops Claim to Take Russian Town
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country’s troops have taken
full control of Sudzha.
It's the largest Russian town to fall to Ukraine’s forces since the start of
their cross-border incursion more than a week ago.
Zelenskyy's claim on Thursday couldn't be independently verified (驗證).
He says Ukraine’s military is setting up a command office in Sudzha, which
suggests that Ukraine might plan to remain in the Kursk region long-term —
or just signal Moscow that it may intend to.
Sudzha had a prewar population of around 5,000 and is the administrative
center for the border area of Russia’s Kursk region.
Meanwhile, in the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, officials warned
civilians Thursday to evacuate ahead of rapidly advancing Russian troops.
HK Welcomes Panda Cub Births
Hong Kong has welcomed the births of its first locally born giant pandas.
The theme park where the twins were born said their mother is the world’s
oldest first-time giant panda mother on record (記錄在案).
Ying Ying gave birth to the male and female pandas at Ocean Park on Thursday
just a day before she turned 19 years old.
Ying Ying and her partner Le Le were the second pair of pandas gifted by
Beijing to Hong Kong since the former British colony returned to China’s
rule in 1997.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
全新一季「野灣野生動物醫院」podcast上架囉！
想幫動物拍下美照，竟然會造成生態危機！
野生動物好可愛！但可以帶牠回家養嗎？
節目中以真實的案例故事出發，帶大家一起認識野生動物的生存困境。
用最真實的聲音，搭起人們與動物之間的橋樑。
🐦立即收聽：https://bit.ly/3yLMDxL
--
中路特區指標建築『百俊吾双』
60米大興西路，27層雙塔地標，600坪泳池花園，壯闊落成
42至52坪戶戶挑高3米4大氣尺度，即可入住！
實品屋全新完工，敬邀名家鑑賞
預約專線：03-3311688
https://bit.ly/4dCXCbE
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 22-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,005, on turnover of $4-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed sharply higher by about 230 points Wednesday as
buying was sparked by a rally on the U.S. markets overnight in the wake of
the softer-than-expected July producer price index (PPI) growth, which
reinforced (加強) hopes of a rate cut by the Federal Reserve.
Analysts say interest was seen among large-cap stocks across the board amid
improved sentiment, but gains were capped by stiff technical resistance ahead
of the 20-day moving average of 22,084 points by the end of the session.
Booster vaccines proposed for seniors amid rare summer flu outbreak
Health experts are advocating for a version of the flu vaccine for those aged
65 and above.
Doctors point out that since last Friday, over 1 thousand 200 severe flu
cases have been recorded, marking the first severe summer flu outbreak in
seven years.
They say flu has become a year-round issue, which they attribute to
compromised (降低) immune systems from repeat COVID-19 infections.
They reccomend that Taiwan adopt enhanced recombinant flu vaccines for the
elderly, as these provide protection for a full year compared to the
six-month coverage of traditional vaccines.
The government has already procured flu vaccines for this year, but the
proposal for these enhanced vaccines will undergo a cost-benefit analysis…
…and could be reviewed by an expert committee in spring 2025.
US VP Candidate Walz Prepped to Debate Vance
From the US…
Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz says he's accepted an offer
to debate his Republican opponent (對手) JD Vance in October.
It's still unclear whether Vance has agreed to participate.
Ira Spitzer has more.
UNICEF: Africa Extreme Heat Creating Health Concerns
UNICEF says children in West and Central Africa are increasingly exposed to
extreme heat, creating health concerns.
The U.N. children's agency in a new report published on Wednesday says that
the frequency of heat waves in the region has more than quadrupled since the
1960s.
This leaves children more vulnerable to developing chronic (慢性的)
conditions and contracting infectious diseases that spread in high
temperatures, such as mosquito-borne malaria and dengue.
Central Africa is currently battling an outbreak of mpox, previously known as
monkeypox, an infectious disease that disproportionally affects children.
Officials at the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said
nearly 70% of mpox cases in Congo are in children younger than 15, who also
accounted for 85% of deaths.
On Wednesday, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global
emergency.
The UNICEF report called on governments to reduce carbon emissions to get
rising temperatures under control and protect children.
France Investigating GoldMedalist Khelif's Complaint Against Online
Harrassment
French prosecutors say they are investigating a complaint made by Olympic
boxing champion Imane Khelif for online harassment.
The Algerian boxer faced a torrent (連發，迸發) of criticism and false claims
about her sex during the Paris Olympics.
A statement from the Paris prosecutor’s office said Wednesday its unit for
combating online hate speech has opened a probe.
Under French law, it's up to investigators to determine which person or
organization may have been at fault.
The prosecutor's office didn’t name specific suspects.
Among those who posted misinformation about Khelif were Donald Trump, Elon
Musk and J.K. Rowling.
Khelif won gold in the women’s welterweight division, becoming a hero in
Algeria.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 155-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,952 on turnover of $6.9-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed slightly higher Tuesday following a reduced turnover
amid caution ahead of key U.S. economic data due out later this week.
Because of the lower turnover, many large-cap tech stocks fell into
consolidation mode throughout the session.
iPhone assembler Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. attracted bargain hunters
which helped boost the broader market.
Taiwan to recognize Lin's World Boxing Championships bronze medal
Premier Cho Jung-tai announced that Taiwan's government has decided to
recognize the bronze medal won by Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting at the 2023
World Boxing Championships, despite her later disqualification by the
International Boxing Association.
Cho made the announcement in a media interview, saying he has instructed the
Ministry of Education to work out a plan to present a National Glory Medal
and prize money of $900-thousand NT to Lin, in recognition of her outstanding
performance in international competitions.
The Cabinet says Taiwan experts and medical authorities have already verified
(核實) Lin's eligibility, and the International Olympic Committee allowed her
to compete in the 2024 Paris Games, with the IOC and its President Thomas
Bach repeatedly backed her eligibility to compete in the women's event.
The Cabinet says this shows that Lin's disqualification at the 2023 World
Championships was illegitimate.
Deputy Education Minister Chang Liao Wan-Chien also announced that Lin will
be appointed an anti-bullying Public Welfare Ambassador.
War crimes in Myanmar escalating at alarming rate
A team of United Nations investigators warns that war crimes committed by
Myanmar's military government has escalated (加劇、惡化) at an alarming rate.
In the past six months the UN estimates that over three million people have
been forced to flee their homes.
East Asia correspondent William Denselow reports.
Russia Claims Ukraine Incursion Checked
The Russian Defense Ministry says its forces have checked an effort by
Kyiv’s troops to expand a stunning weeklong incursion into Russia’s Kursk
region.
A Ukrainian Foreign Ministry official said Tuesday that Kyiv has no intention
of occupying Russian territory in the operation that has been shrouded in
(籠罩在) secrecy.
The Russian Defense Ministry said army units, fresh reserves, army aircraft,
drone teams and artillery forces stopped Ukrainian armored mobile groups from
moving deeper into Russia.
A Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the cross-border operation was
aimed at protecting Ukrainian land from long-range strikes launched from
Kursk.
He said that Ukraine isn't interested in taking the territory of the Kursk
region.
Banksy Artwork at London Zoo
Workers arriving at the London Zoo were surprised to discover an unexpected
exhibit that suggested the animals were being set free.
A mural by elusive street artist Banksy showed a gorilla holding up the
entrance gate as birds took flight and a sea lion waddled away.
Three sets of eyes peered out (向外看) from the darkness inside.
The painting may explain why Bansky-created creatures, including a mountain
goat perched on a building and a rhinoceros mounting a car, have been showing
up around London for nine straight days.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened opened up 43-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,816 on turnover of $5.9-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed sharply higher, rising more than 300 points in a
continued comeback Monday as the U.S. markets showed signs of stabilizing
from a recent sell-off amid eased concerns over a possible recession in the
United States.
The bellwether electronics sector served as a driver to the upturn on the
local main board as buying focused on artificial intelligence server stocks
throughout the session.
Returning Olympians Escorted by F16s
Returning Olympians have been welcomed back to Taiwan with flares (熱焰彈)
and a jet escort.
Media reports say three Air Force F-16 jets were on standby at around 5am
today in the air southwest of the island, to accompany the E-V-A Air Flight
on orders from President Lai Ching-te.
And once the jets were alongside the returning plane, flares were set off to
cheers from the passengers inside the plane.
The Chinese Taipei team, including athletes, coaches and staff, landed at
Taoyuan International Airport just after 7am.
And the flight was greeted with a water salute as it taxied down the runway.
(NS)
Syria Earthquake Causes No Major Damage
Local authorities say an earthquake shook central Syria causing no major
damages.
But the equake rattled residents who remembered last year’s devastating
(毀滅性的) temblor that struck northern Syria and Turkey.
Syria’s National Center for Earthquakes said a magnitude 5.5 quake struck 28
kms east of the city of Hama at 11:56 p.m local time.
The U.S. Geological Survey put the quake’s magnitude at 5.0 and said it had
a depth of 10 kilometers.
There were no immediate reports of deaths.
In Damascus and Beirut - the capital of neighboring Lebanon - residents
descended to the streets fearing a stronger quake that would collapse
buildings.
US Trump Sues DoJ Over FBI Raid
In the US….
Donald Trump is suing the United States' Department of Justice for $100
million.
The former US President is seeking damages (損害賠償) over the FBI's search
of his Florida residence.
At that time, law enforcement agents found hundreds of classified documents
that he'd taken from the White House.
Benji Hyer reports.
Study: Amazon Rainforest Under Threat
A new study finds that the Amazon rainforest is under threat as a carbon sink.
The report from US nonprofit Amazon Conservation finds that deforestation is
the biggest immediate threat to the world's largest rainforest.
The NPO used satellite data to determine that Amazon trees held 56.8 billion
metric tons of carbon above ground in 2022.
They found the forest has been a carbon sink over the last decade.
But with deforestation there's a danger the Amazon could start contributing
more carbon than it absorbs from the atmosphere.
The researchers say that it’s now a “very small buffer (緩衝)".
They say "there’s reason to worry that the biome could flip from sink to
source with ongoing deforestation.”
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
中元期間，台中市政府環保局紙錢集中載運煉化服務不打烊！
環保祭祀最時尚的「以功代金做公益」
至四大超商操作多媒體事務機選擇「台中以功代金」
👉 以功代金線上資訊：https://bit.ly/3LNZDpC
轉贈公益助人，讓愛心扶弱向上提升💕
以上為台中市政府環境保護局廣告
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 130-points this morning from Friday's close, at 21,599
on turnover of $5.1-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan staged a technical rebound Friday last week after slumping a
day earlier, helped by solid gains in American markets overnight.
Market sentiment improved as investors were relieved by lower-than-expected
weekly jobless claims in the United States.
Led by TSMC, buying momentum continued Friday and spread to old economy and
financial stocks to push the Taiex above 21,600 points before some investors
moved to the sell side, capping the market's rise.
Perseid meteor shower to peak on Monday: Taipei Astronomical Museum
And finally,
Stargazers are on the lookout tonight, as one of the three major meteor
showers of the year is set to peak.
The Taipei Astronomical Museum says the Perseid meteor shower may reach a
maximum rate of 100 shooting stars per hour this evening.
The museum forecasts that the meteor shower's radiant, that's the point in
the sky from which meteors appear to originate (起源), will rise at around
8:30 p.m., but the best viewing time would be from 11 p.m. until sunrise the
next day.
For those who are not able to get outside, the museum will also set up video
cameras on mountains to provide a live stream on YouTube accompanied by
expert commentary, starting at 8 o'clock tonight.
This year's Perseids have been active since July 17 and will continue until
Aug. 24.
Ukraine Acknowledges Military Action in Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indirectly acknowledged ongoing
military actions in Russia's Kursk border region.
Zelenskyy made the comment late Saturday in his nightly address.
Ukraine’s incursion into Russia is into its sixth day Sunday.
It's the largest such attack since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion on
Feb. 24, 2022, and is unprecedented (史無前例的) for its use of Ukrainian
military units on Russian soil.
The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that Russian forces engaged
Ukrainian troops in 3 villages roughly 25 km from the Ukrainian border.
US Biden on Dropping Out of Presidential Race
US President Joe Biden says he dropped out of the Presidential race because
he was worried internal Democratic party discussions about his fitness to
serve (合適，勝任) would be a "distraction" to his re-election campaign.
Our US Correspondent Jagruti Dave has more.
Olympic Flame Out in Paris
The Olympic flame has gone out in Paris, officially ending the 2024 Games as
Los Angeles takes over for 2028.
The French capital has handed over (把…交給) hosting duties for the Summer
Games to the next city in line.
For the closing ceremony, Hollywood star Tom Cruise descended from the top of
the stadium to the “Mission Impossible” theme song, before taking the
Olympic flag from star gymnast Simone Biles, putting it on the back of
motorcycle and roaring out of the stadium.
Next, Los Angeles will host the Olympics for the third time, with previous
Games being held there in 1984 and 1932.
It will be the first time the city will host the Paralympics.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 342-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,212-points on turnover of $6.1-billion N-T.
The market tumbled once again on Thursday as investors were spooked by a
sharp decline in artificial intelligence development-related stocks on Wall
Street overnight.
The three major weighted stocks all slid on the main board.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing closed the day down 2.61-per cent, Hon Hai
fell 4.11-per cent and MediaTek lost 3.04-per cent.
Cat Owners Required to Register and Microchip their Moggies
The Ministry of Agriculture says cat owners will be required to register and
have microchips implanted (植入) in their pets by September of next year.
The statement comes as amendments to the Animal Protection Act are set to
take affect next month.
The government has said the new regualtions are being brought into effect due
to a sharp increase in the number of pet cats.
That has risen by 50-per cent since 2020 and now stands at around
1.31-million.
According to the agriculture ministry, cat owners will have a one-year grace
period to comply with the new rules.
They must register their pets with local government animal protection
agencies.
Those who fail to do so will be subject to penalties under the Animal
Protection Act.
Fines will range from between 3,000 to 15,000 N-T for cat owners who don't
adhere to the new regualtions.
Cat owners will also have to register the births or deaths of their pets.
US Trump Holds Press Conference
Former US Donald Trump has announced that he wants three presidential debates
with Kamala Harris before the election in November.
Trump spoke at a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, in Florida.
It was his first major event since Harris was announced as the Democratic
candidate for the US presidency.
The Republican nominee also falsely (錯誤地) stated that no one was killed
during the January 6th attack on the Capitol.
Jody Jacobs reports…
Bulgaria Protests Against LGBTQ Talk Ban
Protesters have rallied outside Bulgaria’s parliament to denounce a
controversial legal amendment adopted the day before.
It bans talk of LGBTQ+ and so-called non-traditional sexual choices in
schools.
Thursday's protest was organized by rights groups calling for a reversal of
that amendment.
The demonstrators waved the rainbow flag, and chanted slogans (口號) as
police officers guarded the rally.
No violence was reported.
Bulgaria’s parliament on Wednesday approved the amendment introduced by a
pro-Russian party and backed by some pro-European Union parties.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
中元期間，台中市政府環保局紙錢集中載運煉化服務不打烊！
環保祭祀最時尚的「以功代金做公益」
至四大超商操作多媒體事務機選擇「台中以功代金」
👉 以功代金線上資訊：https://bit.ly/3LNZDpC
轉贈公益助人，讓愛心扶弱向上提升💕
以上為台中市政府環境保護局廣告
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 248-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,047 on turnover of 5.9-billion N-T.
The market recorded its largest closing gains in history on Wednesday - after
surging nearly 800-points.
The rise was led by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.
This comes after its American depositary receipts spiked overnight as Wall
Street staged a rebound.
However, Wall Street fell overnight.
Those losses weren't as bad as those that wracked (摧殘，折磨) markets
worldwide earlier this week.
But market watchers say the downturn in U-S indexes still spooked investors
here in Taiwan.
Environmental NGOs Form Coalition to Lobby New Climate Change Committee
Environmental groups have announced the establishment of coalition to lobby
the National Climate Change Response Committee.
The coalition is being led by groups including the Taiwan Renewable Energy
Alliance, the Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association, and the Taiwan Citizen
Participation Association.
According to those groups, the coalition has been formed due to concerns that
industry might seek to obscure (遮蔽；使不分明) the government's climate
policy.
The National Climate Change Response Committee was formed in June by
President Lai Ching-te and is holding its inaugural meeting today.
Today's meeting is expected to focus on the impact of climate change on the
world and Taiwan, and the challenge of Taiwan's power supply and demand.
Current and Former Presidents Remember Doris Brougham
And,
President Lai Ching-te and former President Tsai Ing-wen are marking the
death of Studio Classroom founder and English teacher to several generations
of people here in Taiwan, Doris Brougham.
Brougham passed away multiple organ dysfunction syndrome at the MacKay
Memorial Hospital's Tamsui Branch on Wednesday.
She was 98.
Lai is thanking Brougham for dedicating herself to Taiwan and lauding (讚美)
her as a "respected educator" for "resolutely speaking up for Taiwan" in the
international community for decades and for being a "force for good" for
society.
While Tsai is thanking Brougham for always bringing her "warmth and
encouragement" during times of difficulty and challenges.
US Harris Polling Up Among Black Voters
US Presidential hopeful Kamala Harris is hitting the campaign trail with her
new running mate Tim Walz, in a multi-day, multi-battleground blitz (閃電戰).
It comes as new polling analysis shows Harris is receiving a boost in support
from black voters across the country.
Mitch McCann reports:
Bangladesh Interim Leader Appeals for Calm
Bangladesh’s incoming interim leader Muhammad Yunus has appealed for calm
and urged all parties to help the country rebuild.
This comes after weeks of violence that killed hundreds of people and
prompted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee (逃跑) to India.
Yunus, a Nobel peace laureate, was in Paris for the Olympics when he was
named interim leader following talks among military officials and student
activists who led the uprising against a prime minister seen as increasingly
autocratic.
Yunus on Wednesday boarded a plane to return home.
Bangladesh’s military chief said that an interim government headed by Yunus
would be sworn in Thursday night.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
中元期間，台中市政府環保局紙錢集中載運煉化服務不打烊！
環保祭祀最時尚的「以功代金做公益」
至四大超商操作多媒體事務機選擇「台中以功代金」
👉 以功代金線上資訊：https://bit.ly/3LNZDpC
轉贈公益助人，讓愛心扶弱向上提升💕
以上為台中市政府環境保護局廣告
【大大寬頻】光纖到府，在家飆網就是快！
https://bit.ly/3yl4paX
FUN暑假省很大！光纖上網每天銅板價，
好康加碼300M以上免費租用一台WiFi6無線分享器，在家上網無死角！
有線電視一起裝更優惠，再享影音升級！快來搶辦喔！
--
中元期間，台中市政府環保局紙錢集中載運煉化服務不打烊！
環保祭祀最時尚的「以功代金做公益」
至四大超商操作多媒體事務機選擇「台中以功代金」
👉 以功代金線上資訊：https://bit.ly/3LNZDpC
轉贈公益助人，讓愛心扶弱向上提升💕
以上為台中市政府環境保護局廣告
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
Constitutional Court Tells Legislature to Reach Agreement over President's Address
Bad Weather Curtails Rehearsals for Chiayi Air Base Air Show
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has introduced new running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz
Trump's interview with Elon Musk
New York City's Emergency Drones
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 513-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
20,344 on turnover of 13.7-billion N-T.
The market plunged 1,807-points on Monday, as the main board recorded its
biggest points and percentage decline in history.
The fall came as the bellwether electronics sector and artificial
intelligence development-related stocks all tumbled,
This comes amid reports of economic weakness in the U-S and heightened
geopolitical (地緣政治的) tensions.
There's speculation the Cabinet could now seek to use to the National
Financial Stabilization Fund to support the stock market following the sharp
decline.
NCC to Mediate Copyright Fee Dispute Between Homeplus and Yong Xin
The National Communications Commission has announced that it will mediate
(調解) a dispute over copyright fees between cable TV provider Homeplus
Digital and Yong Xin Multimedia - the Taiwanese agent for several well-known
foreign channels.
The statement comes after Yong Xin notified Homeplus of its plan to stop
transmitting 12 channels on August 16, after negotiations on copyright fees
with the cable TV operator brokedown.
Those channels include HBO, Animax, Cinemax, CNN and the Cartoon Network.
Homeplus has just over 1-million subscribers and accounts for 22-per cent
Taiwan cable TV market.
Taiwan Promotes India Ties
And,
Taiwan's representative to India has presented scholarships to more than 100
Indian students.
He expressed his hope that they will become an "important bridge" between the
two countries.
Representative Baushuan Ger presented scholarship certificates to local
students at a ceremony hosted by the New Delhi-based Taipei Economic and
Cultural Center in India.
According to Ger, more than 40 students were awarded Taiwan Scholarships,
which fund (資助) university-level study, while more than 90 others received
Chinese-language Huayu Enrichment Scholarships.
US Harris to Announce VP Pick Today
US Democratic candidate Kamala Harris is expected to announce her vice
presidential pick on Tuesday morning, ahead of the pair's first campaign
rally in Philadelphia.
Harris has reportedly cut her pool of possible running mates (競選夥伴) down
to just two.
As Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Venezuela AttorneyGeneral Investigating Gonzalez
Venezuela’s top prosecutor has announced a criminal investigation against
the opposition’s presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez and its leader
Maria Corina Machado.
The attorney general says the case is related to their call on the armed
forces to abandon their support for President Nicolas Maduro and to stop
repressing (鎮壓) demonstrators.
The statement tied the investigation directly to a written appeal the two
members of the opposition sent hours earlier about Maduro and the
demonstrators who have come out in force to defend their votes in the July 28
election.
The attorney general says the duo “falsely announced a winner of the
presidential election other than the one proclaimed by the National Electoral
Council" and they openly incited (煽動) “police and military officials to
disobey the laws.”
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
中元期間，台中市政府環保局紙錢集中載運煉化服務不打烊！
環保祭祀最時尚的「以功代金做公益」
至四大超商操作多媒體事務機選擇「台中以功代金」
👉 以功代金線上資訊：https://bit.ly/3LNZDpC
轉贈公益助人，讓愛心扶弱向上提升💕
以上為台中市政府環境保護局廣告
--
Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport台中 這夏動起來La 8/1-9/1
滿額禮：當日單筆滿3000元送旅禾泡芙雙雙甜蜜組、累計消費8000元送饗麻饗辣平日餐券
抽選會：當日單筆滿額抽小家電、美食餐券等獎項
活動詳情：https://bit.ly/3SrPuCI
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 655-points this morning from Friday's close, at 20,983
on turnover of $17.5-billion N-T.
The market registered is steepest point fall in history last Friday, as steep
(急劇的) declines in heavyweight electronics shares reflected concerns over
the the U-S economy and uninspiring earnings reports.
The weighted index tumbled 1,004-points on Friday to close 21,638.
The plunge came after Wall Street fell overnight following more signals that
U-S economic growth is slowing.
MOI Says Data Show April 3 Earthquake Caused Islandwide Displacement
The Ministry of the Interior says the April 3 magnitude 7.2 earthquake caused
an islandwide displacement.
According to the ministry, a geological survey, conducted from April 3 to 22,
found significant displacement (移位) at 138 out of 247 satellite monitoring
stations.
Those in Hualien were the most heavily impacted.
The interior ministry says Hualien's Shoufeng Township recorded the largest
displacement before and after the earthquake, with a horizontal shift of
32.7-centimeters and a vertical lift of 39.3-centimeters.
The survey covered an area extending from Yilan to Hualien, Nantou and
coastal areas in the east and detected smaller displacements in other
regions.
The ministry says the displacements ranged from 1 to 4-centimeters in the
north, between 1 and 6-centimeters in the west, and between and 1 and
2-centimeters in the south.
US Allies Seek Lower Tensions in Middle East
The United States and its allies are trying to dial down tensions in the
Middle East.
They are concerned Iran will attack Israel, who it blames (責備) for last
week's killing of Hamas' political leader in Tehran.
Our US Correspondent Jagruti Dave has more.
Nigeria Leader Calls for End to Mass Protests
Nigeria’s leader has called for an end to mass protests over economic
hardship.
The protests, which began Thursday, continued Sunday after the Nigerian
leader's request.
The protests have been accompanied by reports of looting and vandalism, as
well as accusations that security forces have used excessive (過多的) force.
Amnesty International has reported the deaths of nine protesters in clashes
with police, while another four were killed by a bomb.
The Nigerian police denied the Amnesty report.
The protests reflect frustration with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a
generation and accusations of misgovernment and corruption in Africa’s most
populous country.
Belgium Triathalon Team Withdraws After One Falls Ill
Belgium’s Olympic committee announced Sunday that it would withdraw its team
from the mixed relay triathlon at the Paris Olympics after one of its
competitors who swam in the Seine River fell ill.
Claire Michel had competed in the women's triathlon Wednesday.
The statement from the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee said she
was “unfortunately ill.”
The mixed relay triathlon is scheduled for today.
The statement did not elaborate on Michel’s illness but it comes after
concerns (擔憂) over the river’s water quality.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport台中 這夏動起來La 8/1-9/1
滿額禮：當日單筆滿3000元送旅禾泡芙雙雙甜蜜組、累計消費8000元送饗麻饗辣平日餐券
抽選會：當日單筆滿額抽小家電、美食餐券等獎項
活動詳情：https://bit.ly/3SrPuCI
--
中元期間，台中市政府環保局紙錢集中載運煉化服務不打烊！
環保祭祀最時尚的「以功代金做公益」
至四大超商操作多媒體事務機選擇「台中以功代金」
👉 以功代金線上資訊：https://bit.ly/3LNZDpC
轉贈公益助人，讓愛心扶弱向上提升💕
以上為台中市政府環境保護局廣告
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 500-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,141 on turnover of 12-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Thursday on the back of renewed investor
interest in tech heavyweights.
This comes after Wall Street made strong gains as Big Tech stocks drove a
rally for U-S indexes.
Electronic heavyweights helped push the main board over the 60-day moving
average of around 22,300 points.
Precision Live-Fire Missile Drills Slated for Late August
Reports say the military will be holding precision (精確) live-fire missile
drills later this month.
Sources are being cited as saying the drills will be taking place in areas
around Jiupeng Base in Pingtung's Manjhou Township.
Source also say coast guard patrol vessels are expected to be equipped with
anti-ship missiles to train alongside the Navy's warships.
The Maritime and Port Bureau has issued a statement saying areas affected by
the live-fire exercises will include sea and air spaces around Taitung and
Pingtung counties, as well as around Green and Orchid islands.
UK New Police Unit
The UK Prime Minister has announced a new national police unit to prevent
violent disorder in the wake of (繼…之後) violent protests, following the
killing of three children in a stabbing attack on Monday in Northwest
England.
Simon Gaitan has more from London.
Nigeria Protesters Clash with Police
Security forces have fired gunshots and tear gas to quell mass protests
across Nigeria.
Thousands were on the streets to rally against the country’s spiraling
economy.
At least two people were reported killed in northern Niger state where
protesters clashed with security forces after blocking a major road on
Thursday.
Police opened fire in at least two other states.
The protesters demanded an end to governance that has rendered the people of
Niger, which is Africa's top oil producer, among the poorest in the world.
Rights groups denounced the violence and said police used excessive force.
Activists said the demonstrations would continue until their demands are met.
Turkey President Urges Pope to Stand Against Olympic Drag Queen Performance
Turkish officials say President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has spoken with Pope
Francis about the “immoral (不道德) display” at the opening ceremony of the
Paris Olympics.
During Thursday's telephone call, Erdogan urged a unified stance against acts
that ridicule sacred values, according to a statement from Erdogan’s office.
In an unprecedented (無先例的) display of inclusivity, drag queens took
center stage at the ceremony last week.
But it also attracted criticism over a tableau reminiscent of Leonardo da
Vinci’s “The Last Supper.”
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
南科特區第一環LM重劃區，別稱台南首富里，聯上APPLE位居核心，
鄰A類雙語學區，獨棟雙併、大面寬大地坪別墅，隱私性高，受企業主，科技菁英青睞，
移居台南，首選聯上APPLE！
即刻入主065832388
https://bit.ly/45ZKgnm
--
【Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 | 會議AI神助手】
會議太長抓不住重點？跨國會議有志難伸？
Galaxy Z Fold6 全新 Galaxy AI 旗艦摺疊，
語音轉文字，分人逐字稿一鍵摘要，會議紀錄秒完成
智慧即時翻譯與摺疊專屬雙面翻譯窗，跨國溝通更直覺
Galaxy Z Fold6 反正更厲害
https://bit.ly/3WnY9ap
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/3YvDjc7
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
Taiwan Fishing Boat and Crew Return After being Released by Japan
Government to Launch Video Relay Service for Sign Language Users
US and Philippines hold joint exercise
Heightened tensions in Middle East
French Swimmer Leon Marchand set new records
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 134-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,088 on turnover of 4.4-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher on Tuesday despite early losses - but
investor sentiment remained cautious ahead of a two-day policy-making meeting
of the U-S Federal Reserve.
Taiwan and China Reach Settlement over Kinmen Speedboat Incident
Representatives from Taiwan and China have reached settlement regarding the
February 14 incident that left two Chinese nationals dead after their
speedboat attempted to evade (躲避) a Coast Guard Administration patrol boat
in waters near Kinmen.
Speaking after a one-hour talks at the Golden Lake Hotel in Kinmen,
administration director-general Hsieh Qing-qin said the agreement will be
actively implemented.
However, Hsieh went on to say that he's "currently unable to disclose"
details of the deal.
The top Chinese representative at the talks also confirmed an agreement has
been reached - saying he now hopes the "relevant parties in Taiwan" will
honor the agreement and provide a resolution for the families.
CDC Touts Mid-August as End of COVID-19 Epidemic Phase
The Centers for Disease Control says it believes a COVID-19 epidemic phase
currently affecting Taiwan will pass by mid-August.
The number of patients seeking medical attention relating to COVID-19 last
week stood at 56,000 and that's a decline of 37-per cent from the previous
week and the third consecutive (連續的) week the number has fallen.
C-D-C Deputy Director-General Philip Luo says Typhoon Gaemi resulted in
cancellations of large gatherings for two to three days, which is favorable
for control of the disease - and he's optimistic the pandemic will continue
to decline.
Venezuela Protests Amid Contested Presidential Election
Violent protests are continuing in Venezuela following Sunday's disputed
(有爭執的) election result.
Police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets at people demonstrating against
President Nicolas Maduro who claimed victory.
The opposition claims its candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, won by a large margin.
Mary Triny Mena reports from Caracas.
North Macedonia Seeks EU Help to Fight Wildfires
North Macedonia said it was seeking further assistance from the European
Union to combat wildfires that continue to burn out of control in heatwave
temperatures and crossed the southern border into Greece.
Large wildfires in parts of North Macedonia this week destroyed and damaged
homes, forced evacuations and claimed the life of an elderly resident in a
village some 60 kilometers east of the capital.
Successive heat waves have helped trigger (引發) fires across the Balkan
region and elsewhere in southern Europe, with several countries including
Bulgaria and Albania currently receiving international firefighting
assistance through an EU support system.
Fires were also reported in Croatia and Bosnia.
Nissan Sustainability Plan
Nissan says it has a “sustainability plan” to become a greener and more
inclusive company.
The Japanese automaker is promising to recycle batteries, empower
(授權，使自主) workers and create safer cars.
Nissan says that by 2030 it will reduce per-vehicle manufacturing CO2
emissions by 52% and cut per-vehicle driving CO2 emissions for new models by
50% in Japan, the U.S., Europe and China.
Its chief sustainability officer told reporters this week that Nissan hopes
to work with various partners, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
That is the same goal set by the governments of Japan, the U.S. and Europe,
and other major automakers.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/3YvDjc7
--
一個出生平凡的台灣人, 學歷平庸, 家境負債, 事業無成, 結果在34歲那年, 突然接觸到靈修和量子物理之後, 搖身一變, 在美國成為上市企業裡的最高業績團隊, 同行業績全球冠軍, 管理百人團隊, 來聽聽看他是怎麼從平庸匱乏的日子走到幸福富足的生活.
https://apple.co/3YsZ8ZP
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 124-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,040 on turnover of 5-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher on Monday following a technical rebound on
Wall Street at the end of last week.
The market gained more than 300 points in the early morning session.
However, investors then opted to shift to the sell side, eroding (侵蝕) the
early upturn by the end of the session.
MAC to Meet ARATS in Kinmen Today
Officials from Taiwan and China are meeting today at the Golden Lake Hotel in
Kinmen today for talks on the the February 14 Kinmen speedboat incident.
Today's meeting is taking place after talks planned for last Wednesday were
postponed due to Typhoon Gaemi.
The Mainland Affairs Council has said the focus of the meeting is to discuss
outstanding (未解決的) issues relating to the incident that left two Chinese
nationals dead after their speedboat attempted to evade (逃避) a Coast Guard
Administration patrol boat.
Chinese representatives and members of two men's families arrived in Kinmen
yesterday.
Lai Talks Aid to Farmers Affected by Typhoon Gaemi
President Lai Ching-te says farmers in areas hit hardest by Typhoon Gaemi
will be able to apply for cash assistance and low-interest loans.
According to Lai, the move is aimed at minimizing their losses and ensuring
(確保) farming operations can resume quickly.
The statement comes as Lai has been visiting parts of the island affected by
the typhoon accompanied by Premier Cho Jung-tai and Defense Ministry
Wellington Koo.
Lai says farmers in heavily affected areas such as Kaohsiung and Pingtung
will be exempt from paying interest on low-interest loans for the first six
months - with the government covering all such interest payments.
US Kamala Harris Campaign Raises 200Million
US Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign has raised $200 million since
President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed her, according to
her team.
The campaign says it has 170,000 new volunteers, and the "momentum (動力) and
energy for Vice President Harris is real", according to its communications
director.
It comes after a weekend of campaigning for both Harris and former President
Donald Trump, as the US presidential election draws closer.
Sally Patterson reports from New York.
Guatemala Temporary Residency to Mexican Refugees
Guatemala’s government has given temporary residency to 207 Mexicans, mostly
children, on humanitarian grounds, after they fled across the border last
week to escape drug violence.
Officials say the refugees will have 30 days of legal status after which they
could request asylum (庇護) if they want.
They have registered at least 44 extended families, and domestic and
international organizations are supporting the families with donations.
Early last week, nearly 600 Mexicans crossed the border into Guatemala, later
describing harrowing escapes on foot as drug cartels battled around their
communities.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
親愛的女性朋友們
政府補助30歲以上婦女每年1次免費子宮頸抹片檢查
建議每3年至少接受一次抹片檢查，早期發現早期治療
愛自己就從定期篩檢開始
https://bit.ly/46b6xid
子宮頸癌篩檢 #6分鐘護一生 #衛生福利部國民健康署廣告
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/3YvDjc7
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
Kinmen Speedboat Incident Talks Slated for Tomorrow
Typhoon Rains Replenish Reservoirs
China Exerts Pressure on Several Countries
Russia Ukraine War in eastern Donetsk
Paris Olympics Day 2
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened sharply lower by 665-points this morning from yesterday's
close, at 22-207 on turnover of 18.8-billion N-T.
The market plunged today after returning from two days off due to Typhoon
Gaemi. TSMC's share price plunged 6.5-percent, testing the quarterly moving
average.
This comes after US tech stocks also took a significant hit over the typhoon
holiday, particularly for stocks in the artificial intelligence sector,
including NVIDIA, AMD and Supermicro.
Widespread Flooding Due to Typhoon
Typhoon Gaemi has caused widespread flooding across Taiwan - as residents in
some areas have been struggling to pump water out of their homes and places
of business.
Heavy flooding has been reported in several areas of Kaohsiung, including
Renwu, Gushan, Fongshan, Cianjin and Dashe districts.
According to the Central Weather Administration, as of 5PM Thursday,
Kaohsiung's Maolin District had received 112-centinmeters of
rainfall.
That was followed by Sandimen in Pingtung, which has recorded 94-centinmeters
of rainfall and Chiayi County's Zhuqi Township, which saw 93--centinmeters of
rainfall.
Flood waters in Yilan County's Yuanshan Township had reached 2-meters -
prompting the deployment (調動) of rescue boats to evacuate 13 residents
early Thurday morning.
US VP on Gaza After Israeli PM Meeting
US Vice President Kamala Harris says the world cannot become "numb" to
suffering in Gaza, speaking after meeting the Israeli prime minister.
Benjamin Netanyahu also held talks with President Joe Biden on Thursday,
where they discussed ongoing (正在進行的) efforts to secure a ceasefire deal.
He is expected to meet with former President Donald Trump on Friday - who is
vying to return to the White House in November.
Sally Patterson has more.
Japan Heavy Rain
Heavy rain has hit northern Japan, triggering floods and landslides,
disrupting transportation systems and sending hundreds of residents to take
shelter at safer grounds.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued emergency warnings of heavy rain for
several municipalities in the Yamagata and Akita prefecture, where warm and
humid air was flowing.
According to emergency officials, one person is missing in Akita prefecture,
after being hit by a landslide at a road construction site.
Officials predicted up to 20 centimeters of more rainfall in the region
through this evening, urging residents to remain cautious (謹慎).
G20 Discussing Global Tax on SuperRich
Finance ministers from leading rich and developing nations are meeting in Rio
de Janeiro to discuss a global tax on the super-rich.
The proposal before the G20 participants would require individuals with over
$1 billion in total assets to pay the equivalent of 2% of their wealth in
income tax.
Brazil, which currently holds the Group of 20 presidency. A Brazilian
ministry official has said France, Spain, and South Africa have expressed
support for the proposal.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday the U.S. doesn't support
it and that tax policy is hard to coordinate globally.
A study commissioned by Brazil finds that billionaires currently pay the
equivalent (相等的) of 0.3% of their wealth in taxes.
The report said a 2% tax would raise up to $250 billion per year globally
from about 3,000 individuals, money that could fund public services such as
education and health care as well as the fight against climate change.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
擺脫經濟失落的30年，日本政策放大絕，
讓股利被重新定義！渴望體驗超越想像的日本股市嗎？
【00956】掌握日企配息好機會，7/30激安募集！
【00956】中信日經高股息<基金之配息來源可能為收益平準金且基金並無保證收益及配息>
了解更多👉https://bit.ly/3zH0llP
--
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/3YvDjc7
擺脫經濟失落的30年，日本政策放大絕，
讓股利被重新定義！渴望體驗超越想像的日本股市嗎？
【00956】掌握日企配息好機會，7/30激安募集！
【00956】中信日經高股息<基金之配息來源可能為收益平準金且基金並無保證收益及配息>
了解更多👉https://bit.ly/3zH0llP
--
南科特區第一環LM重劃區，別稱台南首富里，聯上APPLE位居核心，
鄰A類雙語學區，獨棟雙併、大面寬大地坪別墅，隱私性高，受企業主，科技菁英青睞，
移居台南，首選聯上APPLE！
即刻入主065832388
https://bit.ly/45ZKgnm
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
10AＭ Typhoon Gaemi Wrap
Han Kuang Exercise Troops on Standby for Typhoon Operations
Biden to address nation on Wednesday on dropping out of race
UN Yemen attacks
Malaysia Bangladesh Violence
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 257-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,514 on turnover of 7.8-billion N-T.
The market plunged more than 600-points on Monday as selling was seen among
large cap stocks across the board following the news that U-S President Joe
Biden will not be seeking re-election.
Government Employees to Get 3% Wage Hike in 2025
Premier Cho Jung-tai says the Cabinet has approved a pay rise for civil
servants, military personnel and public school teachers.
According to the premier, the public sector workers will be getting a 3-per
cent hike next year.
Cho said the Cabinet believes that civil servants, military personnel and
public school teachers should benefit from the growth in Taiwan's economy -
which is in recovery mode (模式).
Cho also said he hopes the wage hike by the government will prompt the
private sector to raise salaries for employees and strengthen Taiwan's
competitiveness.
EU Rep Receives Presidential Honor
Outgoing top European Union representative Filip Grzegorzewski has been
awarded a presidential honor for his contribution to promoting relations
between the bloc and Taiwan during his five-year tenure.
Speaking at a ceremony after being presented with the Order of Brilliant Star
with Grand Cordon by President Lai Ching-te, Grzegorzewski described Taiwan
as "a land of good fortune."
According to the outgoing E-U envoy, his top memories from his five-year
stint included participating in the 13-hour Ironman triathlon in Penghu,
summiting Jade Mountain, swimming across Sun Moon Lake and biking around
Taiwan's coastline.
Lai said he awarded Grzegorzewski the honor to highlight (強調) the envoy's
"outstanding contribution to deepening Taiwan-EU relations."
US Biden Condemns Police Shooting of Black Woman
US authorities have released a video showing a white police officer fatally
shooting a Black woman, in a case sparking outrage across the country.
The video includes body-cam footage (一段影片) from the sheriffs who
responded to Sonya Massey's home in the US state of Illinois on July 6.
It has reignited national debate about police use of force and racial
discrimination.
Sally Patterson reports.
EU Ministers' Meeting in Brussels
The EU's top diplomat says Hungary won’t be allowed to host a strategic EU
meeting next month.
EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said the upcoming foreign and defense
ministers’ meeting would take place in Brussels instead of Budapest.
The change may be due to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s surprise,
self-proclaimed (自稱) “peace mission” trips to Moscow and Beijing aimed at
brokering an end to the war in Ukraine.
EU partners overwhelmingly (壓倒性地) saw that as undermining their support
for Kyiv.
Hungary , which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, blasted the
decision.
It had expected to host the annual late August gathering.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/3YvDjc7
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 50-points this morning from Friday's close, at 22,818
on turnover of 5.7-billion N-T.
The market lost over 500 points on Friday - as investors reacted to
lackluster performances by tech stocks on Wall Street last week - which
dragged down Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.
Lai Talks About Democracy at DPP National Party Congress
President Lai Ching-te has been stressing the value of democracy for Taiwan
during his address at the D-P-P's national congress in Taipei.
Speaking at the event, Lai touted the theme for the congress this year as
being "democratic Taiwan moving forward in unity" and proposed three main
targets for the party.
Those targets include establishing a national identity based on Taiwan
subjectivity .. the strengthening of the democratic constitutional system and
to ensure (確保) human rights and freedom are safeguarded.
The D-P-P also elected the party's central standing committee members,
central executive committee members and central evaluation committee members
during the national congress.
University Compensates Students who had Food Stolen by Monkeys
The National Sun Yat-sen University in Kaohsiung says it's compensated 17
students who had their food stolen by Formosan macaques during confrontations
(衝突) on campus.
The compensation payments are part of a six-month campaign by the school to
promote what it's calling "human-monkey coexistence."
The campaign runs from February 1 through July 31.
According to a university spokesperson, it's given up to 100 N-T to each
victim, most of whom were attacked and lost their food in areas near
convenience stores or parking lots.
In order to be eligible for the payments, students have to provide food
receipts and photos of the monkeys.
Russia Ukraine latest
At least two people have been killed in Ukrainian strikes on the partly
Russian-occupied Donetsk region, Russian state media say, while Russian
strikes wounded (使…受傷) at least five people in Ukraine overnight.
Karen Chammas reports.
Bangladesh Scales Back Job Quota System Changes
Bangladesh’s top court has scaled back a controversial quota system for
government job applicants after it led to nationwide unrest and deadly
clashes between police and protesters.
The Supreme Court in its verdict (判決) ordered 93% of the government jobs to
be called on a merit-based system, with only 5% reserved for relatives of
veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971 and other
categories.
Earlier, the system reserved 30% of the jobs for veterans' relatives.
Sunday’s verdict comes after weeks of demonstrations that turned deadly this
week.
Authorities haven’t shared any official numbers of those killed, but local
media have reported over 100 dead.
Greenland AntiWhaling Activist Arrested
Greenland police have arrested a prominent environmental activist and
anti-whaling campaigner on an international arrest warrant issued by Japan.
Police said they arrested Paul Watson when his ship docked in Greenland’s
capital Nuuk on Sunday morning.
They said Watson will be brought before a district court with a request to
detain him until a decision is made on whether to extradite (引渡) him to
Japan.
Watson is a Canadian-American citizen and he's a former head of the Sea
Shepherd Conservation Society.
Watson's direct action tactics include high-seas confrontations with whaling
vessels.
Japan has accused Watson and Sea Shepherd of endangering whalers’ lives
during operations in the Antarctic Ocean.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
日本半導體強勢回歸世界舞台，
快跟【00954中信日本半導體】掌握矽世代得分重點！
想復刻護國神山的創山美好經驗？
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--
南科特區第一環LM重劃區，別稱台南首富里，聯上APPLE位居核心，
鄰A類雙語學區，獨棟雙併、大面寬大地坪別墅，隱私性高，受企業主，科技菁英青睞，
移居台南，首選聯上APPLE！
即刻入主065832388
https://bit.ly/45ZKgnm
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 170-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,228 on turnover of 10-billion N-T.
The market closed sharply lower - falling by more than 370 points on Thursday.
This is despite Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing recouping some of it's
loses from the previous session.
Analysts say bargain hunters jumped-in to the market late in the trading day
to pick up T-S-M-C stocks.
The old economy sector attracted investor interest.
The financial sector outperformed the broader market to stem the downturn at
the bottom of the session.
Drivers and Pedestrians Must Seek Shelter during Next Week's Wanan Defense
Traffic controls will be imposed and pedestrians will be required to go seek
shelter during next week's 30-minute-long Wanan air defense drills.
The drills will be taking place in central Taiwan next Monday, in the north
on Tuesday, the east and outlying islands on Wednesday and in the south on
Thursday.
All of the drill will run from 1:30 to 2PM.
Interior Minister Liu Shi-fang says local governments will each issue an air
defense alert.
They will use television, radio, police patrol car broadcasts and other
broadcast systems at villages and schools during the drills to enhance the
coverage of the air-raid warning.
Text message alerts will also be sent to people's mobile phones.
Drivers must immediately park and, along with pedestrians (行人), follow
police instructions to enter the nearest air raid shelter.
Those caught violating the rules face a fine of up to 150,000 N-T.
US More Details on Trump Attack
The US Secret Service was reportedly told about a 'suspicious (可疑的) man'
using a rangefinder.
This happened 20 minutes before a gunman opened fire at Donald Trump on
Saturday.
Sally Patterson reports.
Canada Female Military Chief
A woman has become the top commander of Canada's military for the first time.
Gen. Jennie Carignan officially took over command of the Canadian Armed
Forces in a ceremony at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa on Thursday.
Carignan was promoted to the rank of general during the change-of-command
ceremony.
She was chosen by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to become
Canada’s first female defense chief.
Trudeau praised Carignan as someone of the right caliber (水準；才能) to take
over.
He points out she is the first woman to lead the military of any Group of 20
country.
Cambodia Finds Rare Siamese Crocodile Eggs
Officials in Cambodia say conservationists have found 106 eggs of rare
Siamese crocodile species in a western Cambodian wildlife sanctuary.
They say it was the biggest discovery in the last 20 years, giving new hope
for the world’s rarest crocodile species' survival (生存) in the wild.
The group discovered the species eggs in Cardamom National Park in May.
Officials say between June 27 and 30, a total of 60 eggs successfully hatched.
It’s believed only about 1,000 Siamese crocodiles remain in the wild, with
more than 300 of them in Cambodia.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
擺脫經濟失落的30年，日本政策放大絕，
讓股利被重新定義！渴望體驗超越想像的日本股市嗎？
【00956】掌握日企配息好機會，7/30激安募集！
【00956】中信日經高股息<基金之配息來源可能為收益平準金且基金並無保證收益及配息>
了解更多👉https://bit.ly/3zH0llP
--
南科特區第一環LM重劃區，別稱台南首富里，聯上APPLE位居核心，
鄰A類雙語學區，獨棟雙併、大面寬大地坪別墅，隱私性高，受企業主，科技菁英青睞，
移居台南，首選聯上APPLE！
即刻入主065832388
https://bit.ly/45ZKgnm
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 396-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,373 on turnover of 13.6-billion N-T.
The market lost more than 200 points on Wednesday as Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing share price tumbled after Donald Trump once again claimed that
Taiwan had taken "100-per cent" of America's "chip business."
Analysts say Trump's comments and his being seen as possibly winning
November's U-S election are raising concerns that T-S-M-C's global expansion
will be affected if he returns to the White House.
Cabinet Launches Task Force to Tackle Economic Issues
Premier Cho Jung-tai has announced the establishment of a Cabinet-level task
force which will be responsible for formulating (制定) policies to tackle
various economic issues.
The Economic Development Commission will convene (召開) for the first time
today.
According to the premier, the first issue on the agenda will be discussion
refarding how Taiwan can further attract overseas investors and skilled
workers.
The premier says other issues, including driving innovation, modifying
taxation rules, raising salary levels and funding the construction of social
housing will also be discussed by the task force in the future.
Hsinchu County Magistrate Indicted on Corruption Charges
Hsinchu County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke has been indicted along with 11 other
people on corruption charges.
According to prosecutors, Yang and the 11 others knowingly shielded (庇護)
Fong Yi Construction from legal responsibility after the company caused a
severe sinkhole in the county last year.
Prosecutors say Fong Yi Construction failed to properly stabilize the ground
of a new residential project in order to save over 100-million N-T in costs.
And the company's use of substandard materials led six collapses and
sinkholes appearing on roads adjacent to the construction site between April
of 2022 and April of 2023.
Yang continues to serve as Hsinchu County Magistrate despite the indictment.
UN says fighting in Gaza is increasing
The United Nations warns that further regional spillover (溢出效應) conflict
in the Middle East is increasing by the day, at a meeting on the ongoing
crisis in Gaza.
Jody Jacobs reports…
Oman Tanker Rescue Continues
Nine crew members were rescued and another died as teams searched for others
after an oil tanker capsized this week off the coast of Oman, according to
the country's state news agency.
The tanker, the MT Prestige Falcon, had 16 crewmembers on board, mostly
Indians, when it capsized in the Arabian Sea late Monday southeast off Oman's
Ras Madrakah area.
The cause of the capsizing (傾覆) and the condition of the tanker and its
cargo were not immediately known.
But the Indian navy, which sent a warship to help in the search operations,
said the rescue teams were dealing with rough seas and strong winds.
Brazil Illegal Dumping Leads to Fish Dieoff
Several tons of fish have died along one of the main rivers in Brazil's Sao
Paulo state after an alleged illegal dumping of industrial waste from a sugar
and ethanol (乙醇) plant.
Prosecutors say a preliminary analysis estimates that between 10 and 20 tons
of fish died on the Piracicaba River.
The initial investigation points to an “irregular discharge of wastewater”
from Estiva’s Sao Jose plant in the community of Rio das Pedras, and it
reached a stream that flows into the river.
Prosecutors have requested a full report into water conditions and are
waiting for further technical information before taking the next steps
regarding civil and criminal liability.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 169-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,827 on turnover of 8.5-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Tuesday as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing led
the bellwether electronics sector higher ahead of a its investor conference
scheduled tomorrow.
Buying was also sparked on the back of fresh investor hopes that the U-S
Federal Reserve could opt to cut interest rates as early as September.
MND Warning About Deepfakes Ahead of Han Kuang Exercise
The Ministry of National Defense is warning about an increase in deepfake
disinformation ahead of next week's live-fire phase of the Han Kuang
exercise.
According to defense officials, the National Chung Shan Institute of Science
and Technology has been asked to present a special report on deepfake
(深度，深偽) recognition, examining the technology and its defense
applications.
The move comes as the defense ministry has said that misinformation often
increases during the annual exercise.
The defense ministry says government agencies have taken steps to reduce the
impact of such misinformation, but the military is working to intercept
misinformation before it can be spread.
CDC Says COVID-19 and Flu Outbreaks have Now Peaked
The Centers for Disease Control says both COVID-19 and flu cases have now
peaked and the epidemic phases is likely pass in the coming weeks.
According to C-D-C Deputy Director-General Philip Luo, emergency and
outpatient department visits for both diseases have seen a week-over-week
decrease of more than 10-per cent.
Luo says based on that figure, the epidemic phase for COVID-19 will end
mid-August, while the epidemic phase for flu will end early next month.
However, Luo is stressing that a renewed (更新的) COVID-19 outbreak in the
autumn cannot be ruled out.
Data shows the most common COVID-19 strain detected domestically over the
past four weeks is the JN.1 variant - which has accounted for 39-per cent of
the total number of cases.
UK Gov to Lay Out Policy in State Opening of Parliament
In the UK, the state opening of Parliament is taking place later (Wednesday)
to mark the official start of the new government's time in office.
The ceremonial (儀式的) event is a chance for newly appointed Prime Minister
Keir Starmer to lay out some of the key policies for the coming months.
John Bevir reports.
Brazil Old Dinosaur Bones Found
A team of Brazilian scientists has discovered a skeleton of what they believe
is one of the world’s oldest dinosaurs.
They made their discovery after heavy rains in the southern state of Rio
Grande do Sul accelerated the natural process of erosion.
The researchers say the fossil found next to a reservoir is around 233
million years old.
That would mean the dinosaur lived during the Triassic period, when all
continents were part of a single land mass.
The apex predator (頂級掠食者) discovered in Rio Grande do Sul belongs to a
family of dinosaurs that used to wander (行走) across lands that now make up
present-day Brazil and Argentina.
The size of the bones reveals that the dinosaur would have reached around 2.5
meters in length.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
擺脫經濟失落的30年，日本政策放大絕，
讓股利被重新定義！渴望體驗超越想像的日本股市嗎？
【00956】掌握日企配息好機會，7/30激安募集！
【00956】中信日經高股息<基金之配息來源可能為收益平準金且基金並無保證收益及配息>
了解更多👉https://bit.ly/3zH0llP
--
南科特區第一環LM重劃區，別稱台南首富里，聯上APPLE位居核心，
鄰A類雙語學區，獨棟雙併、大面寬大地坪別墅，隱私性高，受企業主，科技菁英青睞，
移居台南，首選聯上APPLE！
即刻入主065832388
https://bit.ly/45ZKgnm
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 169-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,827 on turnover of 8.5-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Tuesday as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing led
the bellwether electronics sector higher ahead of a its investor conference
scheduled tomorrow.
Buying was also sparked on the back of fresh investor hopes that the U-S
Federal Reserve could opt to cut interest rates as early as September.
MND Warning About Deepfakes Ahead of Han Kuang Exercise
The Ministry of National Defense is warning about an increase in deepfake
disinformation ahead of next week's live-fire phase of the Han Kuang
exercise.
According to defense officials, the National Chung Shan Institute of Science
and Technology has been asked to present a special report on deepfake
(深度，深偽) recognition, examining the technology and its defense
applications.
The move comes as the defense ministry has said that misinformation often
increases during the annual exercise.
The defense ministry says government agencies have taken steps to reduce the
impact of such misinformation, but the military is working to intercept
misinformation before it can be spread.
CDC Says COVID-19 and Flu Outbreaks have Now Peaked
The Centers for Disease Control says both COVID-19 and flu cases have now
peaked and the epidemic phases is likely pass in the coming weeks.
According to C-D-C Deputy Director-General Philip Luo, emergency and
outpatient department visits for both diseases have seen a week-over-week
decrease of more than 10-per cent.
Luo says based on that figure, the epidemic phase for COVID-19 will end
mid-August, while the epidemic phase for flu will end early next month.
However, Luo is stressing that a renewed (更新的) COVID-19 outbreak in the
autumn cannot be ruled out.
Data shows the most common COVID-19 strain detected domestically over the
past four weeks is the JN.1 variant - which has accounted for 39-per cent of
the total number of cases.
UK Gov to Lay Out Policy in State Opening of Parliament
In the UK, the state opening of Parliament is taking place later (Wednesday)
to mark the official start of the new government's time in office.
The ceremonial (儀式的) event is a chance for newly appointed Prime Minister
Keir Starmer to lay out some of the key policies for the coming months.
John Bevir reports.
Brazil Old Dinosaur Bones Found
A team of Brazilian scientists has discovered a skeleton of what they believe
is one of the world’s oldest dinosaurs.
They made their discovery after heavy rains in the southern state of Rio
Grande do Sul accelerated the natural process of erosion.
The researchers say the fossil found next to a reservoir is around 233
million years old.
That would mean the dinosaur lived during the Triassic period, when all
continents were part of a single land mass.
The apex predator (頂級掠食者) discovered in Rio Grande do Sul belongs to a
family of dinosaurs that used to wander (行走) across lands that now make up
present-day Brazil and Argentina.
The size of the bones reveals that the dinosaur would have reached around 2.5
meters in length.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
南科特區第一環LM重劃區，別稱台南首富里，聯上APPLE位居核心，
鄰A類雙語學區，獨棟雙併、大面寬大地坪別墅，隱私性高，受企業主，科技菁英青睞，
移居台南，首選聯上APPLE！
即刻入主065832388
https://bit.ly/45ZKgnm
--
擺脫經濟失落的30年，日本政策放大絕，
讓股利被重新定義！渴望體驗超越想像的日本股市嗎？
【00956】掌握日企配息好機會，7/30激安募集！
【00956】中信日經高股息<基金之配息來源可能為收益平準金且基金並無保證收益及配息>
了解更多👉https://bit.ly/3zH0llP
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,880 on turnover of 5-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Monday as investor sentiment turned cautious
following the shooting incident at a campaign rally held by Donald Trump over
the weekend.
Analysts say the shooting has resulted in many investors - both here in
Taiwan and overseas - now betting that Trump will win America's November
presidential election.
That's sparking concerns that a Trump victory will lead to more friction
(不和、分歧) in global trade.
Lawmakers Pass Revisions to Labor Standards Act to Allow Retirement Delay
Lawmakers have passed amendments to Article 54 of the Labor Standards Act.
The changes will allow employers to waive (放棄) the statutory retirement age
for employees who wish to continue working.
The move means that workers who have reached the age of 65 can now continue
working after an agreement has been made with their employers.
The amendments also seek to encourage employers to help healthy older workers
to remain in the workplace and ensure the rights of those who wish to
continue working.
EVA Airways Retains Position as World's 10th Best Airline
EVA Airways has retained its position as the 10th best airlines in the world
in 2024 - that, according to New York-based travel magazine Travel + Leisure.
EVA Air received an 84.85 point reader score to rank 10th in the magazine's
latest International Airlines in 2024 list.
Travel + Leisure asked about 186,000 readers to weigh their travel
experiences.
It received more than 700,000 valid (有效的) responses about top airlines,
hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, and spas.
The four major criteria for the best airline evaluation were cabin comfort,
in-flight service, customer service and value.
EVA Airways says it carried more than 11.2-million passengers last year and
is continuing to work to improve its service quality.
US in "Heightened Threat Environment"
US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas warns the United States
is now in a "heightened threat environment" after an attack against former US
President Donald Trump.
But Secretary Mayorkas says he still has "100% confidence (信心)" in the
Secret Service, despite Saturday's shooting.
Benji Hyer was at the White House press briefing.
Thailand Opens Registration for Digital Cash Handouts
Thailand’s prime minister has said that eligible businesses and individuals
can register from August for digital cash handouts (救濟款).
The government announced in April the widely criticized ambitious plan, named
the Digital Wallet.
It's meant to give about $275 to 50 million citizens in digital money to
spend at local businesses.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced Monday that registration will begin
Aug. 1-st.
The program was a major campaign promise by the ruling party ahead of last
year’s general election.
It is expected to cost billions of dollars and is meant to boost the lagging
economy.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
南科特區第一環LM重劃區，別稱台南首富里，聯上APPLE位居核心，
鄰A類雙語學區，獨棟雙併、大面寬大地坪別墅，隱私性高，受企業主，科技菁英青睞，
移居台南，首選聯上APPLE！
即刻入主065832388
https://bit.ly/45ZKgnm
--
擺脫經濟失落的30年，日本政策放大絕，
讓股利被重新定義！渴望體驗超越想像的日本股市嗎？
【00956】掌握日企配息好機會，7/30激安募集！
【00956】中信日經高股息<基金之配息來源可能為收益平準金且基金並無保證收益及配息>
了解更多👉https://bit.ly/3zH0llP
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 10-points this morning from Friday's close, at 23,927 on
turnover of 9.1-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex tumbled more than 470-points on Friday as investors rushed to lock
in gains from previous sessions.
That's despite the U-S reporting cooler than expected inflation data for June
overnight.
Market watchers say selling was sparked by heavy losses suffered by tech
stocks on Wall Street overnight - which pushed down the local bellwether
electronics sector throughout the trading day.
CKS Honor Guard Performs for Final Time Inside Memorial Hall
The military's changing of the guard has taken place inside the Chiang
Kai-shek Memorial Hall for the final time.
The curtain came down in the stationing of an honor guard in front of the
statue of Chiang Kai-shek on Sunday.
The changing of the guard had taken place there every hour between 9AM and
5PM since the hall's opening in 1980.
The Ministry of Culture announced on Friday that Sunday would be the last
time the honor guard would perform inside the hall.
The ministry says the move marks the first stage of removing "personal and
authoritarian (獨裁的) worship."
Troops will still perform a handover ceremony every hour - but it will now
take place on Democracy Boulevard in front of the memorial hall.
Sunday's High Hits 38.4-degrees in Pingtung
And finally,
The Central Weather Administration says temperatures of 37-degrees or higher
were recorded in 11 cities and counties on Sunday.
The highest temperature was recorded in Pingtung County's Sandimen Township -
where the mercury hit 38.4-degrees at 2:50PM.
Other areas also saw the mercury (水銀, 溫度) hitting 38-degrees or over.
The temperature reached 38.3-degrees in New Taipei's Sanxia District,
38.2-degrees in Chiayi City and 38-degrees in Miaoli County's Houlong
Township.
Readings of 37-degrees or higher were also seen in Taipei, Yilan, Hualien,
Taitung, Changhua County, Tainan and Kaohsiung as well as in Kinmen.
Israel Palestine latest
Israel conducted largescale (大規模) airstrikes that local health officials
say killed at least 90 people including children in southern Gaza, even as
Hamas says ceasefire talks continue.
Karen Chammas reports.
King Charles to Visit Australia and Samoa
King Charles III is preparing to visit Australia and Samoa in October.
The trip, announced on Sunday by Buckingham Palace, marks a watershed moment
for the 75-year-old king.
The moarch has been slowly returning to public duties after taking a break
following his cancer diagnosis in early February.
His itinerary will span 12 time zones (時區) and test the monarch’s stamina
as he recovers from cancer treatment.
The palace says his program in Australia will be "limited".
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened unchanged at 24,390 this morning from yesterday's close, at
13.80-billion N-T.
The market hit yet another new high on Thursday.
Investors were interested in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing - which
pushed its share price up by 3.35-per cent.
T-S-M-C's gains in the local stock market pushed its market capitalization to
28-trillion N-T.
It contributed around 284-points to the Tai-Ex's gains and boosted the
electronics index by 2.05-per cent.
Inbound Travelers Number Declined in April
The Tourism Administration says the number of international travelers to
Taiwan in April declined by 24.8-per cent compared with March.
The administration is attributing the decline to travelers canceling or
postponing plans to visit Taiwan following the April 3 earthquake.
Data shows that travelers from Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, South Korea and
Singapore cancelled the most trips.
According to tourism officials, promotional videos of safe traveling in
Hualien has been made.
The videos emphasize that with the exception of Taroko Gorge, most of
Hualien's attractions have not been effected (受到影響).
Official say they have also asked travel agencies to schedule alternative
attractions when making travel arrangements.
US: Israel Agrees to Improved Protection for Aid Workers in Gaza
The head of the U.S. agency overseeing American humanitarian assistance
worldwide says Israel has agreed to use an improved system across the Gaza
Strip to ensure humanitarian workers and aid can more safely move around.
Samantha Power, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International
Development, said that Israel has also taken new steps to increase the flow
of aid through its port of Ashdod, just north of Gaza.
Humanitarian workers have complained throughout the war that the system by
which the Israeli military assures (保證) safe passage to aid has been a
failure.
Power said a system by which the U.N. and Israeli military communicate more
closely will be extended across Gaza.
US Biden Insists He Stays in Presidential Race
Joe Biden has insisted that he is remaining (留下；保持) in America's
Presidential race, saying that he the "best qualified" person to defeat
Donald Trump.
Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.
UN Report: World Population to Peak in 2080s
A new U.N. report says the world’s population is set to peak in a few
decades.
The report on Thursday — World Population Day — says the number of people
in the world is expected to continue growing, then peak at 10.3-billion in
the 2080s.
After that, the report suggests the global population will decline to around
10.2-billion by the end of the century.
Researchers say this is due to several factors, including lower fertility
(生育力) levels in some fo the world's largest countries.
UN officials say “the peak is a hopeful sign", and could mean "reduced
environmental pressures from human impacts due to lower aggregate
consumption.”
But they stressed that even with slower population growth, people will still
need to individually reduce the impact of their activities to preserve the
environment.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 234-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
24,242 on turnover of 8.1-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex closed higher again on Wednesday, despite tumbling more than
170-points shortly after the opening bell.
Market watchers say the main board rebounded after investors opted to
shrug-off concerns about U-S Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell providing
little new guidance on when America's central bank might lower interest
rates.
DNA Discovered in Tainan Shooting Investigation
The head of the Tainan City Police Department's Criminal Investigation Corps
says D-N-A evidence has been found as part of its ongoing investigation into
the murder of Tainan City Fisherman's Association Chairman, Lin Shi-jie.
According to Zhang Wen-yuan, police could now be close to identifying the
gunman who shot Lin multiple times outside his home in the city's South
District early Monday morning.
The police commander says the D-N-A samples were collected from two vehicles
believed to have been used by the suspect, and a motel room that he stayed in
the night prior to (在…之前) the shooting.
Reports have said the suspect tried to burn one of the cars and poured acid
into the second in an attempt to destroy evidence.
Three Diplomats Under Investigation for Wrongdoing
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that three diplomats are under
investigation following reports accusing them of separate acts of misconduct
while in office.
The statement comes after the Mirror Magazine accused the representative to
Fiji Paul Chen, the representative to the World Trade Organization Luo
Chang-fa and Wei Yue-han, a section chief at Taiwan's representative in the
U-S, of wrongdoing.
The charges include misusing public funds and inappropriately ordering
subordinates (下屬) to complete personal tasks.
The foreign minstry says it has now launched separate investigations into all
three diplomats.
UK PM Signal’s Ukraine Can Use Long Range Missiles Against Russian
Territory
UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has reportedly signalled (示意) that Ukraine
can use British supplied long range missiles against targets inside Russian
territory.
Simon Gaitan reports.
UN Resolution to Combat Sand and Dust Storms
The U.N. General Assembly has declared 2025 to 2034 the United Nations Decade
on Combating Sand and Dust Storms.
As part of the decade-long initiative adopted Wednesday, the General Assembly
said the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization will promote mitigation
(減輕) practices in affected countries, including “sustainable land use
management, agroforestry, shelter belts, afforestation/reforestation and land
restoration programs.”
The resolution also calls for global cooperation to enhance early warning
systems and share weather information important to forecasting sand dust
storms.
In a 2022 report, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
said sand and dust storms have “increased dramatically in frequency in
recent years.”
It said storms can exacerbate respiratory illnesses, kill crops and
livestock, and increase desertification, though documentation of their impact
is limited.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 155-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,744 on turnover of 10--billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher on Tuesday, as the electronics sector
continued to make solid gains on the back of a record high posted by the
tech-heavy Nasdaq overnight.
Despite the gains, market sentiment still saw some volatility (易變)
following recent strong rallies, as investors await the conclusion of
congressional testimony by U-S Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
District Court Refuses to Revoke Cheng Wen-tsan's Bail
The Taoyuan District Court has refused to revoke Cheng Wen-tsan's bail after
rejecting (拒絕) a detention request from prosecutors investigating
allegations of corruption against the former vice premier.
Cheng was released on bail of 5-million N-T this past weekend.
However, the High Court ordered the district court to review that ruling
after prosecutors lodged an appeal.
The Taoyuan District Court has now released Cheng for a second time - but his
bail has been increased to 12-million N-T.
The court has also imposed an exit ban and limits on Cheng's movements.
Lai Presents Olympic Flag to Taiwan's Paris Team
President Lai Ching-te has presented the official flag to Taiwan's Olympic
team at a ceremony in Kaohsiung.
Speaking at the National Sports Training Center, Lai congratulated the 60
athletes on earning tickets to the Olympics - saying that was the result of
their tireless (不知疲倦的) training.
Lai emphasized the government's commitment to supporting Taiwanese athletes
as they pursue their achievements and said that support provided for the
national team in Paris will be "more extensive" than ever before.
The team for Paris consists of 26 male and 34 female athletes who will be
participating in 49 events in 16 sports categories.
Russia Denies Attack on Children's Hospital in Kyiv
In international news,
Moscow is claiming that it wasn't responsible for (是…的原由) an attack on
a children's hospital in Kyiv.
Jody Jacobs reports from the United Nations in New York.
Vatican Preparing Document on Women in Leadership
The Vatican says its doctrine office will be preparing a document on women in
leadership roles in the Catholic Church.
The move is part of a new initiative to respond to longstanding demands by
women to have a greater say in the church's life.
The document will be written by the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith as
its contribution (貢獻) to Pope Francis' big church reform process.
The process is entering its second main phase with a meeting of bishops in
October.
The Vatican announced the details of the doctrinal document shortly after a
press conference on the preparatory work for the October meeting ended.
Europe's New Rocket Blasts Off
And finally,
Europe's newest rocket has been launched into orbit successfully on its maiden
flight.
The Ariane-6 was launched from French Guiana on a demonstration mission to
put a clutch of satellites in orbit.
The rocket was developed at a cost of 4-billion euros and is intended to be a
workhorse (工作重的，負荷重的) rocket that gives European governments and
companies access to space independently from the rest of the world.
It already has a backlog of launch contracts, but there are worries its
design could limit future prospects.
Like its predecessor, the new model is expendable and a new rocket is needed
for every mission.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4ckCQ0r
--
國立臺灣科學教育館Podcast節目《科科出來講》
有各種新奇有趣的科學小知識，破解生活中的科學小迷思
想聽知識含量最豐富的科學節目，就在《科科出來講》！
以上廣告由國立臺灣科學教育館提供。
《科科出來講》https://bit.ly/3JXYZVr
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 10-points this morning from yesterday's close at 23,888
on turnover of 9.2-billion N-T.
The market rose by more than 300 points on Monday to close at yet another
all-time high.
That was on the back of strong investor interest in Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing and Hon Hai.
Analysts say sentiment (觀點，看法) improved after major U-S indexes hit
record highs at the end of last week.
It was driven by expectations of a potential rate cut by the U-S Federal
Reserve in September.
High Court Rescinds Bail for Former Taoyuan Mayor
The High Court has revoked a decision by the Taoyuan District Court to
release former Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan on bail of 5-million N-T.
Cheng was released on bail Saturday after being questioned by the Taoyuan
District Prosecutors' Office in connection with an investigation into
corruption (貪污，腐敗) while he served as Taoyuan mayor.
The High Court has ordered another bail hearing because of what it's
describing as several unanswered questions left by the district court in
allowing bail.
The Taoyuan District Court is holding a new bail hearing this morning.
Hot Weather and Thunderstorms to Continue
And,
The Central Weather Administration says the current pattern of hot weather
and afternoon thunderstorms will continue until early next week.
Monday's highest daytime temperatures was recorded in Pingtung's Chun-Ri and
Shi-Zi townships.
The mercury reached 36.9-degrees there.
The hottest area in the north was New Taipei's San-Xia District, where the
mercury topped out at 36.6-degrees.
Powerful thunderstorms Monday afternoon and evening dumped considerable
(大量) rainfall in some areas.
The heaviest rainfall was recorded in multiple areas of Tainan.
9.3-centimeters of rainfall was recorded in the city's Beihe District.
While a weather station in Chiayi City recorded 9.2-centimeters of rainfall.
SKorea Ends Punitive Measures Against Striking Doctors
South Korea is ending all punitive (懲罰性的) steps against striking doctors.
More than 12-thousand trainees have walked out since February in protest to
the government increasing medical school seats.
Chris Gilbert reports.
Brazil Report on Bolsonaro Jewelry Embezzlement Unsealed
Brazil’s Federal Police allege former President Jair Bolsonaro embezzled
jewelry worth about $1.2 million during his time in office.
The report on its investigation was unsealed Monday by the Brazilian Supreme
Court.
It, alleges there was “a criminal association for the embezzlement of
high-value gifts that were received due to the position of former President
Jair Bolsonaro.”
The jewelry included diamond-encrusted Rolex watches, a necklace, rings and
cufflinks (袖扣), among other items.
The report says some of the presents were given to government staffers acting
on Bolsonaro’s behalf during international trips.
Bolsonaro was indicted last week charging embezzlement, asset laundering and
criminal association in connection with luxury jewelry.
The investigation adds pressure to the far-right leader who governed in
2019-2022 before losing his reelection bid to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
He has already lost his political rights until 2030.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4ckCQ0r
--
國立臺灣科學教育館Podcast節目《科科出來講》
有各種新奇有趣的科學小知識，破解生活中的科學小迷思
想聽知識含量最豐富的科學節目，就在《科科出來講》！
以上廣告由國立臺灣科學教育館提供。
《科科出來講》https://bit.ly/3JXYZVr
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
Tai-Ex opening marginally lower this morning from Friday's close, at 23,550
on turnover of 4.2-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher on Friday despite fluctuating (波動的) for
much of the session as investors await June sales reports from some of the
top listed companies on the Tai-Ex.
Those monthly reports are due out on Wednesday.
Former Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan Steps down as SEF Head
Former Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan has stepped down from his post as Straits
Exchange Foundation chairman.
The move comes after the Taoyuan District Prosecutors' Office released him on
bail of 5-million N-T this past weekend.
According to the foundation, Cheng resigned in order to "avoid disrupting
(擾亂)" the organization' operations and "will fight to clear his name
through the judicial process."
Cheng was summoned for questioning as part of an investigation into a
corruption case during his two terms as Taoyuan mayor
Although the prosecutors' office has not released further details of the
investigation reports are saying the case involves the re-designation of land
use.
National Airborne Service Corps Called in for Miaoli Landfill Fire
And,
The Miaoli County Fire Bureau has been forced to call the National Airborne
Service Corps for assistance in fighting a landfill fire.
According to the bureau, they called for a helicopter to drop water on the
fire some six hours after the blaze was reported and after it had spread to
an area of over one hectare.
The bureau says firefighters were unable to reach a part of the landfill
where there were piles of mattresses (床墊) close to wooded area.
The landfill is located in a suburb of Miaoli City and it's the second time
in less than a year that is has caught fire.
Japan Philippines to Hold Security Talks
Japan and the Philippines are holding security talks in Manila on Monday.
The meeting is expected to result in a new defense pact (協定) between the
two countries.
Chris Gilbert reports.
Ecuador Rules Rights of River Violated
A court in Ecuador has ruled that pollution has violated the rights of a
river that runs through the capital, Quito.
The city government appealed the unusual ruling, which is based on an article
of Ecuador’s Constitution that recognizes the rights of natural features
like the Machangara River.
Activists who filed the complaint said Sunday the decision is “historic.”
The court ruled that while appeals proceed, the government will have to come
up with a plan to clean up the Machangara.
The city of 2.6 million people dumps all sorts of effluents and contaminants
into the Machangara, which starts high in the Andes mountains.
The river has average levels of 2% oxygen, which makes it difficult for
aquatic (水棲的) life to thrive.
Ecuador is one of the few countries that recognize the rights of natural
features not to be degraded or polluted.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4ckCQ0r
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 9-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,532
on turnover of $4.8-billion N-T.
The market gained more then 350 points on Thursday to close at a new high on
the back of increased investor optimism over the business outlook for Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing.
T-S-M-C led the upturn on the local main board, while other tech stocks also
steamed ahead to add to the rally.
The rally by T-S-M-C comes as the company is set to hold an earnings call on
July 18
Police Dog Finds Evidence in Money Laundering Case
The Kaohsiung City Police Department says an electronic storage device
detection dog has played a major role in locating key evidence in a money
laundering case that led to multiple indictments.
According to the department's Criminal Investigation Corps, the dog named,
"Wafer," located two mobile phones that contained crucial evidence following
raids on three site suspected of being used as bases for money laundering.
Prosecutors have now indicted 12 people in connection with the investigation.
According to prosecutors, the case centered on an individual who rented
property in Kaohsiung and Pingtung to use a bases to assist with transfers of
illicit cash from overseas gambling websites and Ponzi scheme websites.
Police estimate that the group laundered over 5.1-billion N-T over a six
month period.
Wafer is Taiwan's first and currently only electronic storage device
detection dog.
Russia Announces India PM Visit
The Kremlin says Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Russia next
Monday and Tuesday and hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The visit was first announced by Russian officials last month, but the dates
had not been previously disclosed (公開).
Russia has had strong ties with India since the Cold War, and New Delhi’s
importance as a key trading partner for Moscow has grown since the Kremlin
sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022.
Japan Survey Finds Groping on Trains Widespread
Molestation on Japan’s crowded trains is back in the spotlight
(引起大眾關注) as new data shows one in ten young people have been groped.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
Cambodia Welcomes Return of Sculptures
Cambodia’s culture minister is welcoming the return this week of 14
sculptures that had been looted from the country during a period of war and
unrest.
The items repatriated from the collection New York’s Metropolitan Museum of
Art were made between the 9th and 14th centuries in the Angkorian period and
reflect the Hindu and Buddhist religious systems prevailing at that time.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts described it as a ’historic
homecoming (返家) of national treasures” followed several years of
negotiations between Cambodia’s art restitution team, U.S. federal
prosecutors in New York, investigators from the U.S. Dept of Homeland
Security and the Metropolitan Museum.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4ckCQ0r
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4ckCQ0r
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
CGA Links Seizure of Fishing Boat to New China Coast Guard Rule
Tai-Power Chair Stresses Need for Efficient Energy Market to Reach Net Zero Goal
Britain elections in the U.K.
Israeli Airstrike Hits Residential Building Next Medical Center in Khan Younis
Slovakia Court OKs Amendments to Penal Code
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 130-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,009 on turnover of 4.4-billion N-T.
The market lost almost 180-points as investors rushed to lock-in gains in the
bellwether electronics sector.
Hon Hai led the downturn in the electronics sector, falling by 2.85-per cent,
as its share price failed to return to its prior ex-dividend level.
While Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing also moved lower, as it saw profit
taking following recent solid gains on the back of investor interest in
artificial intelligence development-related stocks.
Domestic Carbon Credit Sales to Begin on TCX in September or October
The Ministry of Environment says it expects sales of domestic carbon credits
on the Taiwan Carbon Solution Exchange to begin by late September or early
October.
The statement comes after the exchange listed its first green carbon project
earlier this week.
That project was a reforestation initiative in eastern Paraguay and carbon
credits for the project are now available for purchase.
The government has also now publicly released the regulations on the trade
and transfer of domestic carbon credits from voluntary (自主性) emission
reduction projects - which are set to be introduced on August 15.
Weekly New COVID-19 Cases Hit Year's Highest Level
The Centers for Disease says a total of 932 new COVID-19 cases with
complications (併發症) were reported last week - and that's the highest
weekly level for this year.
According to the C-D-C, the number of confirmed local cases reported between
June 25 and July 1 was up 14-per cent from the previous week.
Data shows there were approximately 100,000 COVID-19-related visits to
emergency and outpatient departments made last week.
The C-D-C says the pandemic will continue to rise and weekly visits to
emergency rooms for COVID-19-related illnesses are expected peak in mid-July
at 120,000 before subsequently declining slowly.
Okinawa Protests Cases of Alleged Sexual Assault by US Personnel
Locals in Japan’s Okinawa region are protesting two cases of alleged sexual
assault (性侵害) by US military personnel.
The Pentagon says it’s closely tracking the cases which have fueled local
anger.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
Chile White Rhino Birth at Zoo
A 13-year-old Southern white rhinoceros has delivered a newborn calf in a
rare zoo birth for the almost endangered species.
The arrival of the male calf, named Silverio, just over a week ago was the
third time that a white rhino had ever been born in South America.
The zoo in Chile’s capital of Santiago presented Silverio to the public on
Tuesday as he took his first steps after 12 days of medical care in
confinement (限、禁閉).
The zoo hailed his birth as a “big achievement” for efforts to conserve the
threatened species.
Southern white rhinos, have been classified as “nearly endangered”, and
there are just over 10-thousand individuals left in the world, the vast
majority of them in zoos.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4ckCQ0r
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 45-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,012 on turnover of 7.1-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher on Monday as investors opted to take
advantage of the main board's initial gains.
Large cap tech stocks saw some profit taking, but still served to stabilize
the broader market throughout the trading day.
Control Yuan Seeking Constitutional Court Ruling on LY Reform Bills
The Control Yuan has officially petitioned the Constitutional Court for a
ruling on the constitutionality of government oversight amendments passed by
the Legislature in May -- arguing they will allow the legislative body to
usurp (奪取) its power.
The petition was filed by the head of the Control Yuan's Department of
Supervisory Investigation and an attorney on behalf of the government
watchdog at the Judicial Yuan in Taipei.
They also filed an application for an injunction to halt enforcement of the
revisions to the Law Governing the Legislative Yuan's Power and the Criminal
Code.
The D-P-P's legislative caucus and the Cabinet filed similar petitions last
week.
First Green Carbon Project Listed on Taiwan Carbon Solution Exchange
The Taiwan Carbon Solution Exchange has listed its first green carbon project.
According to the T-C-X the newly listed project is an afforestation (造林)
initiative in eastern Paraguay and carbon credits for the project are now
available for purchase.
The T-C-X says it expects its will generate (產生) carbon credits for 10,000
tons of carbon.
The exchange is not providing any further details on the nature of the
project or how far along it is.
However, the T-C-X says it's crucial for Paraguay to receive support to
develop and protect forests and promote carbon reduction initiatives because
its current regulations on forest cultivation are underdeveloped.
Boeing Crash Families Disatisfied with Plea Agreement
Families of the victims from two major crashes involving Boeing aircraft are
said to be unhappy with a plea agreement (認罪協商) reportedly offered to the
company in recent days.
Mitch McCann reports:
Turkey Mediating Somalia Ethiopia Talks
Turkey says it has mediated (調解) talks between Somalia and Ethiopia to ease
diplomatic tensions between the east African neighbors.
Turkey's Foreign Ministry says that the Ethiopian and Somalian foreign
ministers were “able to separately have a candid, cordial and
forward-looking exchange” on Monday concerning their differences.
A second round of discussions is planned in the Turkish capital of Ankara on
Sept. 2.
Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with the breakaway region of
Somaliland in January, which Somalia denounced as infringing upon its
sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The memorandum was to allow Ethiopia’s access to the sea through Somaliland
and in return Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland as an independent country.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
00934精選臺灣高股息代表性個股，股息與成長併具，首次配息強勢登場，7月15日前買進即可參與，前進00934(基金之配息來源可能為收益平準金且基金並無保證收益及配息)，立即GO！
https://bit.ly/4eHfrHT
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 10-points this morning from Friday's close, at 23,042 on
turnover of 4.4-billion N-T.
The market moved higher on Friday as the main board jumped over technical
hurdles ahead of the 23,000 point mark by the end of the session.
Both Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and Hon Hai made solid gains and
served as an anchor for the broader market.
Singer Lauds 'Tiananmen' Remarks as Highlighting Taiwan's Value
Taiwanese singer and activist Panai Kusui says China's censoring of her
remarks about the Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989 at the Golden Melody
Awards ceremony has highlighted Taiwan's value.
Speaking after the 35th Golden Melody Awards ceremony at the Taipei Arena,
Panai told reports that the "value of freedom can be felt at this moment -
and she "hopes everyone will cherish what we have now."
Panai's agent also cited her as saying that China's "actions further
underscored (強調) the precious freedom in Taiwan."
The Indigenous singer won the Best Taiwanese Album category for "Ia-Po."
Mercury Hits 41°C in Taitung
The Central Weather Administration says it recorded a temperature of
41-degree in Taitung on Sunday.
That was the hottest in Taiwan so far this year.
The high temperature was recorded in Tai-Ma-Li Township at 1:35PM.
According to the weather administration, the high temperature was driven by
the occurrence of foehn winds in the county.
Similar heat also affected northern and central parts of the island - with
Taipei recording a high of 39.1-degrees and a high of 37.3-degrees being
recorded in Yunlin County.
The weather administration's forecast center says the current heat wave due
to foehn winds will last until tomorrow, when the wind direction will change
to mostly southeasterly winds and the foehn winds in the southeast will
weaken.
US Supreme Court to Rule on Trump Immunity
The US Supreme Court is expected to give its ruling on Monday on the case
concerning Donald Trump's claims of presidential immunity (主權豁免).
The former US President faces four charges related to attempts to subvert
(顛覆) the results of the 2020 election.
Our Washington Correspondent Jagruti Dave has the details
Netherlands Outgoing PM Urges Support for Ukraine
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has urged his country to support Ukraine and
international cooperation in his final address to his compatriots.
The 57-year-old Rutte said from his office in The Hague that it is "crucial"
that the Netherlands "is embedded in the European Union and NATO", and said
the countries are stronger together than alone.
His farewell speech on Sunday came as a new government is set to take over
the Netherlands on Tuesday.
Rutte, who led the country for 14 years, will take over as NATO’s new
secretary-general later this year.
The new Dutch government has pledged (保證) to maintain assistance for
Ukraine.
But far-right populist Geert Wilders whose party won last year’s election
has expressed pro-Russia views and Kremlin backers cheered his victory at the
polls.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
【三得利DHA芝麻明E】
獨家芝麻明Ｅ配方結合魚油精華
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--
迎接十年一遇的存債良機，富養自己不是夢！
中信優息投資級債【00948B】有「平準金」及「月配息」，小資也能輕鬆跟隊，【00948B】投資就是發！
一同「債」現王者新高度，詳細資訊請見： https://bit.ly/3y7XL7A
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
MOEA approves TSMC's additional investment plans for Japan, U.S.
Taiwan Aid Speeding to House Passage in State Department Bill
Mongolia Election today
Slovakia Train Crash caused 7 deaths
US Presidential Debate, the 1st round
MOEA approves TSMC's additional investment plans for Japan, U.S.
Taiwan Aid Speeding to House Passage in State Department Bill
Mongolia Election Today
Slovakia Train Crash caused 7 deaths
US Presidential Debate, the 1st round
MOEA approves TSMC's additional investment plans for Japan, U.S.
Taiwan Aid Speeding to House Passage in State Department Bill
Mongolia Election Today
Slovakia Train Crash caused 7 deaths
US Presidential Debate, the 1st round
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 127-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,860 on turnover of $8.2-billion N-T.
The market continued its momentum from the previous session on Wednesday to
close moderately higher, as large cap artificial intelligence
development-related tech stocks gained ground after rebounded on Wall Street
overnight.
However, funds rotated out of the non-tech sector, in particular financial
stocks, to cap the upturn ahead of the 23,000-point mark.
Net emissions in 2022 down 1.77% from 2005
The Ministry of Environment has released its latest National Greenhouse Gas
Inventory Report - which indicates that net emissions have declined since
2022.
According to the report, emissions totaled 264.13 million metric tons of
carbon dioxide equivalent (相等的) in 2022 - and that represented a decrease
of 1.77-per cent from the baseline year of 2005.
The ministry says the figures for 2022 emissions also represents a decrease
of 4.07-per cent from 2021.
Officials say net emissions of 264.13 million metric tons of carbon dioxide
equivalent are calculated by taking total emissions of 285.97 million metric
tons and deducting the carbon sink of 21.83 million metric tons.
The earliest records Greenhouse Gas emissions date back to 1990 and peaked in
2007.
The Ministry of Environment says compared to global trends, which saw
energy-related CO2 emissions grow by 1.3-per cent from 2021 to 2022, Taiwan's
emissions saw a decrease over that same period.
NKorea Claims Successful Test of Multiwarhead Missile
North Korea says it successfully tested a multiwarhead missile, a
sophisticated (複雜的) weapon coveted by leader Kim Jong Un to overwhelm
missile defenses in the continental United States.
The statement contradicted South Korea’s assessment of a failed launch.
North Korea's state media says today that the launch tested the separation
and guidance control of individual mobile warheads.
It said they were guided correctly to their targets and a decoy that
separated from the missile was verified by radar.
It was North Korea’s first known launch event related to the development of
a multiwarhead missile, though outside experts believe it was a preliminary
test.
South Korea had evaluated Wednesday's launch as a solid-fueled hypersonic
missile that blew up over water.
China’s slams US Ambassador’s comments about Beijing interference
BUT… Beijing has hit back after the US Ambassador accused China of of
getting in the way of people to people ties.
Nicholas Burns told the Wall Street Journal Beijing was "taking dramatic
(驟然的) steps to make it impossible" for citizens from both sides to
reconnect.
Jagruti Dave has more.
That was Jagruti Dave.
Sri Lanka Announces Debt Restructuring Plan
Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe has announced a debt
restructuring deal with countries including India, France, Japan and China in
a televised address to the nation.
The agreement marks a key step in the country’s economic recovery after
defaulting on debt repayment in 2022.
Sri Lanka is in an International Monetary Fund bailout program.
The debt treatment deal is expected to reopen the doors to bilateral
transactions and the resumption of foreign projects that stalled when the
island nation defaulted (拖欠，不履行債務).
Sri Lanka declared bankruptcy in April 2022 and suspended repayments on some
$83 billion in domestic and foreign loans.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 62-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,938
on turnover of 6.4-billion N-T.
The market closed higher on Tuesday.
Select large cap tech stocks recouped early losses following a plunge by
Nvidia on Wall Street overnight.
The rebound helped the local main board overcame stiff technical resistance
ahead of the 22,567-point mark.
That was the intraday high seen on June 17.
Premier Announces Plans for Constitutional Interpretation of LY Power Bills
Premier Zhuo Rong-tai says the Cabinet is now finalizing plans to request a
constitutional interpretation as soon as possible on the constitutionality
(符合憲法) of legislative reform bills passed by lawmakers.
According to Zhuo, all branches of government must respect each other's roles
under the Constitution.
They must perform their duties accordingly and he hope once the court has
issued its decision, it will reinforce cooperation among the five branches of
government
The D-P-P is seeking a similar ruling from the Constitutional Court on the
constitutionality of the amendments to the Law Governing the Legislature's
Power and the Criminal Code.
While the Control Yuan has also announced that it will also seek a
Constitutional Court ruling on the recently passed amendments.
CWA Predicting Two to Four Typhoons to be Near Taiwan this Year
The Central Weather Administration says between two and four typhoons are
likely to be in the vicinity of Taiwan between now and November.
According to Forecast Center director Chen Yi-liang, that number is slightly
lower than the average of three to five.
This reflects the weakening El Nino weather pattern and the possibility of a
La Nina weather pattern approaching.
Chen says under those conditions, there are typically fewer typhoons.
But their routes will be more likely to come near Taiwan.
And if a typhoon forms near the island, its intensity will be limited by
disruption (破壞) by unfavorable surroundings or land.
UN Threatens to Halt Aid Deliveries in Gaza
The United Nations says it may halt aid deliveries to Gaza.
Speaking at the UN Security Council on Tuesday, the UN Special Coordinator
for the Middle East Peace Process said indiscriminate (不分青紅皂白) attacks
on convoys are impeding the delivery of aid.
It's now emerged that senior U.N. officials told Israel they will suspend aid
operations unless urgent steps are taken to better protect humanitarian
workers.
Jody Jacobs reports…
Report: Global Tax on Super Rich Proposed
A global tax on the super-rich is proposed in a new report that Brazil
commissioned for its current presidency of the leading 20 rich and developing
nations.
The proposal says individuals with more than $1 billion in total assets would
be required to pay the equivalent of 2% of their wealth in income tax.
It says the tax would raise $200 billion to $250 billion per year globally
from about 3,000 individuals.
The money could fund public services such as education and healthcare as well
as the fight against climate change.
The issue of inequality is a priority (優先，重點) for Brazil in its G20
presidency.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
迎接十年一遇的存債良機，富養自己不是夢！
中信優息投資級債【00948B】有「平準金」及「月配息」，小資也能輕鬆跟隊，【00948B】投資就是發！
一同「債」現王者新高度，詳細資訊請見： https://bit.ly/3y7XL7A
President Lai Says Autocracy is the Crime, not democracy
President Lai Ching-te said that autocracy (專制主義), not democracy
(民主主義), is deserving of punishment (懲罰).
The president's remarks come in response to the recent threat (威脅) by
Chinese authorities (大陸官員) imposing the death penalty (死刑) on "diehard"
advocates (頑固的支持者) of Taiwan independence (臺獨).
The President added that China has no right nor jurisdiction (管轄權) to
punish Taiwanese people for expressing their opinions or stances, stating
that according to China's logic, not supporting unification (不支持統一) is
the same as supporting Taiwan independence (等於支持台灣獨立).
Lai called on (呼籲) China to accept the existence of the Republic of China
and engage in exchanges (交流) with Taiwan's democratically-elected
government.
He said that's the only way to protect the welfare (福利) of those on both
sides of the Taiwan Strait (台灣海峽兩岸).
The president also expressed condolences (表示慰問) to those impacted by the
deadly rain in southern China and said he hopes post-disaster reconstruction
(災後重建) goes well.
Lai welcomes Saint Kitts and Nevis PM with military salute
Meanwhile,
President Lai Ching-te welcomed Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister
(聖克里斯多福及尼維總理) Terrence Drew with a military salute ceremony
(軍禮儀式) in Taipei Monday.
Lai said that Drew's frequent visits to Taiwan demonstrated the nation's high
regard for bilateral ties (雙邊關係).
This is Drew's second state visit (國事訪問) since taking office in August
2022.
Both leaders emphasized shared values of democracy and human rights (人權)
and expressed commitment to deepening cooperation (深化合作) since their
diplomatic relations began in 1983.
President Lai also thanked Drew for calling for justice and demonstrating
staunch support for Taiwan on the international stage (國際舞台).
Drew said his ongoing trip to Taiwan held "great importance", and thanked
Taiwan for its support and technical assistance (技術援助) and underscored
Taiwan's significant global economic role and contributions to various global
challenges.
The visit included a 21-gun salute and national anthems (國歌), with both
Drew and Lai inspecting honor guards.
Drew's delegation, which arrived Saturday for a five-day visit, includes his
wife and senior cabinet members.
EU has plan to use Russian frozen assets: Foreign Policy Chief
The European Union's foreign policy chief (歐盟外交政策負責人) says a plan
has been devised to ensure (確保) Ukraine receives funds through Russian
frozen assets (凍結的俄羅斯資產).
EU foreign ministers convened (召開會議) on how to navigate Hungary's
opposition to support for Kyiv.
Charles de Ledesma reports.
Israel Hamas latest
The viability (可行性) of a U.S.-backed proposal to wind down the war in Gaza
is in doubt … after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would
only agree to a “partial” cease-fire deal (部分停火協議) that would not end
the war.
His comments were made in an interview with a pro-Netanyahu Israeli TV
channel and sparked an uproar (引起強烈反應) from families of hostages held
by Hamas.
This comes as Israel's Defense Minister (國防部長) Yoav Gallant is in
Washington DC for what he's describing as "critical" talks (關鍵會談) on the
fighting in Gaza and escalating tensions on the border with Lebanon,
exchanges of fire which are stoking fears of an all-out war (全面戰爭).
Benji Hyer reports.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
2024 Han Kuang Exercises Focuses on 24/7 Drills
The upcoming live-fire phase of the annual Han Kuang military exercises will
be focusing on testing troops' responses to decentralized command, the
updated Rules of Engagement), and 24/7 operational scenarios.
This year's 40th edition began with the tabletop war games phase, conducted
from April 19 to 26.
The live-fire exercise component (部分) is scheduled to take place from July
22 to 26.
According to defense officials, the live-fire exercises will prioritize tests
on troops' capabilities to fend off Chinese invasion 24/7, grassroot troops'
preparedness to launch counterstrikes individually, and troops' ability to
follow updated R-O-E during counterstrikes.
Fire at Hualien Pet Shop Destroy Five Two-Story Houses
And,
Fire investigators are looking into the cause of a blaze at a pet store in
Hualien that destroyed five two-story houses.
Officials say due to the degree of destruction, the exact cause of the fire
has not yet been determined.
According to the Hualien County Fire Department, it received a report
Saturday evening that flames were spotted coming out of a house.
The house was later identified as a pet store next to a Burger King chain
restaurant.
The flames quickly spread to the adjacent (鄰近的) stores, which were all
between 40 to 50-years-old.
More than 20 pet dogs were rescued from the scene, including 20 owned by the
fire-hit pet store.
One dog died.
NKorea Could Ratify Russia Treaty This Week
North Korean leaders are set to hold a key party meeting this week following
the signing of a security treaty with Russia.
The two countries on Wednesday agreed to mutually (互相) assist each other if
they are attacked,.
Chris Gilbert has more.
Houthi Drone Damages Red Sea Vessel
An aerial drone launched (發射) by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck and damaged
a vessel in the Red Sea.
The drone attack happened around dawn Sunday off the coast of the rebel-held
port city of Hodeida.
That's according to the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade
Operations center.
The U.S. military’s Central Command said several mariners on the bulk
carrier suffered minor injuries from the attack.
Hajj Pilgrimage Heat Sees Over 1Thousand Dead
More than 1,300 people died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage as the
faithful faced soaring (上升) temperatures at Islamic holy sites in Saudi
Arabia.
The Saudi health minister said 83% of the fatalities were among unauthorized
pilgrims who walked long distances in soaring temperatures.
Egyptian officials said more than 660 of the dead were from Egypt.
The fatalities included 165 pilgrims from Indonesia, 98 from India and dozens
more from Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Malaysia, according to an
Associated Press tally.
Two U.S. pilgrims were also reported dead.
Daily high temperatures exceeded 46 degrees Celsius, on some days.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
中彰投分署為鼓勵轄區企業團體共同精進成長及經驗分享，廣徵各事業單位及團體在勞動力開發與運用或勞動力提升優良之提案，並透過本活動提供轄區企業團體交流學習之平台，一起為在地的人力資源永續發展努力。
https://tcnr.wda.gov.tw/Content*List.aspx?n=B8A915763E3684AC
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 212-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,194 on turnover of 14.9-billion N-T.
The market continued to gain ground on Thursday - despite thinner trading
compared to the previous session.
Wall Street was closed overnight in observance of Juneteenth.
MOFA Stressed Taiwan-Haiti Ties Remain Solid
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Taiwan formal diplomatic ties with
Haiti's transitional government are solid.
According to the ministry's Office of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs,
Taiwan's ambassador to the Caribbean nation, Gu Wen-jian has established
friendly interactions with Haiti's key officials.
Those officials include Haiti's interim prime minister, its foreign minister
and the head of the Transitional Presidential Council.
The foreign ministry says Gu has informed them that Taiwan looks forward to
Haiti's continued progress in restoring (恢復) constitutional and social
order.
The minister also says Taiwan aims to strengthen cooperation with Haiti's new
administration to deepen their diplomatic ties.
Haiti's new Cabinet was formally inaugurated on June 12.
SKorea Considers Sending Arms to Ukraine
South Korea says it will consider sending arms to Ukraine after Russia and
North Korea rattled the region and beyond.
They signed a pact to come to each other’s defense in the event of war.
The office of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a statement
condemning the agreement.
He called it a threat to his country's security and a violation of U.N.
Security Council resolutions, and warned that it would have negative
consequences on Seoul’s relations with Moscow.
The comments came hours after North Korea’s state media released the details
of the agreement.
Observers say it could mark the strongest connection between Moscow and
Pyongyang since the end of the Cold War.
It comes at a time when Russia faces growing isolation over its war in
Ukraine and both countries face escalating (增加, 加劇. ) standoffs with the
West.
Climate Change Makes Extremem Heat More Likely in USMexicoCentralAmerica
Climate change made extreme heat felt in the United States, Mexico and
Central America around 35 times more likely, according to scientists.
The World Weather Attribution says many extreme weather events are becoming
more frequent (頻繁) and intense as a result of global warming.
Sally Patterson reports from New York.
France Joins Africa in Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator
French President Emmanuel Macron has joined African leaders to kick off a
planned $1 billion project to accelerate the rollout of vaccines in Africa.
The effort comes after the coronavirus pandemic exposed gaping inequalities
in access to vaccines globally.
The African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator will provide financial
incentives (獎勵) to vaccine manufacturers.
Many African leaders and advocacy groups say Africa was unfairly locked out
of access to COVID-19 treatment tools, vaccines and testing equipment when
the pandemic swept the globe starting in 2020.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
中彰投分署為鼓勵轄區企業團體共同精進成長及經驗分享，廣徵各事業單位及團體在勞動力開發與運用或勞動力提升優良之提案，並透過本活動提供轄區企業團體交流學習之平台，一起為在地的人力資源永續發展努力。
https://tcnr.wda.gov.tw/Content*List.aspx?n=B8A915763E3684AC
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 13-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
23,197 on turnover of $7.5--billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Wednesday.
The market gained by more than 450 points to close at a new record high amid
continuing investor optimism (樂觀) over growth in artificial intelligence
development.
Coast Guard Undeterred by China's New Maritime Rule
The Coast Guard Administration says a new regulation implemented (實施) by
China's Coast Guard last week will not affect the way it enforces the law at
sea.
China's new regulation took effect on June 15.
It allows the China Coast Guard to board and hold vessels in waters it lays
claim to.
And it allows the Chinese Coast Guard to question and detain foreign
nationals found to have violated its "exit and entry rules" for up to 60
days.
Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration says it has put into place principles
while responding to contingencies at sea.
These include guidelines on communicating with the armed forces of Taiwan and
friendly nations ..
.. and the administration will vigorously defend the rights and interests of
Taiwan's fishing vessels and uphold national sovereignty and maritime safety.
MRT Disputes Prompt Review of Priority Seating Rules
The Ministry of Health says it's considering expanding access to priority
seats on the Taipei MRT.
The statement follows two violent confrontations (衝突) between senior
citizens and younger passengers within the past nine days.
According to ministry's Social and Family Affairs Administration, the
proposal is aimed at changing the clause in the People with Disabilities
Rights Protection Act to include more potential users.
That act currently mandates that public transport facilities without reserved
seats set aside priority seats for the "disabled, elderly, women and
children".
The number of priority seats must be no less than 15-per cent of available
seats.
Officials say the planned amendment will seek to replace the wording with
"those with other actual needs."
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says that the metro operator will discuss the
issue with regulatory authorities.
UN investigation finds Israel and Hamas responsible for war crimes
An Independent UN investigations team that's found Israel committed
(犯（罪、錯) war crimes in Gaza has officially presented its findings to the
Human Rights Council.
The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied
Palestinian Territory headed by Navi Pillay investigated the military attacks
in Gaza since 7 October last year.
It also says Hamas is responsible for war crimes committed in Israel.
Jody Jacobs reports from the United Nations in New York.
Ecuador Blackout After Transmission Line Failure
Ecuador's government reported a failure in an energy transmission line has
produced an unexpected blackout throughout the country.
Just days earlier, the government announced that there would be new power
outages in the country due to production problems.
Officials say the failure was reported by the country’s National Electricity
Operator and caused “a cascade disconnection (斷開),” leaving the nation
without energy service.
In some sectors of the country the outage lasted 20 minutes.
But media outlets and social media users reported that the problem remained
in most cities and even in some hospital areas.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 101-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,858 on turnover of 7.2-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex closed at another record high on Tuesday, led by solid gains
posted by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing following a rally among tech
stocks on Wall Street overnight.
T-S-M-C's gains contributed about 180 points to the main board's rise to push
both electronics and the semiconductor sub-index higher during the trading
day.
Weekly COVID Cases Nearly Double
The Centers for Disease Control says weekly COVID-19 cases have nearly
doubled.
Data shows that a total of 623 new locally transmitted cases were reported
from between June 11 and 17 - and that's up from 329 cases during the
previous week.
According to the C-D-C, the rise in domestic cases means that Taiwan is now
in the pandemic phase - and mathematical modeling suggests the currently wave
will peak in August and September, with a decline (衰退) expected after
September.
The C-D-C is encouraging people who have not yet received the X-B-B vaccine
to get a shot as soon as possible.
MOA to Cull Hens Amid Over Supply of Eggs
The Ministry of Agriculture says it plans to cull 1.8-million hens on a
monthly basis beginning later this month due to an oversupply eggs.
The statement comes after a week after the ministry said it will be culling
1.2-million hens per month.
According to the ministry, its hoped the move will cut daily egg production
to approximately (大約) 120,000 crates, from the current 121,600 crates and
will reduce the number of egg-laying hens from the current 35.7-million to
between 33 and 34-million.
The ministry says it chose to increase the number of hens culled as
oversupply issues are continuing, despite the price of eggs dropping to 50
N-T a box at leading supermarket chains.
Kim and Putin Meet in Pyongyang
The leaders of Russia and North Korea are holding their first summit (會議)
in Pyongyang in 24 years.
Russian president Vladimir Putin arrived to a hug and handshake from his
counterpart Kim Jong-un on Wednesday.
Chris Gilbert reports.
McKellen Looks Forward to Returning to Work After Fall
Veteran actor Ian McKellen says he is looking forward to returning to work
after toppling off a London stage during a play and being hospitalized.
The 85-year-old actor known for playing Gandalf in the “Lord of the Rings”
said on Tuesday that doctors had assured (保證) him his recovery would be
“complete and speedy.”
The actor said he was looking forward to returning to work.
McKellen was playing John Falstaff in a production of “Player Kings” when
he fell at the Noel Coward Theatre on Monday.
The theater was evacuated (疏散) and the play was canceled.
McKellen is one of Britain's most acclaimed Shakespearean actors, with roles
including Richard III, Macbeth and King Lear.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
迎接十年一遇的存債良機，富養自己不是夢！
中信優息投資級債【00948B】有「平準金」及「月配息」，小資也能輕鬆跟隊，【00948B】投資就是發！
一同「債」現王者新高度，詳細資訊請見： https://bit.ly/3y7XL7A
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 36-points this morning from Friday's close, at 22,468
on turnover of 7.2-billion N-T.
The market rose to yet another closing high last Friday to hit 22,500-points
as investors were boosted by the continuing frenzy around
artificial-intelligence technology.
This sent the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ to record highs on Wall Street
overnight.
Lai Touts Whampoa Spirit at Centennial
President Lai Ching-te has attended centennial celebrations of the Whampoa
Military Academy in Kaohsiung.
Speaking at the event at the R-O-C Military Academy, Lai said over its
100-year history, the institution has trained thousands of troops who have
fought for the nation's survival.
He says the spirit (精神) of "Whampoa" follows where the R-O-C goes.
And he also vowed to further strengthen the nation's defensive capabilities
while promoting peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Taipower to Adjust Power Capacity for Peak Travel Season
Tai-Power says it will review and adjust its electricity supply for the
outlying islands during the peak summer season.
The statement comes Liuqiu Island lost power for an hour on Saturday.
According to the state-generator, the power outage hit the island off the
northwest coast of Pingtung at around 7:30PM.
The outage was the result of hot weather and large numbers of tourists
turning on electrical appliances.
The result was power demand of 12,475-kilowatts - a record high.
The system tripped because of the overload (超載), causing the blackout.
Tai-Power was able to restore the area's electricity in about an hour.
Seoul Uges Doctors to Cancel Walkout
South Korea’s Prime Minister is urging doctors to cancel a planned walkout
this week.
The strike is expected to escalate (加劇) a long running standoff between the
government and medical community over wages, conditions, and staffing.
Chris Gilbert reports.
Countries Call for Ukraine Territorial Integrity in Peace Deal
Nearly 80 countries have jointly called for the “territorial integrity” of
Ukraine to be the basis for any peace agreement to end Russia’s two-year
war.
Some key developing nations at the Swiss conference did not join in.
The joint communique capped the two-day conference marked by the absence
(缺席) of Russia, which was not invited.
Many attendees hoped Moscow could join in on a roadmap to peace in the future.
India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand and the United Arab
Emirates were among countries that did not sign the final document.
NewCaledonia Shortening Curfes
The French Pacific territory of New Caledonia is shortening its overnight
curfew.
It's also reopening its international airport that was closed to commercial
flights for more than a month because of deadly violence.
The archipelago's high commissioner said Sunday the La Tontouta airport that
links New Caledonia’s capital, to Sydney, Tokyo and other Pacific hubs
(中心) will reopen today.
The commissioner also said the curfew is being shortened by two hours, its
start pushed back from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Violence that flared on May 13-th over controversial (有爭議的) voting
reforms led to nine deaths and widespread destruction of shops, businesses
and homes.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
迎接十年一遇的存債良機，富養自己不是夢！
中信優息投資級債【00948B】有「平準金」及「月配息」，小資也能輕鬆跟隊，【00948B】投資就是發！
一同「債」現王者新高度，詳細資訊請見： https://bit.ly/3y7XL7A
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 0.1-point this morning from yesterday's close, at
22,312 on turnover of $7.3-billion N-T.
The market hit yet another high on Thursday.
It rose by more than 260-points on the back of a surge in investor interest
in large tech stocks.
This comes after a strong showing on Wall Street overnight.
The new closing high was led by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and Hon
Hai.
Investors were also relieved to see inflationary pressures (通膨壓力) in the
U-S easing.
That was shown by the cooler-than-expected Consumer Price Index for May.
Central Bank Leaves Interest Rates Unchanged
The central bank has opted to leave its key interest rates unchanged
following its quarterly policymaking meeting.
The decision was in line with market expectations.
That means the discount rate remains at 2-per cent - but is still at a 15
year high.
The bank also decided to lower the mortgage ceiling in certain areas from 70
to 60-per cent.
That measure is meant to rein in manipulation (操縱) in the property market.
UN Urges Houthis to Release Staff
The heads of six U.N. agencies and three international humanitarian
organizations issued a joint appeal to Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
They are urging the immediate release of 17 members of their staff.
The workers were recently detained along with many others also being held by
the Iranian-backed group.
Their appeal was echoed by a statement from several nations and the European
Union ahead of a U.N. Security Council meeting on Yemen Thursday.
UN special envoy Hans Grundberg said the Houthis were holding all those
detained in the crackdown incommunicado.
The Houthis said Monday they had arrested members of an “American-Israeli
spy network".
Houthi authorities issued what they purported to be videotaped confessions by
10 Yemenis, several of whom said they were recruited (被招募) by the U.S.
Embassy.
They did not include any of the U.N. employees who were arrested.
The Houthis’ claims could not be independently verified.
TESLA SHAREHOLDERS REAFFIRM MUSK’S $56B PAY PACKAGE
Tesla shareholders have voted to reinstate (恢復) CEO Elon Musk's pay package
- worth up to $56 billion.
It's the largest pay deal in corporate US history.
But the package was struck down by a judge in January, citing its size.
Toni Waterman has more from outside the Tesla gigafactory in Austin, where
the vote took place.
Canada Shackleton Shipwreck Found
The wreck of the last ship belonging to a famous Irish-born British explorer
of Antarctica has been found off the coast of Canada.
The wreck was found by an international team led by the Royal Canadian
Geographical Society.
The Quest was found using sonar scans on Sunday evening, sitting on its keel
under 390 meters of water.
The society said Wednesday that its towering mast is lying broken beside it.
They believe the mast likely cracked off as the vessel was sucked into the
depths after it struck ice on May 5, 1962.
The society says It won’t be brought to the surface, as that would be too
expensive.
But they say it will be thoroughly documented and studied.
A crew will likely head out some time before the end of summer to begin
taking footage of the vessel with a remotely operated vehicle.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
李泰祥告別十周年系列活動，6/12起中正紀念堂《夢土上的李泰祥》特展；6/15《自彼次遇到妳》齊豫、許景淳、NSO演繹經典；6/24《你是我所有的回憶》TCS演唱17首經典，歡迎至OPENTIX購票。
https://s.opentix.life/p/P5cb0f19c
李泰祥告別十周年系列活動，6/12起中正紀念堂《夢土上的李泰祥》特展；6/15《自彼次遇到妳》齊豫、許景淳、NSO演繹經典；6/24《你是我所有的回憶》TCS演唱17首經典，歡迎至OPENTIX購票。
https://s.opentix.life/p/P5cb0f19c
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
Economics Minister Once Again Claims Power Supply for AI-Driven Demand Sufficient
FDA Warns Consumers about Online Drug Purchases
G-7 Ukraine Deal
Russian Warships in Cuba
Oscars Governors Awards
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 50-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,842
on turnover of $6.1-billion N-T.
Shipping stocks led shares in Taiwan to close down 0.30 percent Tuesday.
That was the first trading session after the Dragon Boat Festival long
weekend.
Freight rates to Europe from China are plunging.
But analysts say select tech heavyweights appeared resilient, providing some
support to the broader market.
Taiwan rejects U.S. condiments due to presence of carcinogen
Three shipments of seasonings imported from the United States have been
returned or destroyed.
They were found to contain a banned chemical.
The Food and Drug Administration says the imports were intercepted (攔截)
after sample testing conducted in late April and May.
The tests detected the presence of ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing chemical.
The problematic products were Briannas French Vinaigrette Dressing and
Briannas Smoked Chipotle Marinade, both imported by Hao Shi International
Co., along with A-1 Steak Sauce imported by Zhan Ying Trading Co.
The FDA says products imported by the two companies will now be subject to
batch-by-batch inspections.
UN Cites Possible War Crimes in Israeli Operation that Freed Hostages
The U.N. human rights office is citing possible war crimes by Israeli forces
and Palestinian armed groups.
The crimes may have been committed in connection with a deadly raid by
Israeli forces that freed four hostages over the weekend.
A spokesperson expressed concerns about possible violations of rules of
proportionality, distinction and precaution by the Israeli forces in
Saturday’s raid at the urban Nuseirat refugee camp.
Palestinian health officials say at least 274 Palestinians, including dozens
of women and children, were killed in the operation.
The spokesperson says Palestinian armed groups who are holding hostages in
densely populated areas are putting the lives of nearby civilians and the
hostages at “added risks” from the hostilities (戰鬥).
Mexico Less Vaquita Sighted This Year
Only 6 to 8 of Mexico’s critically endangered vaquita marina porpoises were
sighted this year in the Gulf California.
But researchers suggested Tuesday that some of the few remaining vaquitas _
the world’s most endangered marine mammal _ may have moved elsewhere in the
Gulf.
The gulf is the only place in the world where they live.
Last year, experts estimate they saw from 10 to 13 during nearly two weeks of
sailing in the Gulf.
But this year, the conservation group Sea Shepherd said an expedition (考察)
May 5-26, only saw a half dozen.
But they also say the search was not as extensive.
And no baby vaquitas were seen this year.
Japan Push for Gender Gap Transparency
Japan may soon require more companies to disclose gender gap data.
It comes as the country ranks 118th in a new World Economic Forum gender
parity (性別平等) survey.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 126-points this morning from Friday's close, at 21,984
on turnover of $11.7-billion N-T.
MOEA revokes Taoyuan stoppage of 3 SRF plants in apparent U-turn
The Ministry of Economic Affairs is reversing (推翻) the Taoyuan city
government's decision to halt the construction of three solid recovered fuel
power plants.
Taoyuan officials had previously revoked permits for companies Cleanaway,
Taiwan Cube Energy and Li Jiang Development due to application issues.
But Cleanaway submitted an appeal.
The M-O-E-A overturned the decision by the Taoyuan City Government, allowing
the projects to proceed.
Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng said the decision was regrettable.
But he says he is committed to closely monitoring the construction of the
plants to protect the health of city residents.
S-R-F is a fuel made from commercial waste.
It offers potential environmental benefits over coal.
But it also raises concerns about pollution and recycling disincentives.
Delegation led by Czech Senate vice president arrives in Taiwan
Czech Senate Vice President Jiri Drahos arrived in Taiwan this week for a
six-day visit at the head of a 19-member delegation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the group will meet with President Lai
Ching-te, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, Premier Cho Jung-tai, among others.
MOFA said both sides will exchange views on issues of mutual concern
including the economy and trade, technology, as well as education and
culture.
MOFA says the two sides will also deepen cooperation in areas spanning key
industries, science development and talent cultivation (人才培育)… and
culture and arts.
SKorea Fires Warning Shots After Border Violation Last Week
South Korean media reports say South Korean soldiers fired warning shots
after North Korean troops violated the border line earlier this week.
Yonhap news agency says North Korean soldiers briefly crossed the heavily
fortified (強化的) border before retreating back to their territory on
Sunday.
Yonhap, citing South Korea’s military, said South Korean soldiers had fired
warning shots at the time.
Other South Korean media outlets have published similar reports.
The incident came amid rising tensions over North Korea’s recent launches of
trash-carrying balloons.
SKorea US Begin Nuclear Contingency Plans
In related news….
The US and South Korea have begun plans to respond to a hypothetical
(假定的，假設的) nuclear attack by North Korea.
Officials from the two countries met for the first meeting of the Nuclear
Consultative Group in Seoul on Monday.
Chris Gilbert reports.
IOC: France Elections Won't Affect Paris Olympics
The president of the International Olympic Committee says the snap national
election called by French President Emmanuel Macron will not impact the Paris
Olympics.
Thomas Bach says on Monday the Paris Games have always had broad support
across the French political spectrum (政治光譜).
He adds there are "no indications whatsoever that this unity (一致，團結)
will break now, just …before the Games open.”
The French legislative elections will take place in two rounds on June 30th
and July 7th.
That's three weeks before the July 26 opening ceremony in central Paris.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 79-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,824 on turnover of $5.2-billion N-T.
The market surged to another all time high on Thursday, to jump to just over
the 21,900 point mark.
Investors continued to rally (恢復,價格回升) around artificial-intelligence
development-related stocks.
Ministry of Environment Seeks Zero Waste
Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming says the government is still hoping to
achieve (達到) zero waste.
He says new regulations on recycling will be drafted by the end of this year
Speaking at a legislative committee hearing, Peng said amount of stored
general waste increased from 210,000 tonnes in 2018 to 840,000 tonnes last
year.
That's largely due to an rise in the amount of packaging waste from online
shopping and food delivery.
According to Peng, the government is seeking to add five new incinerators.
He says the incinerators will bring the total number of waste incinerators
islandwide to 29 by the end of 2027.
The environment minister said that will increase the total waste processing
capacity from 6.81 million to 7-million tonnes per year.
And he went on to tell lawmakers that new regulations will also be drawn up
to promote recycling and reuse of certain products.
Bird Flu Strains Spreading Through US Mexico
There are growing concerns about strains (菌株) of bird flu infecting
livestock and humans in the United States.
There have been at least three confirmed cases of people developing the H5N1
virus in recent months, including in the US states of Texas and Michigan.
Authorities, though, say the risk to the general public is still low.
Sally Patterson reports.
UN: Congo Camp Fire Leaves Families without Shelter
The U.N. says a fire at a displacement camp in eastern Congo has destroyed
around 50 makeshift tents.
The blaze left dozens of families without shelter (庇護所).
On Wednesday afternoon, the tents were reduced to ashes at the Mugunga
displaced people camp near the provincial capital Goma.
The United Nations said the fire is believed to have started during cooking
at the camp.
The UN says the same camp was hit by bomb attacks in early May, which killed
at least 18 people and injured 32 others.
ECB Cuts Key Interest Rate
The European Central Bank cut its key interest rate by a quarter-point,
moving ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve.
The ECB cut its benchmark rate to 3.75% from a record high of 4% at a meeting
of the bank’s 26-member rate-setting council in Frankfurt.
ECB President Christine Lagarde said inflation had eased (緩解) enough for
the central bank to start lowering rates.
But inflation in the eurozone is expected to remain (保持) above the ECB’s
2% target into next year.
Lagarde declined to say how fast or how deep any future rate cuts might be.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened 371-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,856
on turnover of $9.8-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Wednesday to move closer to the 21,500-point mark.
Select tech heavyweights staged a technical rebound from the previous session.
Investors continued to show interest in artificial intelligence
development-related stocks.
Large-cap shipping stocks also led support to the broader market, after
Copenhagen-based container shipping giant Maersk raised its profit forecast
for 2024 for a second time.
Japan Further Opens Market to Taiwan-Grown Dragon Fruit
The Ministry of Agriculture says the Japanese government issued an official
notice to allow imports of all types of Taiwan-grown dragon fruit.
Taiwan-grown dragon fruit were first exported to Japan in 2010.
But only those with white-flesh were granted Japanese market access.
The agriculture ministry says it filed an application with Japan in 2016 to
export all types of Taiwan-grown dragon fruit.
The ministry says that was based on data showing that the cultivation (耕耘)
of red dragon fruit had surpassed that of the white variety.
The agriculture ministry says the fruit passed quarantine examinations in
Japan in August of last year.
Putin: Moscow Will Use Nuclear Weapons if Sovereignty Under Threat
Russia's leader Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his country's readiness to use
nuclear arms if it sees a threat to its sovereignty (主權).
He also warned that Western arms deliveries to Ukraine were "a very dangerous
step".
Putin says Moscow reserves the right for "asymmetrical" retaliation (報復)
elsewhere in the world.
The threats came in response to recent decisions of the US and several EU
countries allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons to strike targets
inside Russia.
Our correspondent Daria Bondarchuk reports from Moscow.
Japan Calls Falling Birth Rate "Critical Situation"
The Japanese government data shows the country's birth rate fell to a new low
for the eighth straight year in 2023.
The data released on Wednesday by the Health ministry shows that the average
number of children a woman gives birth in her life time was 1.2.
The number of babies born in Japan in 2023 were down 5.6% from the previous
year.
It was also the lowest since Japan started compiling (匯集) the statistics in
1899.
The data shows that the number of marriages fell by 6% last year, something
authorities say is a key reason for the declining birth rate.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary cited economic instability, difficulties in
balancing work and childrearing and other complex factors as main reasons why
young people have a hard time deciding to get married or raise children.
He called the trend "a critical situation".
He urged authorities to do everything they can to reverse (倒轉，徹底改變)
the trend.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
蜂王乳+芝麻明E結合帶來「完全睡眠」的芝麻明E，及幫助「滋補美容」的蜂王乳
輕鬆入睡，夜晚一路睡到底，同時深層養顏美容，讓你有感真正休息，醒來還有粉潤亮好氣色！
15天體驗組只要890元~每人限購兩組！
➡https://bit.ly/4bNv1j4
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 28-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,385
on turnover of 4.8-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Tuesday after artificial intelligence
development-related stocks came under pressure as investors opted to lock in
(保持優勢) profits from the previous session.
The bellwether electronics sector led the downturn, eroding around half of
the gains seen a session earlier, when the main board surged by just over
362-points.
Regenerative Medicine Act Passes Final Reading LY
Lawmakers have passed The Regenerative Medicine Act.
The Act provides a legal basis for conducting research and development on
regenerative medicine (再生醫療), technology control and cell sources for
patients in emergency needs.
It stipulates that regenerative medicine must undergo human trials before
execution and that non-medical facilities will no longer be allowed to offer
regenerative medicine treatments.
Entities or individuals found to be in violation of that stipulation face a
maximum fine of 20-million N-T.
Around 2,000 Attend Taipei Vigil to Remember Tiananmen Square Massacre
Some 2,000 people have attended the annual candlelight vigil
(守夜（表達不同政見等的）) in Taipei to commemorate the events that unfolded
in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989.
The candlelight vigil is organized by the New School for Democracy and other
human rights groups.
It took place once again at the plaza in front of the Chiang Kai-shek
Memorial Hall in Taipei under the theme of "Ideals are bullet-proof."
According to organizers, many of the participants were people from Hong Kong
who now live in Taiwan.
US presents new draft Security Council resolution to stop the fighting in Gaza
The United States has requested UN Security Council support for President Joe
Biden's three-phase plan to end the nearly eight-month war in Gaza.
A draft resolution has been circulated to all council members and is expected
to be voted on at some stage.
Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed Israel will accept the framework deal
(框架性協議) though he described it as flawed and in need of much more work.
Jody Jacobs reports from the United Nations in New York.
UK Spooked Military Horses Return to Duty
The British Army says that the five military horses that bolted
(受到驚嚇而脫韁奔跑) and injured themselves as they ran loose through central
London in April are all expected to return to duty.
Three of them are already back to work.
The horses were performing routine exercises near Buckingham Palace on April
24 when they became spooked by noise from a nearby building site and galloped
loose through the capital’s streets.
They crashed into vehicles and caused chaos during the morning rush hour.
The two most severely injured horses are recovering well in the countryside
after undergoing operations and are set to return to work soon.
The soldiers who were injured after being tossed by the horses are also
recovering and will likely return to military service.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
金馬獎司儀德仔獻聲推薦-KICKS HIGHLIGHT 特仕版
跳色塗裝挑紅線條外型，集動力、舒適、安全於一身
93%超高車主滿意度，如同德仔一樣擁有「好聲量」！
德仔都來報佳音的五星安全好車，邀你至門市體驗KICKS的不凡魅力
KICKS HIGHLIGHT特仕版，Highlight你的不凡！
https://bit.ly/4aL8AKe
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/3y7SoFB
--
蜂王乳+芝麻明E結合帶來「完全睡眠」的芝麻明E，及幫助「滋補美容」的蜂王乳
輕鬆入睡，夜晚一路睡到底，同時深層養顏美容，讓你有感真正休息，醒來還有粉潤亮好氣色！
15天體驗組只要890元~每人限購兩組！
➡https://bit.ly/4bNv1j4
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
MAC Urges China to Face History of June 4 Incident
TAITRA Touting 2024 Computex Attracting 50,000 Buyers
Zelenskyy meets with Marcos in Manila
India election's results about to be announced
US Congress investigates Covid-19 origins
China spacecraft returns
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 214-points this morning from Friday's close, at 21,388
on turnover of 7.2-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Friday, as investors reacted to Wall Street
declining overnight following mixed profit reports from some big tech
companies and after an official survey showed Chinese factory activity
weakening in May on slowing export orders.
AMD Head Lisa Su to Deliver Opening Keynote Speech at Computex 2024
Advanced Micro Devices Chairwoman and CEO Lisa Su has been delivering the
opening keynote speech at Computex 2024 in Taipei.
The address was entitled "The future of high-performance computing in the AI
era."
And in it Su shared how her company and its partners are leading the way in
developing the next generation of high-performance personal computers, data
centers, and A-I solutions.
Reports have been saying A-M-D is planning to invest about 5-billion N-T to
set up a research and development center here in Taiwan.
The local governments in Tainan and Kaohsiung are both courting
(企圖獲得，追求) the company in a bid to secure the capital allocation.
Boxer Huang Hsiao-wen Secures Paris Olympics Berth
Taiwan's Huang Hsiao-wen has secured her place at the Paris Olympics boxing
event.
She won the second boxing qualification tournament in Bangkok.
According to the Olympic organizers, boxers in the women's 54-kilogram
category qualify when they reach the semifinals in the tournament, which
Huang has done.
Huang's coach Liu Zong-tai says the pressure had been piling on (堆起來)
Huang.
She failed to secure a place in the Olympics at the 2023 Asian Games and at
the first qualification tournament held in Italy in March.
In addition to Huang, female boxers Chen Nien-qin, Lin Yu-ting, and Wu Shi-yi
and male boxers Kan Chia-wei and Lai Chu-en have also secured spots at the
Summer Games.
Ukraine Imposes Emergency Power Shutdowns
Ukraine has imposed emergency power shutdowns in most of the country a day
after Russia unleashed large-scale attacks on energy infrastructure
(基礎設施).
The shutdowns Sunday are in place in all but three regions of Ukraine.
This comes after Saturday’s drone and missile attack on energy targets that
injured at least 19 people.
Ukraine’s state-owned power grid operator said the shutdowns affected both
industrial and household consumers.
Sustained Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power grid in recent weeks have
forced the government to institute nationwide rolling blackouts.
Earlier this week, four U.S. officials, who requested anonymity, said
President Joe Biden had given Ukraine the go-ahead to use American weaponry
to strike inside Russia for the limited purpose of defending Kharkiv.
Mexico Polls Close in Presidential Election
Polls have closed in Mexico's presidential election, with the Latin American
country poised to (將要) elect its first-ever female president.
However, the historic election has been marred by political violence.
Ira Spitzer reports.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
金馬獎司儀德仔獻聲推薦-KICKS HIGHLIGHT 特仕版
跳色塗裝挑紅線條外型，集動力、舒適、安全於一身
93%超高車主滿意度，如同德仔一樣擁有「好聲量」！
德仔都來報佳音的五星安全好車，邀你至門市體驗KICKS的不凡魅力
KICKS HIGHLIGHT特仕版，Highlight你的不凡！
https://bit.ly/4aL8AKe
--
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/3y7SoFB
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 36-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,401 on turnover of $5.4-billion N-T.
The market retreated on Thursday after Wall Street fell overnight under the
weight of higher yields in the bond market.
Government Allows Tour Groups Arranged before June to Visit China
The government says group tours to China organized before June 1 can travel
there as planned.
The statement backtracks on a previous decision to suspend cross-strait group
tourism starting from tomorrow.
The government originally decided to only allow tour groups scheduled to
leave for China before May 31 to go ahead.
However, Cabinet spokesman Chen Shi-kai says the policy was altered.
A certain number of tour groups were unable to depart before the end of May.
According to the Cabinet spokesman, the ban on tour travel to China from
tomorrow 1 will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Changes will be implemented dependent on it "being in the best interests of
Taiwan's people and tourism industry."
The spokesman also says the government's policy of welcoming Chinese tourists
to Taiwan has not changed.
He says it still hopes both sides of can reopen bilateral group tourism on an
equal footing (平等).
US Trump Guilty on all 34 Counts
Former US President Donald Trump is now a convicted felon after being found
guilty in his New York hush-money trial.
It's a deep blow for Trump, who has spent considerable (相當多的) time
attacking the case he calls a witch-hunt.
From outside the court in New York, Mitch McCann reports:
Pakistan Sends Official to Taliban
Pakistan has sent an official to Kabul and shared the findings of its
investigation into a suicide bombing with Afghanistan’s Taliban government
The March bombing killed five Chinese engineers and a Pakistani driver .
The foreign ministry in Islamabad said on Thursday that an Interior Ministry
official traveled to the Afghan capital to share the findings with the
Taliban administration.
Pakistan has said the attack was planned in Afghanistan and that the bomber
was an Afghan citizen.
Pakistan alleges that the Afghan Taliban administration should be held
accountable (追究責任) for the attack.
Afghanistan’s Taliban government has denied it was in any way responsible.
Report Finds Billions in Gold Smuggled Out of Africa Annually
A new report has found that billions of dollars in gold is smuggled out of
Africa each year.
The report is from Swissaid, an aid and development group based in
Switzerland.
It says most of the gold ends up in the United Arab Emirates.
There, it is refined and then sold to customers around the world.
The report published Thursday found that more than $30 billion worth of gold,
or more than 435 metric tons, was smuggled out of the continent in 2022.
The main destinations (目的地) for African gold were the United Arab
Emirates, Turkey and Switzerland.
The authors of the report said their goal was to make the trade in African
gold more transparent.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 181-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,481 on turnover of 5.8-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Wednesday, after Wall Street slippled overnight
following a rise in bond yields.
Premier Aims to Return Parliamentary Reform Bills to LY
Premier Zhuo Rong-tai is continuing to stress that the Cabinet will not
sign-off on the just passed parliamentary reform bills.
The Cabinet will instead return the bills to the Legislative Yuan for further
review.
According to Zhuo, the decision to bounce the bills back to lawmakers is
constitutional.
He says the Cabinet is legally obligated (有義務的) to call for further
legislative reviews of any laws that would to difficult to enact.
The premier is also voicing his support for the D-P-P's decision to seek a
constitutional interpretation of the reform bills by the Constitutional
Court.
Prototypes of First Taiwan Developed Robot Dog Make Debut
The National Taiwan University's Autonomous & Soft Robotics Laboratory has
unveiled the first locally developed robot dogs.
The lab says it says could ease labor shortages.
The laboratory showcased the prototypes of two kinds of robot dogs at an
event in Taipei.
The professor leading the development team says "one is for use as a pet,
while the other is for industrial use"
According to Professor Guo Chong-xian, robot dogs can be of particular help
in Taiwan's non-tech and service sectors.
He says their environments are not as well suited (適合) as high-tech
factories to standard robots.
NKorea Fires Ballistic Missiles into Sea of Japan
North Korea has fired about ten missiles into the Sea of Japan.
Japanese officials believe the projectiles landed short of Japan’s exclusive
economic zone.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
Brazil Withdraws Ambassador to Israel
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has withdrawn his ambassador to
Israel after months of tensions between the two countries over the war in
Gaza.
It's the latest repercussion (反響) from a South American nation over
Israel’s military campaign in the Palestinian territory.
Lula has been a frequent (常) critic of Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
He compared the campaign to the Holocaust earlier this year.
That led Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz to summon the Brazilian
ambassador to the national Holocaust museum in Jerusalem for a public
reprimand (懲戒).
Israel says its war in Gaza is a defensive action triggered by Hamas’
unprecedented assault.
Israel rejects any comparisons of its offensive to the Holocaust.
Iceland Volcano Eruption
A volcano in southwestern Iceland is erupting again.
The volcano is spewing red streams of lava and triggered the evacuation of
the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.
The eruption Wednesday occurred in an area north of Grindavik, a coastal town
of 3,800 people.
The town was largely evacuated after a December eruption that ended centuries
of dormancy (休眠).
It was the fifth eruption and estimated to be the area's most vigorous
(劇烈的) so far.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office said lava shot 50 meters into the sky
from a fissure (裂縫) that grew to 3.5 kilometers in length,.
Anyone still in the town was ordered to leave.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/3y7SoFB
--
輕食新時尚 我的新感覺
無論是濃情蜜意的甜美滋味-草莓夾心、可可夾心、花生夾心-
還是清爽不膩、經典鹹口味的雞蛋沙拉、鮪魚沙拉
新感覺隨時都能滿足味蕾，給你全新輕食選項
每一天都散發優雅時尚、自信向前
https://bit.ly/3yBAueE
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 12-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,846 on turnover of 6.6-billion N-T.
The market gained ground once again on Tuesday, as other regional indexes
ended mixed and Wall Street was closed for the Memorial Day holiday.
Presidential Office Bemoans Passage of Parliamentary Reform Bills
The Presidential Office is bemoaning passage of the parliamentary reform
bills.
Speaking to reporters office spokeswoman Guo Ya-hui said President Lai
Ching-te still hopes the government and opposition can continue to debate the
bills and make adjustments if warranted (有正當理由的，需要的).
The Presidential Office spokeswoman said Lai believe lawmakers should to
respond to the demands of the people regarding the reform bills.
She says the government doesn't believes passage of the bills meets with the
"expectations of Taiwanese society.
"
And she went on to say the D-P-P will seek a constitutional interpretation on
the the constitutionality of the contents of the amendments.
Investigation Finds Deadly Fire Likely Caused by Power Cable Short Circuit
The Hsinchu City Government says a preliminary investigation indicates that a
short circuit in a power cable may have caused the fire at an apartment
complex early this week.
The blaze resulted in the deaths of two firefighters.
According to the city government, the fire bureau investigation shows the
blaze likely originated (起源) with a power cable on the basement's first
floor.
But the results of a full report into the casuse of the blaze are still
pending.
Residents in the apartment complex, which comprises of four 28-story
buildings were permitted to retrieve their belongings yesterday.
The investigation into the case of the fire is continuing and safety checks
are being carried out.
NKorea Vows Response to SKorean Drills
North Korea is vowing to take stern (嚴厲的) actions against South Korea for
military drills held on Tuesday.
Chris Gilbert reports.
Missile Attacks on GreekOwned Ship in Red Sea
Missile attacks twice damaged a Marshall Islands-flagged, Greek-owned ship
Tuesday in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen.
The British military says the first attack on the bulk carrier happened off
the port city of Hodeida in the southern Red Sea.
The crew was reported safe and the vessel proceeded (繼續進行) to its next
port of call (停靠港).
Then late Tuesday night local time, the vessel reportedly “sustained further
damage” in a second missile attack near Mokha in the Bab el-Mandeb.
No group claimed responsibility, but suspicion fell on Yemen's Houthi rebels.
The Houthis have launched a number of attacks targeting ships over Israel's
war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Italy Celebrates Return of Antiquities from US
Italy is celebrating the return of around 600 antiquities (古物) from the
U.S.
They were looted years ago, sold to U.S. museums and collectors and recovered
as a result of criminal investigations.
Italian officials say the items have a value of around $65 million US dollars.
They say the artifacts date from the ninth century B.C. to the second
century.
It presentation is part of Italy’s decades-old effort to recover antiquities
that were looted or stolen from its territory by tomb-raiders.
The items are then sold to antiquities dealers who often forged (偽造的)
records to resell the loot to high-end buyers, auction houses and museums.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
韓亞航空聯合旅行社推出最夯韓國團體商品！帶你直衝愛寶樂園水槍慶典，打卡最熱門水原星空圖書館2.0
https://bit.ly/44NpA1p
--
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/3y7SoFB
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,812 on turnover of 4.5-billion N-T.
The market closed at a new high on Monday.
It edged above the 21,800-point mark on the back of strong performances by
the electronics and shipping sectors.
The bellwether electronics sector attracted (引起) strong buying, rising by
1.32-per cent.
The transportation index jumped 2.8-per cent, driven primarily by shipping
stocks benefiting from rising freight rates.
Health Minister Calls for Taiwan's WHA Inclusion
Health Minister Chiu Tai-yuan is calling for Taiwan's participation in the
World Health Assembly, under the name of Taiwan or the Republic of China.
The call comes as Chiu is heading delegation to Geneva this week to promote
Taiwan's inclusion ( 加入) in the global health body.
According to Chiu, the W-H-O continues to exclude Taiwan due to political
considerations,
He says this undermines the efforts to create a more comprehensive global
health architecture and greatly hinders pandemic prevention efforts.
The health minister was accompanied by members of a cross-party delegation of
Taiwan lawmakers at the press conference.
Chiang Wan-an Touts Need for Twin-City Forum
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an is hosting a delegation of city officials from
Shanghai this week.
According to the mayor's office, the delegation is visiting for four-days to
help finalize this year's Shanghai-Taipei Twin-City Forum, which will be
hosted by Taipei.
Speaking to reporters, Chiang said the Shanghai delegation's itinerary
follows all legal requirements and has been approved by the Mainland Affairs
Council.
The mayor also stressed (強調) that he firmly believes the forum should take
place, despite the current cross-strait situation.
Chiang points out it is the only official communication mechanism between the
two sides.
He says there should be "no adjustments in the level of visitation."
Ukraine Gets Defense Missiles, Appeals for More
Ukraine is receiving (得到;收到) more air defense missiles from Spain to
fight deadly Russian glide bombs
AP correspondent Norman Hall reports
Canada Town Residents Return as Wildfire Continues
Residents in the western Canadian city of Fort Nelson, British Columbia, are
being allowed to return home.
Thousands were evacuated from the community for more than two weeks due to
wildfires.
Local authorities rescinded their evacuation orders Monday, lifting
roadblocks and clearing the way for people to go home.
The residents were forced to leave on May 10th, when strong winds pushed a
wildfire close to town.
The 123-square-kilometer wildfire is now classified as “being held", meaning
its not expected to grow.
But the blaze hasn't been extinguished (撲滅).
Officials say parts of it are expected to continue burning into the fall.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 134-points this morning from Friday's close, at 21,699
on turnover of 6.9-billion N-T.
The market recovered most of its early losses on Friday to close well above
the five-day moving average of around 21,450 points by the end of the trading
day.
Although large cap semiconductor stocks came under pressure, artificial
intelligence-related stocks attracted strong buying after Nvidia's strong
results overnight, while shipping stocks also rose amid increasing freight
(貨運) rates.
US Lawmakers Arrive in Taiwan
A group of bipartisan American lawmakers has arrived in Taipei.
The delegation is being led by Republican Michael McCaul who chairs the House
Foreign Affairs Committee.
The American Institute in Taiwan says the delegation will meet with senior
government officials to discuss US-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade
and investment, and other significant (重要的) issues of mutual interest.
According to A-I-T, their four-day visit to Taiwan is part of a trip to the
wider Indo-Pacific region.
The six House members will be the first group of serving U-S officials to
meet with President Lai Ching-te following his inauguration.
Taiwan Delegation in Geneva for WHA Sideline Talks
A delegation led by Health Minister Chiu Tai-yuan has arrived in Geneva as
part of efforts to promote Taiwan's inclusion in the World Health Assembly.
Speaking to reporters at the opening of a "World Health We Share" exhibition
at Geneva Airport train station, Chiu said "health is a fundamental (基本的)
human right and a universal value, but Taiwan is denied participation due to
political interference."
The minister went on to say "this is deeply disappointing" and "although
Taiwan was not invited to the W-H-A, the island has strong soft power in the
medical and health fields."
The "World Health We Share" exhibition has been organized by a Taiwanese
civic promotional team to promote Taiwan's healthcare.
Japan Informed by NKorea of Planned Satellite Launch
Japan says North Korea has informed it of a plan to launch a satellite by
June 3rd.
Japan’s coast guard says today it has been notified by North Korea about its
planned launch of a “satellite rocket" beginning today through midnight June
3rd.
The launch plan likely refers to the North’s efforts to launch its second
military spy satellite into space.
South Korea’s military said Friday that it detected signs of North Korea
engaging in (從事於; 忙於) activities believed to be preparations to launch a
spy satellite at its main Tongchangri launch facility.
Tonga Earthquake Causes No Tsunami or Major Damage
A strong earthquake has struck the South Pacific Island nation of Tonga but
there are no immediate reports of damage.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary (初步的)
magnitude of 6.6 when it hit at 9:47 a.m. local time today.
Its epicenter was 198 kilometers north of the Tonga's capital, at a depth of
112 kilometers.
The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no risk of the
quake causing a tsunami.
Nikki Minaj Arrested B4 UK Concert
Nicki Minaj's England concert was postponed (延遲) after rapper was detained
by Dutch authorities over pot
AP correspondent Margie Szaroleta reports
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 165-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,442 on turnover of $6.6-billion N-T.
The market closed higher once again on Thursday - as investor sentiment in
the local tech sector was buoyed (受到鼓舞) by news about soaring Nvidia
earnings - after the company released its latest quarterly results overnight.
Draft of AI Governing Law to be Finalized this Year
National Science and Technology Council head Wu Cheng-wen says his office is
scheduled to draw-up a draft of the law governing the use of A-I and send it
to the Cabinet by the end of this year.
Speaking at a legislative committee hearing, Wu said the draft law will aim
to ensure (確保) user privacy, human rights and security .. and will also
seek to help the development of Taiwan's industries.
Wu told lawmakers that the main concept behind Taiwan's A-I basic law will be
more aligned (對齊，與…保持一致) with those released by United States and
Japan - which have a more open attitude to AI use ..
… rather than that of the European Union, which is more conservative and
discreet.
The National Science and Technology Council head also said the law will be
drafted to restrict A-I to being used for good, protecting user privacy,
human rights and security.
Germany Police Clear ProPalestine Student Protesters
German police have cleared about 150 pro-Palestinian demonstrators from a
Berlin university facility, ending one of a wave of student-led protests
across Europe over Israel’s conduct of its war against Hamas.
Activists had occupied several rooms of the Humboldt University’s Institute
for Social Sciences in downtown Berlin on Wednesday.
University administrators agreed to let them stay until Thursday evening, but
called in the police when some refused to leave.
Police briefly detained 130 people during the operation, in which officers
broke through several barricaded (堵住…) doors.
Unicef warns Haiti's healthcare system may collapse
The UN's Children's Fund warns that Haiti's health system is now "on the
verge of collapse".
It says there has been an "alarming decrease" in the number of hospitals
still functioning (運作) in the violence-wracked Caribbean nation.
Jody Jacobs has more from the United Nations in New York.
Pakistan: UAE Comits to 10Billion Investment
The Pakistani government says that the United Arab Emirates has committed to
investing up to $10 billion in Pakistan during a meeting in the UAE capital
between that country’s president and the Pakistani prime minister.
The office of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says that UAE President
Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made the commitment (承諾) during a meeting in
Abu Dhabi with Sharif, who is visiting the UAE.
It provided few details.
The statement said Sharif told the UAE president about measures the Pakistani
government is taking to encourage foreign investment, and that the UAE
president committed to investing $10 billion in various sectors in Pakistan.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
E*Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 117 points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,668 Thursday on turnover of 8.9 billion NT.
The Tai-Ex closed at a new high on Wednesday, gaining more than 300 points as investors scrambled (爭相買) to pick up Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and other artificial intelligence-related stocks.
The rise in investor interest in heavyweight tech stocks came ahead of Nvidia's release of its first quarterly earnings report.
_____________________________________
E*MODA to Set U- A-I Industrial Parks
Digital Affairs Minister (數位發展部部長) Huang Yen-nan says the government is planning to set up two artificial intelligence industrial parks (人工智慧產業園區) to capitalize (資本) on Taiwan's strength in the information and communications sectors (資訊和通信領域).
According to Huang, the parks will be jointly established (共同設立) by the Ministry of Digital Affairs and National Development Council and are aimed at attracting A-I startups from around the world.
It's hoped that parks will help Taiwan establish a comprehensive software and hardware cluster (軟硬體集群).
And Huang says the parks are part of his ministry's strategy to take advantage of the global A-I boom (全球人工智慧熱潮) to drive digital economic growth and push the local digital economy's output value above 1-trillion N-T within two years.
Huang is an expert in data security, communications, and A-I development.
_____________________________________
E*Unemployment Rate Dips to Lowest April in 24 Years
The island's unemployment rate (失業率) dipped to the lowest ever for the month of April in 24 years.
Data shows the rate fell zero-point-zero-two percentage points from a month earlier to stand at 3.36-per cent in April.
Along with that being the lowest April level since 2000 it also marked the second consecutive month-on-month decline.
After seasonal adjustments (經過季節性調整後), April's jobless rate fell zero-point-zero-one percentage points from March to stand at 3.39-per cent.
In the first four months of this year, the unemployment rate has fallen 0.16 percentage points from a year earlier to 3.36-per cent.
The government is attributing (歸因於) the decline in the April jobless rate to the economy continuing to improve on the back of solid post COVID consumption (疫後消費支撐).
_____________________________________
E*United Kingdom General Election on July 4th
In global news,
The United Kingdom will hold its first election in five years.
The country is reeling (發蒙) from the cost-of-living crisis (生活成本危機), the fallout (餘波) from Israel-Hamas conflict and deep divisions over how to deal with migrants and asylum seekers (移民和尋求庇護者) crossing the English Channel from Europe on small inflatable boats.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday announced that the election will be held on July 4th.
The timing was earlier than analysts expected.
Sunak, a former Treasury chief who has been prime minister since October of 2022, is expected to lead his party into the election.
His primary opponent will be Keir Starmer, a former director of public prosecutions in England and leader of the Labour Party since April 2020.
_____________________________________
E*Iran's Supreme Leader Presides Over Funeral for President After Helicopter Crash
Iran's supreme leader presided over (主持) funeral ceremonies (葬禮儀式) for the president and others killed in the recent helicopter crash.
Here's AP correspondent Charles de Ledesma.
_____________________________________
E*New Study Says Daily marijuana use outpaces daily drinking in the US
And,
A study shows daily marijuana (大麻) use in the U-S is outpacing (超過) daily drinking.
AP correspondent Haya Panjwani reports.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 12-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,248
on turnover of 2.7-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Tuesday - as financial and old economy stocks led a
downturn.
This comes after President Lai Ching-te's inaugural address on Monday failed
to offer any surprises to boost market sentiment.
Analysts say the bellwether electronics sector remained resilient (有彈性的)
through much of the trading day.
This stabilized the broader market on the back of gains posted by tech stocks
on Wall Street overnight.
US Urges China to Act with Restraint
The United States is urging Beijing to act with restraint and not use
Taiwan's transition as a pretext for provocative or coercive (脅迫的)
actions.
According to a U-S State Department spokesperson, Washington welcomes the
comments made by President Lai Ching-te in his inaugural address.
In the speech, Lai voiced his commitment to peace and stability across the
Taiwan Strait and to maintain the status quo.
The spokesperson says the inauguration was part of a normal, routine
democratic process.
The spokesperson says if Beijing chooses to escalate tensions or pressure
Taiwan as a result, it "should be seen as the provocateur (挑釁者)."
The spokesperson also stressed that U-S policy toward Taiwan has not changed
and it continues not to support Taiwan independence.
Taiwan and Paraguay Sign MOU to Build E-Bus Plant
Master Transportation Bus Manufacturing has announced that it will invest
30-million U-S dollars to build an electric bus manufacturing and assembly
plant (組裝廠) in Paraguay.
The statement follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding in Taipei
between the company and the Paraguayan government.
According Master Transportation Chairman Wu Ding-fa, the project's goal is to
"enhance the development of public transportation in Paraguay".
When completed, the plant will create an estimated 2,600 local jobs.
Under the M-O-U, the bus manufacturer will establish the first fast-charging
bus chassis and body manufacturing plant in Paraguay.
And the manufacturer will assist in bringing a Taiwan-developed intelligent
transportation system to the South American country.
US Navy ExOfficers Bribery Convictions Dismissed
A federal judge has dismissed the felony convictions of five retired military
officers who had admitted to (承認) accepting bribes from a Malaysian
contractor Leonard Francis, nicknamed “Fat Leonard.
AP’s Lisa Dwyer reports.
Thailand Welcomes Back Trafficked Statues
Thailand's National Museum has welcomed back two ancient statues illegally
trafficked (非法買賣) from Thailand by a British collector of antiquities.
The statues were returned from the collection of New York’s Metropolitan
Museum of Art.
The objects — a tall bronze figure called the Standing Shiva and a smaller
sculpture called Kneeling Female — are thought to be around 1,000 years old.
The Metropolitan Museum had announced last year that it would return more
than a dozen artifacts to Thailand and Cambodia after they were linked to the
late Douglas Latchford.
The art dealer and collector was accused of running a huge antiquities
trafficking network out of Southeast Asia.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 32-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,239 on turnover of 3.8-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher on Monday as Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing reversed earlier losses to push the broader market back into
positive territory.
Analysts say although the bellwether electronics sector was mixed during the
trading day, buying rotated to financial heavyweights and select old economy
stocks to provide further support to the broader market.
MAC Calls on Beijing to be Receptive to Lai's Overture
The Mainland Affairs Council is urging Beijing to be receptive
(樂於接受，願意傾聽) to President Lai Ching-te's inclusion of calls for
engagements between the two sides in his inaugural speech.
According to the council, Lai extended "the greatest goodwill gesture" in the
address by calling for engagements to ensure mutual benefit and joint
prosperity.
It's calling on China to respond to that overture positively and meet the
expectations of the people from both sides of the strait and the
international community.
The statement comes after Beijing slammed Lai's inaugural address -
describing it as an attempt to promote Taiwanese independence.
Two Haneded Suspended Sentences in Chinese Recruiting Case
The Hsinchu District Court has handed down suspended sentences to two men
found guilty of illegally recruiting (吸收) personnel for a Chinese high-tech
company in Taiwan.
One of the men received a prison term of six months, suspended for two years,
and was ordered to pay 360,000 N-T.
While the other man was sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for
two years, and ordered to pay 200,000 N-T.
The court found the two guilty of violating (違反) the Act Governing
Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area.
The sentences for both men can be appealed.
SKorea UK to Kick Off AI Summit
South Korea and the United Kingdom are kicking off a global summit on
Artificial Intelligence as governments struggle to keep up with the evolution
of the technology.
The two countries are co-hosting the talks which look to tackle (對付，處理)
a growing number of risks as AI rapidly advances.
Chris Gilbert reports.
Haiti Main Airport Reopens
Haiti’s main international airport has reopened for the first time in nearly
three months after gang violence forced authorities to close it to all
traffic in early March.
Monday’s reopening of the airport in the capital of Port-au-Prince is
expected to help ease a critical shortage (嚴重短缺) of medications and other
basic supplies since the country’s main seaport remains paralyzed.
However, only a local carrier is flying in and out of Port-au-Prince for now.
US-based airlines are not expected to start doing so until late May or early
June.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 19-points this morning from Friday's close, at 21,278 on
turnover of 5.5-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly lower on Friday as selling focused on the
bellwether electronics sector following losses by tech stocks on Wall Street
overnight on the back of profit taking.
Buying rotated to (輪換) the non-tech sector, with large cap financial stocks
were in focus as government-led funds are believed to have picked up these
stocks to stabilize the main board ahead of today's presidential inauguration
Lai Pledges to Continue on "Democratic Path"
President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim have been sworn-in
to their new leadership roles at an ceremony at the President Building in
Taipei.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at 9:15.
Lai and Hsiao have also met with foreign dignitaries and the vice president
is currently presiding over the handover ceremony of the new
secretary-generals of the National Security Council and the Presidential
Office.
Lai is slated to give his inaugural address at in the coming hour - which
takes the theme of "Building a Democratic, Peaceful and Prosperous Taiwan."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says 508 guests from 51 delegations are
attending today's inauguration ceremony and other related events.
According to the ministry, eight of the delegations are being led by heads of
state.
European countries that have sent delegations include the U-K, France,
Germany, Italy, Lithuania and Ukraine as well as the European Parliament.
Several American delegations are attending today's events.
They include one by led American Institute in Taiwan chair Laura Rosenberger;
one comprising (包括) of former U-S deputy secretary of state Richard
Armitage and former assistant to the U-S president and director of the
National Economic Council Brian Deese ..
.. and a delegation led by former U-S secretary of state Mike Pompeo.
Meanwhile,
The state banquet for the presidential inauguration wil be taking place at
the Formosa Yacht Resort in Tainan this evening.
Organizers say it will feature eight dishes prepared by 70 chefs and focus on
showcasing Taiwan's culinary expertise (專業知識) and heritage.
The eight courses incorporate ingredients from all 22 cities and counties in
Taiwan and were inspired by the country's five major ethnic groups - the
Minnan, Hakka, Han, Indigenous, and new immigrant.
It is the first time the inauguration banquet will be held outside of Taipei.
Hungary Boat Collision Leaves Dead and Missing
Two are dead and 5 remain missing after a boat collision (碰撞) on the Danube
River in Hungary
AP correspondent Karen Chammas
Paris Harry Winston Robbed
French prosecutors say armed robbers who used a motorbike as a battering ram
(破門錘) made off with “several million" dollars' worth of valuables in a
heist of the luxury Paris boutique of Harry Winston.
Having refused Saturday to confirm that Harry Winston was the target, the
Paris prosecutor’s office did so on Sunday.
It said the store on the Avenue Montaigne was robbed by a gang of at least
three people.
It said they “forced entry to the jewelry store using a two-wheeler" and
stole jewelry from several windows, while one of them kept watch with a
long-barreled firearm.
Officials say the damage is under assessment (評估), and estimated to be
several million euros.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 42-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,346
on turnover of $6.6 -billion N-T.
NT$10 million worth of contraband cigarettes seized by Taiwan's coast guard
The Coast Guard Administration says patrols have seized a cache of contraband
cigarettes worth nearly $10-million NT.
Officials say the 164-thousand packs were found in a hidden compartment
(隔層) on a fishing vessel during an inspection Wednesday evening.
The compartment was detected after officers noted a machine placed in an
unusual position, and used a handheld x-ray machine and a detection dog to
uncover the stored contraband.
The 66-year-old captain and five Vietnamese crew members were referred to the
Keelung District Prosecutors Office for investigation.
Taiwan to serve as 1st guest of honor country at Festival Off Avignon
The Ministry of Culture says Taiwan will be the first-ever guest of honor
country at the renowned Festival Off Avignon.
The festival aims to promote contemporary performing arts, enhance awareness
of international emerging (發展初期的) dance and theater troupes, and
facilitate international co-productions and touring opportunities.
The Avignon Festival & Compagnies and the Taiwan Cultural Center in Paris
announced at a press conference held on Wednesday local time, that 1,316
teams will participate in the festival in Avignon between July 3rd and July
21st.
The co-president of the Avignon festival, said given Taiwan's long-standing
close collaboration with the festival and the nation's unique and diverse
contemporary art and culture, it was invited to be the guest of honor country
-- the first-ever in the festival's history.
And the Taiwan Cultural Center said that the selection of Taiwan symbolizes
the deep friendship between Taiwan and the Avignon festival.
NKorea Kim Sister Denies Weapons Exports to Russia
The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has again denied
that her country has exported weapons to Russia.
Kim Yo Jong labeled outside speculation on North Korea-Russian arms dealings
as “the most absurd paradox.”
The U.S., South Korea and others have accused North Korea of supplying
artillery, missiles and other conventional (傳統的) weapons to Russia for its
war in Ukraine in return for advanced military technologies and economic aid.
Kim Yo Jong said in a statement today that North Korea had no intention of
exporting its military technical capabilities to any country or opening them
to the public.
Russia also has dismissed that accusation.
China Jails Professor for Espionage
The family of a Chinese national being held on espionage (間諜行為) charges
says he received a jail sentenced from a court in Jilin province.
Yuan Keqin was detained in 2019 when he returned to China while holding a
post at Japan’s University of Education in Hokkaido.
Chris Gilbert reports
UN Reports Improved Economic Prospects
The United Nations is reporting improved economic prospects since its January
forecast for the global economy.
According to its mid-2024 report, the world economy is now projected to grow
by 2.7% this year.
That's up from 2.4% the U.N. forecast in its somber (暗淡的) January report,
and 2.8% in 2025.
The report notes a better outlook in the United States and several large
emerging economies including Brazil, India and Russia.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/3y7SoFB
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 172-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
21,319 on turnover of $7.6-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed at a record high for the third consecutive trading
session Wednesday.
The bellwether electronics sector led the way in the wake of gains posted by
tech stocks on U.S. markets overnight.
Analysts say large cap financial stocks also steamed ahead
(精力飽滿地全速前進) amid optimism toward their bottom lines.
The upturn on the main board was capped as investors took advantage
(利用…的機會) of the initial gains.
Court Approves Mother's Detention Incommunicado After Death of Children
A mother suspected of killing her children will now be held incommunicado
while the case is under investigation.
The New Taipei District Court held an early morning detention hearing.
It ruled that the mother surnamed Su is suspected of committing a serious
crime, and is at risk of fleeing or colluding with witnesses.
The crime of murder of a child by an adult carries a maximum penalty of over
5 years in prison.
The 37-year-old woman is suspected of smothering (使窒息) her children in a
New Taipei hotel room, possibly due to the pressure of caring for an ill
family member and long-term umemployment.
The bodies were delivered to prosecutors Wednesday morning for autopsies to
confirm cause of death.
(NS)
US Presidential Hopefuls to Debate in June
US President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump are set to debate
(辯論) live on television in June.
The hurriedly-arranged plan came after Biden said he wanted to arrange two
events hosted by news networks, rather than those organized by the
formal Commission.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Yemen Braces for More Electricity Protests
Yemeni authorities have deployed security forces and armored vehicles across
the port city of Aden, in preparation for the latest in a series of protests
over hours-long electricity outages caused by a shortage of fuel for power
stations.
For several days, hundreds of demonstrators in three central districts of
Aden blocked roads and set tires on fire as temperatures soared.
On Monday and Tuesday, security forces moved in to disperse (分散) the
demonstrations, beating protesters and barricading some streets, according to
witnesses who spoke to The Associated Press.
The government pays up to $1 billion a year to import fuel, but is behind on
payments.
Canada Gets Slight Reprieve in Wildfire Fight
Canadian officials say favorable (有利的) winds are expected to push an “out
of control” wildfire away from Canada’s oil sands hub of Fort McMurray,
Alberta, a day after thousands were evacuated.
Wildfire season has started early in Canada this year with several fires
burning across the country’s west, forcing residents out of their homes.
The fire, which started last week, caused about 6,600 residents to flee parts
of the southern end of Fort McMurray.
The rest of the city remains on evacuation alert Wednesday and many others
self-evacuated though they weren’t ordered to leave.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
迎接十年一遇的存債良機，富養自己不是夢！
中信優息投資級債【00948B】，甜甜價10元入手，還有「平準金」及「月配息」，
小資也能輕鬆跟隊。【00948B】投資就是發！
5/22-5/28飛躍募集，一同「債」現王者新高度!
詳細資訊請見：https://bit.ly/3y7XL7A
--
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/3y7SoFB
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 1-point this morning from yesterday's close, at 20,984
on turnover of 7.8-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed at a record high and moved closer to the 21,000 point
mark Tuesday for the second consecutive session.
The bellwether electronics sector continued to steam ahead.
But turnover failed to expand.
Dealers say this indicates that caution remains over when the U.S. Federal
Reserve will cut interest rates ahead of the release of the April consumer
price index today.
Taiwan mulls legalization of surrogacy, with high threshold
The Ministry of Health is announcing plans to legalize surrogacy under
certain criteria.
It said amendments to the Assisted Reproductive Act are expected to benefit
groups such as infertile heterosexual couples, as well as lesbian and gay
couples, should they meet certain requirements.
Requirements include at least one individual in the couple being under the
age of 50 …
… and females involved must have uterine issues, or other health concerns
that make a safe pregnancy impossible.
Surrogate mothers must possess Taiwanese household registration.
They must be 20 to 39 years old, and be physically and mentally healthy.
And they must have experience with natural birth.
The Ministry adds they must provide the service free of charge, though
they're entitled to some allowances.
The proposal will be open for public feedback until July 13th.
And the amendments could undergo Cabinet review by the end of this year.
US Baltimore Collapsed Bridge Salvaging
U.S. salvage teams are in the process of moving remains of the collapsed
Baltimore bridge from the river.
This comes seven weeks after a container ship rammed into it.
On Monday, they set up controlled explosions to break the structure into
smaller pieces.
And the teams plan to pull the ship completely from the waterway.
Caroline Malone has more.
Thai Activist Dies After Hunger Strike
A young Thai activist who went on a hunger strike after being jailed for
advocating reform of the country・s monarchy system has died in a prison
hospital.
Netiporn Sanesangkhom was a member of an activist group.
The group was known for campaigns demanding reform of the monarchy and
abolition of the law that makes it illegal to defame members of the royal
family.
She appears to be the first political activist in Thailand to die from a
hunger strike.
Officials say she suffered cardiac arrest early Tuesday.
Other activists decried her death and repeated her call for bail to be
granted in cases involving political offenses.
Spain Issues Notice After Orca Attack
Spanish authorities are recommending small vessels stick to the coastline
around the Strait of Gibraltar after an orca rammed a boat that later sank.
On Sunday, two people aboard a 15-meter boat in Moroccan waters sought help
after an orca knocked the craft several times, damaging its rudder and
causing a leak.
An oil tanker picked up the sailors and their boat later sank.
Government ministries and Spain's merchant marines issued notices Tuesday.
They urged sailboats and small motorboats to beware of orcas between May and
August in the area between the Strait of Gibraltar and the Gulf of Cadiz.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/3y7SoFB
--
迎接十年一遇的存債良機，富養自己不是夢！
中信優息投資級債【00948B】，甜甜價10元入手，還有「平準金」及「月配息」，
小資也能輕鬆跟隊。【00948B】投資就是發！
5/22-5/28飛躍募集，一同「債」現王者新高度!
詳細資訊請見：https://bit.ly/3y7XL7A
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 22-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
20,836 on turnover of $5.2-billion N-T.
With the benchmark index closing at a new high Monday, market capitalization
on the local main board surpassed the $66 trillion NTmark for the first time,
according to the data compiled by the Taiwan Stock Exchange.
The data also shows that investors riding the uptrend have earned an average
of $740-thousand NT this year.
Higher electricity bills coming as summer rates to begin in June
The average household in Taiwan is expected to see its electricity bill rise
by more than 70 percent a month when the four-month summer-rate period begins
in June.
TaiPower said households in Taiwan use an average of 413 kilowatt-hours of
power per month from June to September, which costs around 1000 NT monthly
during that period.
While electricity use at other times of the year averages at just 301 kWh per
month, costing around 600 NT.
That means there’s a 73 percent difference in electricity bills between
summer and non-summer months.
But TaiPower says only around 100 NT is attributable to the higher summer
rate.
A TaiPower spokesperson said the summer rates were introduced in 1989, as
more power generators are deployed to meet higher consumer demand, increasing
the company’s operating costs.
UN Staffer Killed in Gaza
Another United Nations staff member has been killed in Gaza.
The UN worker was killed when the vehicle they were travelling came under
fire on Monday in Rafah.
Jody Jacobs has more…
EU Human Smuggler Arrested
One of Europe’s most notorious (惡名昭張的) human smugglers has been
arrested in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq.
The regional government’s security agency said it had arrested Barzan
Majeed, known as “the Scorpion,” upon a request from Interpol and “after
the exchange of intelligence information.”
The agency said he had attempted to smuggle 100 migrants to the U.K. in small
boats and trucks.
The U.K.'s National Crime Agency had issued an appeal (求助，懇求) for
assistance in tracking Majeed down in 2022, after he was convicted in
absentia in Belgium of people smuggling crimes.
Officials say Majeed has been handed over to the regional justice department.
Germany Merkel Memoir Released in November
The memoirs of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel will be released in
November.
The publication will come nearly three years after the end of her 16-year
tenure (任期) at Germany's helm (領導地位).
Publishers say the 700-page-long memoir will be published on Nov. 26-th.
Merkel was a scientist who grew up in communist East Germany and became
Germany’s first female chancellor in 2005.
She steered Germany through a succession of crises including the global
financial crisis, the migrant crisis and the coronavirus pandemic.
She was succeeded by current Chancellor Olaf Scholz in December 2021.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
迎接十年一遇的存債良機，富養自己不是夢！
中信優息投資級債【00948B】，甜甜價10元入手，還有「平準金」及「月配息」，
小資也能輕鬆跟隊。【00948B】投資就是發！
5/22-5/28飛躍募集，一同「債」現王者新高度!
詳細資訊請見：https://bit.ly/3y7XL7A
--
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/3y7SoFB
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Taiwan donates US$50,000 to flood-hit Brazil
Taiwan's government recently donated 50 thousand NT to Brazil to help the
country cope (應付) with devastating floods.
The floods have wreaked havoc across nearly 90 percent of municipalities in
the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
Over 300 thousand homes were damaged, as well as roads, bridges and a
hydroelectric plant.
Local media reports say the death toll has risen to 126, and 141 are missing.
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Sao Paulo said the overseas
Taiwanese community in Brazil have delivered essential supplies to disaster
areas.
The office hopes all victims can return to normal life as soon as possible.
Brazilian officials said they're very grateful to Taiwan for providing
immediate assistance.
They say the people of the state will not forget the good deed.
Taichung government introduces pet-friendly taxi service
The Taichung City government is announcing a pet-friendly taxi service,
allowing owners to bring their pets along without any additional charge.
It said pet-owning passengers can choose from 16 local service providers
listed on the website of the City's Transportation Bureau.
And many drivers are pet owners themselves.
Transport officials said passengers are required to place their pets in a
cage before boarding.
They must also ensure taxi cleanliness throughout the journey to avoid
incurring (招致、遭受) an additional cleaning fee.
They said the taxi fare is metered as a regular yellow cab service.
But officials caution that those who choose non-traditional ones with various
sizes and functions should pay attention to how they charge.
Afghanistan Flash Floods Leave Dead and Missing
Flash floods in northern Afghanistan sweep away livelihoods (生計), leaving
hundreds dead and missing
AP correspodnent Karen Chammas reports on floods in Afghanistan.
Russia Putin Proposes Removing Defense Minister
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed removing Defense Minister
Sergei Shoigu from his post.
Putin nominated First Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Belousov for the role.
The change comes weeks after a Russian deputy defense minister in charge of
military construction projects, was jailed pending an investigation and trial
on charges of bribery (受賄).
In line with Russian law, the entire Russian cabinet resigned on Tuesday when
Putin began his fifth presidential term at a Kremlin inauguration.
The announcement came as Ukrainian officials say thousands more civilians
have fled Russia's renewed ground offensive in Ukraine’s northeast.
The attacks have targeted towns and villages with a barrage of artillery and
mortar shelling.
The intense battles have forced at least one Ukrainian unit to withdraw in
the Kharkiv region.
This is a loss of more land to Russian forces across less defended
settlements in the so-called contested gray zone along the Russian border.
Prince Harry Meghan Visit Nigeria
Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are visiting Lagos, Nigeria.
They are promoting mental health for soldiers and empowering young people.
The couple visited a local charity using sports to empower young people.
Meghan and Harry later attended a fundraiser for Nigeria’s soldiers wounded
in the country’s fight against Islamic extremists and other armed groups in
the country’s conflict-battered (連續猛擊) north.
The event was related to Harry's Invictus Games, which Nigeria is seeking to
host in the future.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/3y7SoFB
--
迎接十年一遇的存債良機，富養自己不是夢！
中信優息投資級債【00948B】，甜甜價10元入手，還有「平準金」及「月配息」，
小資也能輕鬆跟隊。【00948B】投資就是發！
5/22-5/28飛躍募集，一同「債」現王者新高度!
詳細資訊請見：https://bit.ly/3y7XL7A
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 21-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 20,582
on turnover of $3-billion N-T.
Longer Summers and Stronger Typhoons
A national scientific report on climate change is warning that if global
warming continues without effective control measures, Taiwan could face
seven-month long summers and fewer, but more severe typhoons.
According to the Ministry of Environment, without effective efforts to curb
(抑制) greenhouse gas emissions that could happen by the end of the century,
under the worst-case scenario.
The Climate Change Scientific Report 2024 has been published by the National
Science and Technology Council.
The report says the number of typhoons affecting Taiwan is projected to
decrease from four to five a year to three to four a year by mid-century and
reach one to two a year by the end of the century.
However, is also warns that under the worst greenhouse gas emissions
scenario, severe typhoons would intensify, move closer to the west, and pose
greater risks to the region.
UN: No food or fuel entering Gaza
The United Nations says no humanitarian aid or fuel is currently entering the
Gaza strip, which could have "catastrophic" consequences (結果) for the
people there.
In its latest daily update, the world body says there have been ongoing and
"significant amounts of bombardment (轟擊)" in eastern Rafah early Thursday
"and all through the night".
Jody Jacobs reports from the UN headquarters in New York…
Japan Proposes Expanding Commercial Whaling to Fin Whales
Japan’s Fisheries Agency has proposed expanding commercial whaling to fin
whales, a larger species than the three allowed now.
The proposal comes five years after Japan resumed commercial whaling along
the country’s coast after withdrawing from the International Whaling
Commission.
The agency decided to propose adding fin whales to the allowable catch list
after stock (供應物,) surveys confirmed sufficient recovery of the fin whale
population in the North Pacific.
It hopes to get the proposal formally approved in mid-June.
Japan's chief cabinet secretary says whales are an important food resource
and that his government will support sustainable whaling.
China Baidu Exec Apologizes for Videos Glorifying Overwork
A top public relations executive from Chinese technology firm Baidu has
apologized after she made comments that were seen as glorifying a culture of
overwork.
Baidu’s head of communications Qu Jing implied in the videos that she was
not concerned about her employees as she was “not their mom” and said she
only cared about results.
Many on social media platforms like Weibo criticizing Qu for her lack of
empathy (同理、同情).
Qu posted an apology Thursday on her private WeChat account, where she
“sincerely apologized to all netizens."
Qu said her short videos did not represent Baidu’s stance.
The videos, which have since be taken down, came at a time when many young
people in China are pushing back against a culture of competition and
grueling (使人精疲力盡的) hours in the workplace.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/3y7SoFB
--
迎接十年一遇的存債良機，富養自己不是夢！
中信優息投資級債【00948B】，甜甜價10元入手，還有「平準金」及「月配息」，
小資也能輕鬆跟隊。【00948B】投資就是發！
5/22-5/28飛躍募集，一同「債」現王者新高度!
詳細資訊請見：https://bit.ly/3y7XL7A
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally lower this morning from yesterday's close, at
20,710 on turnover of 3.2-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher on Wednesday.
It consolidated following a lackluster (缺乏生氣的) performance on Wall
Street overnight.
It opened down and continued to lose ground until buying emerged toward the
end of the session.
The buying was led by large cap tech stocks, and pushed the main board into
positive territory at the closing bell.
KMT Lawmaker Denies Government Claims of Leaking Confidential Documents
K-M-T lawmaker Hsu Chiao-hsin is denying charges by the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs that she leaked confidential documents related to an agreement
between Taiwan and the Czech Republic concerning aid to Ukraine.
According to Hsu, information about the 10-million U-S dollar healthcare
project had been reported in a newsletter published the Czech Republic's
foreign ministry in March.
The statement comes after the foreign ministry earlier this week submitted a
report to the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office.
The report accused (指控) Hsu of violating the Criminal Code by leaking, what
it claims to be "confidential information."
CDC to Fully Lift Face Mask Mandates
The Centers for Disease Control is lifting its face mask mandate (命令，指令)
for people visiting medical facilities such as hospitals, clinics and senior
nursing homes.
The move means people will no longer be required to wear face masks from May
19.
It is the final face mask mandate to have been lifted.
Once the mandate has been lifted, the C-D-C will only "recommend" that
individuals visiting medical or elderly welfare facilities wear a face mask.
The mandate on wearing face masks in medical facilities and nursing homes has
been in place since December 1, 2020.
Biden Threatens to Withdraw Israel Arms Shipments
US President Joe Biden says that if Israel launches an all-out assault on
Rafah in the Gaza Strip, he will withhold further weapons supplies from
Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
He made the threat (威脅) hours after America's defense secretary confirmed
that one weapons shipment has already been held back.
The official said the delay was due to the crisis unfolding in the
Palestinian territory.
Our US Correspondent Simon Marks reports.
HK Court Grants Request to Ban Protest Song
An appeals court has granted the Hong Kong government’s request to ban a
protest song.
"Glory to Hong Kong” was often sung by demonstrators during the huge
anti-government protests in 2019.
It was the first time a song has been banned in the city since Britain handed
the territory back to Chinese rule in 1997.
The ban would target anyone who broadcast (播放) or distributed the song to
advocate (提倡) for the separation of Hong Kong from China.
The song can still be played if it is for lawful journalistic and academic
activities.
Failure to comply with the court order may be considered as contempt of court
and could be liable for a fine or imprisonment.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
迎接十年一遇的存債良機，富養自己不是夢！
中信優息投資級債【00948B】，甜甜價10元入手，還有「平準金」及「月配息」，
小資也能輕鬆跟隊。【00948B】投資就是發！
5/22-5/28飛躍募集，一同「債」現王者新高度!
詳細資訊請見：https://bit.ly/3y7XL7A
--
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 49-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
20,604 on turnover of 4.5-billion N-T.
The market gained ground once again on Tuesday.
Investors were interested in large cap tech stocks after Wall Street moved
higher overnight.
Investor sentiment improved on hopes about a possible rate cut cycle by the
U-S Federal Reserve.
That would follow the release of weaker than expected American job data for
April.
KMT Seeking LY State of the Nation Address
The K-M-T is seeking to invite president-elect Lai Ching-te to make what
would be Taiwan's first state of the nation address at the Legislative Yuan
following his May 20 inauguration.
According to K-M-T caucus secretary-general Hong Meng-kai, Lai needs to
explain and clarify his planned policies with lawmakers.
Hong sasy the proposal for Lai to address lawmakers adheres to Article 15-2
of the Act on Exercising Legislative Yuan Powers.
The Taiwan People's Party has also submitted (已提交) a similar proposal.
The K-M-T caucus secretary-general says the matter will now added to Friday's
legislative agenda.
Thailand to Extend Visa Waiver for ROC Passport Holders
Thailand will extend its visa waiver program for R-O-C passport holders to
six months.
Thailand first announced a visa waiver for Taiwanese travelers in November of
last year.
That program was slated to ends on May 10.
The program has now been extend starting from May 11 to November 11.
Under the visa waiver program, R-O-C passport holders traveling to Thailand
for tourism purposes are granted a visa-free stay of up to 30 days.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is evidence that the Tsai
administration's New Southbound Policy has paid off (得到好結果).
US Holds Up Arms to Israel
The United States is holding up arms shipments to Israel.
Officials claim (宣稱) the move is intended to send a political message to
its Middle East ally.
With the details, Benji Hyer.
UK Military Personal Information Breach
British officials say the names and bank details of thousands of serving
British soldiers, sailors and air force members have been exposed in a data
breach (違反) at a payroll system.
The defense secretary says state involvement cannot be ruled out.
He didn't comment on British media reports that Chinese hackers are suspected
of carrying out the cyberattack.
The breach occurred at a third-party payroll system.
The system describes itself as “the largest provider of critical business
support services for government.”
The system holds bank details of as many as 272-thousand serving armed forces
personnel and recent veterans.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
【00941】全台首檔鎖定半導體上游設備與材料廠的ETF
半導體不是只有護國神山，想投資真正的隱形英雄，力爭「上游」就對了！
中信上游半導體(00941)，帶你與科技王者中的王者同行：https://bit.ly/3xMsIhf
--
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 111-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
20,634 on turnover of 5.1-billion N-T.
The market rose nearly 200 points on Monday to close above the 20,500-point
mark - as buying was sparked by Wall Street's solid performance at the end of
last week amid renewed hopes over a rate cut cycle by the U-S Federal
Reserve.
Artificial intelligence development-related stocks attracted strong investor
interest and led the local main board higher, while the financial sector also
posted strong gains throughout the session.
MOFA defends deal to provide Ukraine aid via Czech NGO
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is denying allegations that it misused
taxpayer money in a partnership with the Czech Republic to provide assistance
(協助) to Ukraine.
According to ministry spokesman Jeff Liu, his office plans to pursue legal
action against K-M-T lawmaker Hsu Chiao-hsin for releasing secret details of
an agreement between Taiwan signed with the Czech Republic last December.
The statement comes after Hsu released details of the agreement in a Facebook
post -which she defended that by saying she released the information due to
Foreign Minister Joseph Wu's failure to properly respond to her concerns
during a legislative hearing.
Circular Line Repair Costs Surpass NT$400Million
And,
The New Taipei City Department of Rapid Transit Systems says current
estimates show that the cost of repairing sections of the Circular Line's
elevated track damaged during the April 3 earthquake stand at over
400-million N-T.
According to the metro operator, the funds will be initially covered by the
New Taipei City Government.
The earthquake damage the disc bearings of the connecting beams between the
Banxin and Qiaohe stations, resulting in the displacement (移位) of steel box
beams at 11 spots and severe twisting to some sections of track.
The New Taipei City Government has said it could take over a year to fully
repair the damaged sections of track.
US Soldier Detained in Russia
US lawmakers say they're "deeply concerned" after an American soldier was
detained in Russia.
An army spokesperson confirmed on Monday that the man — who's unnamed — was
apprehended (被捕) last week in the far east of the country "on charges of
criminal misconduct."
Benji Hyer reports.
Spain Lost Caravaggio to be Exhibited
Spain’s Prado Museum has confirmed that a painting that was due to be
auctioned in Madrid in 2021 is in fact a work by Italian Baroque master
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio that was considered (認為) lost.
It will be unveiled to the public for the first time in the museum later this
month.
The Prado said in a statement on Monday the work titled “Ecce Homo” will go
on display from May 27-th until October as a special one-piece exhibition
following an agreement with its owner, who has not been identified.
It said that since its reappearance at an auction three years ago, Ecce Homo
has represented one of the greatest discoveries in the history of art.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 149-points this morning from Friday's close, at 20,479
on turnover of 5.7-billion N-T.
The market closed-up on Friday after Wall Street gained ground overnight.
The market cut its losses for the week as big U-S companies reported solid
earnings for the first quarter.
Investors awaited a key report on America's jobs market.
Paraguay's President Talks Increasing Ties with Taiwan
Paraguay's President Santiago Pena says he's seeking to boost cooperation
with Taiwan.
Speaking to reporters in Japan following a meeting with Prime Minister Fumio
Kishida, Pena said his country has enjoyed a long diplomatic relationship
with Taiwan.
He says he plans to continue to promote a wide-ranging cooperative
partnership.
Pena and Kishida also expressed their opposition to any unilateral changes to
the cross-strait "status quo" using force .
They said "attempts to change the status quo by force will not be tolerated
(容忍)."
KMT Chairman Responds to Russia Envoy Invite
K-M-T Chairman Eric Chu says his party will take action to handle fallout
from an invitation that was extended to Russia's top envoy to Taiwan to
attend an international banquet last month.
The statement comes after reports surfaced that the the K-M-T was forces to
cancel the invitation sent to Russia's representatives.
Envoys from the U-S and European offices threatened to boycott the event.
According to the K-M-T chairman, the invitation was sent out on the basis of
(的基礎、根據) "good diplomacy."
Chu says the party has regular contact with all the representative offices
and embassies in Taiwan.
UN Declares Northern Gaza "Full Blown Famine"
A UN official says northern Gaza is going through "full blown famine".
But Israel is vowing to conduct (執行) a military operation in the 'very near
future'.
AP correspondent Karen Chammas reports…
Brazil Flooding Leaves Dead and Missing
Authorities say massive floods in Brazil’s southern Rio Grande do Sul state
have killed at least 75 people over the last seven days.
Another 103 are reported missing.
Damage from the rains has forced more than 80,000 people from their homes.
Some are taking refuge (避難) in schools, gyms, and other temporary shelters.
Landslides, flooded roads and collapsed bridges have left devastation (破壞)
in the state.
Operators reported electricity and communications cuts.
The government says more than 800,000 people are without water supply.
Bernard Hill Obit
Actor Bernard Hill who starred in “Titanic,” and “The Lord of the Rings”
trilogy has died.
Hill's agent says he died Sunday at age 79.
Hill delivered a rousing (激動人心的) cry before leading his people into
battle in “The Return of the King.”.
The film was the third in the “Lord of the Rings” franchise that won 11
Oscars.
He went down with the ship as the captain in “Titanic,” which also won 11
Academy Awards.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
🎁 感恩媽咪！來施舒雅美容世界挑禮物就對了🔥獻上日本上質美容SPA體驗💯，逾60年專業保養經驗，同步日本安心手技按摩，感受身心放鬆紓壓，擁抱療癒與美麗♥️一起成為最幸福的女人😍
新朋友享5折優惠 https://bit.ly/49O39tE
預約美好時刻 0800-049-888
--
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 159-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
20,382 on turnover of $4.99-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex fell sharply on Thursday, led by the bellwether electronics
sector, following a sell-off triggered by heavy losses suffered by tech
stocks on Wall Street overnight.
Investor sentiment also turned cautious amid concerns the U-S Federal Reserve
will continue to delay the timing of a rate cut cycle due to stubborn
inflation.
Delegation Heading to Geneva
Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang says he'll be lead a delegation of
lawmakers and officials from the Ministry of Health to Geneva later this
month to push for Taiwan's inclusion in the World Health Organization.
According to Chiang, the delegation plans to hold meetings on the sidelines
of the World Health Assembly to let "let the world know that Taiwan's bid to
join the global health body is a consensus (共識) among all Taiwanese,
regardless of political affiliation."
Speaking to reporters, Chiang argued that United Nations General Assembly
Resolution 2758 does not affect the international legal status of the R-O-C,
and Taiwan should have the right to participate in the U-N and its affiliated
bodies.
The Deputy Legislative Speaker also stressed his full support for Taiwan's
efforts to seek meaningfully participate in U-N specialized agencies - saying
he believes Taiwan should have active participation within the international
community.
US Biden Calls for Order on Campuses
US President Joe Biden says "order must prevail" on college campuses, as
unrest engulfs (席卷) universities across the United States.
Police have arrested more than 1000 people after pro-Palestinian protests and
Gaza solidarity (團結) encampments took hold at major schools nationwide,
with students and staff demanding a boycott of companies or individuals with
ties to Israel.
Benji Hyer reports.
Japan Unveils Intl Framework for AI Use
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has unveiled an international framework
for regulation and use of generative AI.
Kishida says some 49 countries and regions have signed up to the voluntary
framework, called the Hiroshima AI Process Friends Group.
He says they will work on implementing principles and code of conduct to
address the risks of generative AI and “promote cooperation to ensure that
people all over the world can benefit from the use of safe, secure, and
trustworthy AI”.
When Japan chaired the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations last
year, it launched a Hiroshima AI process to draw up international guiding
principles and a code of conduct for AI developers.
The voluntary framework is aimed at helping to implement (實施) the
principles and code of conduct to address the risks of generative AI.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
--
🎁 感恩媽咪！來施舒雅美容世界挑禮物就對了🔥獻上日本上質美容SPA體驗💯，逾60年專業保養經驗，同步日本安心手技按摩，感受身心放鬆紓壓，擁抱療癒與美麗♥️一起成為最幸福的女人😍
新朋友享5折優惠 https://bit.ly/49O39tE
預約美好時刻 0800-049-888
【00941】全台首檔鎖定半導體上游設備與材料廠的ETF
半導體不是只有護國神山，想投資真正的隱形英雄，力爭「上游」就對了！
中信上游半導體(00941)，帶你與科技王者中的王者同行：https://bit.ly/3xMsIhf
--
🎁 感恩媽咪！來施舒雅美容世界挑禮物就對了🔥獻上日本上質美容SPA體驗💯，逾60年專業保養經驗，同步日本安心手技按摩，感受身心放鬆紓壓，擁抱療癒與美麗♥️一起成為最幸福的女人😍
新朋友享5折優惠 https://bit.ly/49O39tE
預約美好時刻 0800-049-888
--
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
Economics Minister Defends Electricity Rate Hike
Travelers Cautioned on China Travel
May Day Protests Worldwide
UCLA Cites Outside Instigators for Police Action
Police and Protesters Clash in Georgia
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 12-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 20,508
on turnover of 4.6-billion N-T.
The market closed sharply higher on Monday.
Investor interest in the bellwether electronics sector spiked following
rallies in U-S tech stocks on Wall Street at the end of last week.
The upturn was also driven by the financial sector.
Investors rushed to pick up finance heavyweights due to their general
dividend payout plans.
Government Seeking to Boost Agricultural Exports to US
Deputy trade representative Jenni Yang says she will be pushing for more
Taiwanese agricultural products to be exported to the United States during
this week's trade talks in Taipei.
The talks are taking place under the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century
Trade and began on Monday.
Yang is leading Taiwan's delegation.
The U-S side is headed by Assistant United States Trade Representative for
China, Mongolia and Taiwan Affairs, Terry McCartin.
According to Yang, the latest round of negotiations is focusing on issues
concerning labor, environmental protection and agriculture (農業).
Five Indicted over Taipei Building Partial Collapse
And,
The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted five people in
connection with an investigation into the partial collapse of a residential
building in Taipei's Dazhi District last year.
The five include the head of the construction project responsible for the
incident.
The case stems from September 7, 2023.
Underground excavation (挖掘) work at a Kee Tai Properties construction site
caused a neighboring building to sink into the ground and six others to lean
to one side.
The incident resulted in hundreds of people from different households being
evacuated and temporarily re-housed.
US pressures for ceasefire
In international news,
The United States is stepping up pressure for a cease-fire deal in Gaza.
Hamas officials are in Egypt to discuss the new proposal (提議).
Sagher Meghani reports.
<
[CLIP]
Slug:
UN Call for Sudan Arms Sale to Stop
The United States is urging all countries supplying weapons to Sudan's
warring parties to halt arms sales ..
…. warning that history in the vast western Darfur region where there was a
genocide 20 years ago "is repeating itself."
U-S Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield says the only capital in Darfur not
held by paramilitary forces, is "on the precipice of a large-scale massacre."
Sudan plunged into chaos in mid-April 2023.
Long-simmering tensions between its military and the R-S-F paramilitary group
broke out into street battles in the capital, Khartoum.
Fighting has since spread to other parts of the country, especially urban
areas and the Darfur region.
Britain's Duchess of Edinburgh Visits Ukraine
Britain's Duchess of Edinburgh has become the first member of the Royal
Family to visit Ukraine since the Russian invasion.
She went on a one-day visit, on behalf of the Foreign Office, to "demonstrate
solidarity with the women, men and children impacted by the war".
The duchess paid her respects to those who had lost their lives in the town
of Bucha during the Russian occupation.
There was also a meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Britain's Royal Family has been unusually outspoken (直言不諱) in its support
of Ukraine.
King Charles marked the second anniversary of the invasion in February by
warning of the "indescribable (無法形容) aggression" and the "unprovoked
attack" by Russia.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
🎁 感恩媽咪！來施舒雅美容世界挑禮物就對了🔥獻上日本上質美容SPA體驗💯，逾60年專業保養經驗，同步日本安心手技按摩，感受身心放鬆紓壓，擁抱療癒與美麗♥️一起成為最幸福的女人😍
新朋友享5折優惠 https://bit.ly/49O39tE
預約美好時刻 0800-049-888
--
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 115-points this morning from Friday's close, at 20,235
on turnover of 6.5-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Friday on buying in the bellwether
electronics sector.
The buying was fueled by a rally among semiconductor stocks on Wall Street
overnight.
Tsai Admin. Can's Accept China's Eased Rules on Travel to Matsu
The government is urging Beijing to resume bilateral exchanges "without
preconditions."
The call comes after Chinese authorities said that tourists will once again
be allowed to travel from Fujian Province to Matsu.
The eased travel restrictions were announced following a meeting in Beijing
between China's deputy minister of culture and tourism and a legislative
delegation.
The delegation was led by K-M-T caucus whip Fu Kun-chi as part of their
three-day trip to China.
According to Interior Minister, Lin You-chang, "equitable exchanges" between
the two sides are a "shared expectation and consensus (共識)" among the
Taiwanese people.
The official says such exchanges should occur without preconditions or any
type of political considerations.
Food Poisoning Cases from Kaohsiung Buffet rise to 46
Fourty-six people have now sought medical attention for suspected food
poisoning symptoms after dining at an upscale buffet restaurant in Kaohsiung.
The department says has sent food safety inspectors to the Hi-Lai Harbour
restaurant branch at Kaohsiung Arena.
This is after being notified (通知) of the incident by a hospital where one
of the diners was being treated.
Health inspectors collected 20 samples of food items and from its kitchen,
including salads, oysters and sashimi.
They found signs of cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods.
All of the samples are still being tested.
US Arrests on Campuses as Protesters Demand Israel Ties be Cut
From the US, arrests roil campuses nationwide ahead of graduation, as
protesters demand Israel ties be cut.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
Australia PM says Violence Towards Women National Crisis
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described domestic violence
as a national crisis.
Thousands rallied in cities around Australia on Sunday to draw attention to
the deaths of 27 women so far this year allegedly caused by acts of
gender-based violence.
Albanese says today the rallies were a call to action for all levels of the
Australian government to do more to prevent gender-based violence.
The prime minister says he will host a meeting or Australian state and
territory leaders on Wednesday to discuss a coordinated (協調的) response.
Prince Harry Meghan to Visit Nigeria for Invictus Games Talks
Nigerian defense officials say Prince Harry and his wife Meghan will visit
the West African nation in May for talks about the Invictus Games.
Harry founded the games to aid the rehabilitation (復原) of servicemembers
and veterans.
The Duke of Sussex is expected to make the trip after a service at London’s
St. Paul’s Cathedral to mark the 10th anniversary of the games.
The Invictus Games were founded by Harry in 2014.
The event offers servicemembers and veterans the challenge of competing
(競爭) in sports events similar to the Paralympics.
Harry served in Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter copilot gunner in
2012-2013.
He has championed veterans in need of assistance.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
【00941】全台首檔鎖定半導體上游設備與材料廠的ETF
半導體不是只有護國神山，想投資真正的隱形英雄，力爭「上游」就對了！
中信上游半導體(00941)，帶你與科技王者中的王者同行：https://bit.ly/3xMsIhf
--
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 237-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
20,094 on turnover of $6.4--billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex lost ground on Thursday, as other regional closed mixed.
Investors awaited the release of a flood of global earnings reports,
including updates from leading U-S tech companies.
Government Platform Touts 60-80% Reduction in Statutory Animal Testing
The National Science and Technology Council says statutory animal testing
could be significantly reduced if alternative testing introduced in
regulations is more widely adopted.
According to council head Wu Zheng-chong, the amount of animal testing could
be cut by an average of 60 to 80-per cent.
Wu says he believes using a large number of animals for testing is a matter
of concern for many people.
He says as a developed country, Taiwan has a responsibility to replace,
reduce and refine animal testing.
And he also says to achieve that objective, the government established the
Inter-ministerial Platform for Alternative Technology of Animal Testing in
October 2022.
The platform aims to improve related regulations, cultivate talent in the
field, and facilitate the development of relevant (相關的) technologies.
The National Laboratory Animal Center says 102 alternatives to animal testing
have so far been introduced for pesticides, chemicals and cosmetics.
Ukraine Moves to Reverse Soldier Drain
Ukraine is seeking to reverse the drain of potential soldiers from the
country.
It has announced that men of conscription age will no longer be able to renew
(更新) their passports from outside the country.
Ukraine is working to get much-needed new supplies of weapons and ammunition
from a huge U.S. aid package to the front line.
Millions of Ukrainians have fled the country since Russia’s full-scale
invasion in 2022.
Poland's defense minister said Warsaw was ready to help ensure “those who
are subject to compulsory military service go to Ukraine".
But he did not specify how.
US New Rules for Coal Power Plants
Many of the US's fossil fuel plants could close after sweeping (廣泛的) new
rules to limit pollution from power stations issued by the US Environmental
Protection Agency.
The Biden Administration says the new regulations will significantly reduce
pollution.
It could also bring hundreds of billions of dollars in climate and public
health benefits.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington
Congo Questions Apple on BloodMinerals
Congo’s government is questioning Apple about the tech company’s knowledge
of “blood minerals” from a conflict zone in the African country.
A group of international lawyers representing Congo said Thursday it sent
letters to Apple’s CEO Tim Cook and its French subsidiary this week.
They raised concerns about human rights violations involving the minerals
extracted (提取的) from mines in the country’s east.
They say those minerals might end up being used in the company’s products.
They included a list of questions challenging Apple to show how it monitors
its supply chains in a troubled region where more than 100 armed rebel groups
operate.
It's demanding answers within three weeks.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
--
🎁 感恩媽咪！來施舒雅美容世界挑禮物就對了🔥獻上日本上質美容SPA體驗💯，逾60年專業保養經驗，同步日本安心手技按摩，感受身心放鬆紓壓，擁抱療癒與美麗♥️一起成為最幸福的女人😍
新朋友享5折優惠 https://bit.ly/49O39tE
預約美好時刻 0800-049-888
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 128-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
20,003 on turnover of 4.6-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Wednesday to close above the 20,000-point
mark on the back of a rally on Wall Street overnight.
The bellwether electronics sector led the day's gains.
The sector mirrored tech stocks' strong performance on Wall Street.
The market was boosted by hopes the the U-S Federal Reserve will cut interest
rates after new data showed a slowdown in American manufacturing activity.
No WHA Invite, but Incoming Health Minister Likely to Travel to Geneva
Outgoing Health Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan says he has not received an
invitation to attend this year's World Health Assembly.
But he says the issue will be handled by the new Cabinet.
According to Hsueh, he believes his successor, Chiu Tai-yuan will head a
delegation to Geneva and hold meetings on the sideline of the event, if
Taiwan fails to secure (獲得) observer status.
The 77th World Health Assembly will be taking place from May 27 through June
1 and is being held under the theme of "All for Health, Health for All" this
year.
New Taipei Ward Chief Indicted for Subsidized China Trip
The New Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted a Yonghe District
ward chief and his aunt on charges of taking other ward chiefs on a
subsidized trip to China.
According to prosecutors, Hsu Cheng-kai and his aunt were commissioned by the
Taiwan Affairs Office in Kunshan City last year to invite 12 ward chiefs to
China.
Prosecutors says ward chiefs' expenses (花費) were fully covered.
Their relatives only had to pay for the airfare.
The ward chiefs and their family members were taken on all expenses paid
trips to Kunshan City, Changshu City, Wuxi City, and several other locations
in November of last year.
Russia Vetos UN Resolution Against Nuclear Arms Space Race
Russia has vetoed a U.N. resolution calling on all nations to prevent a
dangerous nuclear arms race in outer space.
The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 13 in favor, Russia opposed
and China abstaining.
The resolution was sponsored by the United States and Japan
It would have called on all countries not to develop or deploy nuclear arms
or other weapons of mass destruction in space.
Such actions are banned under a 1967 international treaty that included the
U.S. and Russia.
Under the treaty, countries also agreed to the need to verify (核實)
compliance (遵守).
The U.S. and Russian ambassador traded accusations on space weapons.
US Arizona Votes to Repeal Near Total Abortion Ban
Arizona's House of Representatives has voted to repeal (廢除) a near-total
abortion ban.
The state's supreme court reinstated the ban earlier this month.
The ban, which has yet to go into effect, has become a major political issue
in the key swing state.
Ira Spitzer reports.
UK Military Horses Run Loose After Being Spooked
Five military horses spooked by noise from a building site have bolted during
routine exercises near Buckingham Palace in central London.
They ran loose through the heart of the city.
The horses injured at least four people, collided with vehicles and caused
chaos (混亂) during the morning rush hour.
Four soldiers were thrown off the horses and three of the troops were
hospitalized with injuries.
The horses were all captured shortly after.
They were taken back to the barracks in Hyde Park where they are undergoing
medical tests.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
【00941】全台首檔鎖定半導體上游設備與材料廠的ETF
半導體不是只有護國神山，想投資真正的隱形英雄，力爭「上游」就對了！
中信上游半導體(00941)，帶你與科技王者中的王者同行：https://bit.ly/3xMsIhf
--
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 171-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
19,770 on turnover of 4.4-billion N-T.
The market staged a technical rebound on Tuesday following a recent slump as
buying was sparked by a rally on Wall Street overnight amid eased concerns
over Middle East tensions.
The main board opened higher and momentum continued throughout the session,
with large-cap electronics and artificial intelligence development related
stocks in focus.
Constitutional court Debates Abolition of Death Penalty
The Constitutional Court has been debating whether the current death penalty
system is constitutional.
The debate saw attorneys representing 37 prisoners currently on death row who
are challenging the constitutionality of capital punishment.
The 37 petitioners argue that "the presence and implementation (執行) of
capital punishment violate Article 15 of the Constitution of the Republic of
China," which stipulates that "the right of existence … shall be guaranteed
to the people."
The case was brought to the constitutional court in 2022.
A decision is expected within the coming three months at the earliest.
More Cabinet Appointments Announced
Premier-designate Cho Jung-tai has announced more new members of his Cabinet
that will take office on May 20.
Five of those appointed are keeping their posts and while there's one new
face.
Finance Minister Zhuang Cui-yun, Overseas Community Affairs Council head Xu
Jia-qing, Ocean Affairs Council head Guan Bi-ling and Directorate-General of
Personnel Administration head Su Chun-rong will keep their current (目前的)
posts.
Acting Agriculture Minister Chen Jun-ji will formally head the agency in the
new Cabinet.
While the sole new face is Chen Shu-zi, the current head of Tainan City
Government's Research, Development and Evaluation Commission - and she has
been appointed to head the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and
Statistic.
UN Calls for Investigation After Mass Graves Discovered Near Gaza Hospitals
The United Nations is calling for “a clear, transparent and credible
investigation” of mass graves uncovered at two major hospitals in Gaza that
were raided by Israeli troops.
A U.N. spokesman said Tuesday that credible investigators must have access to
the sites.
The U.N. human rights chief also said he was “horrified” (驚駭) by the
destruction of the hospitals and the reported discovery of mass graves in and
around the facilities.
He also called for independent investigations.
The Israeli military said its forces exhumed bodies that Palestinians had
buried earlier as part of its search for the remains of hostages captured by
Hamas.
Japan Former PM Meets with Trump
Japan’s government is declining (拒絕) to comment on a meeting between
former Prime Minister Taro Aso and US presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Chris Gilbert reports.
Aboriginal Spears Returned to Australia Indigenous
Four Aboriginal spears that were taken to England by Captain James Cook more
than 250 years ago have been returned to Australia's Indigenous community at
a ceremony in Cambridge University.
The artifacts were all that remain of some 40 spears that Cook and botanist
Joseph Banks took in April 1770, at the time of the first contact between
Cook’s crew and the Indigenous people of Kamay.
The return of the spears was agreed last year following a campaign and a
formal repatriation (歸國) request.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
--
【00941】全台首檔鎖定半導體上游設備與材料廠的ETF
半導體不是只有護國神山，想投資真正的隱形英雄，力爭「上游」就對了！中信上游半導體(00941)，帶你與科技王者中的王者同行：https://bit.ly/3Umqe2r
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 153-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
19,564 on turnover of 5.5-billion N-T.
The market lost ground again on Monday - after failing to sustain (維持)
early gains as investors reacted to a plunge by tech stocks on Wall Street at
the end of last week.
Selling set within an hour of the opening bell - as tech heavyweights came
under pressure to push the market into negative territory - where in remained
throughut the rest of the trading day.
Hualien Suspends Work and Classes after 5.8 Quake
Hualien County has suspended work and classes today, after a magnitude 5.8
earthquake struck earlier this morning.
The magnitude 5.8 quake shook large parts of the island at 8:04am, after a
series of tremors overnight.
Those quakes including two of magnitude 6 and 6.3.
Two buildings in Hualien City have partially collapsed and tilted following
the overnight earthquakes.
The Full Hotel on Zhongshan Road and the Tong Shuai building on Mingli Road
in downtown Hualien City both partially collapsed following the quakes.
The hotel is currently undergoing renovation, while the unoccupied Tong Shuai
building had already been marked for demolition (拆除) following the April 3
magnitude 7.2 earthquake.
Both buildings have been cordoned off.
(NS)
UNRWA Report on Neutrality Released
A UN report on a review of the world body's humanitarian organisation,UNRWA
has found it has robust frameworks to ensure compliance (遵守) with
humanitarian neutrality.
The review of the organisation was initiated by the Secretary General
following allegations by Israel that several UNRWA staff had been involved in
the October 7th attacks on Israel.
Jody Jacobs has more…
Venezuela President Meets with ICC Head
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro met with the head of the International
Criminal Court as he faces an ongoing investigation by the tribunal (法庭)
into crimes against humanity for his crackdown on anti-government protests.
ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan didn’t make any statements following the
meeting at the presidential palace in Caracas.
Khan’s fourth visit to Venezuela comes almost two months after an appeals
panel ruled that the court’s investigation could proceed over the objections
of Maduro’s government.
ESA Adds New Members to Astronaut Corps
The European Space Agency has added five new members to its astronaut corps.
The new astronauts are from France, Belgium, Britain, Switzerland and Spain.
An Australian has also joined them as part of an agreement.
They graduated Monday during a ceremony in Cologne, Germany, after completing
a year of training.
That brings the space agency’s astronaut roster up to 11.
The newcomers are now eligible (有資格的) for trips to the International
Space Station.
More than 20,000 people applied for the five slots.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
--
🎁 感恩媽咪！來施舒雅美容世界挑禮物就對了🔥獻上日本上質美容SPA體驗💯，逾60年專業保養經驗，同步日本安心手技按摩，感受身心放鬆紓壓，擁抱療癒與美麗♥️一起成為最幸福的女人😍
新朋友享5折優惠 https://bit.ly/49O39tE
預約美好時刻 0800-049-888
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 60-points this morning from Friday's close, at 19,466
on turnover of 6-billion N-T.
The market fell to a record single-day drop on Friday amid rising tensions in
the Middle East.
This is despite Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing reporting its highest-ever
first-quarter sales a day earlier.
The weighted index ended the session down a record 774-points.
Tai-Power President Asked to Remain in Office after Announcing his
Resignation
Premier Chen Chien-jen is urging Tai-Power President Wang Yao-ting to remain
in his post.
Wang announced his resignation this past weekend following a series of power
outages in Taoyuan.
Wang was taking responsibility for the power outages over the past few days
and a tight power supply on April 15 due to generator trips.
However, Cabinet spokesman Lin Zi-lun says the premier called Wang and left
him a text message in an effort to persuade (說服) him to continue in his
post.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs says it is also working convince Wang to
stay on.
AUO Chairman Says Computex will be a Reflection of Tech Sector's Evolution
A-U-O Chairman Paul Peng says this year's Computex will be the biggest since
the coronavirus pandemic.
Peng also serves as the chairman of Computex's co-organizer, the Taipei
Computer Association.
He says the theme of "Connecting AI" will boost the show's popularity.
According to Peng, this year's event will feature some 1,500 exhibitors.
There will be keynote speeches from people leading the A-I boom, including
Nvidia's Jensen Huang, A-M-D's Lisa Su and Intel's Pat Gelsinger.
Peng says new opportunities related to the emergence (緊急狀況) of A-I
personal computers have ensured that those C-E-Os will be showing up.
He says "especially with the growth of the I-T industry in the first half of
2024 being a bit lackluster."
Iran Supreme Leader Dismisses Discussion on Israel Attack
Iran’s supreme leader has dismissed any discussion of whether Tehran’s
unprecedented drone-and-missile attack on Israel hit anything there.
It's a tacit acknowledgment that few projectiles actually made it through to
their targets despite launching a massive assault.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s comments Sunday before senior military leaders
didn’t touch on the apparent (貌似) Israeli retaliatory strike Friday on the
central city of Isfahan.
Air defenses opened fire and Iran grounded commercial flights across much of
the country.
But analysts say recent moves suggest both are trying to dial back tensions
following a series of escalatory attacks between them.
Argentina Sees Violence
A town in Argentina is seeing an unprecedented (史無前例的) wave of
drug-related violence.
AP correspondent Karen Chammas reports
Brazil Conservatives Praise Musk
Conservative Brazilians heaped praise on Elon Musk at a rally in the capital
of Rio de Janeiro state supporting far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Musk is a target in an ongoing (不斷的) investigation over the dissemination
(傳播) of fake news by supporters of Bolsonaro.
Musk said the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, wouldn't comply with
a high court justice’s order to remove certain accounts accused of spreading
disinformation.
Musk recently accused the justice of suppressing free speech and violating
Brazil’s constitution.
At Sunday's rally Bolsonaro and other speakers praised Musk as a defender of
Brazil's freedom.
They say he faces censorship by a crusading high court justice.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
--
【00941】全台首檔鎖定半導體上游設備與材料廠的ETF
半導體不是只有護國神山，想投資真正的隱形英雄，力爭「上游」就對了！中信上游半導體(00941)，帶你與科技王者中的王者同行：https://bit.ly/3Umqe2r
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 309-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
19,992 on turnover of 83-billion N-T.
The market recouped its early losses on Thursday caused by increased
volatility on Wall Street overnight.
Bargain hunters stepped-in late in the session. .
However, the gains were capped after recent inflation reports in the US were
hotter than expect.
And investor concerns grew over the possibility of the U-S Federal Reserve
delaying a rate cut cycle.
The Taiex continues to lose ground, heading into midday trading.
MODA Upgrades Taiping Island Satellite Network System
The Ministry of Digital Affairs says the establishment of signal connectivity
with a newly-launched satellite network system on Taiping Island has boosted
communications efficiency there.
According to the ministry, the new system enables (使能夠) coastguard
personnel stationed there to use improved communication and better meets
their audiovisual needs.
Wi-Fi and mobile network services were officially activated on Taiping Island
earlier this week.
This comes after tests on the newly installed Medium Earth Orbit satellite
terminal equipment were completed.
That equipment is capable of sending and receiving signals from a satellite
communications service provider based in Luxembourg.
The digital ministry says the total transmission bandwidth available to
personnel on the island can now reach 25-Megabits per second.
This is an approximate 3.9-fold increase in communication efficiency compared
to before.
US Vetoes Palestine's Bid to Join UN
Palestine has not been admitted to the United Nations as a full member,
following a Security Council vote.
On Thursday, the United States vetoed the bid - as was widely expected.
Sally Patterson reports from the UN headquarters in New York.
NATO EU Officials Urge Defense Systems for Ukraine
Top NATO and European Union officials are urging industrialized nations to
take quick and concrete steps to provide more air defense systems to Ukraine.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned on Thursday that continued
delays could tilt (偏向) the war in Moscow’s favor.
Borrell was speaking on the Italian island of Capri at the start of a G7
foreign ministers meeting.
He told reporters that without Patriot air defense missile systems to guard
against incoming Russian strikes, “the electricity system of Ukraine will be
destroyed."
And he said that no country can fight a war without electricity.
Brazil da Silva Creates Two New Indigenous Territories
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has announced the creation
(創建) of two new Indigenous territories.
This brings the total number of new reserves created during his term to 10.
The Cacique Fontoura reserve will be in Mato Grosso state and the Aldeia
Velha territory will be in Bahia state.
They cover a combined total area of almost 342 square kilometers.
Speaking at a ceremony Thursday in Brasilia, Lula’s said the latest two new
territories would not be enough.
He cited legal issues for the delay in setting aside additional lands.
He says Indigenous peoples should be patient as he seeks to fulfill his
pledge (保證) of creating 14 new territories.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
--
【00941】全台首檔鎖定半導體上游設備與材料廠的ETF
半導體不是只有護國神山，想投資真正的隱形英雄，力爭「上游」就對了！
中信上游半導體(00941)，帶你與科技王者中的王者同行：https://bit.ly/3xMsIhf
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 86-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
20,126 on turnover of 5.7-billion N-T.
The market staged a technical rebound on Wednesday after tumbling during the
previous session.
The main board moved back above the 20,000-point mark.
Investors were interested in large cap tech stocks.
However, the main board still failed to recoup all of the losses seen on
Tuesday.
Market sentiment remained affected by uncertainty over when the U-S Federal
Reserve could start to cut interest rates.
MOTC Cites NT$3 billion as Needed Funding to Repair Quake Damage in Hualien
Transport Minister Wang Kwo-tsai says estimates show that funding to repair
tourism-related facilities and infrastructure in Hualien following the April
3 earthquake stands at more than 3-billion N-T.
According to Wang, three rounds of stimulus initiatives for the county's
tourism sector have been proposed by the Tourism Administration.
The first focuses mainly on essential (必需的) disaster relief.
The second phase of the plan covers funding for people whose homes were
damaged or destroyed.
And the third and final initiative will seek to subsidize individual and
group tours to Hualien after facilities and infrastructure have been fully
repaired.
DeMarcus Cousins Returns for T1 League Taiwan Beer Leopards
Four-time N-B-A all-star DeMarcus Cousins is back in Taiwan to finish out his
renewed contract with the T1 League's Taiwan Beer Leopards.
Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January.
But the Taoyuan-based team announced in mid-March that he's officially
renewed his contract.
Cousins will play in all three of the remaining regular season games and will
finish the postseason games with the team.
He'll be making his return this weekend.
That's when the Leopards play the Taipei Mars on both Saturday and Sunday at
the Taoyuan Arena.
The Leopards are currently sitting in second place in the standings (積分榜)
behind the league leading New Taipei C-T-B-C D-E-A.
Israel PM Responds to Calls for Restraint in Iran Response
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country will be the one to
decide whether and how to respond to Iran’s major air assault over the
weekend.
Netanyahu's remarks on Wednesday appeared to brush off (漠視，不理睬) calls
for restraint from close allies, including the visiting foreign ministers of
Germany and Britain.
Israel has vowed to respond to Iran’s unprecedented attack without saying
when or how.
That's left the region bracing for further escalation after months of unrest
linked to the ongoing war in Gaza.
Iran's president warned Israel against responding.
Violence meanwhile has continued to surge along Israel's border with Lebanon.
A rocket attack on an Israeli town by Iran-backed Hezbollah wounded at least
14 people.
US Congress Dismisses Impeachment Against Homeland Security Director
Lawmakers in the United States have voted to end impeachment proceedings
(法律行動，訴訟程序) against Director of Homeland Security Alejandro
Mayorkas, before they could even go to trial.
Democrat Party Senators dismissed the two articles of impeachment against
Secretary Mayorkas.
The articleswere brought by Republicans who argue his department is failing
to stem record flows of migrants entering the country from Mexico.
Benji Hyer reports.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
--
【00941】全台首檔鎖定半導體上游設備與材料廠的ETF
半導體不是只有護國神山，想投資真正的隱形英雄，力爭「上游」就對了！
中信上游半導體(00941)，帶你與科技王者中的王者同行：https://bit.ly/3xMsIhf
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 84-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 19,986
on turnover of 3.9-billion N-T.
The market closed below the 20,000-point mark on Tuesday for the first time
in almost a month - as panic-led selling set-in amid concerns over Mid-East
tensions and lingering inflation that could delay interest rate cuts in the
U-S.
The market opened down - but declined further as pressure escalated
(逐步升級) after the main board dropped below the 20-day moving average of
20,290 points.
The weakness then continued to the end of the session.
Lawmakers Pass New Pedestrian Sidewalk Safety Rule
Lawmakers have approved regulations aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety.
The new regulations require both the central and local governments to develop
guidelines to build, improve, and maintain safe, unobstructed (無障礙的), and
continuous pedestrian spaces along sidewalks.
Under the new rules, if sidewalks or walkways obstructed by fixed equipment
or other objects, local governments should notify the responsible authority
in writing and give it at least three months to resolve the issue.
Failure to comply within the specified period can result in maximum fine of
150,000 N-T.
CDC Reports 139,848 Cases of Diarrhea Last Week
The Centers for Disease Control says the number of patients who sought
medical assistance for diarrhea last week reached almost 140,000.
According to Central Epidemic Command Center Deputy Director Lee Chia-lin,
data for the week of April 7 through 13, shows that 139,848 people sought
medical help for diarrhea-related sickness islandwide.
Lee says the figure shows that number of patients climbed 15.7-per cent from
the previous week.
The number of people who fell ill from diarrhea-related sickness last week is
also the fourth highest in the same time period over the past decade (十年).
US House Speaker Pushes for Ukraine Aid
US House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a GOP revolt (反叛) as he vows to
move ahead with U.S. funding for Ukraine and other allies.
AP Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports
Canada Budget Imposes Higher Taxes on Wealthy
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is imposing higher taxes on the
wealthiest Canadians.
The budget proposes to increase the capital gains inclusion rate, which
refers to the taxable share of profit made on the sale of assets (資產).
The taxable portion of capital gains above $250,000 Canadian would rise from
half to two-thirds, which the federal government says will only affect 0.1%
of Canadians.
Canada's finance minister presented the federal budget, which pledges $38
billion US dollars in new spending that she says is focused on economic
justice for younger generations.
Trudeau's Liberal government is trailing badly in the polls amid concerns
over the cost of living in Canada.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
--
彰化銀行「馬偕認同卡」，申辦即享國內1%、海外3%、指定藥妝/藥局最高6%現金回饋。 刷卡同時，彰化銀行將回饋0.25%予馬偕醫療財團法人。 快來申辦一起做愛心! 了解更多：https://bit.ly/4avZBgV 謹慎理財 信用至上
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Israeli Parliamentary Delegation Calls for Support From Taiwan
A visiting parliamentary delegation from Israel has held talks with President
Tsai Ing-wen.
The four member delegation from the Israeli parliament is also thanking
Taiwan for its support after Iran's attack over the weekend.
Chairman of the Taiwan-Israel Friendship Group Boaz Toporovsky has said the
delegation appreciates the collaboration between Taiwan and Israel.
It also appreciates the support shown by Tsai and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu
in the wake of Iran's attacks.
Meanwhile, Israel's representative to Taiwan, Maya Yaron, says there are
numerous areas in which the two countries are cooperating or planning to
cooperate.
That includes tourism, innovation and agriculture.
Missile Drills Continue
The Ministry of National Defense is continuing to carry out live-fire missile
exercises in the Pingtung area.
The drills began last week.
The army fired Stinger missiles from its vehicle mounted Avenger air-defense
system as part of the "Shen Gong" exercise.
While the Aviation and Special Forces Command test fired Hellfire and
Sidewinder missiles from Apache and Super Cobra helicopters as part of the
"Shen Ying" exercise.
The military had planned to test fire its newly developed Land Sword II
system surface-to-air missile last week.
But the test firings were postponed (延遲) to yesterday due to bad weather.
Those tests were carried out yesterday.
The missiles successfully launched and hit target drones at the Jiupeng
Military Base.
Taroko Park Post-Quake Restoration Estimated at NT$1b
Interior Minister Lin Yu-chang says estimates show that post-earthquake
restoration work at the Taroko National Park will cost roughly 1-billion N-T.
Lin said several hiking trails, facilities and structures in the park were
severely damaged during the earthquake.
During a legislative hearing, Lin said the cost of restoring (恢復) portions
of the park are his office's responsibility.
He says the ministry will be seeking funding of $1-billion.
The interior minister also told lawmakers that more accurate estimates will
not be available until a damage assessment is completed in about two weeks.
Israel will respond to Iran’s weekend missile strike: military chief
Israel’s military chief says Israel will respond to Iran’s weekend missile
strike.
But he has not elaborated on when and how.
Israel is said to be considering its next steps and that the Iranian strike
of missiles and attack drones “will be met with a response.”
The Lieutenant General spoke during a visit to the Nevatim air base.
Israel says the base suffered light damage in the Iranian attack.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been huddling (聚集在一起) with top
officials to discuss a possible response.
World leaders have been urging Israel not to retaliate after Iran launched
the attack involving hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise
missiles.
EU calls emergency foreign chiefs meeting to discuss Middle East
The European Union has called an urgent meeting of the bloc's foreign
ministers in an attempt (嘗試、試圖) to de-escalate tensions in the Middle
East.
Ishan Garg has more.
Japan TEPCO to Load Atomic Fuel into Reactor
The operator of the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant says it has
obtained permission from safety regulators to start loading atomic fuel into
a reactor at its only operable plant in Japan.
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings is keen to restart for the first time
since the 2011 disaster.
It's loaded nuclear fuel into No. 7 reactor at its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant
in north-central Japan.
The country is accelerating (加速) the use of nuclear power as a stable and
clean source of energy.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
【00941】全台首檔鎖定半導體上游設備與材料廠的ETF
半導體不是只有護國神山，想投資真正的隱形英雄，力爭「上游」就對了！中信上游半導體(00941)，帶你與科技王者中的王者同行：https://bit.ly/3Umqe2r
--
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 150-points this morning from Friday's close, at 20,586
on turnover of 8.7-billion N-T.
Big gains for tech stocks helped Wall Street claw back much of its slide from
the previous session overnight.
But the market still lost ground last Friday, as it followed other regional
markets.
MND to Establish New Combatant Command in 2026
The Ministry of National Defense is reportedly slated to a establish a new
combatant command in 2026.
Sources say the command will be tasked with (負責) defending Taiwan's
territorial waters extending 24-nautical miles from the shoreline.
According to reports, the command will be listed under the Naval Command
Headquarters.
It will be headed by a vice admiral and bring together existing fast attack
boat and anti-ship missile groups.
It could be officially launched as early as 2026.
Earthquakes of Magnitude of Between 3 and 4 Could hit Chiayi Over Coming
Weeks
And,
The Central Weather Administration says more earthquakes of between
magnitudes 3 and 4 could hit Chiayi over the coming couple of weeks.
The warning comes after over 10 earthquakes have rattled the county since
last Friday.
According to the administration, the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck off
eastern Taiwan on April 3 resulted in stress adjustments in the underground
fault zones in Chiayi …
…. and that has triggered blind faults and unknown faults in western Taiwan
to release energy.
This is causing frequent temblors (搖晃) in the Chiayi area.
Guterres Calls fro Calm in Middle East
Diplomats in the UN Security Council called for restraint (克制) following
Iran's drone attack on Israel on Saturday.
The council met for an emergency meeting on Sunday.
Members fear a full-blown (全面爆發) spillover (出效應) of the conflict in
the region.
Jody Jacobs reports from New York…
<
[CLIP]
Slug:
10 Killed by Gunmen in Nigeria
About 10 people have been killed by gunmen in Nigeria's north central state
of Plateau.
The gunmen invaded (入侵) villages in the Bokkos area of the state at night.
Tesem Akende reports.
Right Whale entanglement
This has been a bad year for North Atlantic right whales which have been
listed as endangered since 1970.
And while just 360 whales remain, their numbers keep dropping (下落, 下降).
Julie Walker reports on attempts to monitor one of them.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
--
🎁 感恩媽咪！來施舒雅美容世界挑禮物就對了🔥獻上日本上質美容SPA體驗💯，逾60年專業保養經驗，同步日本安心手技按摩，感受身心放鬆紓壓，擁抱療癒與美麗♥️一起成為最幸福的女人😍
新朋友享5折優惠 https://bit.ly/49O39tE
預約美好時刻 0800-049-888
【00941】全台首檔鎖定半導體上游設備與材料廠的ETF
半導體不是只有護國神山，想投資真正的隱形英雄，力爭「上游」就對了！
中信上游半導體(00941)，帶你與科技王者中的王者同行：https://bit.ly/3xMsIhf
--
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
MODA Halts Access to Forum Website Linked to Child Pornography
Taiwan Rail to Evaluate Landslide Detection System
US to Stand by Israel but Trying to Deescalate
Italy Rescues Migrants Off Lampedusa
IG Announces Tools to Combat Sextortion
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 50-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
20,713 on turnover of $4.5-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly lower on Wednesday after moving in a narrow range
throughout the session.
Investor were waiting for the release of key U-S inflation data.
New Species of Aquatic Firefly Discovered in Keelung
The Wild Bird Society of Keelung has confirmed that type of aquatic firefly
discovered in the city is a new species.
According to the society, the new species was discovered while its members
were working on a project focusing firefly ecology and rehabilitation (復原).
The project began in 2022 and was commissioned by the Keelung City Government.
The society says the fireflies were first spotted in Keelung's Nuan-Nuan
District in the first year of the project.
They were confirmed to be part of a new species with the help of a firefly
expert and a faculty member at the National Museum of Natural Science.
It is the fourth aquatic firefly species discovered in Taiwan.
The species has been temporarily named, "Bei-Miao" firefly.
This is because it was discovered in northern Taiwan and flies at canopy
height.
US Biden Warns of Iranian Attack of Israel
Iran is primed to launch "significant" (重要的) missile or drone strikes
against Israeli government and military facilities, according to US President
Joe Biden.
He gave the warning at a press conference on Wednesday alongside Japanese
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House, where Benji Hyer reports.
Guatemala Declares Natural Disaster as Forest Fires Continue
Guatemala’s president has issued a natural disaster declaration.
44 forest fires continue to burn across the Central American country.
President Bernardo Arevalo made the announcement Wednesday, and said that 80%
of the fires were started by people.
Authorities canceled classes across three central provinces to protect
students from the prevailing (盛行的) smoke.
One of the largest fires is near a suburb of Guatemala City, the capital.
The president's declaration now frees up funding for fire fighting efforts.
RSF Reporter Denied Entry into HK
Reporters Without Borders says its representatives was denied (被拒絕) entry
into Hong Kong.
RSF says its Taipei-based staffer Aleksandra Bielakowska was stopped at the
Hong Kong airport on Wednesday by immigration officers earlier in the day.
She was detained, questioned and had her belongings searched three times
before she was denied entry to Hong Kong.
RSF says this "marks a new decline in the already poor press freedom climate
in the territory.”
Bielakowska was to meet journalists and attend the trial of Jimmy Lai.
The media tycoon and founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper is
currently facing national security charges.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
--
🎁 感恩媽咪！來施舒雅美容世界挑禮物就對了🔥獻上日本上質美容SPA體驗💯，逾60年專業保養經驗，同步日本安心手技按摩，感受身心放鬆紓壓，擁抱療癒與美麗♥️一起成為最幸福的女人😍
新朋友享5折優惠 https://bit.ly/49O39tE
預約美好時刻 0800-049-888
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally lower this morning from yesterday's close, at
20,789 on turnover of 6.3-billion N-T.
The market ended the trading day at another fresh high on Tuesday.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing's share price soared on news of the
company's plan to build a third wafer fab in the U-S state of Arizona.
Lai Confirms Zhuo as Premier
President-elect Lai Ching-te has announced some members of his new cabinet.
Former D-P-P chairman and Cabinet Secretary-General, Zhuo Rong-tai has been
confirmed (確認) as the next Premier.
Former Culture Minister Zheng Li-jun will become the Vice Premier.
MND Extends Tabletop Phase of Han Kuang Drills
The Ministry of National Defense will be extending the tabletop war games
phase of this year's Han Kuang series of exercises.
The drills will last eight days this year, up from the previous five days.
The tabletop phase (階段) of the annual combined services exercise will be
taking place around the clock for from April 19 to 26.
According to Major General Tong Ji-xing, the extended computerized war games
will give the military more time to simulate responsive measures following an
invasion.
The measures will involve a higher level of command, with swift increased
troop deployment to key positions.
The live-fire phase of this year's Han Kuang exercise will taking place from
July 22 to 26.
5,000kg of Sudan Dye-Tainted Chinese Chili Powder Destroyed
The Food and Drug Administration says a shipment of 4,995-kilograms of chili
powder imported from China has been destroyed.
The products were found to contain the Sudan red dye.
Tests found the shipment contained 17 parts per billion of Sudan III, a red
fat-soluble dye banned in Taiwan for use in foodstuffs (食品).
Data shows that from October 1 of last year through April 1 this year,
samples from 27 of 145 shipments of Chinese chili powder submitted for
testing failed inspections.
They were also found to be contaminated with Sudan red dyes or banned
pesticides.
Imports of chili powder from 22 Chinese manufacturers have been indefinitely
suspended.
US Arizona Resinstates Abortion Ban
Arizona's Supreme Court has reinstated a 160-year-old law banning nearly all
abortions.
The move overrides a more recent law providing access to the procedure up to
15 weeks.
The ruling is the latest high-profile case as abortion becomes a central
(重要的, 主要的) issue in the upcoming presidential elections.
Toni waterman has more.
"God Particle" Nobel Physicist Higgs Obit
Nobel prize-winning physicist Peter Higgs, who proposed the existence (存在)
of the so-called “God particle” has died at age 94.
The University of Edinburgh, where Higgs was emeritus professor, said he died
Monday following a short illness.
In 1964, Higgs predicted the existence of the sub-atomic particle that helped
explain how matter formed after the Big Bang
But it would be almost 50 years before the its existence could be confirmed
at a particle collider (粒子對撞機) in Switzerland.
Higgs won the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work, alongside Francois
Englert of Belgium.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
--
🎁 感恩媽咪！來施舒雅美容世界挑禮物就對了🔥獻上日本上質美容SPA體驗💯，逾60年專業保養經驗，同步日本安心手技按摩，感受身心放鬆紓壓，擁抱療癒與美麗♥️一起成為最幸福的女人😍
新朋友享5折優惠 https://bit.ly/49O39tE
預約美好時刻 0800-049-888
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 103-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
20,521 on turnover of 8.4-billion N-T.
The market staged a technical rebound on Monday following last Wednesday's
slump prior to the four-day Tomb Sweeping holiday.
However, the gains were capped amid lingering investor concerns over when the
U-S Federal Reserve's a rate-cut cycle will kick-in.
42 Buildings Listed as 'Code Red' Damage
The National Land Management Agency says 42 buildings suffered severe damage
from last week's earthquake.
They have been listed as "code red."
The agency's "code red" is the highest level of damage.
Of the 42 buildings, 32 are in Hualien, two in Taipei, four in New Taipei,
and four are in Taoyuan.
According to land management agency, 70 buildings have been listed as "code
yellow" for secondary damage.
That includes 35 in Hualien, 13 in Taipei, seven in New Taipei City, 14 in
Taoyuan, and one in Keelung.
690 other buildings don't currently (目前) fall into the color-coded warnings
listing.
But they are still being checked.
UAV Makes 2nd Attempt to Pass Combat Readiness Tests
A redesigned version of the locally developed Teng Yun 2 U-A-V has been
undergoing (經歷、進行) combat readiness tests.
The UAVs failed the tests last year.
Sources are being cited as saying the "Cloud Rider 2" combat and
reconnaissance drone entered the final testing stage for the second time in
mid-March.
However, the defense ministry has not released any information concerning
when the testing will be completed.
Reports have said results from the Teng Yun 2's unsuccessful first attempt to
pass the final testing in March of last year indicated that there was "still
room for improvement" in the drone's design.
Iraq FM Accuses US of Greenlighting Strike on Consulate in Syria
Iran’s foreign minister has accused the United States of giving Israel the
“green light” for a strike on its consulate building in Syria.
The strike killed seven Iranian military officials, including two generals.
The minister reiterated Tehran’s vows that it will respond to the attack,
widely blamed on Israel.
The attack killed a senior military official in the Iranian Revolutionary
Guard’s Quds Force.
It appeared to signify (表示、象征) an escalation of Israel’s targeting of
military officials from Iran.
And the incident worsened fears of the war spiraling into the rest of the
Middle East.
The Biden administration has insisted that it had no advance knowledge of the
airstrike.
Vatican doubles down on opposition to gender theory and sex changes
The Vatican has doubled down (堅持) on its opposition to gender theory and
sex changes.
Giles Gibson has more from Rome.
Haiti Recovers Hijacked Cargo Ship
Haiti’s National Police says it has recovered a hijacked cargo ship laden
with (裝滿的) rice following a gun battle with gangs that lasted more than
five hours.
Authorities said Sunday that two policemen were injured and an undetermined
number of gang members killed in the shootout off the coast of the
Port-au-Prince capital.
Local media reports that the gangs kidnapped everyone aboard the ship and
stole some 10,000 sacks of rice out of the 60,000 sacks it was carrying.
Saturday's recovery was a rare victory for Haiti's underfunded police
department.
The department has struggled to stop gang violence following a spate of
attacks that began Feb. 29.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 57-points this morning from last Wednesday's close, at
20,395 on turnover of 9.1-billion N-T.
The market shed more than 100-points last Wednesday - the final trading day
of the week.
Market sentiment was negatively affected by both the 7.2 magnitude earthquake
that struck earlier that day and losses on Wall Street overnight.
The bellwether electronics sector led the downturn.
Investors were concerned about the possible impact on production resulting
from the temblor.
Czech Republic Looking into Allegations Chinese Diplomat Tailed HsiaoBi-khim
The government of the Czech Republic says it's investigation allegations that
a Chinese diplomat tailed Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim during her visit
to the country last month.
According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the statement by Czech officials
comes after Taiwan's representative office in Prague contacted authorities.
There were reports by a news site that a Chinese diplomat was stopped by
police while following Hsiao's motorcade.
The report by a Prague-based news site says "Chinese governmental
surveillance (監視)" continued until Hsiao arrived at her hotel in the Czech
capital.
Hsiao visited the Czech Republic from March 17 to 19 to speak at a seminar.
Two More Taipei Restaurants Closed Due to Suspected Food Poisoning
And,
Health authorities in Taipei says two more restaurants in the city owned by
Wowprime have been temporarily closed, after 22 people reported falling ill
with symptoms of food poisoning.
According to city government, the 22 people sought medical attention and
reported symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea, after eating at Truewow
and XIANG LA Spicy Hot Pot.
Both are located in the same building in the city's Ximending shopping
district.
The 22 patients dined (吃飯，進餐) at the restaurants between April 2 and 4.
Health authorities have carried out inspections at the two restaurants and
found multiple problems.
They are also testing food and environmental samples.
Nigeria Kidnapping Victims Rescued
Police authorities in Nigeria say operatives of the force have rescued over
100 victims of kidnapping in the country.
The hostages were abducted (被綁架) by gunmen in Katsina state in the
country's northwest region from March 1st to 31st.
Tesem Akende reports from Jos.
Tunisia Fundraising Runner Runs Length of Africa
British charity fundraiser Russ Cook has reached the northernmost point of
Africa, completing a year-long quest to run the length of the continent.
Dozens of supporters cheered Sunday as Cook reached a rocky outcrop in
northern Tunisia.
The 27-year-old set off from South Africa in April last year.
He has run more than 16-thousand km across 16 countries in 352 days.
The run has raised more than $870-thousand US dollars for charities that work
with homeless young people, and helps displaced (流離失所) people from
Western Sahara.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Earthquake Update 10:00AM
More damage is being reported after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake and
aftershocks struck earlier this morning.
Reports indicate that two buildings in Hualien City have suffered damage and
are tilting to one side, with 8 people trapped in one building at the
intersection of Zhong-shan Rd. and Chong-qing Rd.
Emergency workers are on the scene, and ladder trucks have been dispatched to
reach those inside.
The Ministry of National Defense has also dispatched military personnel to
assist with the rescue.
Meanwhile…
The Hualien County government has announced a suspension of work and classes,
as aftershocks may continue throughout the day.
New Taipei is continuing work and classes as normal.
The New Taipei Metro Corporation says it is investigating reports that a
portion of the track between Tou-qien-zhuang Station and Xing-pu Ming-shen
station have cracked, but so far, the reports have not been confirmed.
The Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation says all HSR lines have paused
service, and so far 21 train trips have reportedly been affected. Otherwise,
the THSRC says there have been no reports of passengers injured or cars
damaged.
The Taiwan Railways Administration is also pausing services on parts of its
eastern trunk line.
The Taoyuan Metro has also reported a suspension in services of at least one
hour.
Taiex open
to other news now and…
The Taiwan Stock Exchange's main index opened down 77.73 points at 20,388.84
Wednesday on turnover of NT$5.98 billion (US$187 million).
Taiwan's main board had closed Tuesday's trading at a new high on the back
of strong buying led by contract chipmaker TSMC, this was in turn led by a 4
percent surge in the company's American depositary receipts..
The Taiex's record run came after a stock market-related social media
influencer in Taiwan has issued an apology for spreading fake news about
American investment guru Warren Buffet's supposed repurchase (回購) of TSMC
shares.
North Korea tests another missile
In international news:
North Korea said Wednesday it tested another new hypersonic
intermediate-range missile powered with solid propellants.
This, as it continues to expand its nuclear and missile program in the face
of deepening tensions with neighbors and the United States.
The report by North Korean state media came a day after the South Korean and
Japanese militaries detected the North launching the missile from an inland
(內地) area around its capital toward its eastern sea.
The test was supervised by authoritarian leader Kim Jong Un, who described
the missile – named Hwasong-16B – as a key piece of his nuclear war
deterrent he vowed to further build up to counter his “enemies”… that was
a reference to the United States, South Korea and Japan.
Israel Palestine World Central Kitchen
Some of Israel’s closest allies have condemned the deaths of seven aid
workers who were killed by airstrikes in Gaza.
That loss that prompted (使) multiple charities to suspend food deliveries to
Palestinians on the brink of starvation.
The deaths of the World Central Kitchen workers threatened to set back
efforts by the U.S. and other countries to open a maritime corridor for aid
from Cyprus to help ease the desperate conditions in northern Gaza.
Sagher Meghani reports.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 137-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
20,360 on turnover of $4.9-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed lower Monday as investors shifted to the sell side.
They were taking advantage of the main board's earlier upturn after a rally
in afterhours (工作時間之後) trading on the U.S. markets.
Investors held high hopes that the U.S. Federal Reserve will start a rate cut
cycle in June.
But the bellwether electronics sector encountered profit taking Monday after
a strong showing in the first quarter of the year.
This pushed the main board above the 20,000 point mark.
9 Ill After Dining at New Taipei Restaurant
New Taipei is conducting inspections in a case where several guests fell ill
after eating at a banquet hall.
FDC International Hotels Corporation announced today that 9 customers who
dined at its Gala de Chine banquet hall in Xinzhuang District last week
sought medical care after experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort.
The corporation says it is actively cooperating with the city's investigation.
It says it has provide samples of food items and data for inspection.
However, it also points out that a portion (部分) of the guests who attended
the banquet brought their own food.
The corporation says the cause of the illnesses is still under investigation.
The New Taipei Department of Health says it has requested the restaurant
suspend business while inspections are underway.
(NS)
Afghanistan Children Killed by Old Land Mine
An old land mine found by children in eastern Afghanistan has exploded while
they were playing with it, killing nine children.
A Taliban spokesman says the land mine, which the children found near their
village in Ghazni province, was from decades (幾十年) ago.
He says the explosion Sunday killed five boys and four girls who were 5 to 10
years old.
Afghanistan has suffered from decades of war.
The country remains highly dangerous for children who collect scrap metal to
sell to support their families.
Many are killed or maimed when they come across unexploded ordinance.
US Israel Talks Over Gaza Offensive
The United States and Israel are holding a virtual meeting today to discuss
the alternatives to a military invasion of the Gazan city of Rafah.
Israeli forces have for weeks been planning to push into the southern tip of
the besieged (被圍困) strip, where more than a million displaced Palestinians
are gathered.
Benji Hyer reports.
Greece Migrants Rescued from Wooden Boat
Greek authorities say dozens of migrants found in a wooden boat on the
Mediterranean Sea between northern Africa and southern Europe have been
transported to the Greek island of Crete.
Greece’s coast guard says the boat carried 74 people.
It is not immediately clear where or when the boat had launched (下水，出發)
or what countries the passengers were from.
Crete’s southern coastline has seen an increase in migrant arrivals in
recent months.
Greece is a major entry point into the European Union for people fleeing
conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
--
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－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
Four More Test Positive for Toxic Acid in Taipei Food Poisoning Case
Authorities Investigating Deadly Taipei Construction Site Accident
Israelis stage largest anti-government protest since the war in Gaza began
Easter Sunday in Vatican
Ecuador violence saw 9 died
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 10-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 20,156
on turnover of $4.5-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex lost ground on Thursday, as investors reacted to a downturn on
Wall Street overnight - which saw American markets slip further from recent
record highs.
MOTC Approves Danhai Light Rail 2nd Phase Plan
The Ministry of Transport has passed the review of a revised plan for the
second phase of the Danhai Light Rail in Tamsui.
The plan will now be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.
The New Taipei Department of Rapid Transit Systems says construction of the
second phase of the Danhai light rail Blue Sea Line is set to be completed
within five years of the Cabinet granting approval for the project.
The Blue Sea light rail first phase opened in November of 2020.
The planned second phase of the line will link Tamsui M-R-T station with
Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf.
It initially included a section that ran through Tamsui Old Street.
But the rapid transit department modified (修改) the route due to protests
by local residents.
The new plan means the light rail line will run alongside the Tamsui River.
The planned line will have six stations and extend (延長) the operating route
of Danhai light rail to 6.6-kilometers.
Lebanon Hezbollah Fires Rockets at Israel Civilian Targets
The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has fired rockets with heavy warheads
at towns in northern Israel.
There were no media reports of Israelis hurt in Thursday's assault and the
Israeli military did not immediately offer comment on the attack.
Hezbollah says it used the heavy rockets against civilian targets for the
first time Thursday in retaliation for a series of deadly Israeli airstrikes
the day before.
The militant group says several paramedics were among those 16 killed.
Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, concerns have grown that
near-daily clashes along Lebanon's border could escalate into a full-scale
war.
Hezbollah says its attacks aim to keep some Israeli divisions (部隊) busy and
away from Gaza.
Crypto King Sentenced to 25 Years
The one-time "king of crypto" has been sentenced to 25 years in prison having
been found guilty on seven counts of fraud and conspiracy (陰謀).
William Denselow has more from outside the courthouse in lower Manhattan.
Canada School Boards Sue Social Media Companies
Four of the largest school boards in the Canadian province of Ontario have
launched lawsuits against TikTok, Meta and SnapChat alleging the social media
platforms are disrupting student learning.
The lawsuits announced Thursday claim that platforms like Facebook and
Instagram are “designed for compulsive (強迫性的) use, have rewired the way
children think, behave, and learn.”
The school boards are seeking damages for disruption to student learning and
the education system.
Dozens of U.S. states, including California and New York, are also suing Meta
Platforms Inc.
They say Meta harm young people and contributes to a youth mental health
crisis.
The believe Meta knowingly and deliberately (故意地) designed features on
Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 13-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 20,213
on turnover of 4.5-billion N-T.
The market staged a technical rebound on Wednesday as buying rotated to
non-tech stocks.
However, turnover was down from the previous trading days.
Many investors remained wary of a major pullback after the main board scored
solid gains in recent sessions to stand above the 20,000-point mark.
Investors are also waiting for U-S economic data, which is due out later this
week.
First high-level Taiwan-France Trade Talks Focus on High-Tech
The Ministry of Economics Affairs says representatives for Taiwan and France
have held the first round of ministerial-level economic and trade talks.
The talks focused on opportunities for collaboration (合作) in the high-tech
supply chain.
Taiwan's delegation was led by Economics Minister Wang Mei-hua, who met with
representatives of France's Ministry of Economics and Finance.
According to the economics ministry, the discussions covered possible
partnerships in fields such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence,
electric vehicles, renewable energy, and space industries.
Carbon Fee Rate to be Decided in One to Two Months
Environment Minister Xue Fu-sheng says it will take the government between
one and two months to finalize the carbon fee rate.
The Ministry of Environment was previously scheduled to announce the carbon
fee rate in the first quarter of this year.
The environment minister says the delay is because a review committee has not
yet decided on the rate.
However, Xue says there will be no change to the carbon fee collection
schedule.
The minister says the government still plans to collect (收) the fees
beginning next year.
WH: Talks with Israel on Gaza Operation Resume
The White House says talks are resuming (恢復) to bring Israeli officials to
the US to discuss Gaza operations.
AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports.
UN Food Waste Report
A new United Nations report estimates that 19% of the food produced around
the world went to waste in 2022.
That's a little more than 1 billion metric tons of food.
The updated Food Waste Index shows the biggest share of that waste, about
60%, came in households.
Almost 30% came in food service operations, such as restaurants.
This comes three years after the U.N.'s first attempt to quantify (量化) the
problem as part of trying to cut food waste in half by the year 2030.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 31-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 20,158
on turnover of 3.7-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Tuesday after hitting an all-time intra-day high.
Investors turned cautious about a possible major technical pullback from
recent sessions.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing served as an anchor during the session to
prevent the broader market from falling further.
And artificial intelligence development-related stocks came under pressure
due to their relatively high valuations.
Taiwan Calls on CPTPP to Devise Detailed Accession Guidelines
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is calling on members of the Comprehensive
and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership to release detailed
guidelines for countries seeking membership in the trade bloc.
The call comes as the government is voicing (表達) its concerns that the
official Accession Process guidelines are not detailed enough.
According to the ministry, the Partnership's "Auckland Principles," which
provide three main principles for applicants to meet, are also vague
The foreign ministry also says Taiwan has engaged in direct dialogue with key
member states, including Japan and Canada.
The ministry also plans to send delegations to other members later this year
to solicit support for Taiwan's accession (加入) to the trade bloc.
Ma Foundation Director Talks "Meeting Old Friends"
The director of the Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation says the
former head of state could meet with Xi Jin-ping when he travels to China
next month.
Hsiao Hsu-tsen says Ma is currently just "a regular citizen", but Ma and Xi
made important history together in 2015, so "of course he hopes there is an
opportunity (機會) to see an old friend."
Hsiao is refusing to say whether arrangements were being made for such a
meeting.
He would only say that "like the media, he hopes it will take place.
However, the foundation director says "because the delegation will be guests,
the specific arrangements are being left up to the Chinese side as hosts."
NKorea Rejects Kim Meeting with Japanese PM
North Korea's state news agency says the country is rejecting (拒絕) any
possibility of a meeting between Kim Jong Un and Japan’s Prime Minister
Fumio Kishida.
It comes a day after reports that Pyongyang had received a summit request
from Japan.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
Ethiopia Recouping Lost Funds After Glitch
Ethiopia’s biggest bank says it has recouped nearly 80% of the cash it lost
during a system glitch that allowed customers to take out more money than
they had in their accounts.
The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia says around $14 million was withdrawn or
digitally transferred (轉帳) during the error.
The bank says the value of the transactions ranged from 9 cents to $5,350.
The amount lost was initially reported as $40 million.
Nearly 15-thousand people have voluntarily returned funds that the bank says
were taken illegally.
But over 500 individuals have not yet returned money that is not theirs.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
--
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 16-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 20,208
on turnover of 3.6-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly lower on Monday after hitting an all-time closing
high last week.
The electronics sector, which has driven recent gains, came under pressure.
Select old economy stocks, in particular those in the electric machinery and
transportation sectors, attracted buying to lend some support to the broader
market.
Former President Ma to Lead Student Delegation to China
The Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation says the former head of
state will lead a delegation of Taiwanese students on a "peace visit" to
China from April 1st to April 11th.
According to foundation director Hsiao Hsu-tsen, the delegation is planning
to visit Guangdong and Shaanxi provinces and also Beijing.
China's Taiwan Affairs Office has issued a statement welcoming Ma's planned
visit.
The foundation says no plans have been made to meet with Chinese officials.
However, the foundation's director is not dismissing reports that Ma could
meet with Xi Jin-ping while in Beijing.
It says that "specific arrangements" (安排的細節) will be left up to the
Chinese side, which is hosting the delegation.
Presidential Office to Offer Fun Day Out on Children's Day
And,
The Presidential Office is planning to play host to a special event for young
people on April 4th to coincide with the Children's Day holiday.
According to Presidential Office spokeswoman Lu Yu-chan, the event will
transform the building into a giant maze filled with fun, games and live
performances.
It will be the first time the Presidential Office will have opened its doors
to youngsters (兒童、年輕人) on Children's Day host a special party.
The Presidential Office spokeswoman says children will have the opportunity
to have their photos taken with replica military aircraft.
They could also pretend to the be the president, by hosting their own press
conferences in the building's briefing room.
Japan PM: Nothing Decided on NKorean Summit
Japan’s Prime Minister says no plans have been made for a summit with North
Korean leader Kim Jong Un, despite reports he has requested (要求) a
sit-down.
DPRK state media on Monday reported Pyongyang had received the request from
Fumio Kishida
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
Puerto Rico Declares Dengue Epidemic
Puerto Rico has declared an epidemic following a spike in dengue cases.
The U.S. territory of 3.2 million people has reported at least 549 cases so
far this year, compared with a total of 1,293 cases for all of last year.
The island’s health department says more than 340 people have been
hospitalized for the mosquito-borne virus.
Officials said Monday that the majority of cases have been reported in the
capital of San Juan.
More than 5 million dengue cases were reported worldwide last year.
Nearly 80% of those occurred in the Western Hemisphere, according the World
Health Organization.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from Friday's close, at
20,228 on turnover of 5.9-billion N-T.
The market closed higher on Friday, even though it lost some momentum from
gains made in previous sessions.
Wall Street tapped fresh records overnight, led by big gains for chipmakers.
MOFA Releases Details of Hsiao Bi-khim's European Trip
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that Vice President-elect Hsiao
Bi-khim visited the European Parliament at the invitation of lawmakers there
last week.
The statement comes as Hsiao has been making low-key (低調) tours of the U-S
and Europe in recent weeks.
According to the foreign ministry, Hsiao was welcomed by the president of the
European Parliament and the European Parliament's first minister.
Hsiao is now the first vice president-elect of Taiwan to have visited the
European Parliament.
Hsiao also visited Lithuania, the Czech Republic and Poland.
Man Detained Following shooting at Taoyuan Police Station
The Taoyuan District Prosecutors' Office has detained a 43-year-old man
wanted for firing several shots into a police stations this past weekend.
Police exchanged gunfire with the suspect as he fled the scene.
One officer sustained (遭受) a gunshot wound to his left shoulder.
Police managed to arrest the suspect after stopping his vehicle and seized
two handguns and a submachine gun.
Authorities say the man was recently investigated for the illegal possession
of firearms and a warrant had been issued for his arrest.
Prosecutors says they are investigating how the man came into possesion of
the weapons.
Russia Men Accused of Concert Hall Attack Appears in Court
Four men accused of staging the Russia concert hall attack that killed more
than 130 people have appeared before a Moscow court to face formal terrorism
charges.
Russian media had reported that the men were tortured during interrogation by
the security services.
According to the Associated Press, one appeared to be barely (幾乎沒有)
conscious during Sunday's hearing.
A court statement says two of the suspects accepted their guilt after being
charged in the preliminary hearing.
The court formally charged the men with committing a group terrorist attack
resulting in deaths.
The offense carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The court ordered that the men, all of whom are citizens of Tajikistan, be
held in pre-trial custody until May 22.
US Japan to Announce Security Pact Update
The US and Japan are expected to announce a major security pact (協定) update
when leaders from the two countries meet in Washington next month, according
to the Financial Times.
Reports expect it to be the biggest security upgrade in 60 years as both
countries look to counter China’s military positioning in the region.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 33-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 20,232
on turnover of $8.7-billion N-T.
The market rose more than 400-points on Thursday to close above the
20,000-point mark and hit yet another record high - as buying was sparked by
a rally on Wall Street overnight.
Gains were seen across the board - as investor sentiment got a major boost
following the conclusion of the U-S Federal Reserve's latest policymaking
meeting, at which America's central bank hinted that interest rates will be
cut three times this year.
Poisoned Black-Faced Spoonbill Released into the Wild
A poisoned black-faced spoonbill has been released back into the wild in
Chiayi County.
The county's Agriculture Department says over the past four years it has
rescued and rehabilitated (使康復；使恢復) 13 black-faced spoonbills,
attaching satellite trackers to them before releasing them into the wild.
One of those rescued black-faced spoonbills was previously sighted along the
county's coastline.
The most recently released black-faced spoonbill was rescued on March 9 after
the Kaohsiung Wild Bird Society reported finding the bird, which was sick and
unable to fly.
The bird was taken to the agriculture ministry's Biodiversity Research Center
for treatment.
The Taiwan Wild Bird Federation says as of November of last year here were
3,905 black-faced spoonbills in Taiwan, representing some 59-per cent of the
global population.
UN Warns More Funding Needed for Haiti
The United Nations' humanitarian coordinator in Haiti has warned that without
more money, aid in the country will be at risk.
Addressing the media remotely from Port-au-Prince on Thursday, Ulrika
Richardson said it would be a 'catastrophe' (災難) if the international body
was unable to hand out meals to Haitians.
This comes as foreign nationals continue to be evacuated from the country, as
violence rips through the capital.
Sally Patterson has more.
EU to Open Membership Negotiations with BosniaHerzegovina
European Union leaders have agreed in principle to open membership
negotiations with Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The 27 leaders gave the political green light at a summit in Brussels after
the European Commission last week agreed to start talks in spite of deep
lingering (揮之不去) ethnic divisions in the nation with 3.2 million
inhabitants.
But the officials emphasized the need for Bosnia to keep on taking “all
relevant steps set out” by the Commission that include economic, judicial
and political reforms as well as better efforts to tackle corruption and
money laundering.
Australia Invest in UK Industry for Subs
Australia is set to provide $3 billion to British industry to support the
construction of nuclear-powered submarines and ensure (確保) its new fleet
arrives on time.
The announcement at an annual gathering today comes a day after the two
countries signed a defense and security pact to better meet such challenges
as China's increasing presence in the South China Sea and South Pacific.
The 10-year deal will boost capacity at a Rolls-Royce factory in the United
Kingdom to build the nuclear reactors that will propel the submarines being
built by BAE Systems in Adelaide, Australia.
The Virginia-class submarines will be primarily from a U.K. design and will
have a U.S. weapons system onboard.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened flat this morning at 19,784 on turnover of 5.5-billion N-T.
The market closed lower on Wednesday - as early gains lost momentum amid
investor caution ahead of the conclusion of the U-S Federal Reserve's two-day
policymaking meeting.
Selling emerged as the Tai-Ex closed in on the 20,000-point mark, which took
a toll on large-cap semiconductor stocks, as investors opted to pocket gains
form recent sessions to push down the broader market to negative territory.
Foreign Minister Stresses Taiwan's Presence in Haiti Unaffected by Unrest
Foreign Minister Joseph Wu says Taiwan's projects in Haiti are continuing as
normal and there are no signs that unrest in Port-au-Prince will affect
bilateral relations.
According to Wu, diplomatic cooperation with Haiti also appears to be solid
(堅固的), as political leaders there likely to take charge following the
establishment of a transitional council are all in close contact with Taiwan.
Speaking at a legislative hearing, the foreign minister told lawmakers that
his office has evacuation contingencies ready and rehearsed, but there is
currently no need to withdraw Taiwan nationals from the county.
Central Bank Releases Presidential Inauguration Commemorative Coins
The central bank has has released commemorative coins to celebrate the
upcoming May 20 inauguration of President-elect Lai Ching-te and Vice
President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim.
The coins feature images of Lai and Hsiao on one side and the insignia (徽章)
of the Presidential Office on the other.
The gold coin costs 72,000 N-T, while the silver version is priced at 1,800
N-T.
However, only 10,000 gold coins and 50,000 silver coins are being made
available.
According to the central bank, the images embossed (浮雕的) on the coins are
based on photographs provided by the offices of the incoming president and
vice president.
Japan Opposition Calls for Testimony in Fundraising Skimming Case
Opposition lawmakers in Japan are calling for ruling LDP members to give a
sworn testimony (宣誓證詞) before parliament over allegations of skimming
from fundraising proceeds.
Senior LDP members are accused of failing to report more than four million
dollars of ticket sales to fundraising events.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
UN Warning on EWaste
U.N. agencies have warned that waste from electronics is piling up worldwide
while recycling rates remain low and are likely to fall even further.
The agencies are referring to “e-waste,” which is defined as discarded
devices with a plug or battery, including cellphones, e-cigarettes, laptop
computers and solar panels.
It does not include waste from electronic vehicles.
In a new report released Wednesday, the U.N.’s International
Telecommunications Union and research arm UNITAR said nearly 62 million tons
of “e-waste” was generated in 2022.
They said some contained hazardous (危險的) elements like mercury, as well as
rare Earth metals coveted by tech companies.
And they say it’s on track to reach 82 million tons by 2030.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 22-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 19,879
on turnover of 4.8-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Tuesday as the main board moved in consolidation
for most of the session as investor sentiment turned cautious, as they await
the conclusion of the U-S Federal Reserve's two-day policymaking meeting.
Legislative Committee to Travel to Taiping Island
The convener of the Legislative Foreign Affairs and National Defense
Committee says its members will be traveling to Taiping Island in the South
China Sea.
According to K-M-T lawmaker Ma Wen-chun, the trip will be taking place on May
16 and is aimed at inspecting a new wharf, reviewing other ongoing
maintenance (維護、保養) projects and getting a better understanding of the
garrison's combat readiness.
The announcement comes as K-M-T lawmakers are calling on President Tsai
Ing-wen to travel to Taiping Island as a sign of support for Taiwan's
sovereignty over the island.
The Coast Guard Administration and the Ministry of National Defense earlier
this week held a ceremony marking the opening of the new wharf on Taiping
Island.
E*Smart City Net Zero City Expositions kick off in Taipei
And finally,
The 2024 Smart City Summit & Expo and the 2050 Net Zero City Expo are
underway in this week in Taipei.
According to the Taipei Computer Association, the two events are welcoming
some 495 city heads and city administrators from 112 cities in 46 countries
and over 1,697 international professional buyers.
Association chairman Paul Peng says the two expositions (博覽會) have been
held together since last year, and involve enterprises and government
departments sharing how 5-G and artificial intelligence of things have been
applied to building smarter and cleaner cities.
The smart city expo will also be taking place in Kaohsiung tomorrow.
SCOTUS Allows Texas Immigration Law
The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed a controversial immigration law in Texas
to come into effect.
Senate Bill 4 gives police the power to detain (扣留) people suspected of
crossing the border illegally.
The Biden administration has tried to block the legislation.
William Denselow reports from Austin, Texas.
UN Weather Agency Warning on Climate Change
The U.N. weather agency is sounding a “red alert” about global warming.
The World Meteorological Organization, in its “State of the Global Climate”
report, ratcheted up concerns that the world may not be able to limit
planetary warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial
levels.
The report finds that in 2023, over 90% of ocean waters experienced heat wave
conditions at least once.
Glaciers monitored since 1950 lost the most ice on record. Antarctic sea ice
retreated to its lowest level ever.
But the U.N. agency also acknowledged “a glimmer of hope”, saying renewable
energy generation capacity (容量) from wind, solar and waterpower rose nearly
50% from 2022
The report comes as climate experts and government ministers are to gather in
the Danish capital, Copenhagen, on Thursday and Friday to press for greater
climate action, including increased national commitments to fight global
warming.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 81-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
19,798 on turnover of 6.7-billion N-T.
The market staged a technical rebound on Monday to close the trading day up
197-points on the back of investor interest in Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing - which returned to its prior ex-dividend level shortly after
the market opened.
TSMC to Build Advanced IC Packaging Plants in Chiayi
Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan has announced that Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing will build two advanced I-C packaging plants in Chiayi County.
According to the Vice Premier, T-S-M-C's first -IC packaging plant using the
sophisticated Chip on Wafer on Substrate technology in Chiayi is scheduled to
break ground in May.
Construction of the first Chiayi plant is expected to be completed by the end
of 2026 with mass production scheduled to begin in 2028.
T-S-M-C says the Chiayi investments seek to meet strong growing market demand
for sophisticated (精密的，複雜的) I-C packaging services for chips related
to artificial intelligence applications.
Lawmakers Establish Czech Republic and Austria Parliamentary Friendship
Group
Lawmakers from across party lines have established a new parliamentary
friendship group for the Czech Republic and Austria.
The group is a reorganization of the parliamentary friendship group for
Czechia, which was established during the previous (以前的) Legislature.
The newly formed group covering the two European countries is headed K-M-T
lawmaker Wan Mei-ling and includes 11 other lawmakers as vice-chairs - who
come from the K-M-T, the D-P-P and the Taiwan People's Party.
According to Wan, some 50 members of the Legislature have so far joined the
group, and more expected to join in the coming weeks.
Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chong-guang is thanking lawmakers for their
efforts to promote friendship with their foreign counterparts - saying
friendship group could help his office boost practical collaborations and
interactions with the two countries.
Bank of Japan to Announce End of Negative Rates
The Bank of Japan is widely expected to end negative interest rates when a
two day policy meeting concludes today.
Analysts believe record wage hikes recently announced by large companies have
created the conditions the bank needs to begin phasing out (逐步廢除)
quantitive easing.
Chris Gilbert reports from Japan.
UK Banksy Unveils New Artwork
A new Banksy mural has drawn crowds to a London street.
The artwork in the Finsbury Park neighborhood covers the wall of a four-story
building and shows a small figure holding a pressure hose beside a large
cherry tree.
Banksy claimed the work by posting before and after photos on his official
Instagram account.
The new attraction drew on Monday a stream of onlookers (圍觀者) who took
photos and snapped selfies.
Many discerned an environmental message in the vibrant green artwork, which
appeared on St. Patrick’s Day.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
I'm _______, with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 23-points this morning from Friday's close, at 19,706 on
turnover of 8-billion N-T.
The market tumbled by over 250-points on Friday, following the release of a
mixed batch of data on the U-S economy - which dashed investor hopes that
America's central Bank will ease off on interest rate hike anytime soon.
Flash Mob Protesters Slam MOTC's Amendments to Traffic Act
Road safety activists have been taking to the streets of seven cities and
counties to protest a decision by the government to amend the Road Traffic
Management and Penalty Act and ease punishments for some traffic violations.
People to the streets of Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan,
Kaohsiung and Yunlin County for around 30 minutes.
The protests were organized by the Taiwan Vision Zero Alliance.
And participants called for improved road construction, adequate
complementary measures to the law, retraining procedures for drivers, reform
of how traffic regulations are enforced, and for the amendment draft to be
retracted.
The Cabinet approved the amendments to the Road Traffic Management and
Penalty Act two weeks ago.
Tsai Joins Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage for 6th Year
President Tsai Ing-wen has joined the annual Bai-Sha-Tun Mazu Pilgrimage for
a sixth consecutive year after it got underway at just past midnight in
Miaoli County.
Prior to the event getting underway , Tsai participated in a cleansing ritual
for the palanquin that bears a statue of the sea goddess Mazu on a nine-day
procession to the Chao-Tian Temple in Yunlin's Bei-Gang Township and back.
Holding a pot of burning incense, Tsai circled the palanquin several times to
cleanse it before the procession got underway.
Organizers say some 180,000 people have registered to participate in the
approximately 400 kilometer pilgrimage this year.
NKorea Fires Ballistic Missiles
North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern
waters, days after the end of the South Korean-U.S. military drills that the
North views as an invasion rehearsal.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told a parliamentary session today that
North Korea fired “a number of” ballistic missiles into the waters between
the Korean Peninsula and Japan.
He said no damage or injuries has been reported and denounced North Korea’s
repeated tests as acts that threaten the region.
C*US Biden and Trump Trade Barbs
US President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump took aim at each
other in speeches delivered over the weekend, as the two men prepare for a
widely expected rematch for the White House.
Our Washington correspondent Jagruti Dave has more
Uber to Settle with Australian Cabbies
Global rideshare giant Uber will pay $178 million to settle a long-running
dispute with Australian taxi and hire car drivers who lost out when the
company entered the Australian market.
A class action suit against Uber had been expected to go to trial in the
Supreme Court of Victoria today, but lawyers acting on behalf of 8,000 taxi
and hire car drivers said the case will be dropped because Uber agreed to the
financial settlement.
It’s the fifth-largest class action settlement in Australia’s history and
comes five years after the action was launched.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 92-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
19,845 on turnover of $9.6-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan inched up Thursday to close at a new high, after recovering
from early losses in the bellwether electronics sector, even as sentiment
remained cautious ahead of the United States' release of its February
producer price index later in the day.
The financial sector was the main anchor, helping to stabilize the market as
some financial firms offered attractive dividend policies, and buying also
rotated to some old economy stocks, giving the main board additional support.
Decision on carbon fee rates could be delayed: Minister
Minister of the Environment Shieu Fuh-sheng says a decision on carbon fee
rates (費率) by a review committee may be delayed.
Shieu announced in February that a decision on the rates would be made by the
end of March, but now says there were now "no guarantees" due to changes to
the "wider environment."
The minister cited the expected raising of electricity rates in Taiwan in
April, and difficulties in Taiwan's petrochemical industry as factors.
Many Taiwanese companies in the petrochemical industry are included in the
550 big emitters emitting more than 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide a
year that are to be charged carbon fees by the government.
Shieu says the review committee is meeting for the first time today, and will
not yet have any final decisions.
Nigerian School Children Kidnappers Demand Ransom
Gunmen who kidnapped about 300 school children in Nigeria's Kaduna state last
week are demanding a ransom (贖金) for their release.
Tesem Akende reports.
Haiti Presidential Council Plans Moving Forward
Caribbean officials say a plan to create a transitional presidential council
is moving forward after a majority of Haitian parties and coalitions
submitted the names of those charged with finding new leaders for the
country.
Officials said Thursday that the names were provided to a regional trade bloc
known as Caricom that is helping lead the transition.
The names were submitted a day after Haitian politicians and influential
figures bickered (爭吵) publicly about the plan and what names to submit,
seemingly putting creation of the council at risk. Prime Minister Ariel Henry
pledged to resign once the council is created.
UK Court Rules Against Claim to Cryptocurrency Fame
Britain’s high court has ruled that an Australian computer scientist is not,
as he claimed, the mysterious creator of the bitcoin cryptocurrency.
Craig Wright has for eight years claimed that he was the man behind “Satoshi
Nakamoto,” the pseudonym that masked the identity of the creator of bitcoin.
His claim was dismissed Thursday following a trial brought forward by the
Crypto Open Patent Alliance, a non-profit group of technology and
cryptocurrency firms.
The organization claimed Wright had created an “elaborate (詳盡的，複雜的)
false narrative” and forged documents to suggest he was Satoshi and had
“terrorized” those who questioned him.
Wright, who attended the start of the five-week trial, denied the allegations.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 7.9-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
19,921 on turnover of $7.4-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed slightly higher on profit taking Wednesday as
investors shifted to the sell side after seeing the main board hit a fresh
intraday high of more than 20,100 points.
Market sentiment turned cautious due to higher than expected U.S. February
inflation data, which created more uncertainties about when and how the
Federal Reserve will start its rate cut cycle.
Chinese Vessel Capsized Off Kinmen, CGA Search Underway
Search and rescue operations are underway, after another Chinese fishing
vessel capsized off Kinmen this morning.
Media reports say the boat sank 1.1 nautical miles southwest of Dong-ding
Island in Kinmen at around 6am, and the Coast Guard Administration says 4 of
its vessels have been dispatched to the scene.
The reports say China has also dispatched (派遣) helicopters and rescue
ships, and at least 5 crew members were on board, with some news outlets
reporting that 2 have died while two others have been rescued.
The coast guard has also reportedly notified local fishing associations to
call nearby commercial ships and fishing boats to join in rescue efforts.
The Ministry of National Defense says it has also instructed the Air Force,
Navy, and Kinmen Defense Command to continue monitoring the situation.
(NS)
NKorea Kim Joins Troops in Tank Training
North Korea says leader Kim Jong Un has joined his troops in training to
operate newly developed battle tanks and called for bigger efforts to prepare
for war.
The North’s tank training was seen as a response (反應) to the annual 11-day
South Korean-U.S. military drills that are to end later Thursday.
The North’s official Korean Central News Agency says the training happened
on Wednesday to inspect tankmen’s combat capabilities and involved the
new-type main battle tank.
It says Kim mounted one of the new-type tanks and drove it himself.
Japan US to Return Osprey to Service
Japanese officials say the U.S. and Japanese militaries will resume flights
of Osprey aircraft in Japan after completing necessary maintenance and
training following a fatal crash last November.
Japan’s Defense Ministry says the two countries have discussed the
resumption of Osprey flights in Japan since the U.S. announced last Friday
that the aircraft has been approved to return to service after an
“unprecedented” (史無前例的) part failure led to the deaths of eight U.S.
service members in the crash in Japan.
The entire U.S. Osprey fleet was grounded on Dec. 6, a week after that crash,
while Japan's military also grounded all of its 14 Ospreys.
Japan's Defense Ministry said that each of the U.S. forces will have separate
return-to-flight schedules, but the Osprey flights will be limited to areas
around their bases for the time being.
US Trump to Attend Florida Hearing Over Classified Documents
Donald Trump is expected to attend a hearing today [THURSDAY] in the federal
case over his handling of classified documents after leaving office.
The former president's lawyers are seeking to have the criminal charges
dismissed (駁回) ahead of a trial.
Ira Spitzer reports.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 110-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
20,025 on turnover of $10.5-billion N-T.
No plans for absentee voting for elections in Taiwan: Premier
Premier Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) said the government has no plans at present
to allow for absentee voting.
Opposition parties in Taiwan have been pushing for absentee voting after the
recent presidential election saw the second lowest voter turnout in history.
Chen said election systems would need to be strengthened and further planning
and research would be needed before absentee voting could be implemented in
Taiwan.
Interior Minister Lin Yu-chang echoed Chen's sentiments, stating that while
absentee voting could be suitable for referendums, it poses challenges for
regular elections.
In February, a draft bill allowing absentee voting for referendums was
approved, but it does not apply to citizens living abroad.
The opposition KMT proposed extending this measure to presidential elections
and including mail-in ballots, but ruling DPP lawmakers expressed concerns
about potential interference (干涉) from China.
Turnout in recent elections in Taiwan has been declining, with factors such
as the inconvenience of traveling to vote contributing to this trend.
(CNA-IG)
IAEA Inspects Discharge at Fukushima
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency says he’s satisfied with
Japan’s handling of the release of treated, nuclear contaminated wastewater
from Fukushima.
He is inspecting the discharge (釋放) site on Wednesday, his first visit
since Japan began the project in August.
Chris Gilbert reports.
UN Food Agency Sounds Alarm for Haiti
The U.N. food agency’s director in Haiti says that 4 million people face
“acute food insecurity” and one million of them are one step away from
famine.
Jean-Martin Bauer told a virtual press conference that he’s “ringing the
alarm bell” because the recent increase in gang violence has made a very bad
situation even worse and displaced (流離失所) an additional 15-thousand
people — just over the first weekend in March in the capital,
Port-au-Prince.
He says that brings the total number of displaced people in Haiti to over
360-thousand, and the U.N. says half of them are children.
Romania President to Enter Race as NATO Leader
Romania’s president says he will enter the race to become the next leader of
the 32-nation NATO military alliance, emphasizing his country’s proximity to
Ukraine and the threat from Russia.
President Klaus Iohannis wants to succeed Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg,
who has been NATO’s top civilian official since 2014 and has made clear he
will not be staying.
Romania, a NATO member since 2004, borders Ukraine and has played an
increasingly prominent (著名的) role in the alliance throughout Russia’s
full-scale invasion.
NATO officials and envoys want the nomination for Stoltenberg's successor
wrapped up by the end of April.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 53-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
19,673 on turnover of $7.9-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed lower Monday, led by large cap semiconductor stocks,
in particular contract chipmaker TSMC, with selling sparked after U.S. chip
stocks suffered a tumble at the end of last week.
However, buying rotated to other tech stocks in the downstream segment with
iPhone assembler Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. in focus, while select old
economy industries as well as the financial sector also attracted bargain
hunting due to their relatively low valuations.
Moon rock display from U.S. back at National Museum of History
The National Museum of History says it has retrieved (取回) lunar samples
which had been gifted to Taiwan by the late U.S. President Richard Nixon in
1969.
It was first exhibited at the museum in Taipei in 1970, one year after Nixon
gave it to Taiwan.
The display and moon soil samples that came with it were then relocated to
Academia Sinica's Institute of Physics for safekeeping, before being given to
Taichung's National Museum of Natural Science in 1994.
Those samples are now back at the Taipei museum and are part of a show
marking its reopening on February 21st after a nearly six-year renovation.
The wooden case display contains four moon rock fragments encased inside a
piece of acrylic lucite semi-sphere.
In the display, the lunar specimens are mounted above a flag of the Republic
of China, Taiwan's legal name, which was flown to the moon and back on the
Apollo 11 mission.
(CNA-IG)
US Assessing Export Controls on China
The U.S. Commerce Secretary says Washington is constantly reviewing the need
to expand export controls (出口管制) to stop China from acquiring advanced
computer chips and manufacturing equipment that can be used to boost China's
military.
AP's Lisa Dwyer reports.
UNESCO on Rebuilding Ukraine
The United Nations cultural and scientific agency says Ukraine will need more
than a billion dollars to rebuild its scientific infrastructure that was
damaged or destroyed during two years of Russia's war on its neighbor.
UNESCO says that some 1,443 scientific facilities, many attached to
universities, have been damaged or destroyed along with 750 pieces of vital
technical equipment, most of which is beyond repair.
The war, now in its third year, has also depleted (耗盡的) the science sector
of funds and dispersed Ukraine’s scientists, displacing many within the
country and sending others into exile (流放).
The report says the cost of rebuilding the sector currently stands at $1.26
billion US dollars.
Sweden Flag Raised at NATO Headquarters
Sweden’s national flag has been raised at NATO headquarters to cement the
Nordic country’s place as the 32nd member.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Crown Princess Victoria and NATO
Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg attended the ceremony in Brussels.
Sweden set aside decades of post-World War II neutrality (中立性) when it
formally joined NATO on March 7-th.
This comes more than two years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine
which persuaded Sweden's reluctant (勉強的、不情願的) public to seek safety
under the alliance’s security umbrella.
Finland joined last year in another historic move ending years of military
nonalignment (不結盟狀態).
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 113-points this morning from Friday's close, at 19,672
on turnover of $9.3-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed moderately higher after a volatile session Friday,
coming off a fresh intraday high with the main board hitting 20,000 points
for the first time in history.
Contract chipmaker TSMC remained an anchor on the back of the continued
frenzy over artificial intelligence, preventing the broader market from
falling into negative territory when stiff technical resistance arose ahead
of 20,000 points, while the old economy sector largely moved in weakness with
funds squeezed by tech stocks.
Tuvalu prime minister to attend Taiwan presidential inauguration
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Tuvalu's new Prime Minister
will be attending the inauguration of President-elect Lai Ching-te.
Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Tien Chung-kwang visited the island nation
last week as part of a delegation.
MOFA said Tien extended an invitation to Prime Minister Feleti Teo, who
accepted.
Tuvalu officials said the Taiwan delegation was the first to visit and
congratulate Tuvalu on its formation (形成) of a new government, and that it
will keep supporting Taiwan's global involvement and strengthen bilateral
ties.
(CNA-IG)
Crowd of 1 million at Taiwan Lantern Festival closing night
Local officials say as many as one million visitors descended on Tainan for
the closing night of the Taiwan Lantern Festival Sunday.
The city government said annual traveling lantern display hosted in Tainan is
set to record total visits of more than 15 million.
Organizers of the 2023 edition of the event in Taipei said it attracted a
record high of over 12 million visits.
This year's event officially opened on Feb. 24, when President Tsai Ing-wen
turned on the main dragon display to mark the Lunar New Year of the Dragon.
1.07 million visits to the Anping site and the site were recorded near Taiwan
High Speed Rail's Tainan Station on the penultimate (倒數第二的) day of the
event.
US Flies Forces to Haiti for Security
The U.S. is flying forces to Haiti for embassy security and some evacuations
(疏散).
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports
Tibetans in India Protest Against China
Hundreds of Tibetans in exile have held a protest march in New Delhi to
commemorate the 65th Tibetan National Uprising Day against China.
Over 300 protesters gathered near India’s Parliament House and marched .
The protesters carried Tibetan flags and photographs of their spiritual
leader, the Dalai Lama, who has made the Indian hillside town of Dharmsala
his headquarters since fleeing (逃跑) from Tibet after a failed uprising
against Chinese rule in 1959.
India considers Tibet to be part of China, though it hosts the Tibetan exiles.
Saudi Arabia Declares Start of Ramadan
Officials in Saudi Arabia have declared the start of the fasting month of
Ramadan after sighting the crescent moon Sunday night.
The announcement marks the beginning of Ramadan for many of the world’s 1.8
billion Muslims.
The sacred month sees those observing abstain (戒絕) from food and water from
sunrise to sunset, and take part in family gatherings, religious reflection
(深思), and giving.
Some Asia-Pacific countries like Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and
Singapore, will begin Ramadan on Tuesday after failing to see the crescent
moon.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 273-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
19,966 on turnover of $13.1-billion N-T.
The market once again ended the trading at a new record high on Thursday - as
it neared the 19,700-point mark on the back of strong investor interest in
the electronics sector.
The electronics index drove the market's gains - finishing up 1.51-per cent -
while the semiconductor sub-index closed the day up 2.91-per cent.
Use of Chili and Curry Powder Banned in School Lunches Islandwide
All of Taiwan's cities and counties have now introduced temporary bans on the
use of chili and curry powder in school lunches amid concerns over the
presence of banned industrial dyes.
The move comes after the Food and Drug Administration announced that a total
of 15 shipments of chili powder imported from China were found to contain
Sudan dyes during test carried out February 9 through March 2.
That has resulted in the recall of a total of 122,588-kilograms of chili
powder and related food products, including curry powder.
Health Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan says he respects the local government's
decision to temporarily ban the use of chili and curry powder in school
lunches - and says that investigation into the distribution (分發) of the
problematic substances wil be completed in about a month.
US Building Port for Gaza Aid Deliveries
US President Joe Biden will announce in his State of the Union speech that US
forces will create a temporary port on Gaza's coast to increase humanitarian
aid deliveries.
Biden has been under pressure from within his own party to do more to
alleviate (減輕) the suffering of Palestinians stuck in the Gaza Strip.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
UK to Provide More Drones to Ukraine
Britain says it's providing 10-thousand drones to arm Ukraine in its fight
against Russia.
U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps made the announcement Thursday during a
visit with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.
The investment includes $160 million of new funding on top of $256 million
previously committed for drones.
The weaponry will include 1,000 kamikaze (自殺式的) drones and models that
target ships.
Ukrainian sea drones reportedly sank another Russian warship in the Black Sea
this week, the latest in a series of strikes that has crippled Moscow’s
naval capability.
US Woman Completes Global Solo Challenge
Cole Brauer became the first American woman to race nonstop around the world
by herself when she arrived Thursday in A Coruna, Spain.
The 29-year-old is one of more than a dozen sailors competing in the Global
Solo Challenge.
Brauer was the youngest and only woman in the group that set sail (啟航) in
October from A Coruna.
The race took Brauer around Africa's Cape of Good Hope and past Australia.
The race took her 130 days to complete.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 178-points this morning from yesterday's close to surge
past the 19,500-point mark and hit 19,678 on turnover of 10
-billion N-T.
The market ended the trading day at yet another record high on Wednesday,
after recovering earlier losses, as investors opted to ignore a downturn on
Wall Street overnight.
The bellwether electronics sector led the broader market higher - with
artificial intelligence development-related stocks continuing to be the main
focus of investor interest.
US Urges Beijing to 'Engage in Meaningful Dialogue' with Taiwan
The U-S State Department is calling for China to cease its pressure campaign
against Taiwan and "engage in meaningful dialogue."
The statement comes after China's Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang
Xiao-gang reiterated Beijing's sovereignty over Taiwan during a press
conference - and went on to say "there is no so-called 'central line' across
the Taiwan Strait."
According to a State Department spokesperson, the United States has
"consistently urged restraint and no change to the status quo," a policy that
has preserved (保護，維護) peace in the region for decades and is a matter of
global concern.
MAC Bans Group Travel to China from June 1
The Mainland Affairs Council has banned group travel to China after June 1 -
saying such tours will not be allowed unless China allows group travel to
Taiwan.
According to the council, the reopening of group travel to China is
unacceptable, as it would widen Taiwan's tourism deficit with China.
The council says prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Taiwan's tourism deficit
with China stood at 6.6-billion N-T and if tour groups are allowed to travel
there after June 1 that deficit will substantially (在很大程度上) increase.
Speaking at a legislative hearing council minister Chiu Tai-san told
lawmakers the decision to ban such tours is also related to China's
unilaterally changing its M-503 flight route, as it is clearly a political
move aimed at interfering with Taiwan's affairs.
UN: Migrant Deaths Hit New High Last Year
The U.N. migration agency says more than 8,500 migrants died on land and sea
routes worldwide last year, a record high since it began counting deaths a
decade ago.
The International Organization for Migration says the biggest increase in
deaths last year was on the Mediterranean Sea crossing, with more than 3,000.
It said most of the deaths last year came from drowning.
The count also includes migrants who vanished — often while trying to cross
by sea — and are presumed (假定，假設) dead.
Rust Armourer Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter
The armourer who loaded the gun that killed cinematographer Halyna [HA LEEN
A] Hutchins on the set of the movie Rust has been found guilty of involuntary
manslaughter.
The actor Alec Baldwin who was holding the weapon when it discharged
(開（槍）), faces the same charges at a trial set to take place this summer.
Ira Spitzer reports.
SpaceX to Acquire Land from Texas
SpaceX is set to acquire (購得) public land from Texas after the Texas Parks
and Wildlife Commission approved a land-swapping deal that would cede 17
hectares to entrepreneur Elon Musk's company in exchange for about 190
hectares that are yet to be bought.
The business is looking to expand its rocket-launch operations in the
property close to Brownsville, Texas.
Local stakeholders voiced their opposition to the deal, but the commission
voted unanimously in favor of it.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 103-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
19,283 on turnover of 5.7-billion N-T.
The market closed at yet another historic high on Tuesday, driven by
artificial intelligence development-related stocks.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing only managed slight gains, after leading
the market higher during the previous session.
However, other AI-related stocks saw increased investor interest.
MOFA's Tien in Tuvalu to Congratulate New Government
Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang is visiting Tuvalu this week in his
capacity (職位,) as a special envoy for President Tsai Ing-wen to
congratulate the Pacific islands' new government.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tien will be attending a series
of events following the appointment of Feleti Teo as Tuvalu's new prime
minister late last month and his newly formed Cabinet.
The ministry says along with holding talks with Teo, Tien is also scheduled
to meet with Tuvalu's governor-general and foreign minister to discuss
bilateral cooperation projects.
Dumpling and Instant Noodle Makers Report Tainted Chili Powder
Health authorities in Kaohsiung says restaurant chain Bafang Dumpling and
instant noodle maker Wei Lih Foods both purchased (購買) chili powder from
importers that have since been found to contain Sudan industrial dye.
According to Kaohsiung City Health Department, prosecutors were asked to
seize 32,739 kilograms of chili powder imported from China by the two
companies after tests found samples contained the banned chemicals at a
concentration of 4 to 8 parts per billion.
Chia Guang International and Gin Zhan International have been issued with
fines totaling 3.06-million N-T for violations of the Act Governing Food
Safety and Sanitation.
Those violations include entering false information in the government's food
product tracing system.
ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Russian Military Officers
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for two
high-ranking Russian military officers on charges linked to attacks on
civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.
The court announced warrants Tuesday for a Russian lieutenant general who was
commander of the Long-Range Aviation of the Aerospace Force at the times of
the alleged crimes.
Also wanted is a Russian navy admiral who is the commander of the Black Sea
Fleet.
They are wanted for the war crime of directing attacks at civilian objects,
causing excessive (過多的) incidental (附帶的) harm to civilians or damage to
civilian objects, and the crime against humanity of inhumane acts.
Italian lawmakers approve Red Sea shipping mission
Italian lawmakers have given the green light to the country's involvement in
Operation Aspides.
The joint EU mission will see naval vessels (海軍艦艇) deployed in the Red
Sea, protecting commercial shipping from attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Giles Gibson has more from Rome.
France Announces Scaled Back Opening Ceremony Plans
The French government says tourists won’t be allowed to watch the opening
ceremony of the Paris Olympics for free.
Organizers had planned a large-scale opening ceremony along the Seine River
on July 26-th for up to 600-thousand people.
But security and logistical concerns have led the government to progressively
scale back ambitions.
Now, Interior Ministry officials said 222-thousand spectators can watch for
free from the upper embankments (堤岸).
But access will be allocated via quotas, primarily to select residents or
employees of towns hosting Olympic events.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 93-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 19,398
on turnover of 7.9-billion N-T.
The market closed at yet another new all-time high on Monday, led by Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing after its American depositary receipts soared on
Wall Street at the end of last week.
Audio of Kinmen Boat Collision Turned over to Prosecutors
The Coast Guard Administration says it has handed over audio recordings of
the February 14 fatal capsizing of a Chinese speedboat in waters near Kinmen
to prosecutors.
Confirmation that recordings have been give to the Kinmen District
Prosecutors' Office were made by Coast Guard Director-General Zhou Mei-wu
during a Legislative hearing.
According to Zhou, along with handing over audio records, his office has also
provided prosecutors with radar information showing the vessels' exact
(精確的) movements.
Zhou also denied reports the Coast Guard patrol boat had "rammed and
overturned the Chinese vessel.
Michigan Governor Arrives in Taiwan to Open State Office
The governor of the U-S state of Michigan has formally opened office to
facilitate exchanges between the state and Taiwan in areas such as commerce,
culture and education.
According Gretchen Whitmer, the opening of the Michigan Taiwan Office "is an
extension of a partnership that has been built over the years between Taiwan
and United States."
Whitmer says Taiwan's world leading expertise in the fields of semiconductors
and clean energy make it a perfect match for cooperation with the Michigan
State government, which is currently pursuing (追求) clean energy by
transitioning to electric vehicles.
France becomes fist country to enshrine abortion in Constitution
French parliamentarians have voted to enshrine the right to access abortion
services into the constitution.
Lawmakers and senators overwhelmingly (壓倒性地) approved the changes in a
rare joint session of parliament at the Chateau of Versailles.
Ross Cullen reports.
Greece Rescues 100 Migrants in Distressed Vessel
Greek authorities say they have rescued 100 migrants found on a smuggling
vessel in distress off the country’s southern mainland.
The coast guard says the migrants were taken off their vessel by a tugboat
that had been ordered to the area and safely carried them to a southeastern
village on Monday.
No injuries have been reported.
The area where the incident occurred is on a route used by smugglers to send
migrants in overcrowded sailing yachts from Turkey to Italy, skirting
southern Greece and avoiding the heavily patrolled (巡邏的) waters off the
eastern Aegean Sea islands.
EU Fines Apple Over Subscription
The European Union has fined Apple nearly $2 billion by forbidding rivals
like Spotify from telling users how they could pay for cheaper subscriptions
outside of iPhone apps.
Monday's move is the 27-nation bloc’s first antitrust penalty against the
U.S. tech giant.
The EU's executive commission says Apple muzzled streaming services from
telling people about payment options available through their websites.
That would avoid the 30% fee charged when people pay through apps downloaded
with the iOS App Store.
A complaint from Spotify triggered the investigation amid a years-long feud
with Apple over music streaming supremacy.
Apple says the EU didn't “uncover any credible evidence of consumer harm”
and vowed to appeal (上訴).
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 93-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 19,398
on turnover of 7.9-billion N-T.
The market closed at yet another new all-time high on Monday, led by Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing after its American depositary receipts soared on
Wall Street at the end of last week.
Audio of Kinmen Boat Collision Turned over to Prosecutors
The Coast Guard Administration says it has handed over audio recordings of
the February 14 fatal capsizing of a Chinese speedboat in waters near Kinmen
to prosecutors.
Confirmation that recordings have been give to the Kinmen District
Prosecutors' Office were made by Coast Guard Director-General Zhou Mei-wu
during a Legislative hearing.
According to Zhou, along with handing over audio records, his office has also
provided prosecutors with radar information showing the vessels' exact
(精確的) movements.
Zhou also denied reports the Coast Guard patrol boat had "rammed and
overturned the Chinese vessel.
Michigan Governor Arrives in Taiwan to Open State Office
The governor of the U-S state of Michigan has formally opened office to
facilitate exchanges between the state and Taiwan in areas such as commerce,
culture and education.
According Gretchen Whitmer, the opening of the Michigan Taiwan Office "is an
extension of a partnership that has been built over the years between Taiwan
and United States."
Whitmer says Taiwan's world leading expertise in the fields of semiconductors
and clean energy make it a perfect match for cooperation with the Michigan
State government, which is currently pursuing (追求) clean energy by
transitioning to electric vehicles.
France becomes fist country to enshrine abortion in Constitution
French parliamentarians have voted to enshrine the right to access abortion
services into the constitution.
Lawmakers and senators overwhelmingly (壓倒性地) approved the changes in a
rare joint session of parliament at the Chateau of Versailles.
Ross Cullen reports.
Greece Rescues 100 Migrants in Distressed Vessel
Greek authorities say they have rescued 100 migrants found on a smuggling
vessel in distress off the country’s southern mainland.
The coast guard says the migrants were taken off their vessel by a tugboat
that had been ordered to the area and safely carried them to a southeastern
village on Monday.
No injuries have been reported.
The area where the incident occurred is on a route used by smugglers to send
migrants in overcrowded sailing yachts from Turkey to Italy, skirting
southern Greece and avoiding the heavily patrolled (巡邏的) waters off the
eastern Aegean Sea islands.
EU Fines Apple Over Subscription
The European Union has fined Apple nearly $2 billion by forbidding rivals
like Spotify from telling users how they could pay for cheaper subscriptions
outside of iPhone apps.
Monday's move is the 27-nation bloc’s first antitrust penalty against the
U.S. tech giant.
The EU's executive commission says Apple muzzled streaming services from
telling people about payment options available through their websites.
That would avoid the 30% fee charged when people pay through apps downloaded
with the iOS App Store.
A complaint from Spotify triggered the investigation amid a years-long feud
with Apple over music streaming supremacy.
Apple says the EU didn't “uncover any credible evidence of consumer harm”
and vowed to appeal (上訴).
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
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every day in the afternoon.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 16-points this morning from Friday's close, at 18,952 on
turnover of 4.6-billion N-T.
The market closed marginally lower on Friday, despite Wall Street climbing to
all-time high overnight.
New Taipei to Fine Tainted Chinese Chili Powder Importer
The New Taipei City Department of Health says it will fine the company
responsible for importing chili powder from China found to contain a
carcinogenic dye 2-million N- T for violating the Act Governing Food Safety
and Sanitation.
According to city officials, Bao Hsin Enterprises imported chili powder
containing Sudan III from China and supplied it to downstream (下游) food
companies islandwide.
Officials say Bao Hsin was informed that its imported chili powder was
substandard by some of those companies, but failed to take any action to
initiate a product recall, which could have prevented the tainted powder from
being used in food products.
The New Taipei District Prosecutors' Office took Bao Hsin head, Liu
Ching-shih into custody this past weekend.
Tourism Development Fund to End Debt Financing if Target are Met
The Tourism Administration says the government's tourism promotion fund is
expected to end debt financing one year ahead of schedule, if the tourist
arrival target of 12-million visitors for this year is met.
The Tourism Development Fund generated (產生的) 5.866-billion N-T in revenue
last year excluding the special government budget, which was about 70-per
cent of the pre-coronavirus pandemic average revenue of 6.1-billion N-T.
The fund's current book debt is 400 million N-T.
Data shows that more than 6.48-million tourists visited Taiwan last year.
Hong Kong, Macau, Japan and South Korea were the largest sources of visitors.
US VP and Israeli to Discuss Gaza Ceasefire
The Vice President of the United States is due to meet with a member of
Israel's war cabinet in Washington later today to discuss how to get
humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Kamala Harris and Benny Gantz are also expected to talk about the need for a
temporary (暫時的) ceasefire.
According to Gantz's office he will also meet US Secretary of State Anthony
Blinken.
Our US correspondent Jagruti Dave has more.
Malaysia Gov Considers New Proposal for MH370 Search
Malaysia’s government says it may renew the search for MH370 after a U.S.
technology firm proposed a fresh search in the southern Indian Ocean where
the Malaysia Airlines plane is believed to have crashed.
The plane with 239 people aboard vanished a decade ago while en route from
Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
Malaysia's transport minister says that Texas-based Ocean Infinity proposed
(提議) another “no find, no fee” search, expanding from the site where it
first looked in 2018.
He said he has invited the company to meet him to evaluate new evidence it
has to find the plane’s final resting place.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 55-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
19-thousand-21 on turnover of $6.3-billion N-T.
The market closed at yet another new high on Thursday - as buying on the
broader market largely came before M-S-C-I's quarterly index adjustments went
into effect after the market closed.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing bucked the upturn and declined by 0.94-per
cent due to the stock's American depositary receipts falling on Wall Street
overnight.
Gender Pay Gap Narrowed in 2023
The Ministry of Labor says this year's Equal Pay Day fell on February 23,
four days earlier than in 2023, based on its estimate that women needed to
work until this point in 2024 to achieve the same 2023 salary as men.
According to the ministry, women had to work an average of 54 more days than
men to earn the same income because their salaries were on average 14.7-per
cent lower than their male counterparts (對應的人或物) in 2023.
The average hourly salary for female employees in 2023 was 318 N-T compared
with 373 N-T for men.
Ukraine: Russia Pushing Hard Against Defensive Position
Kyiv officials say Russian forces are pushing hard against more Ukrainian
towns and villages in eastern and southeastern Ukraine as Moscow tries to
press its current advantage (優勢) in weapons and troops.
Ukraine said Thursday it has shot down 13 Russian warplanes this month
despite Russia’s apparent offensive momentum on the ground.
Russian forces have been striking some Ukrainian defensive positions by
deploying overwhelming amounts of artillery and troop numbers in an effort to
punch through defensive lines at targeted points.
US Poll: Democats Want Leader Who Doesn't Support Israel Military Aid
Most voters in President Joe Biden's party want a leader who does not back
U.S. military aid for Israel, according to a new Ipsos/Reuters poll.
The President's full support for Israel, in its war against Hamas in Gaza,
has angered many people, as the death toll there grows to 30,000.
Caroline Malone reports.
Brazil Amazon Fires Hit New High
Data from Brazil's space agency says the state of Roraima in the Amazon
rainforest has been hit with more than 2,000 fires in recent weeks.
The National Institute for Space Research said Thursday that satellite
sensors detected the blazes between Feb. 1 and Feb. 28.
That’s far above the monthly average of 376 fires.
And the number is the second-highest registered in a single month since the
institute began collecting data in mid-1998.
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The Tai-Ex opened down 58-points this morning from Tuesday's close, at 18,797
on turnover of $5.3--billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex lost ground on Tuesday, as most other markets moving higher
despite Wall Street edging back from its record peaks overnight.
CDC Reports Rare Measles Cluster
The Centers for Disease Control is reporting a rare domestic measles cluster.
The cluster involves two people and confirmation comes after the C-D-C
identified a patient who contracted (感染) the disease from the index case at
a northern Taiwan hospital.
According to C-D-C Deputy Director General Philip Luo, the new case is a
medical worker in his 30s who tested positive for the disease on Tuesday of
this week.
Luo says a total of 306 people have been identified as close contacts of the
man, who is currently being isolated at home.
The C-D-C says people who visited B-2 food court in Terminal 2 of Taiwan
Taoyuan International Airport on February 22 and Liang's Rice Noodle Soup in
New Taipei's Zhonghe District on February 25, should monitor their health
until March 15-th.
Israel Claims Aid Convoys Reach Northern Gaza
Israeli officials say aid convoys carrying food reached northern Gaza this
week.
The delivery on Wednesday is the first major one in a month to the devastated
(被摧毀的) area, where the U.N. has warned of worsening starvation.
The officials say 31 trucks carrying food entered northern Gaza on Wednesday,
and nearly 20 other trucks entered the north on Monday and Tuesday.
Associated Press footage showed people carrying sacks of flour from the
distribution site.
It was not immediately clear who carried out the deliveries.
A spokesperson for the U.N.’s humanitarian coordination office said that the
United Nations was not involved.
The U.S., Egypt and Qatar have been working on a ceasefire deal that would
release some of the hostages still held by Hamas and open the door to a
greater influx (湧進) of aid to Palestinians.
Families of the hostages have launched a four-day march from southern Israel
to Jerusalem to demand their loved ones be set free.
Oil Spill off Trinidad and Tobago Reaches Dutch Island
Authorities say an offshore oil spill that led Trinidad and Tobago to declare
a national emergency earlier this month has reached the shores of the Dutch
Caribbean island of Bonaire hundreds of miles away. It's the first sign of
how far the leaked oil has traveled.
Officials say a minimum of 1.6 million liters of oil mixed with water have
been vacuumed from where a barge (平底載貨船) capsized.
But officials warned the number is likely larger since it does not include
oil picked up with sand and seaweed.
A preliminary probe found the barge was being tugged to Guyana when it
overturned off Tobago.
Odysseus Space Craft to Power Down
The team behind the Odysseus spacecraft says their mission has 'changed the
economics of landing on the moon'.
Speaking on Wednesday, representatives of Intuitive Machines said the lander
will be "put to sleep" before being powered up again in the next two to three
weeks.
Last week it became the first privately developed spacecraft to soft land
(緩慢著陸，軟著陸) on the lunar surface.
Sally Patterson has more.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 16-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 18,964
on turnover of 4.2-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Monday, despite fluctuating in early trading.
Analysts say investors this week are awaiting updates on the pace of growth
in the U-S economy, inflation and what central banks may do on interest
rates.
CSBC to Conduct Final Harbor Acceptance Tests on "Narwhal"
C-S-B-C has announced that it will begin conducting a series of final tests
on its first domestically built submarine prototype today.
According to the shipbuilder, the assessments are part of its ongoing
(正在進行的) harbor acceptance test before it moves onto the sea acceptance
test.
The "Narwhal" has been undergoing harbor acceptance tests since October of
last year at a C-S-B-C factory in Kaohsiung.
The shipbuilder says the submarine will be moved to a nearby a floating dock
before being transferred to a dry dock where it will undergo the final phase.
The submarine was officially named by President Tsai Ing-wen during its
launch ceremony in late September.
Taiwan Remains 4th in Global Economic Freedom Index
Taiwan has once again been ranked fourth in the 2024 Index of Economic
Freedom.
It means the island maintain its best ranking achieved last year in the
annual report released by the Washington-based Heritage Foundation.
The report assesses 184 countries on four key aspects comprising (包括) 12
sub-factors.
Those are then equally weighted and averaged to produce an overall score.
Taiwan scored higher than the global average in all 12 subcategories.
And its overall score of 80, means that Taiwan's economy is categorized as
"free" along with that of Singapore, Switzerland and Ireland.
Fukushima to Begin Discharging Treated Wastewater
Japan is set to begin a fourth discharge of treated, radioactive water into
the Pacific Ocean from Wednesday.
The owner of the wrecked (被毀的) Fukushima nuclear power plant, TEPCO, has
been releasing the water in batches since August last year.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo
China Overseas Bloggers Claim Police Investigating Followers
Two prominent Chinese bloggers in exile said that police were investigating
their millions of followers on international social media platforms.
Former state broadcaster CCTV journalist Wang Zhi’an and
artist-turned-dissident (批評政府者) Li Ying said separately that police were
interrogating (審問) their followers, and urged followers to take precautions
such as unfollowing their accounts, changing their usernames, avoiding
Chinese-made phones and preparing to be questioned.
Li shared screenshots of private messages he received from followers over the
past few months, which claimed that police had interrogated individuals, and
that one person had even lost their job.
This comes after a recent leak of documents from I-Soon, a private contractor
linked to China’s top policing agency and other parts of its government,
describing tools used by Chinese police to curb dissent on overseas social
media.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 10-points this morning from Friday's close, at 18,899 on
turnover of 5.1-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Friday, as it joined other regional indexes and
ended the day higher following Nvidia's delivering of another set of blowout
(陡峭上漲) quarterly results, setting off a rally in tech companies.
More Food Products Recalled for Containing Banned Dye
In news from and about Taiwan this morning,
The Miaoli County Public Health Bureau says it has recalled and pulled more
food products and store shelves islandwide for containing a banned industrial
dye.
The latest products include carrot cookies and white pepper biscuits.
According to the bureau, it has asked Miaoli-based Hsin Hao Foods to recall
4,302 boxes of carrot cookies and 192 boxes of white pepper biscuits found to
contain Sudan III.
Health bureau officials say the origin (起源，源頭) of the chemical has been
identified as coming from a Chinese chili powder supplier that shipped the
product to a New Taipei raw material dealer.
Kaohsiung Rubber Ducks Draw 9-Million Visitors in a Month
The Kaohsiung City Government says the two giant rubber ducks created by
Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman have drawn more than 9-million visitors since
they went on display at the Love River Bay on January 27.
The ducks were the centerpiece (最重要的部分；最吸引人的部分) of the city's
2024 Wonderland festival, which wrapped-up on Sunday.
A special event was held in the square in front of the Kaohsiung Music Center
last night to give the two ducks a send-off (歡送).
The city government says more than 200,000 people visited the Love River Bay
each day the ducks were on display there and that gave Kaohsiung's economy a
boost of more than 10-billion N-T.
Ukraine Troop Losses
Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy is refuting (反駁) Putin's claims on
military losses since the start of Russia's invasion.
AP correspondent Rica Ann Garcia reports.
France Eiffel Tower Reopens
The Eiffel Tower has reopened to visitors after a six-day closure because of
striking employees demanding better maintenance of the historic landmark and
salary hikes.
The operator of the 330-meter tower said Sunday it reached an agreement with
unions representing the workers after promising to allocate (分配) about $412
million investment by 2031 for renovation work.
This week, it also launched salary negotiations, expected to be finalized
next month, after employees on strike demanded an increase proportionate to
revenue from ticket sales.
The 135-year-old tower will feature prominently in the Olympics and
Paralympics starting in July.
The Olympic and Paralympic medals in Paris are being embedded with pieces
from a hexagonal chunk of iron taken from the historic landmark.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 97-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 18,950
on turnover of $8.6-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex closed at an all-time high on Thursday ..
… as investor's looked to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing on the back
of Nvidia's financial results - which showed the artificial intelligence chip
designer reported 12.29-billion U-S dollars in net income during the fourth
quarter of last year.
Lawmakers Urge Friendly Farming Environment for Egg-Laying Hens
Lawmakers from across party lines are urging the government to speed-up
efforts to build a friendly environment in which to farm egg-laying hens.
The call comes after the release of a report on progress made in assisting
the industry shift to cage-free farming across Asia.
Taiwan ranked sixth out of 17 countries surveyed in the report by Open Wing
Alliance - a global coalition of 100 organizations from 72 countries.
Lawmakers say Taiwan has made no progress in phasing out (淘汰) battery cages
in the farming of egg-laying chickens and say the government to come up with
effective measures as soon as possible.
They're also calling for a policy to help cooperative egg farmers gain access
to land and loans and for subsides to be granted to farmers who adopt an
animal-friendly egg production model.
UN Gaza Aid Agency at Breaking Point
The Commissioner General of the UN aid agency in Gaza, UNRWA says the agency
has reached breaking point (失控點；極限).
Jody Jacobs reports from the United Nations in New York…
Canada Man Found Guilty for Killing Muslim Family
A man found guilty of using his pickup truck to kill four members of a Muslim
family has been sentenced to life in prison as a Canadian judge ruled that
the actions of the “admitted white nationalist” amounted to terrorism.
Nathaniel Veltman has also been sentenced to a concurrent (並行) life
sentence for the attempted murder of a boy who survived the 2021 attack.
Veltman was found guilty in November of four counts of first-degree murder
and one count of attempted murder for hitting the Afzaal family with his
truck while they were out for a walk.
The case was the first time Canada’s terrorism laws were put before a jury
in a first-degree murder trial.
Japan Whale Body to be Buried for Skeleton
A whale as long as a train car that died after straying into a Japanese bay
is set to be buried until it naturally becomes a skeletal specimen for a
local museum.
It’s the third year in a row that whales have become stranded in Osaka Bay,
raising questions about the reasons why and the cost of handling the
incidents.
The animal that was confirmed dead Monday is believed to be a male sperm
whale, about 12 meters long and weighing an estimated 20 tons.
The whale was spotted several times in the bay and port since mid-January.
Tidal fluctuations (起伏不定), diseases and climate change are among the
possible reasons it became stranded.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 150-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
18,827 on turnover of $6.8-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Wednesday as investors chose to pocket gains from
the previous session when the main board closed at an historical high.
The bellwether electronics sector led the downturn, as large cap
semiconductor stocks were in focus after artificial intelligence chip
designer Nvidia fell by more the 4-per cent on Wall Street overnight.
Activists Calls for Addressing Surrogacy Separately from Sperm and Egg Donation
Women's rights groups are urging the government to address single women and
lesbian couples' access to sperm and egg donation separately from surrogacy
(代孕) when amending the Assisted Reproduction Act.
According to Taiwan Women's Link director Huang Shu-ing, the government
should give single women and lesbian couples access to assisted reproduction
services already available to heterosexual couples.
Huang says as surrogacy is far more complicated than simply allowing access
to sperm and egg donation, discussing both issues together would delay the
amendment.
A joint statement issued by the Taiwan Women's Link and 26 other groups in
the fields of women's rights, gender, labor and medicine also calls for
protecting single women and lesbian couples' right to access sperm and egg
donation services.
The Ministry of Health is slated to hold its first public hearing regarding
amendments to the Assisted Reproduction Act next Tuesday.
US Increases Port Security Over Chinese Hacking Fears
US president Joe Biden has signed an executive order to increase
cybersecurity at America's ports.
It comes in response to fears of hackers gaining access to vital (必不可少的)
infrastructure in the US that is Chinese-made.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
UN Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal Only 10Percent Funded
The U.N’s top representative in Ukraine says the U.N.’s humanitarian appeal
to meet needs there is only 10% funded for 2024.
That puts in jeopardy crucial assistance needed to reach those in need across
frontline areas.
Denise Brown says an estimated 8.5 million Ukrainians who are living in dire
(危急的) conditions near combat zones risk going without basic humanitarian
deliveries, including food and water.
The U.N.’s annual appeal for Ukraine is $3.1 billion.
Ukraine’s economy is still suffering the aftermath of Russia’s full-scale
invasion two years ago.
France Eiffel Tower Closed Again Due to Strikes
Striking workers have again closed down the Eiffel Tower.
It's the third day running that the landmark expected to be at the heart of
celebrations for the Paris Olympics has been off-limits to visitors.
A message Wednesday on the tower’s website also warned of more possible
disruptions (中斷、 擾亂) today, if strikers continue their push for salary
hikes and other concessions.
One of the strikers’ representatives has previously warned that their
protest action “could go on for several days, even weeks.”
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 79-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
18,673 on turnover of 4.9-billion N-T.
The market closed at a new high on Tuesday on the back of futures-led buying
- as investors pushed up the spot market in a bid to profit in the futures
market, where February contracts are scheduled to be settled later today.
Electricity Rate Hikes Yet to be Finalized
Economics Minister Wang Mei-hua says no final decision has been made on
possible electricity rate hikes.
The statement comes as the Ministry of Economic Affairs' electricity price
review committee is scheduled to meet next month to decide on rates for the
next six months.
According to Wang, her office is considering adjusting rates even for users
of less than 330-kilowatt-hours a month, but large electricity users will
bear the brunt (首當其衝) of the rate increase in order reduce the impact on
the general public.
There have been reports claiming electricity rates could increased by more
than 10-per cent for some users.
Shrimp Snack Removed from Store Shelves
Several local government have issued orders to remove a popular brand of
spicy-flavored shrimp snack from store shelves.
The move comes after it was confirmed that Yu Zong Foods had used a dye
supplied by a Yunlin County-based food manufacturer that contains a
carcinogenic (致癌的) dye.
The Kaohsiung Department of Health says it has ordered Yu Zong Foods to
remove all packaged of its "Wei Hsien" spicy shrimp chips from store shelves
that used red chili powder supplied by the Yunlin County-based food
manufacturer.
A batch of chili powder from the company was recently found by the Yunlin
Public Health Bureau to contain Sudan III, an industrial dye that is not
allowed in food products.
US Two Charged with Murder in SuperBowl Shooting
Police in Kansas City have charged two people with murder following a mass
shooting (大規模槍擊事件) at the Super Bowl celebration parade.
The violence last week left one person dead and almost two dozen injured.
US correspondent Nick Harper reports.
Russia FM Expresses Support for Venezuela's Maduro
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has reaffirmed his government’s
support for the administration of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during
an hours-long visit to the South American country.
Lavrov on Tuesday expressed Russia’s commitment to strategic cooperation in
numerous (很多的) sectors, including technology, energy and culture.
His meetings with Venezuela's vice president and foreign minister in the
capital, Caracas, took place as Venezuela’s government and a U.S.-backed
faction of the opposition continue to negotiate conditions to level the
playing field ahead of this year’s presidential election.
UK Bust Ransomware Syndicate
Law enforcement agencies say they have infiltrated and disrupted a prolific
ransomware syndicate behind cyberattacks around the world.
Britain’s National Crime Agency says it led an international operation
targeting LockBit, which provides ransomware as a service to so-called
affiliates (附屬機構) who infect victim networks with the computer-crippling
malware and negotiate ransoms.
The group has been linked to thousands of attacks since 2019.
Hours before the announcement, the front page of LockBit’s site was replaced
with the words “this site is now under control of law enforcement."
The operation aimed to steal all of LockBit’s data and then destroy its
infrastructure.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 25-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
18,610 on turnover of 3-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher on Monday as buying rotated to non-tech
stocks, as the bellwether electronics sector came under heavy pressure
following losses seen in artificial intelligence development-related stock on
Wall Street at the end of last week.
New Legislature Forms French and Polish Parliamentary Friendship Groups
The new Legislative Yuan has formed two parliamentary friendship groups to
promote closer exchanges with France and Poland via their respective
lawmaking bodies.
Both of the parliamentary friendship groups are being headed by (為首) D-P-P
lawmaker Lin Chu-yin.
According to Lin, the establishment of the groups is aimed at continuing and
also further developing wide-ranging exchanges with the French and Polish
parliaments.
The new Legislature is expected to announce the establishment of another
parliamentarian friendship group later today to promote exchanges with ASEAN
member countries.
CDC Reports First Local Measles Case Since 2022
The Centers for Disease Control has reported Taiwan's first locally acquired
case of measles since September of 2022.
According to C-D-C Deputy Director General Philip Luo, the infected
individual was a man in his 30s who sought emergency treatment at hospital on
February 13 and was diagnosed with measles two days later.
He remains in a hospital isolation ward.
The C-D-C deputy director says the origin of the infection is still being
investigated.
A total of 199 people, including family members and those whose hospital
visits overlapped (重疊) with the man's have been identified as close
contacts.
Crew Abandons Ship After Houthi Missile Attack
The crew of a British registered cargo vessel have abandoned (棄船) ship,
after reportedly being hit by two missiles off the coast of Yemen.
John Bevir reports.
Gaza Reports 29Thousand Palestinians Killed
Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 29-thousand Palestinians have been
killed in the territory since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
The ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza said on Monday that 107 bodies were brought
to hospitals in the last 24 hours.
The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants (戰鬥人員)
in its records, but says most of those killed were women and children.
The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel from Gaza
on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostage.
After a round of exchanges for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel in November,
around 130 remain captive, a fourth of them believed to be dead.
France Eiffel Tower Strikes Cause Disruptions
Visitors to the Eiffel Tower are being turned away because of a strike over
poor financial management at one of the world’s most-visited sites.
Visits to the hugely popular landmark in central Paris have soared in the
lead-up to the Summer Olympics in the French capital.
But tourists planning to visit the Eiffel Tower on Monday were warned of
disruptions (中斷、擾亂) in multiple languages on its website.
Visitors were advised to check the website before heading to the monument or
to postpone their trip.
In December, the Eiffel Tower was closed to visitors for an entire day during
Christmas and New Year’s holidays because of a strike over contract
negotiations.
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Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 46-points this morning from Friday's close, at 18,561
on turnover of 7.3-billion N-T.
The market bucked a global upturn on Friday, and lost ground - that, despite
Wall Street setting a fresh record following some mixed reports on America's
economy overnight.
China Vows to "Enhance Maritime Law Enforcement" Around Kinmen and Matsu
China's coast guard says it plans to "strengthen its law enforcement
activities" and carry out more patrols in waters around Kinmen and Matsu.
The statement comes as Beijing is continuing to blame Taiwan's Coast Guard
Administration for the deaths of two Chinese nationals who were killed when
their boat overturned while trying to flee a coast guard ship near Kinmen.
China's coast guard says it will also carry out regular "inspections" in
waters around the two outlying islands.
The Mainland Affairs Council is slamming China for the move - saying Taiwan
will continue to enforce the rules on banning unauthorized (未經授權的)
Chinese access to waters around Kinmen.
According to the council, maritime laws will continue "to be enforced" based
on the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the
Mainland Area.
NTU Drama Department Founding Chair Hu Yao-heng Dies at 87
And,
The National Taiwan University has announced the death of the founding
chairperson of its Graduate Institute of Drama and Theatre.
According to the university, Hu Yao-heng passed away last Friday.
He was 87.
No cause of death has been given.
Hu was born in the Chinese province of Hubei in 1936.
He graduated from N-T-U's Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
before earning a master's degree in drama from Baylor University and a
doctoral degree in drama and comparative literature from Indiana University.
He founded the N-T-U's Graduate Institute of Drama and Theatre in 1995.
Russia Takes Avdiivka
Russia takes control of a key city in eastern Ukraine after Ukrainian troops
withdraw
The fall of the town of Avdiivka in Ukraine's Donbas region is seen as
Russia's biggest victory since last year's capture (攻下) of Bakhmut.
AP correspondent Mimmi Montgomery reports
Yemen Houthis Target BelizeFlagged Ship
Yemen’s Houthi rebels are suspected in an attack on a Belize-flagged ship
traveling through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait connecting the Red Sea and the
Gulf of Aden.
The ship targeted in the assault Sunday reported sustaining (承受) damage
after “an explosion in close proximity to the vessel.”
That's according to the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade
Operations center.
It said that the ship's crewmembers were safe.
Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea and
surrounding waters over Israel’s war targeting Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Germany Lufthansa Labor Union Calls for Strike
A labor union in Germany has called on ground staff for Lufthansa to walk off
the job at seven airports on Tuesday following a similar strike earlier this
month.
The Ver.di union said Sunday that the one-day strike will affect the airports
in Frankfurt and Munich, Lufthansa’s two main hubs (中心), and several other
cities.
A 27-hour strike at five of the same airports that started Feb. 7 prompted
the airline to cancel hundreds of flights.
The union is seeking pay raises of 12.5%, or at least 500 euros more per
month, in negotiations for about 25-thousand employees.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 4.9-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
18,640 on turnover of $5.6-billion N-T.
The market opened in consolidation mode today after record gains on the first
trading session of the Year of the Dragon.
Shares in Taiwan surged almost 550 points and by more than 3 percent, despite
stronger-than-expected U.S. inflation figures.
Buying included stocks in the bellwether electronics sector, led by chipmaker
TSMC American depositary receipts, which steamed ahead by more than 11
percent when the stock market was closed over the New Year holiday, due to
enthusiasm about AI development.
Woman gives birth during flight from Tokyo to Taipei: EVA Airways
A woman gave birth to a baby after going into labor on board a flight from
Tokyo to Taipei on Thursday, according to EVA Airways.
The airline says flight attendants and four doctors who happened to be on
board the morning flight assisted with the birth.
It adds that the plane landed at Taipei Songshan Airport at 1:11 p.m., with
the mother and her newborn son taken to a local hospital.
Details regarding the passenger, including her nationality, or how many weeks
she was pregnant, were not disclosed (公佈) by the airline.
US Biden Informant Charged with Lying to Authorities
An FBI informant has been charged with lying to authorities about a
multimillion-dollar bribery scheme between President Joe Biden, his son
Hunter and a Ukrainian energy company.
The claim is central to a Republican impeachment inquiry in Congress.
Prosecutors say Alexander Smirnov falsely told FBI agents in June 2020 that
executives associated with the Ukrainian energy company Burisma paid Hunter
and Joe Biden $5 million each in 2015 or 2016.
The allegations became a flashpoint in Congress over the summer as
Republicans demanded the FBI release the unredacted (內容沒有被刪減的) form
documenting the allegations as they pursued investigations of President Biden
and his family.
An attorney for Smirnov declined to comment on the allegations.
Greece Legalizes SameSex Civil Marriage
Greece has become the first Orthodox Christian country to legalize same-sex
civil marriage.
AP's Lisa Dwyer has more.
Senegal Voids Postponement of Presidential Election
Senegal’s top election authority has voided the president’s postponement of
a presidential election scheduled for Feb. 25 and its rescheduling in
December, saying the moves were unconstitutional.
A judgement approved by seven members of Senegal’s Constitutional Council
cancelled the decree signed by President Macky Sall that postponed the
election.
The judgement also said that the National Assembly’s move on Feb. 5 to
reschedule the vote for Dec. 15 also was “contrary to (與之相反) the
constitution."
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 568-points this morning on the first trading day of the
new Lunar New Year, at 18,664 on turnover of $24-billion N-T.
Taiwan CDC reports sixth year of decline in new HIV infections
The Centers for Disease Control says Taiwan is marking another year of
decline in the number of new HIV infections.
Officials say 944 new cases of human immunodeficiency virus were reported on
the island in 2023, marking a sixth consecutive (連續的) year of falling case
numbers.
The CDC says it marks a decrease of nearly 12 percent from 2022, and the
figure was the lowest since 2004.
The agency encouraged individuals who have ever had sex to take at least one
HIV test and those who have sex without using a condom to take a test
annually.
Two lotto players win NT$1 million prizes at same Taipei shop on same day
Two lottery players recently won $1 million NT prizes on scratch lotto
tickets they purchased (購買) on the same day at the same store in Taipei's
Ximending neighborhood.
According to Taiwan Lottery Co., the lotto wins both happened on "Super Red
Envelope" scratch cards sold at a shop on Kunming Street in Ximen District on
the first day of the Lunar New Year holiday last Thursday.
The first of the winners was a married couple, while the second winners were
two young men who put their money together to the scratch card.
Taiwan Lottery released five new scratch cards for the Year of the Dragon, of
which the $2,000 NT Super Red Envelope -- with eight top prizes of NT$20
million -- is the most expensive.
NKorea Kim Supervises New Missile Tests
North Korea state media says leader Kim Jong Un has supervised a test of new
surface-to-sea missiles and warned that the country would take a more
aggressive (積極進取的) military posture in disputed sea boundaries with
war-divided rival South Korea.
Kim lso accused South Korea of frequently violating what he decried as North
Korean territorial waters with its maritime patrols and interdiction of
third-party ships.
He ordered his navy to strengthen its defense posture in waters near the
South Korean border islands of Baekryeong and Yeonpyeong.
The report today by North Korea’s state media came a day after South
Korea’s military said it detected the North firing multiple cruise missiles
in waters off its eastern coast.
Some experts say Kim may seek to further dial up pressure in an election year
in South Korea and the U.S.
US SuperBowl Victory Parade Shooting
Police say there are several casualties (傷亡) in Kansas City, after shots
were fired during a Super Bowl victory parade.
Thousands of fans had gathered on Wednesday in the US state of Missouri to
celebrate the Kansas Chiefs's victory in America's National Football League
game.
Benji Hyer has the latest.
Haiti Kenya Discuss Police Force Deployment
Haiti’s government has announced that it is working on an official agreement
with Kenyan officials to secure the long-awaited deployment of a police force
from the east African country.
The government said Wednesday that high-ranking officials from both countries
met in the U.S. for three days this week to draft a memorandum of
understanding and set a deadline for the arrival of Kenyan police forces.
The closed-door meetings included top U.S. officials and were held weeks
after a court in Kenya blocked the U.N-backed deployment of police to help
Haiti fight a surge (急遽上升) in gang violence.
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MOFA Plays Down Guatemala's China Trade Ties
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says plans by Guatemala's new government's to
develop trade ties with China does not conflict with the country's policy of
maintaining diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
The statement comes after Guatemala's foreign minister earlier this week told
Reuters that his country "cannot ignore the weight and power China
represents" - but will "continue working with Taiwan at the levels we have
been doing."
According to the foreign ministry here in Taiwan, the report "did not come as
a surprise" as President Bernardo Arevalo has "consistently (始終如一地)
maintained a policy" of maintaining formal ties with Taiwan while also
developing trade links with China.
TSMC Announces Employees' Business Performance Bonus
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing says its board has approved a plan to
distribute employees' business performance bonus and profit sharing totaling
about 100.1-billion N-T for 2023.
That total includes a business performance bonus of 50.09-billion N-T
distributed (分配) following each quarter of 2023 and profit sharing of
50.09-million N-T to be distributed in July this year.
The board meeting also approved a plan to issue a 3.5 N-T per share cash
dividend for the earnings of the fourth quarter of 2023, which hit 9.21 N-T.
The ex-dividend date has been set for June 13 and the dividends will be
distributed on July 11.
MOA Warning on Carrying of Meat Products into Taiwan
And,
The Ministry of Agriculture is warning public not to bring meat products into
Taiwan from other countries due to the risk of African swine fever.
The annual Lunar New Year holiday reminder (提醒) comes as African swine
fever has now been found in 79 countries since the first reports of the virus
emerged in China in August of 2018.
Data shows that between August of 2018 and January of this year, of the 6,795
meat seizures tested, 639 came back positive for the virus.
Eighty-three percent of the meat products that tested positive for African
swine fever came from China.
Those caught entering Taiwan carrying pork and other meat products face fines
of between 200,000 and 1-million N-T.
Israel Arrests Palestinian American Woman in West Bank
Israeli forces have arrested a 46-year-old Palestinian American woman in the
West Bank.
Relatives say that Samaher Esmail was pulled out of bed by soldiers late
Monday and they still don't know where she is.
The army says she was arrested for “incitement” (煽動) on social media.
Esmail's arrest comes just as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived
in Israel on a diplomatic visit.
A U.S. government spokesperson said the State Department was aware of reports
that a U.S. citizen had been detained and was “seeking additional
information" about the incident but had no further comment.
Late Tuesday, Blinken arrived in Israel, where he is expected to press ahead
with efforts to at least pause Israel's offensive in Gaza and curb violence
in the West Bank.
US Homeland Security Secretary Survives Impeachment Attempt
US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has survived an impeachment
attempt in the House of Representatives after several Republicans broke ranks
with their party.
Congressional Republicans had sought to oust (逐出) Mayorkas over the surge
in migration at the US's southern border.
Ira Spitzer reports.
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Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
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Stock Investors Earned NT$850,000 on Average in the Year of Rabbit
Investors in the local stock market pocketed an average of 850,000 N-T in the
Year of the Rabbit after the Tai-Ex ended the final trading day of the Lunar
year up by 0.2-per cent.
Trading in the Year of the Rabbit began on January 30 of last year.
Since then the weighted index soared 3,163-points, or 21.18-per cent, to
close the year at 18,096-points - boosting market capitalization by
10.76-trillion N-T for a total of 57.52-trillion N-T.
This was a marked improvement from the Year of the Tiger - when the main
board tumbled by over 2,700-points, or 15.51-per cent.
The stock market will resume trading on February 15.
Passenger Faces Fine Over Emergency Train Stop in Taitung
The Railway Police Bureau says a passenger who deliberately pulled an
emergency brake valve that brought an EMU3000 express train to a stop in
Taitung County last week could face a fine of up to 1-million N-T.
The fine is based on Article 68-1 of the Railway Act.
According to the bureau's Hualien Precinct, the passenger has been identified
as (確定為) a 28-year-old Taitung resident.
He was questioning by police on Monday and law enforcement authorities say
the Ministry of Transport will now review the case.
The train came to an unplanned stop in Taitung's Jinlun Station when the
emergency brake valve in the train's ninth car was pulled.
Police say the man has told them he fell asleep on the train and pulled the
brake because he had missed his stop.
Tobacco Warning to Big Enlarged
The Health Promotion Administration says health warnings must have to cover
at least 50-per cent of cigarette packaging from next month.
According to the administration, the new packaging policy will come into
affect on March 22.
The warnings are currently required to cover at least 35-per cent of
packaging (包裝).
The administration says the move is in line with the World Health
Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
That convention states that all tobacco product packaging carries health
warnings and such warnings should cover 50-per cent or more of the packaging
area.
Chinese Court Sentences Australian Writer to Death
A Chinese court has handed Australian writer Yang Hengjun and pro-democracy
blogger a suspended death sentence for spying.
Human rights advocates say it's an unusually harsh verdict (判決) and it
could hurt ties between Beijing and Canberra.
Patrick Fok reports.
Tokyo Heavy Snow Disrupts Travel
Heavy snow in the Tokyo area has knocked out power to homes and disrupted
travel.
Officials cautioned drivers to avoid nonessential travel.
The Japan Meteorological Agency forecast more than 55 centimeters in
mountainous areas north of the capital.
Central Tokyo had much smaller amounts.
More than 100 domestic and several international flights in and out of
Tokyo’s Haneda airport were canceled Monday.
Some highways were partially (部分地) closed, and more than 14,000 homes were
without electricity.
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Cities and Counties Removing TaiSugar Pork
Davis Cup Journey Ended by France
Europe Israel Palestinians
Middle-East Tensions
El Salvador Elections
Britain-Magritte-Auction
Bureau of Labor Funds Posted Record High Returns for 2023
Private College Tuition Subsidy Rolled Out
US approves plan to strike Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq
Cancer cases to rise
Spain's drought getting serious
CAA Protests China's Unilateral Adjustment of Flight Routes
UMC expects shipments to grow 2-3 percent sequentially in Q1
World court rejects portions of Ukraine allegations
EU nations agree on using profits from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan Sentenced to 14 Years
CAA Protests China's Unilateral Adjustment of Flight Routes
Keelung Mayor Unveils Plan to Build Ferris Wheel
Israel Palestine latest
Imran Khan Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison
France's National Assembly Approves Bill to Abortion Rights in Constitution.
MOTC Approves Taichung Metro's Proposed Blue Line
Six Indicted over Deadly Pingtung Golf Ball Factory Fire
UN Palestinians Aid Agency Facing More Funding Cuts
Italy Unveils Development Plan for Africa
King Charles and Princess of Wales Discharged from Hospital
Government Thanks US for Supporting Cross-Strait Peace
Fu Kun-chi to Serve as KMT's New Legislative Caucus Convener
Palestinian Officials Slam UNRWA Funding Suspension
Pakistan Police Disperse Khan Supporters
Trial of Jam Master Jay to Begin in Brooklyn
Taiwan's Ambassador to Tuvalu Dismisses Switch in Recognition Reports
Four Indicted for Illegally Hiring Migrant Workers
Giant Yellow Duck Heading Back to Kaohsiung
Global shipping "not in crisis" just yet, says the UN
Denmark's report on South Korea adoptions
KMT Pledge to Push for Absentee Voting in New Legislature
NIA Bans Japan-Based China Journalist
North Korea Conducts Strategic Cruise Missile Test
Israel Denies Responsibility for Deadly Strike on U.N. Shelter in Gaza
Grounded Boeing planes could soon be in the air again
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at
17,883 on turnover of 3.1-billion N-T.
The market continued its winning streak on Tuesday as, Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing attracted strong investor interest amid lingering optimism over
the company's outlook for this year.
Interest also focused on electricity development related stocks in the
electric machinery and optoelectronics sectors, to give the broader market
with an additional boost.
Tuvalu Affirms Ties with Taiwan
In news from and about Taiwan this morning,
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says senior government officials in Tuvalu
have affirmed that the Pacific island country will maintain formal diplomatic
ties with Taiwan.
The statement comes after Tuvalu's ambassador to Taiwan told the Australian
newspaper that his country could sever (斷絕) formal diplomatic recognition
with Taipei in favor of Beijing following its election this Friday.
According to the ministry, the Tuvalu government has clarified that the
ambassador's statement did not represent the country's official stance, and
affirmed that its diplomatic relations with Taiwan remain strong.
Tsai Call for Support of Taiwan's Participation in IPEF
President Tsai Ing-wen is calling for support for Taiwan's participation in
the US-led Indo Pacific Economic Framework.
Speaking during a meeting with visiting members of the US-Taiwan Business
Council in Taipei, Tsai said "Taiwan will continue to express its willingness
to play a role in this initiative" and she hopes the business group "can
support Taiwan's participation."
The visiting delegation includes business council President Rupert
Hammond-Chambers and Keith Krach, who served as under secretary of state for
economic growth, energy, and the environment under Donald Trump's
administration.
The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity was launched (發起) by U-S
President Joe Biden on May of 2022.
It currently has 14 partnering countries.
SKorea: North Fired Missiles into Western Sea
South Korea’s military says North Korea fired several cruise missiles into
the western sea as it continues a streak of weapons testing in the face of
deepening nuclear tensions with the United States, South Korea and Japan.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff says the U.S. and South Korean
militaries were analyzing the launches.
The event followed a Jan. 14 flight test-firing of the country’s first
solid-fuel intermediate range ballistic missile, which reflected (顯示) its
efforts to advance its lineup of weapons targeting U.S. military bases in
Japan and Guam.
UK House of Lords Votes Againt UKRwanda Treaty
The House of Lords has voted against the Government's controversial UK-
Rwanda Treaty.
For the first time, the UK's upper house of parliament has voted to delay
ratifying a Treaty, which is central to the Government's plan to send asylum
seekers to Rwanda.
Simon Gaitan reports.
Mexico Train Project Damages Historic Limestone Caves
Activists in Mexico have published photos of steel and cement pilings (地樁)
from a government project driven directly through the roofs of sensitive
limestone caves on the Yucatan peninsula.
The cave networks and their underground rivers are both environmentally
sensitive, and have been found to hold some of the oldest human remains in
North America.
Mexico's president had promised that part of his controversial $20 billion
tourist train project would run on an elevated causeway (堤道) to avoid
crushing or disturbing the caves.
Authorities had claimed that studies would ensure the supports for the
causeway wouldn't hit caves.
But the activists say that was a lie, and the damage is irreversible.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 25-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,840
on turnover of 6.5-billion N-T.
The market continued to gain ground on Monday on the back of another strong
showing from the bellwether electronics sector.
Buying focused on artificial intelligence development stocks following a
rally by A-I-related stocks on Wall Street at the end of last week.
However, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing fell into consolidation mode
after surging 6.46-per cent surge last Friday.
Snow Reported as Mercury Plummets
Snow was reported falling on Jade Mountain overnight - resulting in an
accumulation (累積) of 4-centimeters by 9 o'clock this morning.
Snow fell on Hehuan Mountain in Nantou.
Snow was also reported falling in Yilan's Taiping Mountain area at around 6
o'clock in the morning.
According to the Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area Office, the
mercury in areas near the peak dropped to minus-3 degrees overnight before
this morning's snow fall began.
And in Taipei, snow was reported on parts of Yangminshan this morning - and
between 1 and 2-centimeters had accumulated in some areas by around 6
o'clock.
MOHW to Expand Scope of Telemedicine Services from July 1
The Ministry of Health says the definition of special circumstances in which
chronic (慢性的) patients are eligible to seek medical treatment remotely
will be expanded from July 1.
According to the ministry, the move will benefit roughly 2.47 million people.
The amended Rules of Medical Diagnosis and Treatment by Telecommunications
will be expanded to cover individuals who are on a National Health Insurance
system chronic disease care plan, or subject to terminal care, correctional
institutional care and mobility care.
Those who are in need of remote healthcare due to disasters and infectious
diseases will also be included in the expanded program.
China Quake in Xinjiang Region
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck a sparsely (稀疏地) populated part of
China’s western Xinjiang region, but no casualties were immediately
reported.
State media and local authorities said the quake early this morning destroyed
two houses and downed power lines, though electricity has now been restored.
Local authorities said around 200 emergency workers were sent to the area.
The Xinjiang railway authority also suspended dozens of trains.
UN Concerend Abt Weapons Transfers in Ukraine Conflict
The United Nations has once again called for adherence (嚴守) to
International law in the supply of weapons to Ukraine.
Jody Jacobs reports from the United Nations in New York…
Canada Caps Student Visas
Canada has announced a two-year cap on international student visas to ease
the pressure on housing, health care and other services at a time of record
immigration.
The country's immigration minister says there will be a 35% reduction in new
study visas in 2024.
He said the country’s international students program has been exploited,
putting pressure on housing and health care.
A government statement says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Cabinet retreat
in Montreal this week will prioritize (優先考慮) affordability and housing.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 89-points this morning from Friday's close, at 17,770 on
turnover of 9.2-billion N-T.
The market gained significant ground on Friday, rising by more than
450-points, driven primarily by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, which led
the main board higher, as the electronics sector rose by 3.9-per cent during
the trading day.
Taipower Denies Reports of Rate Hikes
Tai-Power is denying reports that plans to hike electricity rates this year.
The denial comes amid speculation the state-generator could raise rates after
its posted over 380-billion N-T in accumulated losses at of the end of last
year.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs' electricity price review committee is
scheduled to meet in March to decide on rates for the next six months and
reports have been claiming it could seek to raise rates for third consecutive
year during that meeting.
However, Tai-Power is dismissing (駁回) those claims and says it's currently
"conducting an internal financial review" and seeking "financial support from
the government."
Nvidia's Jensen Huang Back in Taiwan
Nvidia co-founder and C-E-O Jensen Huang is back in Taiwan.
Huang was spotted at Ningxia Night Market in Taipei wearing one of his now
trademark (（某人的）標記，特徵) leather jackets this past weekend.
Speaking to reporters, Huang said he's in town to celebrate the Lunar New
Year with employees at Nvidia's Taiwan Branch.
He's also reportedly slated to meet with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
executives to discuss further cooperation between the two companies and
attend a conference on advanced packaging supply chains.
Nvidia is one of T-S-M-C's biggest customer.
US DeSantis Ends Presidential Bid
New Hampshire residents vote in their presidential primary Tuesday --with one
less candidate (候選人) to choose from.
AP correspondent Jackie Quinn reports.
Germany Rallies Against AfD Party
Hundreds of thousands of people have been protesting in Germany this weekend,
against the right-wing Alternative for Germany party.
The demonstrations came in the wake of a report that right-wing extremists
recently met to discuss the deportation (驅逐出境) of millions of immigrants,
including some with German citizenship.
Although Germany has seen other protests against the far right in past years,
the protests this weekend are notable for their size and scope.
The demonstrations have garnered support from President Frank-Walter
Steinmeier, Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck, and the Central Council of Jews.
German companies also spoke out against extremism, emphasizing the country's
commitment to democracy and tolerance.
(PB)
Indonesia Merapi Eruption
Indonesia’s Mount Merapi has erupted, as other active volcanoes flared up
across the country, forcing the evacuation (疏散) of thousands.
Merapi unleashed Sunday clouds of gas, and lava that traveled up to 2
kilometers down its slopes.
Several of Indonesia's active volcanoes also had eruptions.
A volcano in East Nusa Tenggara province spewed hot clouds into the air as
more than 6,500 people fled to shelters.
Mount Marapi in West Sumatra province, Mount Semeru in East Java province and
Mount Ibu in North Maluku province also had new eruptions.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 319-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
17,547 on turnover of $11.3-billion N-T.
The market staged a technical rebound on Thursday following two losing
sessions.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing led the upturn, while buying also spread
to other semiconductor heavyweights - with shares in MediaTek and A-S-E
Technology also gaining ground.
The financial sector rose and the transportation industry attracted strong
buying to outperform the broader market.
Geese Culled at Yunlin Farm Hit by Avian Flu
The Yunlin Animal Disease Control Center says 1,477 geese have been culled
(選擇性宰殺) at poultry farm in the county following an outbreak of the
highly pathogenic H-5-N-1 avian flu virus.
According to the center, the Dongshih Township farm reported "abnormal
deaths" of geese this past Sunday and inspections teams were immediately sent
there to carry out tests.
The culling was carried out after the results of sample testing were
confirmed yesterday.
It's the second case of avian flu to have been reported in Dongshih Township
this year.
LNY Taxi Surcharge in Taipei, New Taipei and Keelung to Begin February
Taxis in Taipei, New Taipei and Keelung will begin adding a 30 N-T surcharge
(附加費) over the Lunar New Year holiday.
City officials say the additional 30 N-T surcharge will be automatically
included in the taximeter reading from February 5 through 14.
An additional surcharge of 20 N-T will be added from 11PM to 6AM during the
holiday period.
US Uvalde Report: Police Failure Cost Lives
A US government report released Thursday details the "critical failures" in
the delayed police response to a school shooting in the state of Texas.
The Justice Department's investigation found children's lives could have been
saved if law enforcement officers (警察) had acted sooner.
In May 2022, a gunman opened fire at a primary school, killing 19 students
and two teachers.
Sally Patterson has more.
AU, EU, UN, US Call for Dialoge in Sudan
The African Union, European Union, United Nations and United States are
calling for an immediate cease-fire and constructive dialogue between warring
factions in Sudan.
They're also calling for an end to tension (緊張關係、緊張局勢) between
Somalia and Ethiopia over an agreement signed with Somalia’s breakaway
region Somaliland.
The groups say that the two issues are threatening regional stability in the
Horn of Africa.
The U.S. special envoy for the Horn of Africa, says the warring factions in
Sudan should immediately end the fighting and adhere to their obligations
under international humanitarian law and respect for human rights.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 7-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,169
on turnover of 1.7-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex followed other regional markets and lost ground on Wednesday, as
investors reacted to a decline on Wall Street overnight ahead of the release
of earnings reports and potential moves by major global central banks.
DPP and KMT Officials Discuss ROC-US-PRC Relations with USIP
Representatives from the D-P-P and K-M-T discussed the significance of the
weekend results as well as implications (影響) for peace and security in the
Taiwan Strait.
Talks were held under the auspices of the United States Institute of Peace.
… I-C-R-T's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye has more.
<
[CLIP]
Slug:
WHO says situation in Gaza is "catastrophic"
The World Health Organisation warns that the health system in Gaza is on the
brink of (瀕臨) collapse.
A WHO health emergency officer described the dire nature of the health system
saying the organisation desperately needs more aid and medical supplies to
assist with the unfolding "catastrophe".
Jody Jacobs reports from the United Nations in New York.
Italy's Foreign Minister proposes joint EU mission to protect Red Sea shipping
Italy's Foreign Minister says his country is working alongside France and
Germany on a joint European military deployment (調動) to protect shipping in
the Red Sea.
Antonio Tajani was speaking at a press conference in the Italian capital,
where he set out Italy's priorities for its G7 presidency this year.
Giles Gibson has more from Rome.
Britain Royals
In Britain… King Charles III is scheduled to have a 'corrective (矯正的)
procedure for his prostate and Catherine, Princess of Wales is in the
hospital after having undergone planned surgery…
Karen Chammas has details.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally lower this morning from yesterday's close, at
17,341 on turnover of 3.1-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex followed most other regional markets and lost ground on Tuesday -
falling by 199-points - as investors lacked cues from Wall Street overnight
due to U-S markets being closed on Monday.
CDC Releases Medigen COVID-19 Vaccine Contract
The Centers for Disease Control has released the contract used to purchase
Medigen Vaccine Biologics' coronavirus vaccine.
According to C-D-C Director General Zhuang Ren-xiang, the 58-page document
was made public after Medigen's board of directors passed a resolution
authorizing (授權) the government to release it.
Zhuang says the contract had been reviewed by the Control Yuan, the National
Audit Office, and the Legislature prior to its being made public and no
evidence of illegal behavior was found.
The contract was signed in May of 2021, and the government purchased
5-million doses of the Medigen vaccine, of which 200,000 were donations for
the government's help in funding the vaccine's development.
Former Professor Jailed for Fake Bridge Inspection Reports
And,
The Hsinchu District Court has sentenced a former university professor to
six-months in prison for falsifying (偽造) documents relating to the safety
inspection and assessment of three road bridges in Hsinchu County.
Chen Ming-cheng owned an engineering consulting firm based in Taoyuan.
Chen was found guilty of instructing a student employee to file fake reports
indicating that the Tai-He, the Hou-Hu and the Rui-Guang bridges in Xin-Feng
Township had all been inspected.
The student employee was sentenced to 4 months imprisonment, suspended for
two years.
Both verdicts can be appealed.
French president sets out new policies in marathon news conference
The French president has set out new policies ranging from liberal market
reforms to an overhaul (檢修) of parental leave.
Emmanuel Macron made the announcements in a marathon news conference on
Tuesday.
Ross Cullen reports from Paris.
Shell to Sell Business in Niger Delta
Shell has reached an agreement with a consortium of companies to sell its
onshore business in Nigeria's Niger Delta in a deal worth $2.4 billion.
It is the latest move by the London-based energy major to limit its presence
in the challenging Niger Delta environment, where it has faced decadeslong
local pushbacks to its oil exploration.
Activists want Shell to address environmental damage, such as compensation
(賠償) for affected communities, as a condition for the government's approval
of the deal.
Shell says the deal is designed to preserve its commitments, including
remediation where spills occurred in the past.
Kenya Begins Rhino Relocation Program
Kenya has embarked on its biggest rhino relocation project and has begun the
difficult work of tracking, darting and moving 21 of the critically
endangered beasts to a new home.
A previous attempt at moving rhinos in the East African nation in 2018 was a
disaster as all 11 of the animals died.
The rhinos are being relocated to a conservancy because they need more space
to roam and, hopefully, to breed.
Rhinos are generally solitary (獨自的) animals and are at their happiest in
large territories.
There are just 6,487 wild rhinos left in the world, according to rhino
conservation charity Save The Rhino, all of them in Africa.
Kenyan authorities say they have relocated more than 150 rhinos in the last
decade.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 23-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
17,523 on turnover of $2.5-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed slightly higher Monday after investors rebuilt their
positions with political uncertainties removed following the presidential
election over the weekend.
The bellwether electronics sector led the upturn as investors resumed buying
after the election, while power development-related developers and biotech
stocks also moved higher on expectations that the ruling DPP, which won the
presidential vote, would continue to lend them support.
2 men indicted for signature buying in Pingtung County
Two suspects, including a Pingtung ward chief, were indicted Monday by
prosecutors for buying signatures for business tycoon Terry Gou to help him
reach the level of endorsement (揹書) needed to run in Taiwan's Jan. 13-th
presidential election.
The Pingtung District Prosecutors Office says the ward chief, identified by
his last name Chiu, was found to have paid his wife, and another man $200 NT
apiece for their signatures late last year,
Chiu and the other man then worked with four others to gather over 30
signatures.
The two men are facing charges of "arranging bribes to compel a person to
sign the candidacy petition of a specified individual."
Iran Launches Strikes Against Iraq
Iran says it launched strikes against a “spy headquarters and the gathering
of anti-Iranian terrorist groups” shortly after missiles hit an area near
the U.S. consulate in Irbil, the seat of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish
region.
Regional political figures said one of the strikes killed a prominent
(著名的、重要的) local businessman with a portfolio that included real estate
and security services companies, along with members of his family.
Soon after, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had struck “terrorist
operations,” including Islamic State targets in Syria “and destroyed them
by firing a number of ballistic missiles.”
Another statement said they had hit a headquarters of Mossad, the Israeli
intelligence agency, in the Kurdish region of Iraq.
Poland PM Announces Elections
Poland’s new Prime Minister Donald Tusk said crucial elections to choose
city mayors and provincial and county administration leaders would be held
April 7, with a runoff April 21.
The elections, announced Monday, will test the new pro-European Union
coalition government’s popular support, just six months after it won
parliamentary elections.
Tusk and his Cabinet took office last month, vowing to restore the importance
and powers of city mayors and local governments which the previous right-wing
government sought to limit.
Local administrations suffered slashed (削減) funding and stalled projects
and investments.
Tensions between the new government and the previously ruling Law and Justice
party have escalated with the latter blocking proposed bills in parliament.
Pope Not Planning on Retirement
Pope Francis insists that he is not thinking about retiring at the moment.
With the 87-year-old suffering from (遭受) a number of health issues last
year, there has been speculation that he could step back from his role, as
his predecessor Benedict the Sixteenth did in 2013.
Giles Gibson has more from Rome.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 28-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,541
on turnover of $3.2-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan continued to feel the pinch as a result of uncertainties
created by the presidential election, giving up earlier gains.
Large cap tech stocks came under pressure, driving the broader market lower
as a whole, while buying rotated to "military concept stocks" amid worries
over cross-strait ties as well as shipping stocks which were boosted by hopes
of growing freight rates (海運運費率) in the wake of the crisis in the Red
Sea.
Former DPP Chairman Shih Ming-teh dies at age 83
Democracy movement leader and activist Shih Ming-teh has died at the age of
83,
The Taipei Veterans General Hospital says Shih passed away early this
morning, and his family confirms that today was also his birthday.
Shih was jailed for years in the 60s and 70s for sedition, after calling for
Taiwan's independence from China, and again between 1980 and 1990 for his
role in the Formosa Incident, in which the then authoritarian Kuomintang
regime (政府，政權) cracked down on pro-democracy demonstrations in
Kaohsiung.
He was also the founder of the Shih Ming-Te Foundation, a nongovernmental
organization based in New Taipei's Xizhi District aimed at promoting the
advancement of ethnic reconciliation, national freedom, equality, democracy
and human rights.
India Opposition Party Begins March Ahead of National Vote
Thousands of members of India’s main opposition Congress party and its
supporters have begun a 2-month cross-country march ahead of a crucial
national vote this year.
The march is led by Rahul Gandhi, scion (繼乘人) of the influential Gandhi
family.
This is the second time the Congress party has hit the road in the last two
years to rally support for elections.
India is expected to vote in a national election in April or May, and the
opposition is scrambling to put up a fight against Prime Minister Narendra
Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.
Modi and his party remain popular after nearly a decade in power and many
surveys suggest he will win a third consecutive term this year.
US Texas Officials Accused of Blocking Migrant Rescue
The Department of Homeland Security is accusing Texas officials of blocking
federal agents who were trying to save a migrant woman and two children who
drowned.
AP correspondent Jackie Quinn reports.
Russia Former Mayor to Fight
Russian local media say a disgraced (蒙羞) former mayor convicted over
bribery has had his prison sentence cut short after signing a contract to
fight with Russia’s military in Ukraine.
Oleg Gumenyuk, who served as mayor of the far eastern city of Vladivostok
between 2018 and 2021, was convicted last year of accepting bribes worth over
$400-thousand US dollars and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.
However, his lawyers say he was released after agreeing to fight in Ukraine.
He said that the politician’s whereabouts were unknown, but that the former
mayor was instructed to report to his military unit on Dec. 22nd.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 9.3-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
17,536 on turnover of $2.4-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Thursday after Wall Street climb to a near-record
high overnight and as investors are watching for a U-S inflation report,
which was released after the close of trading on the local main board.
Taiwan Passport Ranks 35th in Global Index
R-O-C passport holders have visa-free access to 143 countries and territories
around the world, ranking it 35th in the latest Henley Passport Index.
The passport fell four places from 31st in the previous survey issued by the
London-based consulting firm Henley & Partners in July 2023.
The rankings are slightly deceptive in that place rankings do not account for
(核算、考慮) ties.
As although Taiwan's passport ranked 35th, 69 countries had passports with
more visa-free access.
Singapore tops the rankings in the latest index, sharing first place with
France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain.
Afghanistan remained at the bottom with only 28 destinations offering
visa-free travel to its passport holders.
Those holding these passports enjoy visa-free access to 194 nations.
The Henley Passport Index compares the visa-free access of 199 different
passports to 227 travel destinations.
Its first index was issued in 2006.
Iran Seizes Oil Tanker
Iran’s navy has seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that once was at
the center of a major crisis between Tehran and Washington, a seizure that
further escalates tensions in the Mideast waterways.
The vessel was once known as the Suez Rajan and was involved in a yearlong
dispute that ultimately (最終) saw the U.S. Justice Department seize 1
million barrels of Iranian crude oil on it.
Iran’s state-run television acknowledged the seizure late Thursday
afternoon, hours after armed men boarded it.
The seizure also comes after weeks of attacks by Yemen’s Iranian-backed
Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea.
SAfrica Accuses Israel of Genocide at ICJ Hearing
South African lawyers speaking at the International Court of Justice say
Israel planned to "destroy" Gaza.
Lawyers are demanding Israel stop what they say is a "genocidal" (種族滅絕的)
military operation against the residents of Gaza - to which Israel will
respond on Friday.
From outside the International Court of Justice in The Netherlands, Ishan
Garg reports.
Argentina Annual Inflation Rate Highest Ever
Argentina's statistics agency says the country has registered a monthly
inflation rate of 25.5% in December and closed 2023 with an annual inflation
of 211.4%.
That's the highest rate in 32 years.
The data reflects the strong impact (影響) of a series of shock measures,
including a 50% devaluation of the nation’s currency, implemented by
right-wing President Javier Milei in hopes of eventually taming the country's
roaring inflation.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 12-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,478
on turnover of $2.2 billion N-T.
The market continued to lose ground and turnover slipped once again on
Wednesday as investors awaited the release of U-S consumer price index data
for December later this week, as turnover slipped once again.
Analysts say this week's continuing downward trend and low turnover also
reflect how this weekend's presidential and legislative elections are
weighing on market sentiment.
Over 50 Listed as Suspects in Alleged Subsidized China Trip Case
The Yilan District Prosecutors' Office says 53 people have been listed as
suspects in an ongoing investigation into violations of the anti-infiltration
(反滲透) and election laws.
They were listed as suspects after being questioned and include several
village and neighborhood chiefs.
All of them allegedly traveled to China on trips subsidized by the Chinese
government in December of last year.
According to the prosecutors' office, they were invited by Chinese officials
in Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province and Hebei Province and traveled on
schedules arranged by officials from China's Taiwan Affairs Office.
The suspects were were allegedly asked to state that they "support the
parties that boost cross-strait relations," and "oppose Taiwan independence"
during the trips and some reportedly joined Chinese officials in chanting
pro-unification slogans.
Japan Begins Building US Military Base on Okinawa
Japan’s government is beginning construction (建造) on a new US military
base in the country’s Okinawa islands, overriding the objections of local
officials.
Tokyo approved landfill works to relocate the Futenma airbase to the Henoko
region by proxy after Okinawa’s government refused to green-light the
project, saying it will destroy local ecosystems and attract war.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
Somalia AlShabab Fighters Attack UN Helicopter
Officials in Somalia say fighters with al-Qaida’s East Africa affiliate
al-Shabab have attacked a United Nations helicopter that made an emergency
landing in territory controlled by the extremists, killing one passenger and
abducting (綁架) five others.
One official told the Associated Press that the helicopter landed due to
engine failure.
He said six foreigners and one Somali national were on board and one was shot
dead while trying to escape.
One was missing.
The United Nations confirmed the incident but didn't give details for the
safety of those on board.
Al-Shabab has not immediately claimed responsibility.
Greece PM to Submit Legislation for SameSex Marriage
Greece’s center-right prime minister says his government will soon submit
legislation allowing civil marriage for same-sex couples.
That's despite reservations from some of his party's own lawmakers and the
country’s powerful church.
But Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis says the proposed (提出的) law will
not extend the right to parenthood through surrogate mothers to same-sex
couples — an issue that has divided Greek society.
Mitsotakis said Wednesday he is confident the law can be approved in
parliament with cross-party support, even though he won't force those of his
lawmakers who are against it to back it.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 39-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
17,495 on turnover of 2.6-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly lower on Tuesday, as the main board gave up its
early gains ahead of Saturday's elections.
Selling sent old economy and financial stocks lower, while the bellwether
electronics sector remained above the previous day's closing level, despite
coming off an initial upturn - and that was led by large semiconductor
stocks.
Lai Urges Beijing to Engage in Talks with Taiwan
D-P-P presidential candidate Lai Ching-te is calling on China's leadership to
assume responsibility for regional stability and engage in dialogue with
Taiwan.
Speaking at at a press conference in Taipei, Lai said the "door will always
be open to engagements (互動) with Beijing on the principles of equality and
dignity."
Lai said if elected he will continue President Tsai Ing-wen's policies,
including efforts to maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and expand
links with democratic nations.
Lai went on to say that believes his being elected "will be helpful for
creating a new situation in the Indo-Pacific region" that will contribute to
the "stability of the Taiwan Strait."
Air Force Plays Down T-34C Trainer Replacement Plan
The Ministry of National Defense is stressing that it has not made any final
decision on whether to choose locally designed and built jet trainers to
replace the Air Force's aging fleet of Beechcraft T-34Cs.
The statement comes after the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation
earlier this week announced that it had completed the first stage of design
for a military trainer aircraft to replace the T-34Cs.
A-I-D-C said a prototype is expected to be completed by 2028, and mass
production could begin in 2031.
However, the defense ministry says it is "still considering (考慮) whether to
"choose locally-made trainers, trainers that are the results of local and
international cooperation, or simply rent new trainers instead of buying
them."
Yemen Houthi Rebels Fire at Red Sea Ships
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have unleashed a barrage of drones and missiles
targeting shipping in the Red Sea, though no damage was initially apparent
(明顯的).
That's according to a private intelligence firm and the British military.
The assault late Tuesday happened off the Yemeni port cities of Hodeida and
Mokha.
In the Hodeida incident, the intelligence firm said ships described over
radio seeing missiles and drones, with U.S.-allied warships in the area
urging “vessels to proceed at maximum speed.”
Off Mokha, ships saw missiles fired, a drone in the air and small vessels
trailing them.
A Houthi official acknowledged the attack in comments reported by Al Jazeera.
Japan Moves to Clarify Runway Instructions After Haneda Crash
Officials in Japan are implementing emergency steps to avoid collisions at
Tokyo’s Haneda airport after two aircraft crashed on the tarmac last week.
Investigators believe vague updates from the control tower may have led a
pilot to mistakenly (錯誤地) believe he had clearance to enter the runway
while another aircraft was landing.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 12-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,585
on turnover of 2.7-billion N-T.
The market saw a technical rebound on Monday on the back of gains seen by
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.
However, the upturn was limited amid investor caution ahead of the release of
more U-S economic data later in the week, which could influence how the
Federal Reserve will seek to handle monetary policy in the future.
Tsai Talks Next-Gen IDF
In news from and about Taiwan this morning,
President Tsai Ing-wen says the government is preparing to develop the next
generation of indigenous jet fighters.
According to Tsai, the move is aimed at "ensuring continuity of her
administration's national defense policy."
She made the announcement during an interview with ERA News, in which she
highlighted the government's resolve to build Taiwan's autonomy in the area
of defense systems and the government's "defense autonomy" plan.
Tsai went on to say "if the plan is interrupted, it will be difficult to
resume" - and expressed her hope that the next president will maintain
support for the development of the island's defense industry.
Ministry of Culture Announces Rollout of Pop Promotion Subsidies
The Ministry of Culture has announced that it will begin accepting
applications for the government's pop music promotion subsidy program from
tomorrow.
According to the ministry, the program has been developed to promote the
production of pop music programs aimed at international markets.
The program has been granted funding of 10-billion N-T from now through 2027.
The ministry says popular music programs that will be considered for
subsidies need to include at least 10 episodes and have a production cost of
at least 6-million N-T per episode.
Approved applications can receive a subsidy of up to 40-per cent of the total
estimated production costs.
US Blinken: ArabNations Turkey Agree to PostWar Planning for Gaza
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says four key Arab nations and Turkey
have agreed to begin planning for the reconstruction and governance of Gaza
once Israel・s war against Hamas ends.
Blinken spoke Monday after meeting with the Saudi crown prince.
He is on an urgent Mideast mission that also took him to Jordan, Qatar, the
United Arab Emirates and Turkey.
Arab countries had previously resisted U.S. calls for post-war planning to
begin, insisting that there must first be a cease-fire and a sharp reduction
in civilian suffering caused by Israel's military offensive.
Blinken said he would bring the Arab commitments to Israel's prime minister
and the Palestinian leader before presenting them to the Egyptian president.
OpenAI Responds to NYT Lawsuit
Chat GPT creator Open AI has responded to a lawsuit from the New York Times
accusing it of copyright infringement.
In a statement, Open AI said it rejects the claim that it doesn't have a
legal right to use publicly available materials to train its large language
model.
Ira Spitzer reports from San Francisco.
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Taiwan shares rose slightly
Newly unveiled carbon pricing formula gets mixed industry response
Number of days off work from public holidays to total 11 in 2024
Japan Earthquake update
NYC sues bus companies over migrants row
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 15-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,574
on turnover of $2.8-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan took a beating Wednesday, tumbling nearly 300 points, as
investors took their cue from heavy losses suffered by tech stocks on U.S.
markets overnight by trimming holdings in large electronics stocks on the
local main board.
Contract chipmaker TSMC led the downtrend as it failed to withstand stiff
selling and fell below the nearest technical support at around its 20-day
moving average by the end of the trading session.
Over 30% vegetables fail pesticide residue tests: Foundation
Testing conducted by an NPO finds that over 30-percent of fresh vegetables
failed checks for pesticide residue (殘留物).
The Consumer's Foundation says it purchased 12 randomly chosen vegetables in
August 2023 at wet markets and traditional night markets in Taipei, New
Taipei and Taichung, and pesticide residue testing resulted in a failure of
33-percent.
And 67 percent of produce labeled or advertised as "organic" were found to
contain large amounts of pesticide residue.
The foundation says it used a rapid pesticide screening method recommended by
the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
It noted that suppliers of farm produce incorrectly labeled as organic can
face fines up to $300-thousand NT according to government regulations.
The foundation urged consumers to check whether vendors selling organic
vegetables have a certificate indicating they have been certified to sell
such produce and that it contains the name of the certification body and a
registration number.
Japan Earthquake Rescue Continues Amid Rough Weather
Rescuers in Japan are braving the cold in a race against time as they search
for survivors along the country's western coastline after a powerful
earthquake earlier in the week left at least 77 people dead and 35 missing.
A downpour (傾盆大雨) and possible snow are expected, raising the risk of
landslides.
A list of those officially missing grew from 15 to 35 people, including a
13-year-old boy.
Ishikawa prefecture and nearby areas were shaken by more aftershocks, adding
to the dozens that followed Monday’s magnitude 7.6 temblor.
Nearly 33-thousand people are staying at evacuation centers, and local
officials are encouraging everyone ot use masks and take precautions against
the spread of infectious diseases.
Uganda Gay Rights Activist Stabbed
A well-known gay rights activist in Uganda has been stabbed by unknown
assailants, and police say he has been hospitalized in critical condition
(病危).
A police spokesperson says two attackers who arrived on motorcycle attacked
Kabuye, and nearby residents found him after the attack.
According to a fellow activist, Kabuye had claimed the attackers had been
following him for several days, and intended to kill him.
Ugandan rights activists have expressed fears that a new law against
homosexuality enacted in May would increase attacks against the gay
community.
US SF Installs Nets on Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco finally has installed (安裝) nets to stop suicides off the
Golden Gate Bridge.
The AP's Ed Donahue reports.
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Taiwan congratulates new Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine
Kaohsiung MRT rider gets 3 months in jail for attacking station master
Israel Palestine latest
Russia Ukraine war update
Mickey Mouse Horror movies
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 9-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
17,939.8 on turnover of $2.3-billion N-T.
Taiwanese to enjoy 115 days off work in 2024
Workers in Taiwan are expected to have a total of 115 days off this year,
including public holidays and weekends.
The next significant (重要的) public holiday is the week-long Lunar New Year
holiday from February 8th to 14th.
Other public holidays include Peace Memorial Day on February 28th, a four-day
holiday in April for Children's Day and Tomb Sweeping Day, and the Dragon
Boat Festival long weekend on June 8th to 10th.
In the second half of the year, there are two public holidays: the Mid-Autumn
Festival on September 17th and National Day on October 10th.
Note that Labor Day on May 1st and Armed Forces Day on September 3rd are not
included in this list.
(CNA-JI)
Japan Earthquake Rescue Continues
A series of powerful earthquakes has hit western Japan, leaving at least four
people dead and damaging buildings, vehicles and boats.
Officials are warning people in some areas today to stay away from their
homes because of a continuing risk of major quakes.
Aftershocks continued to shake Ishikawa prefecture and nearby areas a day
after a magnitude 7.6 temblor slammed the area on Monday afternoon.
Officials say four people are confirmed dead in Ishikawa and police are
investigating two other reported deaths.
On Monday, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a major tsunami warning for
Ishikawa and lower-level tsunami warnings or advisories for the rest of the
western coast of Japan’s main island of Honshu, as well as for the northern
island of Hokkaido.
The warning was downgraded (降級) several hours later, and all tsunami
warnings were lifted as of early Tuesday.
Waves measuring more than one meter hit some places.
The agency warned that more major quakes could hit the area over the next few
days.
Epstein Documents to be Unsealed This Week
Several court documents regarding Jeffrey Epstein's associates are to be
unsealed this week with Former President Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew
expected to be named.
In 2019 Epstein committed suicide in his jail cell in Manhattan while facing
charges of child sex-trafficking and conspiracy (陰謀).
Jody Jacobs reports from New York…
Ethiopia Somalia Sign Agreement for Coastline Access
Landlocked Ethiopia has taken the first steps toward gaining access to the
sea, signing an agreement in the capital of Addis Ababa with the breakaway
(獲得獨立的) Somali region of Somaliland to access the Somaliland coastline.
The memorandum of understanding was signed Monday by leaders on both sides.
As part of the deal, Somaliland plans to lease a 20-km stretch of land along
its coastline to Ethiopia to establish a marine force base.
And Somaliland's president said the agreement included a statement that
Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland as an independent country in the near
future.
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Tai-Ex opening down
Candidates Slam China for Allegedly Pressuring Mayday
Taiwan auto show opens in Taipei
Oil prices falling
Britain storm inflicted destructions
Blender recall for unsafe blades
World population to surpass 8 billion
MND Confirms 5,000 Military Personnel will be Unable to Vote
Culture Points Cash to be Available for 16-22-Year-Olds from January 20
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for bolstered war readiness
NYT sues OpenAI and Microsoft
Oil prices retreat
First Indictment Handed Down for Organizing Election Related China Tours
CDC Urges People to get XBB Vaccine Amid Rise in COVID-19 Cases
Israel's war against Hamas deepens
Police are investigating incidents involving Colorado justices
North Korean leader touts achievements
EVA Airway Vows to Hike Wages and Give Year-End Bonuses
Yang Yung-wei Nabs Sports Elite Award for Best Male Athlete of 2023
Israel-Palestinians war with no end in sight
Ukraine has celebrated Christmas and continues its battles with Russian forces
Plane Grounded in France
Environmental Groups Rally in Taichung
Survey Finds Over 88% of Employers to Give Year-End Bonuses
Czech shooting memorial
Ukraine moves Christmas to Dec. 25 and Russian attacks
Billionaire bought part of Premier League
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 42-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,586
on turnover of $3.8-billion N-T.
Snow falls on Mt. Taiping in northeast Taiwan
Snow fell for the first time this winter on Tai-ping-shan, located in Yilan
County, northeastern Taiwan, before Thursday midnight as the temperature
there plunged (驟然下降) to minus 6 degrees Celsius.
The Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area management center says the
owl sculpture on the Taiping Villa plaza in the 2,000-meter-high mountain was
seen covered in a thin layer of snow.
Around 1-thousand visitors were urged to leave as early as possible due to
concerns that slippery icy roads could hinder their descent from the
mountain.
Today, officials say the recreation area is open as usual, but motorists are
advised to drive carefully, although no snow chains were required for their
vehicles.
They say as of early morning, about 1 centimeter of snow covered the villa
and Cueifong Lake area.
UN Warning on Famine in Gaza
A report from the U.N. finds that more than half a million people in Gaza are
starving because of not enough food entering the territory since the outbreak
of war more than 10 weeks ago.
The World Food Program's chief economist says “it is a situation where
pretty much everybody in Gaza is hungry.”
He warned that if the war between Israel and Hamas continues at the same
levels, and food deliveries are not restored, the population could face “a
full-fledged (完全的) famine within the next six months.”
Israel says it is in the final stages of clearing out Hamas militants from
northern Gaza, but that months of fighting lie ahead in the south.
Canada to Offer Temp Visas to Gaza Civilian with Canadian Relatives
Canada’s immigration minister says people in the Gaza Strip who have
Canadian relatives will now be able to apply for temporary visas to Canada.
The minister says the government will start accepting applications for people
with extended family (不同世代的親戚) connections to Canada, including
parents, grandparents, siblings and grandchildren.
He said people will be offered three-year visas if they meet eligibility and
admissibility criteria.
The minister expects the program to be up and running by Jan. 9-th, but says
the federal government cannot guarantee them safe passage out of the besieged
Palestinian territory.
Until now, the government has focused on getting 660 Canadians, permanent
residents, and their spouses and children out of the Gaza Strip.
US Federal Judge Blocks California Law Restricting Guns
A federal judge has blocked a California law that would have banned guns in
most public places on the grounds that it is unconstitutional.
The ruling is a blow for gun control advocates, but the state says it plans
to appeal (上訴) the decision.
Ira Spitzer reports.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 104-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
17,531 on turnover of $4-billion N-T.
The market moved higher on Wednesday as investors reacted positively to the
gains posted on Wall Street overnight, as artificial intelligence
development-related stock led the upturn.
The main board opened marginally (稍微地，略微地) higher, but continued to
gain ground throughout the session, as buying was sparked by increases on the
Dow Jones and the Nasdaq indexes overnight.
Cheaper Intercity Bus Travel for New Year's Day Holiday
The Highway Bureau says ticket prices on all 88 intercity bus routes will
cheaper during the December 30 to January 1 New Year's Day holiday.
According to the bureau, passengers will have their bus fare either
calculated based on the weekday price or be offered a 15-per cent discount in
anticipation of (預計) heavy traffic.
Passengers taking selected bus routes in the east will also be able to choose
between two preferential packages limited to the area.
The Highway Bureau is warning that traffic congestion is expected to be worse
on provincial highways No. 1, No. 9, and No. 61, as well as others roads
connecting to freeways and tourist spots during the long weekend holiday.
NKorea: Launches Show Intent to Attack if Provoked
North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un says he won’t hesitate (猶豫) to attack in
the event of a ‘nuclear provocation’ by the US or South Korea.
Chris Gilbert reports.
UN on Afghanistan Girls in Religious Schools
The United Nations says it's seeking to verify reports that Afghanistan’s
Taliban rulers are allowing girls of all ages to study at Islamic religious
schools that are traditionally boys-only.
The U.N.’s top official in the country told the Security Council on
Wednesday that the U.N. is receiving “more and more anecdotal (傳聞的)
evidence” that girls can study at these schools known as madrassas.
She says it's not clear "what constitutes a madrassa, if there is a
standardized curriculum that allows modern education subjects, and how many
girls are able to study in madrassas.”
The Taliban have been globally condemned for banning girls and women from
secondary school and university, and allowing girls to study only through the
sixth grade.
Switzerland Moves to Ban Use of Hate Symbols
Switzerland’s upper house of parliament has taken steps toward banning the
use of racist symbols that excuse violent or extremist behavior, including
speech, gestures and the display of flags that stir hatred, as well as the
public wearing of symbols reminiscent (引人聯想) of Nazi tyranny in Europe.
The Council of States voted 23-16 with three abstentions on a proposal that
would criminalize displays of such symbols and gestures in the public space.
The measure now moves on to the lower house, the National Council.
Such a measure, if passed, would put Switzerland on track to join several of
its European neighbors that have similar bans against incitement to hatred.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 32-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,608
on turnover of $3.1-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed lower Tuesday after U.S. Federal Reserve officials
made hawkish remarks which slashed hopes that the American central bank would
cut rates next year.
Selling was seen almost across the whole board but losses were capped after
bargain-hunters began buying up select tech heavyweights after the main board
dipped below the 17,500-point mark.
Cases of new COVID-19 variant remain low in Taiwan: CDC
The Centers for Disease Control say the number of JN.1 COVID-19 variant cases
recorded in Taiwan remains relatively low in Taiwan, currently making up only
3 percent of COVID cases detected in the last four weeks.
CDC spokesperson Lo Yi-chun says the JN.1 variant had been detected in over
40 nations around the world as of Dec. 18-th.
Lo says JN.1 is the fastest-spreading variant in Western nations, but cases
have remained relatively (相對地) low in countries close to Taiwan, with the
variant being detected in less than 10 percent of COVID-19 cases reported in
Japan.
Lo explained that while JN.1 is equipped with immune avoidance capabilities
that enable it to spread easily, there has been no significant increase in
the number of severe cases from the variant, meaning it has a relatively low
public health risk factor.
China Earthquake Search Continues as Death Toll Rises
Chinese media now say at least 131 people have been killed, after a magnitude
6.2 earthquake in the country’s northwest.
State broadcaster CCTV says 113 died in the province of Gansu and another 18
in neighboring Qinghai province.
The quake struck just before midnight on Monday.
More than 700 people have been injured.
Emergency workers are still searching for the missing in collapsed buildings
and at least one landslide.
At least 4,000 firefighters, soldiers and police officers were dispatched in
the rescue effort, and the People's Liberation Army Western Theatre set up a
command post (指揮所) to direct its work.
But authorities in Gansu issued an appeal for 300 additional workers for
search and rescue operations.
US Colorado Supreme Court Disqualifies Trump from Ballot
The Supreme Court in the US state of Colorado has ruled that Donald Trump
can't appear on the state's presidential primary ballot due to his role in
the January 6th riot at the US Capitol.
The former president says he plans to appeal (上訴) the decision to the
federal Supreme Court.
Ira Spitzer reports.
Colombia Guinea Children Abandoned in Airport
Colombian authorities say two children from the West African nation of Guinea
were abandoned in Bogota’s airport and taken into government custody this
week after spending several days on their own in the international departures
terminal.
Colombia’s national immigration department said the children, aged 10 and
13, had been travelling with separate groups and were left in the airport by
their relatives earlier this month for reasons that have not been clarified
(澄清、說明).
The discovery of the children comes as migrants from Africa increasingly use
South American and Central American airports as stepping stones on the long
route to the United States.
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Taiwan passes law to tighten security at military facilities
Taiwan is moving to tighten security at military bases around Taiwan.
Under the bill, people inside a military facility taking unauthorized
pictures or video or engaging in any other reconnaissance activities with an
intent to endanger national security shall be subject to up to three years in
jail.
And individuals caught entering restricted military areas will be subject to
a fine of up to $200-thousand NT for trespassing (違法、 擅自進入、侵入).
Defense officials say the new law will not apply to military aficionados
taking pictures or filming fighter jets landing and taking off from a
military base, if such actions did not endanger the safety of military
activities or national security.
Centuries-old poetry to illuminate celebration of Arabic language in Taipei
The National Central Library will host a 13-day exhibition centered around a
centuries-old poetry collection, in celebration of World Arabic Language Day
on Dec. 18.
The libary says the exhibition is set to display how the Arabic language has
inspired creativity in poetry and art for centuries, and is in line with the
theme "Arabic -- the Language of Poetry and Arts," chosen by the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
In addition to showcasing traditional attire (服裝), cultural artifacts and
literature in the Arabic-speaking world, the exhibition spotlights "The
Mu'allaqat," a collection of works by renowned classical Arab poets from the
sixth or seventh century.
The exhibition opens today, and will run through the end of the year.
Force to Protect Transiting Ships in Red Sea
The U.S. and a host of other nations are creating a new force to protect
ships transiting the Red Sea that have come under attack by drones and
ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the force in Bahrain early today.
Under the new initiative, dubbed Prosperity Guardian, countries including the
UK, Canada, and the Netherlands will protect transiting (通過) ships.
Some will conduct joint patrols while others provide support in the southern
Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
This comes after US officials say another commercial vessel has been attacked
in the Red Sea.
U.S. correspondent William Denselow reports.
Iceland Volcano Eruption
A volcanic eruption started Monday night on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula,
prompting the country’s civil defense to be on high alert.
Officials say the eruption appears to have occurred about four kilometers
from the town of Grindavik, and local webcam video showed the moment of the
eruption as a flash of light illuminating the sky at 10:17pm local time.
Iceland’s foreign minister says there are no disruptions (中斷、擾亂) to
flights to and from Iceland and that international flight corridors remain
open.
He says a coast guard helicopter will attempt to confirm the exact location
— and size — of the eruption, and will also measure gas emissions.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 37-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
17,638 on turnover of $4.1-billion N-T.
Oil tanker cabin washing suspected as source of east coast oil waste
The Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) suggests that waste oil discovered along the
coast of eastern Taiwan could be runoff waste from the washing of oil tanker
cabins.
Despite no reported leaks from oil tankers passing through waters off eastern
Taiwan, the source of the waste oil remains unknown.
Officials collected on-site samples and utilized simulation and tracking
(追蹤) technologies but found no leaks.
Waste oil collected in Keelung and New Taipei, while harder to analyze due to
volatilization, is likely to belong to the same category as that found on
Green Island.
The OAC urges ship crews to keep waste oil on board and hand it to certified
companies for disposal upon arrival at the next harbor.
Vessels caught leaking waste oil face a maximum fine of 30 million NT for
violating the Marine Pollution Control Act.
US Defense Secretary Heads to Israel
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin is heading to Tel Aviv as part of a multi
day tour of the middle east.
While in Israel he is expected to call for a narrower (有侷限性的) military
operation in Gaza in order to avoid triggering regional tensions.
Jagruti Dave reports from Washington.
Colombia Rebels Agree to Stop Using Kidnappings to Raise Funds
Rebels from Colombia’s leftist National Liberation Army have agreed to stop
using kidnapping as a fund-raising tactic, if the current cease-fire with the
government is extended.
The pledge came at the end of a round of talks between the two sides over the
weekend.
Colombians have grown angry at kidnappings by the guerrillas.
That anger mounted in October when the rebels abducted (綁架) the father of
soccer star Luis Diaz, and held him for 12 days before he was released.
It is not clear if the rebels will release an estimated 38 Colombians they
currently hold in captivity, often pending a ransom demand
Greece Gov Budget Approved with Debt at Investment Grade
The Greek parliament has approved the government’s 2024 budget, the first in
14 years with Greek debt listed at investment grade.
The budget passed Sunday evening on a 158-142 vote in the 300-member body,
with only lawmakers from the governing conservative New Democracy party
voting for it. In a separate vote, the defense budget was approved 249-51.
The budget forecasts economic growth of 2.9% in 2024, up from 2.4% in 2023.
It predicts (預測) inflation will average a higher-than-expected 2.8%, but
investments are expected to grow 15.1%.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 40-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
17,693 on turnover of $4.5-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex gained more than 180 points on Thursday to close above the
17,600-point mark and hit its highest level since March of 2022 - as
investors reacted positively to a decision by the U-S Federal Reserve on
interest rates.
Large-cap stocks, in particular those in the bellwether electronics sector,
led the main board higher, while buying also spread to the non-tech sector --
with financial heavyweights posting strong gains and helping to boost the
wider market.
Quarantine Agency to Increase Inspections on Custard Apple Exports
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency says it is stepping-up
quarantine sampling of custard apple exports to China.
The move comes amid reports that pests have being detected (檢測到) in a
recent container of custard apples exported to China.
It was the first since Beijing resumed allowing the import of Taiwan custard
apple after suspending imports of one variety (種類) of the fruits in
September of 2021 due to pest concerns.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency says it is currently unable to
confirm what type of pests were detected, as China has not issued any
official documentation about the incident.
Putin Not Giving Up on Ukraine War
Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia will not give up its fight in
Ukraine.
AP Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports.
EU to Open Accession to Ukraine and Moldova
In related news….
The European Union has decided to open accession (加入) negotiations with
Ukraine and Moldova.
European Council President Charles Michel called it “a clear signal of hope
for their people and our continent.”
The decision was announced at a summit of the leaders of the 27 EU countries
Thursday.
Although the process between opening negotiations and Ukraine finally
becoming a member could take many years, Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelenskyy welcomed the agreement as “a victory for Ukraine. A victory for
all of Europe.”
Left on the summit agenda now is a promise to give Ukraine $50-billion euros
in financial aid to stave off Russia's invasion.
Japanese Satellite Launch from NZ
California-based Rocket Lab plans to launch a Japanese satellite today from
the space company's complex on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula.
The mission was initially scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed due to
forecast strong winds until today.
Rocket Lab says the Electron rocket will carry a TSUKUYOMI-I satellite into
orbit on behalf of a Japanese start-up Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space
Inc.
The synthetic-aperture radar satellite will collect (收集) images of the
Earth.
The mission would be Rocket Lab’s 10th for 2023, exceeding its annual record
of nine set last year.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 13-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,482
on turnover of $3.7-billion N-T.
The market closed marginally higher on Wednesday, as early gains shrank amid
cautious investor sentiment ahead of the conclusion of the U-S Federal
Reserve's final policy making meeting of this year.
But the bellwether electronics sector still managed to lead the main board to
its highest level so far this year, as buying rotated to highly priced
stocks, in particular in those in the semiconductor sector.
MOFA Hoping Guatemala's Election Turmoil has been Resolved
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expressing its hope that Guatemala's
ongoing controversy over its newly elected leader will be resolved
peacefully.
The call comes days after prosecutors in Guatemala took steps to block
President-elect Bernardo Arevalo from taking office next month.
Prosecutors sought to annul the election results amid accusations of an
"attempted coup," however, Guatemala's electoral court has insisted the
results are "unchangeable."
According to head of the ministry Department of Latin American and Caribbean
Affairs, the government here in Taiwan is hoping that Guatemala can have a
"smooth government transition (轉變，過渡期)" on January 14 when the new
president is sworn in.
However, officials refuse to say whether President Tsai Ing-wen or Vice
President Lai Ching-te will attend Arevalo's inauguration ceremony - saying
only the government will make an announcement "in due time."
US House Votes to Formally Open Biden Impeachment Inquiry
The US House of Representatives has voted to formally open an impeachment
inquiry into President Joe Biden.
Republicans have accused Biden of corruption (腐敗), but have yet to produce
much evidence.
Ira Spitzer has more.
EU Grants Hungary Access to Frozen Funds
The European Union says it will grant Hungary access to billions of euros in
frozen funds.
The announcement comes just as Prime Minister Viktor Orban appears ready to
defy his EU partners and veto decisions on the opening of membership talks
and vital financial aid for Ukraine.
The money was frozen a year ago over concerns that democratic backsliding
(倒退) in Hungary was putting the EU budget at risk.
But the European Commission ruled Wednesday that Orban’s government has
addressed some of its concerns, notably on justice reforms.
It’s willing to grant access to $11 billion to reimburse money that Hungary
spends on infrastructure and other projects.
Netherlands SKorea Stepping Up Semiconductor Cooperation
The Dutch caretaker prime minister says the Netherlands and South Korea are
stepping up cooperation in the field of semiconductor chips as part of a
deepening “strategic partnership.”
Mark Rutte spoke after a meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol
during his two-day state visit.
Their meeting came a day after Yoon visited the headquarters of semiconductor
chip machine maker ASML in the Netherlands.
As part of the visit, South Korean nuclear power company KHNP signed a
contract to carry out a feasibility study (可行性研究) into the construction
of two new nuclear power plants in a Dutch town.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 3-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
17,448 on turnover of $3.4-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex made marginal gains on Tuesday, but still managed to close at its
highest level of the year so far - as investors await the outcome of this
week's final 2023 meeting of America's central bank.
Market watchers say the gains were driven mainly by small and mid-cap
electronics companies and there's expectations that the main board could
continue to climb in the coming days, depending on the results of the U-S
Federal Reserve's policy making meeting.
Taiwan and Japan Sign Customs Issues MOU
Taiwan and Japan have signed a memorandum of understanding on customs
cooperation.
The agreement is aimed at promoting (玃秈) cooperation on customs issues
between the customs offices of the port of Keelung and Yokohama.
According to the head of the Keelung Customs Office, the agreement will
facilitate customs cooperation between the two sides and streamline customs
clearance processes.
The the two sides also agreed in the M-O-U to cooperate in combating
trafficking and smuggling, sharing intelligence, and taking on tariff issues.
UN Votes to Demand Ceasefire in Gaza
The U.N. General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to demand a humanitarian
cease-fire in Gaza in a strong demonstration of global support for ending the
Israel-Hamas war.
The vote in the 193-member world body was 153 in favor, 10 against and 23
abstentions.
The support was higher than for an Oct. 27 resolution that called for a
¨humanitarian truce〃 leading to a cessation (氨ゎ) of hostilities.
Unlike Security Council resolutions, General Assembly resolutions are not
legally binding.
But the assemblyˇs messages are important barometers of world opinion.
Biden Urges Aid or Ukraine
US President Joe Biden has urged Congress to approve billions of dollars for
Ukraine, warning that not to do so would be a "Christmas gift" for Russia's
leader.
Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on
Tuesday, amid a funding fight which has seen Republicans refuse (┶荡) to
support extra assistance for Kyiv.
Nick Harper report from Washington.
ELECTION PANEL PROMO
As Taiwan prepares for its 2024 presidential elections, ICRT and TVBS World
Taiwan present "Taiwan Goes to the Polls."
Its an English language roundtable discussion featuring a group of academics
and journalists, disussin the latest polling data, the campaigns, and
possible outcomes.
The event takes place at the International Conference Hall 202 at the
National Taiwan Normal University Campus, at Taipei's Heping Campus from 7 to
9pm December 13.
The event will also be live-streamed on T-V-B-S' New YouTube Channel and
T-V-B-S World Taiwan YouTube Channel.
Admission is free. Please check I-C-R-T's social media pages and its website
for more information.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 11-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,429
on turnover of 2.6-billion N-T.
The market closed higher on Monday, as investors were buoyed by Wall Street
reaching a 20-month high at the end of last week ahead of the release of U-S
inflation data and a final rate decision of the year by America's central
bank.
Chinese Aircraft Carrier Transits Taiwan Strait
The Ministry of National Defense says China's "Shandong aircraft carrier has
transited the Taiwan for first time in a month.
According to the ministry, the carrier strike group conducted (進行) the
southbound transit through the Strait on the Chinese side of the median line.
Defense officials say the transit was closely monitored through joint
intelligence and surveillance systems.
The Shandong was last detected transiting through the Taiwan Strait on
November 9, when it was traveling northbound after concluding drills in the
South China Sea.
Taoyuan International Airport E-Gates to be Upgraded
The National Immigration Agency says electronic immigration gates at Taoyuan
International Airport will be fully upgraded before the Lunar New Year
holiday.
According the agency, the upgraded e-gates will see improved recognition
rates and speeds - which means faster biometric (生物識別) identification
with a clearer graphical interface.
The agency says the changes will speed up e-gate process.
The National Immigration Agency began upgrading the e-gate systems at
terminals 1 and 2 last month as part of efforts to phase out older versions.
It says both of the airport's terminals will be fully equipped with fourth
generation e-gate machines by 2025.
COP28 Close to Reaching Final Deal
Countries at United Nations-led climate talks in Dubai moved closer to
reaching a final deal on Monday, but critics condemned (譴責) a draft
agreement as a watered-down document that won't stop dangerous climate
change.
More than 100 countries have called to phase out planet-warming fossil fuels.
Instead, the draft called for countries to reduce “consumption and
production of fossil fuels, in a just, orderly and equitable manner.”
The Bangladeshi envoy said a revised text would be presented this morning
that takes into account the many comments on the draft.
The talks are supposed to end Tuesday, but the annual conference often runs
beyond its appointed end date.
US Special Council Asks SCOTUS to Rule on Presidential Immunity
Special counsel Jack Smith who is investigating former US president Donald
Trump has asked the country's highest court to decide whether Trump has any
immunity (免疫) from criminal prosecution for alleged crimes he committed
while in office.
AP Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports
WHO Warning on Anthrax Outbreak in Africa
The World Health Organization says five countries in East and southern Africa
are in the middle of outbreaks of the anthrax disease with more than 1,100
suspected cases and 20 deaths this year.
A total of 1,166 suspected cases have been reported in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda,
Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Thirty-seven cases have been confirmed by laboratory tests.
Anthrax usually affects livestock like cattle, sheep and goats as well as
wild herbivores.
Humans can be infected if they are exposed to the animals or contaminated
(污染) animal products.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 32-points this morning from Friday's close, at 17,416 on
turnover of 4.2-billion N-T.
The market rebounded on Friday to close up more 100-points, as investors were
buoyed ahead of a U-S jobs report after Wall Street rose overnight to snap
its first three-day losing streak since the end of October.
Hou Proposes Starting with 'Low-Level, Stable Cross-Strait Exchanges
K-M-T presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih says he believes exchanges between
Taiwan and China should start in less sensitive areas before official
interactions begin.
Speaking at a campaign event in New Taipei's Zhonghe District, Hou said if
elected he will first seek (要求, 設法) cross-strait interaction in a
"low-level and stable" way.
According to Hou, along with prioritizing efforts to strengthen Taiwan's
self-defense capabilities, he will also propose that the two sides start with
educational, religious, cultural and economic exchanges before launching an
official mode of interaction.
Chinese Rocket Passes over Taiwan
The Ministry of National Defense says a carrier rocket launched by China has
passed directly over Taiwan before entering orbit.
According to defense officials, it's the first rocket to take that path
following four other launchers earlier in the month.
Defense officials say the Long March-2D carrier rocked blasted off Sunday
morning from the Xi-Chang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province and its
takeoff trajectory (軌道) saw it pass over southwestern Taiwan.
The defense ministry says its intelligence systems closely tracked (追蹤) the
launch.
It was the fifth such rocket to be launched by China this month and the
second one in as many days.
However, none of the other rockets passed directly over Taiwan.
Osprey Crash Remains Recovered
Divers have recovered the remains of the seventh of the eight crew members
from a U.S. military Osprey aircraft that crashed off southern Japan during a
training mission.
The Air Force CV-22 Osprey went down Nov. 29 just off Yakushima Island in
southwestern Japan while on its way to Okinawa.
The bodies of six of the crew had since been recovered, including five from
the sunken wreckage (殘骸) of the aircraft.
The U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command said in a statement Sunday that
the body recovered by Air Force divers was one of the two crew still missing.
The U.S. military has grounded all its Osprey helicopters after a preliminary
investigation indicated something went wrong with the aircraft that was not a
human error.
US Trump Won't Testify Again at Fraud Trial
From the US…..
Donald Trump says he won't testify again at his fraud trial, where he's
facing charges of inflating (誇大, 抬高) the value of his properties.
It's a change of course for the former president who earlier had planned to
appear in the New York court on Monday as the trial nears its conclusion
Ira Spitzer reports.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 31-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,309
on turnover of $2.98-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex joined other regional markets and lost ground on Thursday,
following a slump on Wall Street overnight after crude oil prices slipped on
expectations that supply might outpace demand.
CDC Says Over 6-million Doses of Seasonal Flu Vaccine Administered
The Centers for Disease Control says more than 6-million doses of this year's
publicly-funded flu vaccine have been administered.
According to the C-D-C that total includes nearly half the island's
population aged 65 and over.
C-D-C Deputy Director General Philip Luo says since its rollout on October 2,
6.018-million doses of the flu vaccine have been administered, and 49.8-per
cent of people aged 65 and above have been vaccinated, which is just shy of
the government's goal of 55-per cent.
As of Thursday, 561,000 doses of the flu vaccine purchased by the government
remained unused and the C-D-C says it will consider purchasing additional
doses of the vaccine based on demand.
This year's flu vaccines were purchased from suppliers Adimmune, T-T-Y
Biopharm and Medigen Vaccine Biologics as well as from France's Sanofi.
Free flu vaccines are available at contracted clinics and hospitals
islandwide.
IFJ on Media Worker Deaths This Year
The International Federation of Journalists says 2023 has been an
unprecedented year for the number of media workers killed on the job.
The organization that represents journalists worldwide says today that 94
media workers have been killed so far this year and almost 400 others are in
jail.
Deaths in Israel’s war with Hamas surpass those of any conflict in three
decades.
The group says that 68 journalists have been killed since Hamas' Oct. 7
attack on Israel, averaging more than one a day.
They account for 72% of all media deaths worldwide this year.
The group says Ukraine also “remains a dangerous country for journalists”
almost two years after Russian troops invaded.
US Texas Grants Woman's Abortion Request
A judge in Texas has granted an emergency request allowing a woman whose
fetus has a fatal diagnosis to receive an abortion despite the state's
near-total ban on the procedure.
Texas is among the states that have enacted (實行) strict abortion laws since
the Supreme Court ruled last year that abortion access would no longer be
protected by the constitution.
Ira Spitzer reports.
Mexico Env Watchdogs Sound Alarm on Totoaba Startup
Environmental watchdogs have accused a Mexico-based startup of violating
international trade law that protects the endangered totoaba fish.
A health company called The Blue Formula sells a powder containing collagen
(膠原蛋白) taken from the fish online to countries including the U.S. and
China.
The powder is designed to be mixed into a health supplement drink.
But on Thursday a coalition of environmental groups said exporting totoaba or
its parts violates an international convention on trading endangered species.
Totoaba fish bladders are worth their weight in gold as a delicacy in China.
Advocates are also concerned the startup could be selling totoaba that has
been illegally caught in the wild.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally down this morning from yesterday's close, at
17,356 on turnover of 1.6-billion N-T.
The market retreated from an early rise to end the day slightly higher on
Wednesday - as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing saw its gains eroded (
削弱) ahead of the release of its November sales data.
Investor sentiment also turned cautious ahead of the release of U-S nonfarm
payroll data tomorrow, as many are waiting for more guidance on the Federal
Reserve's monetary policy.
Environment Minister in Dubai for COP28
Environment Minister Xue Fu-sheng is in Dubai for the COP28 meeting.
According to Ministry of Environment, Xue is leading a delegation of other
government officials to the two-week United Nations's annual climate change
conference.
Taiwan hasn't been formally invited to attend the conference, but officials
are attending peripheral (週邊) meetings and holding talks on the sidelines
of the event.
The environment minister says he's been highlighting Taiwan's plans to reach
climate goals and showcasing the government's resolution to pursue efforts to
limit the average global temperature rise during those meetings in Dubai.
Pufferfish that Killed 1 and Hospitalized 8 Others was "Inedible"
And,
The Food and Drug Administration says a poisonous pufferfish that was served
by a restaurant owner in Nantou County last month has been identified as an
lunartail puffer.
The meal left one person dead and resulted in eight other people being
hospitalized.
According to the F-D-A, samples of the fish were sent for testing immediately
following the man's death and D-N-A samples identified it as a lunartail
puffer - which is an inedible (不可食用的) variety of the fish.
The F-D-A says the lunartail puffer can be easily confused with species in
the same genus that are edible when properly prepared.
The sale, processing and producing of food stuffs made with pufferfish are
illegal under the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation.
US Ukraine Funding Stalls in Senate
US President Joe Biden's push to pass tens of billions of dollars in new aid
for Ukraine has stalled in the Senate.
Republican lawmakers blocked the funding - which also includes help for
Israel - in a protest over a dispute (爭議) about border security policy.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington
France Charges for Man Who Killed Tourist Near Eiffel Tower
Prosecutors say a man accused of fatally stabbing a tourist and injuring two
other people over the weekend near the Eiffel Tower has been placed under
investigation on charges of murder and attempted murder in connection with a
terrorist organization.
The suspect went before an investigating magistrate Wednesday who ultimately
decides preliminary charges.
The stabbing over the weekend killed a German-Filipino tourist at a bridge
near the tower.
It has drawn special concern from French authorities less than a year before
the 2024 Paris Olympics, whose opening ceremony is planned along the Seine
river.
The man had been under surveillance for suspected Islamic radicalization.
Mexico Supreme Court Overturns Bullfighting Ban
Mexico's Supreme Court has overturned (推翻) a 2022 ban on bullfighting in
Mexico City, opening the way for events to resume, possibly as soon as this
month.
A panel of justices voted to overturn a May 2022 injunction that said bull
fights violated city resident’s rights to a healthy environment free from
violence.
The panel did not explain their arguments for overturning the ban, but fight
organizers claimed it violated their right to continue the tradition.
The capital had a history of almost 500 years of bullfighting, but there had
been no fights since the 2022 injunction.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at
17,340 on turnover of 2.5-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Tuesday, to close below the 17,400 point mark as
investors opted to move to the sell side following losses on Wall Street
overnight and the bellwether electronics sector led the downturn.
NSTC Lists Critical Technologies to Face Tougher Controls
The National Science and Technology Council has unveiled a set of key
technologies that it says will be subject to tougher controls to prevent
(防止) technology leaks and boost industrial competitiveness.
The 22 key technologies cover five industries.
Those being defense, aerospace, agriculture, semiconductors and information
and communications technology.
According to the council, the term "key technologies" refers to tech that, if
exported to China, Macau, Hong Kong or "external hostile forces," would
significantly harm national security, industrial competitiveness, or economic
development.
MOFA Opens 4th Representative Office in Canada
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially opened a news representative
office in Montreal.
The office is Taiwan's fourth in Canada.
The foreign ministry says it chose Montreal as the site for the office
because it is the largest city in French-speaking Quebec, and is known as a
technology hub, notably (尤其) in video game and artificial intelligence
development.
Foreign Minister Joseph Wu says the latest office in Canada showed Taiwan's
determination to expand its relations with the North American country on all
fronts.
Taiwan's main representative office is in Ottawa, while other branches are
located in Toronto and Vancouver.
UN: Adrift Rohingya in Danger
The United Nations refugee agency says as many as 400 Rohingya Muslims could
be adrift (漂流) in the Andaman Sea without adequate supplies.
It's warning they could die if more is not done to rescue them.
Patrick Fok reports.
Peru Fujimori Allowed Humanitarian Release
Peru’s constitutional court has ordered an immediate humanitarian release
for imprisoned former President Alberto Fujimori.
The 85-year-old former leader has been serving a 25-year sentence in
connection with the death squad slayings of 25 Peruvians in the 1990s.
The court ruled in favor of a 2017 pardon that had granted the former leader
a release on humanitarian grounds but that later was annulled (被廢除).
Fujimori was sentenced in 2009 to 25 years in prison on charges of human
rights abuses.
Venezuela Maduro Orders Immediate Exploration of Essequibo
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is ordering the country’s state-owned
companies to “immediately” begin to explore and exploit the oil, gas and
mines in Guyana’s Essequibo region.
Maduro’s announcement comes a day after Venezuela's electoral authorities
announced that the five questions with which the government wanted to claim
sovereignty over Essequibo were approved in Sunday’s referendum.
Guyana has denounced the referendum as pretext (藉口) to annex the land.
The International Court of Justice, the United Nations’ top court, has
ordered Venezuela not to take any action to change the status quo until the
panel can rule on the two countries’ competing claims, which could take
years.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 19-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
17,401 on turnover of 2.4-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly lower on Monday as the bellwether electronics
sector lost ground on the back of growing concerns the U-S will tighten
controls on chip sales to China.
Despite the slump in investor interest in the bellwether electronics sector,
the transportation sector, in particular bulk cargo shippers, trended higher,
due to increasing freight rates, which lent some support to the broader
market.
AIT Head Stresses Need to Combat Election Disinformation
American Institute in Taiwan Director Sandra Oudkirk is stressing that
Washington and Taipei are "on the frontlines" as they seek to tackle the
spread of disinformation.
Speaking at the National Taiwan University, where she delivered her
End-of-Year policy address, Oudkirk said both sides are working closely to
combat online information manipulation, as such threats are especially
worrisome in the context of democratic elections.
Oudkirk also said Washington and Taipei and other democratic partners
recently participated in the Global Declaration on International Information
Integrity Online and that declaration has now been joined by more than 30
countries.
The declaration was launched by Canada and Netherlands in September.
Academia Sinica scholar Awarded Germany's Humboldt Research Award
A distinguished research fellow at Academia Sinica has been awarded the 2023
Humboldt Research Award by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany.
Wang Fan-sen, of the Institute of History and Philology, received the award
in recognition of his achievements and impact on historical scholarship.
Along with being a research fellow at Academia Sinica, Wang also currently
serves as chair professor at the National Cheng Kung University, National
Chengchi University, the National Taiwan Normal University and the National
Sun Yat-sen University.
The Humboldt prize is for internationally renowned scientists and scholars
who work outside of Germany in recognition of their lifetime's research
achievements.
Putin Plans to Visit the UAE and Saudi Arabia
Russian media outlets are reporting that President Vladimir Putin plans to
visit the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia this week.
Russian state news agencies say that Putin will travel to the two countries
for a working visit, during which he will meet the Saudi crown prince,
Mohammed bin Salman.
The U-A-E is currently hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference.
However, it's unclear whether Putin will attend the conference.
Putin currently risks arrest if he leaves Russia after the International
Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him in March for war crimes,
accusing him of personal responsibility for the abductions of children from
Ukraine.
UN Concerned about Rohingya Muslims aboard Two Boats
The United Nations refugee agency is raising the alarm for an estimated 400
Rohingya Muslims believed to be aboard two boats reported to be out of
supplies and adrift in the Andaman Sea.
The agency is worried that all those aboard could die without efforts to
rescue them.
The captain of one of the boats says he had 180 to 190 people on board and
that the engine was damaged.
There is a seasonal exodus of Rohingyas, usually coming from overcrowded
refugee camps in Bangladesh.
About 740,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar to Bangladesh since 2017
after a brutal counterinsurgency campaign.
CBC to Cut 600 Jobs
And
Canada's public broadcaster says it will cut 600 jobs and reduce its English
and French programming budgets.
The move comes as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is struggling with
monetary pressures.
The bulk of the layoffs will come from corporate divisions such as technology
and infrastructure.
The broadcaster says it has also identified 200 vacancies that will go
unfilled as it contends with 125-million Canadian dollars in budget
pressures.
Along with the job cuts, C-B-C will be reducing its English and French
programming budgets, resulting in fewer renewals and acquisitions, fewer new
television series and less episodes of existing shows.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 12-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,451
on turnover of $2.8-billion N-T.
The market closed little changed last Friday after recovering from earlier
losses, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing recovered from its previous
weakness.
However, the electronics sector remained muted, as investors took their cue
from the downturn suffered by tech stocks on Wall Street overnight, while
buying rotated to select old economy industries, providing support to the
broader market.
Value of Taiwan's Top 25 Brands up 5%
The Ministry of Economic Affairs says the combined brand value of Taiwan's 25
most valuable brands has risen by 5-per cent so far this year.
According to the ministry's 2023 Best Taiwan Global Brands survey, the
aggregate (總計的) brand value of Taiwan's 25 largest brands totaled
13.84-billion U-S in 2023.
That marks the fourth consecutive year of the total value surpassing the
10-billion U-S dollar mark.
The ministry says despite the global economy facing headwinds, which has
impacted demand, the brands remained resilient.
Asustek Computer remains in the No. 1 spot.
Trend Micro took second place with its brand value rising 5-per cent from a
year earlier.
While MediaTek was third, after seeing its its brand value rising 33-per cent
from a year earlier.
US warships, commercial ships under attack
The Pentagon says one of its warships as well as multiple (多個) commercial
ships came under attack in the Red Sea.
Sally Patterson reports.
ICC Vows to Intensify Investigations into IsraelHamas War
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court says his office will
“further intensify its efforts to advance its investigations” of possible
crimes by Hamas and Israeli forces.
His statement Sunday came after he visited the region for the first time
since his appointment.
There have been widespread claims of breaches of international law by Hamas
and Israeli forces since the deadly Oct. 7 attacks by Palestinian militants
set off the bloody Israel-Hamas war.
The Hague-based court has been investigating crimes in the Palestinian
territories committed by both sides since 2021 but has yet to announce (宣告)
any charges.
Israel is not a member of the court and does not recognize its jurisdiction.
Indonesia Mt Marapi Eruption
Indonesia’s Mount Marapi has erupted and is spewing (噴出) white-and-gray
ash plumes more than 3-thousand meters into the air.
No casualties have been reported.
Two routes for climbers were closed after the eruption Sunday and about 1,400
people living on the mountain's slopes were advised to stay away from the
crater’s mouth because of potential (可能的) lava.
About 70 climbers started up the mountain Saturday and became stranded.
So far, 49 have been evacuated with the rest still awaiting rescue.
Several villages were blanketed with falling ash that blocked sunlight, and
authorities distributed masks and urged residents to wear glasses to protect
them from volcanic ash.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 12-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
17,422 on turnover of $2.06 -billion N-T.
The market continued its winning streak on Thursday, joining other regional
indexes to close the trading day higher ahead of the release of U-S consumer
inflation data.
Cabinet Approves Fire Safety Reform Amendments
The Cabinet has approved a series of draft amendments to the Fire Services
Act aimed at improving fire safety in the workplace
The draft amendments were proposed by the Ministry of the Interior and will
now be sent to the Legislative Yuan for review.
The draft bill adds a provision that imposes a maximum prison sentence of up
to seven years on company officials whose failure to formulate and implement
a fire safety management plan is deemed responsible for fire-related deaths.
The also states that the storing excessive dangerous materials in the
workplace in contravention (違反) of related rules resulting in fire-related
deaths will result in the same penalty.
In the event of serious injuries resulting from a workplace fire, company
officials will be liable to a prison term of up to five years.
Failure to comply with those regulations is punishable with a maximum fine of
between 3 and 10-million N-T.
8 Israeli Hostages Freed from Gaza
The Israeli military says a total of eight Israeli hostages have been
released from captivity in the Gaza Strip on Thursday.
The army said the Red Cross transferred six hostages to Egypt, and they were
being brought to Israel to be reunited with their families.
Two additional hostages were turned over earlier in the day.
It marked the seventh straight night of hostage releases under a cease-fire
agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Israel was to free 30 Palestinian prisoners later in the evening under the
deal.
The cease-fire is set to expire early Friday, though international mediators
(調解者) are working to extend it.
Roughly 140 hostages are believed to remain in Hamas captivity.
US Blinken Warning on Gaza Violence Spreading
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned efforts must be made to
prevent violence in Gaza from enveloping (籠罩) the region.
The US' top diplomat met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday.
Sally Patterson has more.
Giant Pandas Leaving Edinburgh Zoo
Visitors to the Edinburgh Zoo had their final chance to see and bid farewell
to a pair of popular giant pandas who are returning home to China after more
than a decade in Scotland.
Yang Guang and Tian Tian are leaving in early December.
They have been a popular attraction since people lined the road outside the
zoo to greet them when they arrived in 2011.
The pair, which are the only pandas in the U.K., are the latest to leave the
West after exchange agreements have expired ((期限）終止) and not been
renewed by China.
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Taiwan's EU Envoy Appointed Top US Representative
MOA Head Stresses Government Monitoring Bird Flu
Blinken Heading Back to Middle East
Canada Reaches Deal with Google on News Industry Payments
Elton John Address Britain's Parliament
Hsiao Bi-khim's Resignation Approved
Weekly Dengue Fever Cases Drop to Below 1,000
CIA Director in Qatar for Hostage Release Talks
Rescuers Free 41 Trapped Workers in India
Finland to Close Russian Border Amid Migrant Surge
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 12-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,150
on turnover of 1.5-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Monday, falling below the 17,200-point mark, as
investors opted to dump artificial intelligence development-related stocks
amid continuing concern over the U-S ban on chip sales to China.
The semiconductor sector also trended (轉向) lower on the back of news that
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing could cut the price of some of its more
advanced chips next year.
10 Indicted on Charges of Spying for China
The High Prosecutors Office has indicted 10 people, including several active
duty military personnel, for allegedly spying for China.
Five of them are also facing more serious charges and remain in custody.
Prosecutors says the indictments follow an investigation into a former Army
major, who is believed to have been recruited (被招募) by China in 2021 to
carry out espionage activities in Taiwan.
According to the High Prosecutors Office, the former officer then recruited a
businessman to help in persuading both serving and retired military personnel
to collect military intelligence for China.
The other suspects include a serving Army lieutenant-colonel and three
active-duty soldiers, who stole classified military information.
EVA Air Expects Airfares to Remain High into 2024 H1
EVA Airways is warning that airfares are expected to remain high until at
least the end of the first half of next year due to strong demand for air
travel.
According to the carrier, it is seeing strong demand for passenger flight
services from late January to mid-February and over 90-per cent of seats on
Japan-bound flights are already booked.
Speaking at an investor conference, EVA said the company's long-haul flights
have maintained 90-percent passenger loads (載客率) since the beginning of
the year - and the carrier firmly believes "the future is promising."
Israel Hamas Agree to Extend Ceasefire
Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend their cease-fire for two more days
past Monday.
The announcement made by a spokesman for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry came on
the final day of the original four-day truce (休戰) between the warring
sides.
As part of a fourth swap under the original deal, Hamas released 11 Israelis
on Monday night.
Then Israel released 33 Palestinians.
Monday’s releases bring to 51 the number of Israelis freed under the truce,
along with 19 hostages of other nationalities.
So far, 150 Palestinians have been released from Israeli prisons.
But Israel says it remains committed to crushing Hamas’ military
capabilities and ending its 16-year rule over Gaza after its Oct. 7 attack
into southern Israel.
US Biden to Invoke ColdWarEra Law to Lower Prices
US President Joe Biden has announced plans to use a Cold War-era law to try
and ease (緩解) supply chain issues and counter inflation.
Ira Spitzer reports.
Sumatra Rhino Calf Born in Indonesia
A Sumatran rhino has given birth to a male calf in Indonesia, a welcome
addition to a critically endangered species that numbers fewer than 50
animals.
The mother gave birth Saturday at a national park sanctuary on Sumatra, where
the entire species now lives.
Their tropical forest habitat is disappearing and poachers kill the animals
for their horns, which are used for ornaments (裝飾品) and in traditional
medicine.
The unnamed calf is healthy and able to walk and eat.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at
17,291 on turnover of 2.1-billion N-T.
The market closed little changed on Friday on low turnover, due largely to
the absence (不在場的, 缺席) of foreign institutional investors because of
the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States.
CDC on Alert for Mycoplasma Pneumonia Risk
The Centers for Disease Control has issued a health warning - instructing
medical professionals to be on alert to the risk of mycoplasma pneumonia
spreading to Taiwan.
The warning comes amid a surge in respiratory infections such as influenza
and clusters (群集) of pneumonia among children in northern China.
C-D-C Deputy Director-General Philip Luo says China began reporting
mycoplasma pneumonia outbreaks in May, but an epidemic usually reaches its
peak in 2 to 3 months, and there could be multiple known pathogens
circulating there.
Doctors are being asked to closely monitor cases of respiratory illness to
prevent cluster infections at hospitals here in Taiwan.
TRA to Add 116 train services for New Year's Day holiday
And,
The Taiwan Railways Administration says it will be providing 116 additional
train journeys to meet the expected spike in demand during the New Year's Day
holiday from December 29 through January 2.
Passengers will be able to book tickets for the weekend holiday from December
1.
According to the T-R-A, the extra train services will include 23 EMU-3000 and
Puyuma limited express train journeys, and 12 EMU 900 local express train
services along the east and west coasts.
Four extra Tze-Chiang express trains will also be added to the east coast
line.
The highest daily number of passengers during the holiday is expected to
exceed (超過) 80,000.
Israeli Ship Seized and Let Go
Attackers have seized and later let go a tanker linked to Israel off the
coast of Yemen.
The attackers seized the Liberian-flagged Central Park in the Gulf of Aden.
Yemen’s internationally recognized government blamed (指責) the
Iranian-backed Houthi rebels for the attack, which followed at least two
other recent maritime attacks linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Early Monday morning, Zodiac said the vessel carrying phosphoric acid and its
crew of 22 sailors from multiple nations were “unharmed.”
The Pentagon said that the vessel was “currently safe” without elaborating
on what happened to the attackers.
The Houthis did not acknowledge the attack.
Netanyahu
Earlier…
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has visited troops (軍隊) inside
the Gaza strip.
Mimmi Montgomery reports.
Booker Prize Won by Irish Writer
Irish writer Paul Lynch has won the Booker Prize for fiction with his
dystopian novel “Prophet Song.”
The judges said it was a “soul-shattering” novel about a woman’s struggle
to protect her family as Ireland collapses into totalitarianism (極權主義)
and war.
Lynch was awarded the $63-thousand US dollar literary prize at a ceremony in
London on Sunday.
He beat five other writers from Ireland, the U.K., the U.S. and Canada.
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Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 10-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,305
on turnover of $1.3-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Thursday, after Nvidia fell even after reporting
blowout profits on Wall Street overnight.
CWA Study Finds Taiwan's Temperature Rising Faster than World Average
The Central Weather Administration says Taiwan's average temperature is
rising higher than the global average.
According to the administration, Taiwan's average temperature rose
0.29-degrees in each of the three 10-year periods from the beginning of the
90s until 2020.
And that's higher than the global average increase of 0.21-degrees.
Data from 13 of the weather administration's low-elevation weather
observation stations shows that from 1898 to 2020, Taiwan's temperature rose
by an average of 0.11-degrees per decade, significantly lower than the
0.29-degrees per decade between 1991 and 2020.
Meanwhile, the weather administration says although data shows there has been
no significant change in overall annual precipitation over the same period,
the intensity of extreme rain has increased.
Russia Deepens Ties with Mali
Russia is deepening bilateral and economic ties with Mali as Western
influence in the West African nation declines.
Mali has signed a deal with Russia to build a gold refinery (精煉廠) in the
capital Bamako to improve the nation's economy.
Correspondent, Nabil Ahmed Rufai reports.
WHO Requests Info From China on Pneumonia in Children
The World Health Organization says it has made an official request to China
for information about a potentially worrying spike in respiratory illnesses
and clusters of pneumonia in children.
On Thursday, the U.N. health agency said Chinese officials told them they did
not detect any “unusual or novel (新的)” diseases.
The emergence of new new flu strains or other viruses capable of triggering
pandemics, typically starts with undiagnosed clusters of respiratory illness.
Both SARS and COVID-19 were reported as unusual types of pneumonia.
Outside scientists said the situation warranted close monitoring, but were
not convinced that the recent spike in respiratory illnesses in China
signaled the start of a new global outbreak.
Britain Crane Operator Rescues Man from Burning Building
A crane operator has played down tributes paid to him after he lifted a man
to safety from a burning high-rise building in England.
Video from the scene in the town of Reading in southern England showed a man
being rescued by a crane cage from the roof of a building under construction
as thick plumes of dark smoke and flames billowed around him.
The man was lifted in the air and then lowered to the ground.
A 65-year-old crane operator Glen Edwards described the situation as a
“close call” (千鈞一髮) because of windy conditions.
Officials said that more than 50 firefighters arrived at the scene to tackle
the blaze and another man was also lifted from the building by crane.
The fire was extinguished later Thursday.
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Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 18-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
17,291 on turnover of 3.3-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Wednesday, as investors shunned artificial
intelligence-related stocks after a warning from chip designer Nvidia on the
possible impact of the U-S government's ban on chip sales to China.
Selling was seen in A-I-related and semiconductor stocks, but I-C designers
were boosted by rotational buying.
Former-Taipei Deputy Mayor Tops TPP Legislator-at-Large List
The Taiwan People's Party has released its legislator-at-large nominees for
January's elections.
Former Taipei Deputy Mayor Huang Shan-shan tops the 34-person list.
According to T-P-P presidential nominee Ko Wen-je, Huang proved to be "an
efficient worker" when she served as his deputy during his tenure (任期) as
mayor of Taipei.
Ko is praising the party's no. 2 pick, former New Power Party lawmaker Huang
Kuo-chang for his work uncovering corruption while in office.
Huang resigned from the N-P-P last week to be eligible to be included in the
T-P-P's party list.
Kaohsiung New Year's Eve Party to Feature Four-Minute Firework Show
The Kaohsiung City Government has announced that its New Year's Eve
celebration party this year will feature a four minute fireworks show -
making its one of the city's biggest ever displays.
The New Year's Eve party will be taking place at Dream Mall beginning at
6:30PM on December 31.
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai says the show will be 60 seconds longer than
last year and more than 7,000 fireworks will be set off.
According to Chen, it will also be the first time the city will have combined
its Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Christmas decorations, including a 20-meter Christmas tree and an over
5-meter tall reindeer (馴鹿) will be put up in Central Park.
Israel Hamas Prisoner Swap Delayed
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s national security adviser says a
planned hostage-for-prisoner swap with Hamas has been delayed until at least
Friday.
In a statement released late Wednesday, Tzachi Hanegbi said that contacts on
the deal were continuing.
The swap is to take place as part of a four-day truce (休戰) that had been
expected to begin today but was delayed to Friday.
Hanegbi gave no explanation for the delay, and it was not immediately clear
when the cease-fire might begin.
SEVERAL US SOLDIERS INJURED AFTER MISSILE ATTACK ON IRAQ AIRBASE
The Pentagon has confirmed that a US Airbase in Iraq has been hit by a
ballistic missile attack.
It comes as American bases in the Middle East report an increase in attacks
on soldiers stationed in the region.
Trent Murray reports.
Peru Loses More than Half of Glacier Surfacr
Peruvian scientists say Peru has lost more than half of its glacier surface
in the last six decades due to climate change.
According to a new glacier inventory released Wednesday by a government
agency, 175 glaciers became extinct between 2016 and 2020.
In total, scientists say, the South American country has 1,050 square
kilometers of glacial coverage (覆蓋範圍) left.
That is about 44% of what was recorded in 1962, when the first glacier
inventory was done.
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Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 91-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
17,325 on turnover of 4.1 -billion N-T.
The market trended sharply higher on Tuesday to close above the 17,400-point
mark on the back of ample liquidity and a strong New Taiwan dollar - which
prompted foreign investors to move funds into Taiwan.
The bellwether electronics sector led the upturn, as artificial intelligence
development-related stock garnered investor interest due to expectations that
Nvidia will give positive leads in its investor conference.
Legislature Passes Restraining Orders to Tackle Intimate Image Abuse
Lawmakers have passed a bill allowing courts to issue restraining orders to
prevent the dissemination (散佈，傳播) of explicit images.
The provisions are aimed at both the abuser and online service providers.
The bill is an amendment of the Domestic Violence Prevention Act.
It will allow courts to issue civil protection orders prohibiting the
remaking, dissemination, broadcast, delivery, or publication of intimate
images of the protected individual.
Perpetrators will be required to return any images to victims and law
enforcement authorities will be allowed to order them to delete the content
if necessary.
MOFA Slams Racists Comments about Indian Migrant Workers
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is slamming racist (種族主義的) comments that
have been appearing on social media sites over the past week concerning
Indian migrant workers.
According to the ministry's Department of East Asia and Pacific Affairs, the
government strongly opposes any form of discrimination or bias against
specific groups, as Taiwan is a multiethnic country that respects human
rights.
Officials are calling on the public to refrain from posting or reposting any
derogatory comments on social media targeting Indians and the Indian
community.
The statements comes after it was confirmed that talks are underway way to
allow the employment of migrant Indian workers in Taiwan.
SKorea Suspends Military Agreement with North
South Korea is suspending a military agreement with North Korea in
retaliation to Pyongyang firing a rocket on Tuesday.
North Korea says it successfully launched a satellite into orbit (軌道,
繞軌道運行).
South Korea, the US, and Japan are working to verify the claim.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo
Congo UN Agree to End Peacekeepers Mission
Congo’s foreign minister and the head of the U.N. stabilization mission in
Congo have signed agreements to end the presence of U.N. peacekeepers after
more than two decades.
Congo's president in September called for them to leave a year earlier than
planned.
While no date was publicly given for the U.N. withdrawal to begin, observers
say it's unlikely to start before Congo's Dec. 20 presidential election.
Eastern Congo has long been overrun by dozens of armed groups seeking a share
of the region’s gold and other resources.
Frustrated Congolese say that no one is protecting them from rebel (反叛)
attacks.
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Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 29-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,239
on turnover of 2.6-billion N-T.
The market's recent gains were halted on Monday, as the main board ended
unchanged amid high technical resistance.
Large cap tech stocks trended lower throughout the trading day preventing the
broader market from moving higher, while the tourism sector also came under
heavy pressure.
Gou Campaign Says 'Anything Possible' After Ko Meeting
A spokesman for Terry Gou's presidential campaign office says "anything -
including a potential joint ticket - is possible" following a meeting with
Taiwan People's Party presidential nominee, Ko Wen-je.
Spokesman Huang Shih-hsiu said K-M-T Chairman Eric Chu's dealings with Ko
mirrored the "promise-breaking and breach (違反) of trust" he had engaged in
… when Gou unsuccessfully sought the party's presidential nomination in
May.
Huang says given those actions, "the K-M-T may be on its own" in the election.
However, Gou's campaign office spokesman has refused to give any concrete
details of the meeting with Ko.
Over 100 German Students Apply for 30 TSMC Training Slots
The Dresden University of Technology says more than 100 German students have
applied for 30 spots on a Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing-backed training
program.
The university said a total of 124 students from universities in the state of
Saxony in eastern Germany applied for the training program…
Students will depart (出發) for Taiwan in February and begin their study in a
Taiwanese university to learn basic semiconductor theories in March.
They will then spend time at T-S-M-C's training center for newcomers and work
in the chipmaker's factory for two months from June.
The training program was announced shortly after T-S-M-C made public its
plans to set up a 12-inch wafer fab in Dresden.
Australia PM reveals "dangerous encounter" between Chinese, Australian
warships
Australia's prime minister has criticized China for what he calls a
“dangerous” encounter between Chinese and Australian warships but declined
to say whether he raised the issue with President Xi Jinping.
He said one diver was injured when a Chinese destroyer used sonar
(聲波定位儀) while near an Australian frigate in international waters last
Tuesday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke with Xi last week on the sidelines of
an Asia-Pacific leaders’ summit in San Francisco.
Albanese says his discussions with Xi were private rather than a formal
bilateral meeting.
China’s Defense Ministry dismisses Australia’s allegations as “completely
untrue.”
Citigroup continues layoff plan
Citigroup has begun a major overhaul of its management structure with
sweeping layoffs expected.
It's part of a broader reorganization and seen as the American bank's biggest
reshuffle (改組、重新安排) in nearly 20 years.
William Denselow reports from New York.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 11-points this morning from Friday's close, at 17,197
on turnover of 4.2-billion N-T.
The market moved higher for a fifth consecutive session on Friday to reach
the highest level since August 1.
The bellwether electronics sector led the broader market higher, but the
gains were capped on the back of a lackluster performance on Wall Street on
Thursday.
Lai Set to Pick Hsiao Bi-khim as VP Candidate
In news from and about Taiwan this morning,
D-P-P presidential candidate Lai Ching-te is set to announce that Taiwan's
top envoy to the United States, Hsiao Bi-khim as his running mate in
January's election.
According to his campaign office, an official announcement will be made today
after Hsiao arrives back in Taiwan.
Lai's campaign office says Hsiao will then join Lai in registering (登記) her
candidacy at the Central Election Commission tomorrow.
Candidates for the presidential election must officially register their
candidacies from today through Friday.
Medical Unions Rally over Medical Student Numbers
Members of the Foundation of Medical Professionals Alliance have been
rallying in Taipei, calling for a cap on the number of students being
enrolled onto medical programs to avoid future excess of human power.
According to the foundation, the Ministry of Health needs to limit the number
of medical practitioners (行醫者 ) and not lower the threshold for passing
the national nursing examination.
The rally was also attended by members of the Taiwan Nursing and Medical
Industries Union and Taipei Doctors Union.
They issued a joint statement, saying the government needs to changes its
focus from staffing issues to tackling an uneven distribution of staff, bad
work conditions, and poor working environments.
Russian Drones Target Ukrainian City
Russian drones targeted the Ukrainian capital Sunday.
Russia launched 20 Iranian-made Shahed drones overnight, 15 of which were
shot down by Ukrainian forces, according to Kyiv's Military Administration
spokesperson.
He said the strike on the city was the second in 48 hours, and preliminary
reports indicated no casualties or critical damage.
Meanwhile….
An orphaned Ukrainian teenager who was taken to Russia last year during the
war in his country returned home on his 18th birthday.
The head of the Ukrainian president’s office confirmed that Bohdan Yermokhin
arrived back in Ukraine on Sunday and thanked UNICEF and Qatari negotiators
for facilitating the young man's return.
Yermokhin’s parents died two years ago.
According to a Ukrainian lawyer, he lived with a cousin who was his legal
guardian (法定監護人) before he was taken from the port city of Mariupol and
placed with a foster family near Moscow.
The lawyer had stressed that Yermokhin needed to leave Russia before he
turned 18 and became eligible for conscription into the army.
US ExFirstLady Rosalynn Carter Dies Age 96
Former First Lady of the United States Rosalynn Carter has died aged 96.
A close adviser to her husband Jimmy Carter during his term as US president,
Rosalynn advocated for better treatment of the mentally ill.
She died on Sunday at her home in the state of Georgia after living with
dementia (失智症).
Sally Patterson has more.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 15-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
17,156 on turnover of $2.5-billion N-T.
The market continued its winning ways on Thursday, but buying was weaker and
the gains were muted compared with earlier this week.
Investors were closely watching the outcome (結果) of the meeting between U-S
President Joe Biden and China's leader Xi Jin-ping for guidance throughout
much of the day's session.
Cabinet Approves NT$1.34 billion for Infrastructure Data Encryption
The Cabinet has approved a proposal to spend 1.34-billion N-T for the
cryptographic splitting of cloud-stored data from 18 key infrastructure
management systems.
According to the Ministry of Digital Affairs, establishing a cryptographic
splitting mechanism (機制) will ensure key infrastructure management systems
can continue functioning during disasters.
The ministry says cryptographic splitting of data is part of a multiyear plan
to transfer data to cloud-based storage.
The first stage of the program is to transfer data from 29 infrastructure
systems to a public cloud between 2021 and 2025, while the second stage will
see the establishment of a cryptographic splitting mechanism between 2024 to
2027.
The Ministry of Digital Affairs says data covered by the proposal includes
the National Health Insurance management system, the vehicle management
system, and the entry and exit management system.
Israel Claims Tunnels Found Under Gaza Hospital
Israel says it has found a tunnel shaft (隧道) and weapons in the Al-Shifa
hospital, as its forces continue to search Gaza's main hospital.
Sarah Coates reports from Tel Aviv.
Syria Amnesty for Criminals
Syrian President Bashar Assad's office and state media are reporting that
Assad has issued a decree granting amnesty and reducing sentences for several
categories of crime committed prior to Thursday.
No reason was given for the amnesty but it came on the anniversary of the
1970 coup that brought Assad's father and predecessor (前任者) to power.
Assad has issued similar amnesties since the country’s deadly conflict that
has killed half a million people began in March 2011.
The decree granted a complete pardon for misdemeanor convictions and people
serving prison sentences who have reached the age of 70, or those who have
incurable diseases.
Reparation Fund for Slavery to be Established
Delegates at a reparations summit in Ghana have agreed to establish a Global
Reparation Fund to push for overdue compensation for millions of Africans
enslaved centuries ago during the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
The agreement announced Thursday adds to the growing demands for reparations
after about 12 million Africans were forcefully taken by European nations
from the 16th to the 19th century and enslaved (被奴役的).
Delegates to the conference in Accra did not say how such a reparation fund
would operate.
A report by a special U.N. forum said people of African descent continue to
be victims of systemic discrimination and it supported reparations as “a
cornerstone of justice in the 21st century.”
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at
17,136 on turnover of 3.3-billion N-T.
The market moved higher again on Wednesday, as reduced investor concerns
about further interest rate hikes by the U-S Federal Reserve triggered strong
buying across the board.
Lai Talks Higher Wage Requirements for Future Listed Companies
D-P-P presidential candidate Lai Ching-te says if elected he will make it a
requirement that companies seeking to go public have to provide salaries
higher than the government's minimum wage.
Speaking at a youth forum in Taipei, Lai said companies wishing to be listed
on Taiwan's securities market and raise funds publicly ought to offer their
employees more competitive wages.
Lai says he will also make the minimum wage prerequisite (必須的) - meaning
minimum monthly wages in future listed companies should be set at no less
than 30,000 N-T.
Coldplay Concerts Make NT$550million for Kaohsiung
And,
Government officials in Kaohsiung say this past weekend's Coldplay concerts
generated about 550-million N-T in revenue (收入) for the city.
The band performed at the Kaohsiung National Stadium on Saturday and Sunday.
According to city officials, the stadium and neighboring areas were visited
by more than 170,000 people over the two days, which boosted sales at night
markets by at least 30-per cent.
The influx of people also lifted the downtown hotel occupancy rate to 90-per
cent.
Data released by the Kaohsiung City Tourism Bureau shows 70-per cent of those
who came to see Coldplay were from other cities, counties, and overseas.
XiBiden Meeting
The leaders of the United States and China have concluded their meeting in
San Francisco this morning.
US President Joe Biden spoke to the press after what he called a "most
constructive and productive" meeting, and highlighted several key issues he
discussed with Xi Jin-ping.
Biden says they have agreed to resume (恢復) high-level military
communications, indicating that a lack of communication is how
"misunderstandings" and "accidents" happen.
Biden also says the two sides discussed several world issues, including
Russia's war against Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza.
Biden says he gave the Chinese president names of hostages in Gaza whom he
hoped would be released, but no firm agreement was reached on that issue.
And Biden also stressed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan
Strait, telling Xi that he does not wish to change the status quo of
US-Taiwan relations.
UN Security Council Passes Gaza Resolution
The United Nations Security Council has called for 'urgent and extended
(長期的) humanitarian pauses' in fighting between Israel and Hamas.
Sally Patterson has more.
Pakistan IMF Reach Preliminary Agreement on Bailout
Officials say Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund have reached a
preliminary agreement on releasing $700 million from a $3 billion bailout
fund approved in July.
The standby credit set up by the IMF is meant to save cash-strapped Pakistan
from default.
In a statement, the IMF says the two sides reached the staff-level agreement
following talks in Islamabad.
The deal still must be approval by the IMF's management and its executive
board, though such approvals are generally a formality (例行公事).
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 123-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
17,039 on turnover of 7-billion N-T.
The market continued to gain ground on Tuesday, as the bellwether electronics
sector led the main board higher, but investors were reluctant to chase
prices - which stopped the index from breaching (衝破，突破) high technical
hurdles ahead of the 17,000-point mark.
KMT and TPP to Hold Another Round of 'Party-to-Party' Talk
Representatives from the K-M-T and the Taiwan People's Party are holding a
new round of 'party-to-party' talks, as they seek to finalize a joint ticket
for January's presidential election.
The meeting is taking place at the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation in Taipei.
The attendees will include K-M-T presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih, T-P-P
chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je and K-M-T Chairman Eric Chu.
Former President Ma Ying-jeou has also been invited to participate (參加) as
a witness.
The T-P-P says it will holiding a press conference after the talks.
NCC Investigating Drug Smuggling Use of Chinese Sat Nav
The National Communication Commission says it's launched an investigation
into allegations that a Taiwan fishing boat used by drug smugglers was
employing a Chinese navigation satellite system to avoid detection.
According to thee N-C-C, vessels usually use equipment with a legal Automatic
Identification System to navigate, but the vessel under investigation used a
restricted Chinese system to avoid being monitored.
The statement comes after the Kaohsiung District Court recently convicted
crew members of the Taiwanese fishing boat on charges of drug smuggling - and
heard as evidence that the boat was using a Chinese "Bei-Dou Navigation
Satellite System" to evade (逃避) law enforcement.
EU won't deliver promised ammunition to Ukraine in time
The European Union is likely to miss its target to provide Ukraine with 1
million rounds of ammunition (彈藥) by March.
At a meeting of EU defence ministers in Brussels, the bloc's top diplomat
said production would need to be ramped up fo the target to be hit.
Jennifer King reports.
Iceland Evacuates Town Amid Volcano Warning
Residents of a fishing town in southwestern Iceland have left their homes
after increasing concern about a potential volcanic eruption caused civil
defense authorities to declare a state of emergency in the region.
Iceland's Meteorological Office says police decided to evacuate Grindavik
after recent seismic activity in the area moved south toward the town.
Monitoring indicated that a corridor of magma (岩漿) now extends under the
community.
The town is about 50 kilometers southwest of the capital, Reykjavik.
Authorities also raised an aviation alert to orange, indicating an increased
risk of an eruption.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 45-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,884
on turnover of 2.7-billion N-T.
The market closed sharply higher on Monday, as the bellwether electronics
sector was the focus of investor interest following gains by tech stocks on
Wall Street at the end of last week.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing drove the tech sector's upturn, boosted by
optimism over its strong sales report for October
However, investors showed an unwillingness to chase prices as the main board
closed in on the 17,000 point mark, which resulted in the Tai-Ex trading
within a narrow range towards the end of the session.
John Deng Points to APEC Focus on CPTPP Bid
Taiwan's top trade negotiator John Deng says the main aim of bilateral talks
at this week's APEC forum is to build up support for Taiwan's bid to join the
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Deng is attending the APEC forum in San Francisco and participating in the
APEC Economic Leaders' Week meetings.
According to the trade negotiator, the forum is expected to serve as an
important opportunity for Taiwan's delegates to meet with representatives
from trade bloc member countries.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing founder Morris Chang is serving as
President Tsai Ing-wen's envoy to the APEC summit and is
scheduled to arrive in San Francisco tomorrow.
CGA Denies US and Chinese Ships Entered Taiping Island Waters
The Coast Guard Administration is denying reports that U-S and Chinese ships
entered Taiwan's territorial waters around Taiping Island in the South China
Sea earlier this month.
The denial comes after K-M-T lawmaker Chen I-hsin accused the administration
of attempting to cover-up the intrusions, which he said occurred on November
3.
The administration has confirmed that a Chinese warship and an American
warship were near the island.
However, it says they were operating in waters some 21-nautical miles
northeast of Taiping Island and neither vessel entered territorial waters.
Indonesian President Visits White House
US President Joe Biden is today hosting his Indonesian counterpart Joko
Widodo at the White House to "reaffirm" their joint commitment to the "nearly
75-year-long partnership between the world's second and third largest
democracies."
The meeting, though, is at risk of being overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war
— a conflict erupting thousands of kilometres away, but one that matters
hugely to both states.
Benji Hyer reports.
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SKorea President to Discuss NKorean Weapons at APEC
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol says he will discuss international
response to the purported North Korean-Russian weapons deal during the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco this week.
In written responses to questions from The Associated Press, Yoon says the
North Korean-Russian agreement not only poses a serious threat to the
security of the Korean Peninsula, Northeast Asia and Europe but also
undermines the universal rules-based international order.
Yoon says provocations by North Korea will only result in strong retaliation
from South Korean and U.S. forces.
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The Tai-Ex opened
The Tai-Ex opened up 28-points this morning from Friday's close, at 16,711 on
turnover of 4.1-billion N-T.
The market ended a seven-session rising streak on Friday as the bellwether
electronics sector came under pressure following losses by tech stocks Wall
Street overnight.
Market sentiment also turned cautious after U-S Federal Reserve Chair Jerome
Powell made hawkish comments on the bank's monetary policy, which compromised
(減少) the appetite of investors at home and abroad to hold tech stocks.
Speculation Morris Chang Could Meet Biden at APEC
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing founder Morris Chang will be attending the
APEC summit in San Francisco on Wednesday on behalf of President Tsai
Ing-wen.
It's the sixth time that Chang will have served as Tsai's envoy (使者) to the
APEC leaders meeting.
And there's speculation he could meet with U-S President Joe Biden on the
sidelines of the event.
Chang spoke with U-S Vice President Kamala Harris on the sidelines of the
last year's APEC meeting in Bangkok.
New Recycling Rules for Cellphone Providers to Become Law Next April
The Ministry of Environment says regulations requiring local mobile phone
providers to set up recycling facilities and to actively promote their use
will be introduced on April 1 next year.
According to the ministry, manufacturers and importers must also help users
delete personal data under the new regulations.
The ministry says under the rules, manufacturers and importers will have to
set phased (分階段的) targets for circular material use rate, which measures
the ratio of recycled, maintained and reused materials to the overall
material use.
Officials say the aim is to raise Taiwan's mobile phone recycling rate to
15-per cent by January 1, 2025 and 30 percent by January 1, 2030.
WHO Warning on Gaza Hospital Crisis
The World Health Organization says the situation at the Al-Shifa hospital in
Gaza is dire (悲慘的) and perilous (險惡的).
Israel denies Gaza's largest hospital has lost power but says it's helping to
evacuate (撤離) babies from the facility.
William Denselow reports from UN headquarters in New York.
India Celebrates Diwali Amid Air Pollution Concerns
Millions of Indians are celebrating Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, with
a Guinness World Record number of bright earthen oil lamps as concerns about
air pollution soared in the South Asian country.
Devotees lit over 2.22 million lamps and kept them burning for 45 minutes in
the northern city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh state, as people marked the
national festival on Sunday.
The celebrations came as “hazardous (危險的)” levels were recorded on the
air quality index last week.
New Delhi tops the list almost annually among the Indian cities with poor air
quality.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 19.7-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
16,726 on turnover of $1.8-billion N-T.
The market closed marginally higher on Thursday, as other regional indexes
ended the day mixed and investors reacted to recent big swings on Wall
Street.
Economics Minister Opens Taiwan Expo in Tokyo
Economics Minister Wang Mei-hua has opened the first-ever Taiwan Expo in
Japan.
The opening of the event in Tokyo was attended by Taiwan's top envoy to Japan
Frank Hsieh, External Trade Development Council Chairman James Huang and
Kazuyuki Katayama, a representative of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Frank Hsieh said the Taiwan Expo provides
an opportunity to showcase Taiwan's diversity and creativity in technology,
culture, arts and other fields, reflecting the importance Taiwan attaches to
Japan.
The economics minister is leading a delegation to Japan for a four-day visit
as part of efforts to deepen the partnership (合作關系) between the two
countries and to forge a Taiwan-Japan technology partnership.
Rights Group Calls for ICC to Arrest Israeli Leaders
Three Palestinian rights groups have filed a lawsuit against Israel over the
Gaza conflict at the International Criminal Court.
The human rights organisations Al-Haq, Al Mezan, and the Palestinian Centre
for Human Rights have asked for the court's urgent (緊迫的) attention, and
issue arrest warrants for Israel's leaders.
Jody Jacobs reports…
Colombia Diaz Father Released Safely
Colombia’s government has announced that the father of Liverpool striker
Luis Diaz has been released by members of a guerrilla group who kidnapped him
in northern Colombia.
The release ends a 12-day ordeal for the family.
Luis Manuel Diaz’s kidnapping on Oct. 28 in the small town of Barrancas had
quickly drawn international attention and appeals (呼籲) for his release.
The guerrilla group National Liberation Army, or ELN, acknowledged some of
its members carried out the kidnapping but have said it was a mistake.
The release was announced by the government’s delegation that currently is
in peace negotiations with the ELN.
Japan New Island Formed After Volcanic Eruption
An undersea volcano's eruption off Japan three weeks ago has provided a rare
view of the birth of a tiny new island, but experts say it may not last long.
The undersea volcano just off the southern coast of Iwo Jima started its
latest series of eruptions on Oct. 21-st.
The Japan Meteorological Agency says that by early November, a new island had
formed that is about 100 meters in diameter and as high as 20 meters above
the sea.
Volcanic activity at the site has since subsided (減少、消退了), but the
agency says the newly formed island has somewhat shrunk because its
“crumbly” formation is easily washed away by waves.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 0.33-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
16,741 on turnover of $2.3-billion N-T.
The market extended gains from the previous session on Wednesday, to close
above the 16,700-point mark as bargain hunters snapped up weakened artificial
intelligence development-related stocks.
However, the main board remained in consolidation mode despite the gains, as
investors were cautious about a possible major technical pullback as other
regional markets lost ground during the trading day.
FDA Warns on Online Drug Purchases
The Food and Drug Administration is warning people about the dangers of
purchasing medicines online.
According to F-D-A Deputy Director General Cheng Hui-fang, the number of
online sellers of pharmaceuticals is continuing to increase and its common
that such "pharmacies" operating without a license sell substandard or
counterfeit products.
Cheng says such medicines can contain no active or potentially harmful
ingredients and are often sold by overseas-based websites, some of which pose
(假充) as if they're operating in Taiwan.
Even individuals who unknowingly purchase such drugs delivered from overseas
face a fine of 30,000 N-T.
Online pharmacies caught operating without a license face a fine of up to
2-million N-T, while importers of unlicensed pharmaceuticals can face a
prison sentence of up to 10 years and a possible maximum fine of 100-million
N-T.
Australian Firefighters Donate to New Taipei Dog Refuge
A group of visiting Australian firefighters have donated 235,000 N-T to a
stray dog shelter in New Taipei.
The 10 firefighters made the donation during a visit to the PACK Taiwan
shelter in the city's Shan-Zhi District at the the invitation of the trade
and Investment office for the Australian state of Queensland.
The shelter is home to some 200 sick, disabled, abused, old and neglected
(被疏于照?的) dogs.
The donation was made a day after the firefighters from "the Australian
Firefighter Calendar" joined a charity auction in Taipei where they raised
the money for the New Taipei shelter.
The calendar's director, David Rogers says the calendar has a history of
supporting animal refuges and Australian wildlife.
US Launches More Airstrikes in Syria
The U.S. has launched another airstrike on a site in Syria.
AP's Lisa Dwyer explains.
UN Nuclear Power Could Help Tackle Climate Change
The U.N. nuclear chief says nuclear energy must be part of the equation to
tackle climate change.
The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency said
climate-warming hydrocarbons still supply more than 80% of the world’s
energy, even after the green transition of the past 20 years.
Rafael Grossi told the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday that more than 400
nuclear reactors are supplying global electricity and over 50 are under
construction.
But nuclear power's share of global electricity production decreased in the
past two decades.
Grossi said there is growing interest in nuclear energy but it needs
investment that takes into account its benefits (好處).
Hollywood Reaches Tentative Deal to End Strike
Hollywood's actors union has reached a tentative deal with studios to end its
strike.
The contract agreement reached Wednesday still must be approved by the
union's board and its members, but the deal brings an end to the months of
labor strife (衝突) that has hobbled production in Hollywood.
The union says the strike will be over today.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at
16,691 on turnover of 1.7-billion N-T.
The market edged higher on Tuesday, bucking a regional downturn.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing helped anchor the broader market
throughout the session, while buying towards the end of the trading day moved
the main board above the 120-day moving average of 16,679-points.
Subject: E*Military Officers Indicted in Corruption Case
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The Shilin District Prosecutors' Office has indicted two Military
Intelligence Bureau officers on charges of corruption and document forgery.
According to the prosecutors' office, the two fraudulently obtained millions
of N-T from the bureau beginning in 2018 by fabricating interactions with a
Chinese intelligence operative named "Liang Fan."
Prosecutors say the two also forged multiple pieces of information to support
their claims about the network they pretended to have created around Liang
and his operations.
Both suspects have been detained (被拘留) since June and have been charged
with violating the Anti-Corruption Act.
CDC Reporting Taiwan's First Monkey Pox Death
The Centers for Disease Control has confirmed Taiwan's first monkey
pox-related death.
According to the C-D-C, the patient was a man in his 30s from northern
Taiwan, who was also infected with H-I-V.
Health authorities say the man sought medical attention for a skin ulcer in
August, and returned to see a doctor again in early September after his
condition had deteriorated (惡化).
Subsequent tests confirmed that he had contracted (感染) the monkey pox.
The man was pronounced dead on November 1.
The C-D-C designated monkey pox as a Category 2 communicable disease in June
of last year.
A total of 355 cases have been reported here in Taiwan since then.
Elysee Palace to Bring Back Changing of Guard Ceremony
The Elysee Palace in Paris, where the president lives and works, has brought
back its public changing of the guard ceremony for the first time in 27
years.
The presidential office says the formal (正式的) ceremony will take place on
the first Tuesday of every month.
Rebecca Bundhun reports from Paris.
Japan Unification Church to Set Up Compensation Fund
The Unification Church’s Japanese branch plans to set aside up to $67
million to cover possible compensation for people seeking damages they say
were caused by the group’s manipulative fundraising tactics.
The move announced Tuesday was seen as an attempt to allay (緩和) suspicion
that the group would try to avoid later payouts by hiding assets overseas
while a government-requested dissolution order is pending.
The group’s fundraising and recruitment tactics, as well as its cozy ties
with Japan's long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party, surfaced in an
investigation after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s assassination last
year.
The accused shooter allegedly was motivated by Abe’s links to the church and
blamed it for bankrupting his family.
Brazil Neymar Partner's Parents Taken Hostage
Thieves entered the home of Brazilian soccer star Neymar’s partner and took
her parents hostage early Tuesday morning, Bruna Biancardi, the mother of
Neymar's baby girl, wrote on her verified Instagram account.
Local media reported that her parents’ home is located in Cotia, a city in
Sao Paulo’s metropolitan area, and that one of the three armed robbers, a
neighbor of Biancardi’s parents, has been apprehended.
Biancardi says “Material things are recovered, the important thing is that
everyone is OK and that the people involved are being found”.
Neymar also lamented (哀嘆) the attack on his own Instagram account, without
providing any details.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened almost flat this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,650
on turnover of 2-billion N-T.
The market moved above the 16,600-point mark on Monday.
The bellwether electronics sector led the gains on the back of a strong
showing for tech stocks on Wall Street last week and as investors were buoyed
by news the U-S Fed could put the brakes on its rate hike cycle.
MOE to Subsidize Students On Campus Dormitories
The Ministry of Education says it plans to introduce a fixed rent subsidy of
between 1,200 and 1,500 N-T for students who live in on-campus dormitories.
According to the ministry, the subsidies are expected to be introduced by
February of next year and its estimated they will benefit (造福) 260,000
college and university students.
The move is an expansion of the government's rent subsidy 2.0 policy - that
was launched in July of this year.
And the education ministry says college and university students who live
off-campus will also be eligible for rent subsidies of between 2,400 and
3,600 N-T per month.
The proposal still requires Cabinet approval.
FM Visiting Baltic states this Week
Foreign Minister Joseph Wu is visiting Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia this
week.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wu is slated to attend forums
and give speeches to underscore Taiwan's resolve to safeguard democracy with
like-minded countries while in the three Baltic states.
Wu will attend a forum in Lithuania where discussions will be held on the
subject of the future of democracy.
He'll deliver two separate speeches at the Institute of International Affairs
in Latvia.
And attend the International Centre for Defense and Security in Estonia -
where the foreign ministry says Wu will relay Taiwan's determination to fight
for democracy against authoritarian regimes (威權主義).
UN Guterres Calls for Gaza Ceasefire
United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres has again called for an
immediate ceasefire in the Middle East.
Jody Jacobs has more from the UN…
OpenAI Launches GPT-4 Turbo
The company behind ChatGPT has launched a new line of chatbot products that
can be customized to a variety of tasks.
At an event held in San Francisco, OpenAI unveiled a new version called GPT-4
Turbo.
The company says it is more capable and can retrieve information about world
and cultural events as recent as April 2023 — unlike previous (先前的,)
versions that couldn’t answer questions about anything that happened after
2021.
Prince William Announces Agreement to Combat Wildlife Trade
Britain’s Prince William says seven countries, including Canada, New
Zealand, South Africa, the UK and the United States, have committed at a
wildlife summit to deepen their intelligence-sharing and other cooperation to
combat money laundering by international gangs engaged in the illegal
wildlife trade.
The Prince of Wales told the United for Wildlife Summit in Singapore that the
wildlife population around the world has plummeted (暴跌) by almost 70% over
the past 50 years.
He said joint investigations will lead to more high-value seizures and
arrests.
William is in Singapore for the annual Earthshot Prize awards ceremony
today.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 64-points this morning from Friday's close, at 16,572 on
turnover of 3.9-billion N-T.
The market moved higher on Friday, extending gains from a session earlier as
investors took cues (提示) from a rally on Wall Street overnight driven by
expectations that the U-S Federal Reserve's rate hike cycle has concluded.
Senior Economics Official in London for Taiwan-UK Trade Talks
Deputy Economics Minister C.C Chen has been attending the 26th UK-Taiwan
Trade Talks in London.
According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the talks are focusing on
enhancing economic resilience (彈性) and supply chain collaboration between
the two countries.
The meeting is being being jointly hosted by Chen and the U-K Minister of
State for International Trade Nigel Huddleston and is also covering
cooperation in the field of of energy, semiconductor, scientific research,
net-zero policies and offshore wind power.
The deputy economics minister is also meeting with Taiwanese business people
and local industry representatives while in London to exchange views and
promote investing in Taiwan.
Ko Calls for 'Patience' Amid Electoral Pact Questions
Taiwan People's Party presidential candidate Ko Wen-je is calling on his
supporters to remain "patient," as talks on an electoral pact with the K-M-T
appear to have stalled.
According to Ko, party officials are continuing to seek consenus on a method
to decides on process to select a joint presidential candidate.
The statement comes after K-M-T Chairman Eric Chu is insisting (堅持) that
cross party negotiations will continue.
Ko is backing a public poll to decide the presidential ticket - saying such a
poll would not give equal weighting to a cross-party vote among legislative
candidates, as has been proposed by the K-M-T.
But the K-M-T chairman has said Ko's proposed polling method would have "no
statistical meaning at all."
US Blinken in MidEast to Discuss IsraelHamas War
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spent the weekend crisscrossing
(縱橫交錯) throughout the Middle East, engaging in shuttle diplomacy over the
Israel-Hamas war.
AP correspondent Jackie Quinn reports.
Russia ICBM for Nuclear Warheads Successfully Tested
The Russian military has reported a successful test launch of an
intercontinental ballistic missile designed to carry nuclear warheads from a
new nuclear submarine.
The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement Sunday that the strategic
missile cruiser fired the Bulava missile from an underwater position in
Russia’s northern White Sea, and hit a target in the far-eastern region of
Kamchatka.
The report comes as tensions are soaring between Russia and the West over the
fighting in Ukraine.
Adding to those tensions, President Vladimir Putin last week signed a bill
revoking (撤銷) Russia’s ratification of a global nuclear test ban in a move
that Moscow said was needed to establish parity with the United States.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 16-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,413
on turnover of $3.4-billion N-T.
Trash in Tamsui River Basin Doubles From 2020-2023
The Society of Wilderness says a survey has found that the amount of garbage
along the Tamsui River and its tributaries has doubled in the past three
years.
According to the society, nearly 70-per cent of the garbage is comprised of
single-use plastic items.
Society marine specialist Hsu Hsiao-chun says the waste screening survey was
carried out by 36 volunteers and covered the entire Tamsui River basin,
estuaries (河口) and nearby areas, totaling 283-kilometers.
Hsu says a total of 56,600 14-literbags were cleared from river bank and
coastal areas during the survey.
Data shows that 80-per cent of the garbage was concentrated along 6-per cent
of the riverbank and was mostly accumulated in the areas of the Guandu
Bridge, New Taipei's Luzhou District and on the right side of She-Zi Island
in Taipei.
The New Taipei Environmental Protection Department says the city government
will continue to strengthen the promotion of waste reduction, such as
promoting the reduction of online shopping packaging.
US House Pushes Through Israel Military Assistance but no
House Republicans have pushed through $14.5 billion in military assistance
for Israel without humanitarian aid for Gaza.
AP correspondent Norman Hall reports.
Colombia Diaz Father Kidnapped by Guerrilla Group
Colombia’s government says the guerrilla group National Liberation Army,
known as ELN, has kidnapped the father of Liverpool and Colombian national
soccer team striker Luis Diaz.
The peace delegation of the government, which is currently in negotiations
with ELN, said in a statement it was “officially aware” that the kidnapping
had been “perpetrated (犯下的) by a unit that belongs to ELN.”
Both of Diaz's parents were kidnapped by armed men on motorcycles on Saturday
at a gas station in the small town of Barrancas.
The footballer's mother was rescued within hours by police.
Diaz's father remained missing, which triggered special forces to search for
him in a mountain range that straddles (橫跨) both countries and is covered
by forest.
Police also offered a $48,000 reward for information leading to Diaz’s
father.
Diaz currently plays for Liverpool in the English Premier League, which he
joined last year in a deal worth $67 million.
Rwanda Announces VisaFree Travel
Rwanda announced Thursday that it will allow all Africans to travel visa-free
to the country, becoming the latest nation on the continent to announce such
a measure aimed at boosting free movement of people.
President Paul Kagame made the announcement on Thursday and highighted the
potential of Africa as “a unified tourism destination (目的地)”.
Other countries that allow Africans to enter their territories without visas
are Gambia, Benin and Seychelles.
Kenya’s President William Ruto announced Monday plans to allow all Africans
to travel to the East African nation visa-free by December 31.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 55-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,094
on turnover of 3.1-billion N-T.
The market closed moderately higher on Wednesday as investor sentiment
remained cautious ahead of the conclusion of the U-S Federal Reserve's
policymaking meeting.
Large cap tech stocks pushed the main board higher, while tourism and airline
related stocks also gained ground on hopes that this weekend's Taipei
International Travel Fair will boost revenue.
TPP's Ko Outlines Energy Policy Platform
Taiwan People's Party presidential candidate Ko Wen-je is outlining his
energy policy platform - calling for sustainable energy transition and the
extended use of two of the island's nuclear power plants.
According to Ko, under his policy, by 2030 Taiwan's energy will will come
from 45-per cent gas, 30-per cent renewables, 15-per cent coal and 10-per
cent nuclear power.
Ko says nuclear power is necessary for the country's energy transition
(過渡時期) and he says the most pragmatic is only setting a deadline for an
end to nuclear power, when renewable energy sources have been sufficiently
developed.
The T-P-P 2024 nominee is also proposing the establishment of a "Climate
Change and Sustainability Committee."
Talent Taiwan Office Foreign Professionals Opens
The government has launched the Talent Taiwan Office.
The National Development Council says the service center is dedicated to
recruiting foreign professionals and helping them get accustomed (習慣、適應)
to life in Taiwan.
The center is an extension of the Taiwan Employment Gold Card Office, that
was set up in October 2020 to provide professional consultation and
assistance to Employment Gold Card holders.
The N-D-C says, the launch of the talent office means that services will be
expanded from only being available to the 8,348 gold card holders to being
accessible to those holding the Taiwan Entrepreneur Visa and other employed
foreign professionals.
Thousands at Gaza Border with Egypt
Thousands of people remain in Gaza at the Rafah border point hoping to cross
over into Egypt.
Earlier around 400 people were able to leave as Egypt opened up the crossing
for the first time since fighting began more than three weeks ago.
Sarah Coates in Tel Aviv reports that a UN official managed to cross in the
other direction, and enter Gaza.
Israel Criticizes SAmerican Countries
In related news…
Israel has criticized Bolivia, Chile and Colombia after the South American
countries undertook a series of diplomatic moves to protest Israel's military
operations against Hamas in Gaza.
Other Latin American countries, including Argentina and Brazil, have also
increased their criticism of the impact that Israel’s military operations
are having on civilians.
Israel on Wednesday called on Colombia and Chile to “explicitly condemn the
Hamas terrorist organization, which slaughtered (殘殺) and abducted babies,
children, women and the elderly.”
The call came hours after Chile and Colombia both recalled their ambassadors
to Israel on Tuesday evening amid criticism of the killing of civilians in
Gaza.
Russia Volcano Ash Forces Schools Closed
Ash columns have erupted from Eurasia’s tallest active volcano and forced
authorities to close schools in two towns on Russia’s sparsely populated
Kamchatka Peninsula.
Officials said the eruptions from the volcano on Wednesday sent ash as high
as 13 kilometers above sea level.
There were no reports of injuries, but officials ordered schools in the two
towns closed as a precaution.
The 4,650-meter volcano has been active in recent years and released lava in
June.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 26-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,028
on turnover of $2.06-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex lost ground on Tuesday, and joined other regional markets in
ending the day negative territory as investors await a decision by the U-S
Federal Reserve on interest rates.
Consumer's Foundation Files Class Action Suit Against Costco Taiwan
The Consumer's Foundation has filed a class-action suit against Costco Taiwan
on behalf of 135 people who purchased imported berries that were found to
have traces of the hepatitis A virus earlier this year.
According to the foundation, it's requesting Costco pay the affected
consumers a total of 11.07-million N-T, or an average of 82,000 N-T per
person, in compensation.
The foundation says the monetary compensation is being sought as Costco
Taiwan failed to take precautionary measures in line with the Act Governing
Food Safety and Sanitation.
The Consumer's Foundation is arguing that although Costco was first informed
in March that American consumers had tested positive for hepatitis A, likely
due to eating the store's frozen berries, it didn't actively inspect or
recall the berries as a precaution (預防措施).
.. and Costco only removed the products from its shelves at the end of April
after the Food and Drug Administration ordered local public health agencies
to monitor the company.
France Police Shoot Terror Suspect
French police have opened fire on a woman who threatened to blow herself up
and allegedly made death threats and spoke in support of terrorism on a train
heading into Paris.
The shooting Tuesday is the latest security incident (事件) in France, which
has been on heightened anti-terror alert since a fatal stabbing at a school
on Oct. 13.
The Paris prosecutor’s office says two police officers together fired eight
shots, seriously wounding the woman.
What exactly the woman said is now the subject of a police investigation.
US Elects New Representative to Israel
The United States Senate has approved Jack Lew to be the new U.S. ambassador
to Israel.
He is set to take on the critical (緊要的) role amid the ongoing battle
between Israel and Hamas.
Jody Jacobs has more…
Bangladesh Garment Factory Workers Protest
Thousands of garment factory workers have taken to the streets of
Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, and the industrial district of Gazipur to
demand better wages.
Protests erupted over the weekend after the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers
and Exporters Association offered to increase the monthly minimum wage by 25%
to reach $90, instead of the $208 demanded by the workers.
While Bangladesh has been maintaining (維持) stable annual economic growth
for years, rising inflation has become a major challenge.
Bangladesh has about 3,500 garment factories employing about 4 million
workers.
It earns $55 billion a year from exports, mainly to the United States and
Europe.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 26-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,176
on turnover of 3.1-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Monday ahead of a U-S Federal Reserve decision
later this week on interest rates and as oil prices fell.
European Parliamentary Delegation Visiting Taiwan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says a delegation of European
parliamentarians is visiting this week as part of efforts aimed at
strengthening the European Parliament's relations with Taiwan.
The three-member delegation is led by being led by the vice chairman of the
European Parliament-Taiwan Friendship Group.
According to the foreign ministry, the delegation will be holding talks with
President Tsai Ing-wen and other senior government officials, including
Legislative Speaker You Si-kun and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu during its
six-day visit.
The foreign ministry says the talks will focus on the economy, democracy and
disinformation (虛假資訊).
Tsai Meets and Thanks Paralympic Team
And,
President Tsai Ing-wen has met with members of Taiwan's Asian Paralympic
Games team.
Speaking at an event at the Presidential Building, Tsai thanked the athletes
for their fighting spirit and said her administration will continue to
support sporting events for those with disabilities.
She also said athletes and coaches preparing for next year's Paris Paralympic
Games will get additional support to ensure (確保) they can "earn glory" for
Taiwan next summer in the French capital.
Taiwan has finished in 13th place in the medals table - bringing home four
gold, four silver and 12 bronze.
Those medals included Taiwan's first-ever in taekwondo, archery, and Go at
the Asia Paralympics.
Subject: E*Israel Offensive Pushes Further into Gaza
Israeli armoured vehicles including a tank have been seen on Gaza's main road
as Israel expands (擴大) its ground offensive.
It comes as Hamas released a video of three female hostages.
Sarah Coates reports from Tel Aviv.
Jamaica Earthquake Leaves Infrastructure Damage
A 5.4 magnitude earthquake has hit Jamaica and prompted people to flee
buildings amid heavy shaking that knocked out power in some areas.
The tremor caused panic (恐慌) on the island Monday, but the prime minister
says there have been no reports of deaths, injuries or serious damage.
The epicenter of the quake was about 10 kilometers west-northwest of Hope
Bay.
The U.S. Geological Survey says it occurred at a shallow depth of 10
kilometers.
Australia ThinkThank: Beijing Targeting SPacific Allies with Aid
An Australian think tank says Beijing has increasingly targeted its South
Pacific political allies with its shrinking aid budget
Sydney’s Lowy Institute report in its latest annual analysis that Chinese
economic influence in the region is losing ground to better loan deals
offered by U.S. allies to 14 aid-dependent Pacific Island nations.
Strategic competition in the South Pacific has escalated since China struck a
security pact with the Solomons Islands last year that raised the prospect
(前景) of a Chinese naval foothold being established in the South Pacific.
The decline in Chinese aid has been driven mainly by a lack of Pacific
government interest in Chinese loans that have left Pacific countries
including Tonga heavily in debt.
The United States has warned that Chinese finance is a debt trap for poor
countries that threatens their sovereignty.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from Friday's close, at
16,142 on turnover of 1.4-billion N-T.
The market staged a mild technical rebound on Friday from a downturn the
previous session following an uptick (上升) in U-S tech stocks in after-hours
trading.
However, turnover was limited, as many investors were reluctant to chase
prices amid concerns the U-S Federal Reserve will keep interest rates high
for longer than expected after economic growth in the third quarter beat
expectations.
TPP's Ko to Hold Election Pact Talks with KMT Chair Today
Taiwan People's Party presidential candidate Ko Wen-je is and K-M-T chairman
Eric Chu are holding talks this hour as both parties are seeking to come to
an agreement on plans to cooperate in January's election.
The closed-door meeting is taking place at the Mayor's Residence Art Salon in
Taipei.
The talks will are focusing on issues including how to select the strongest
opposition presidential candidate, how best to establish (建立) a coalition
government and ways to maximize their numbers of lawmakers in the
legislature.
Party officials say the meeting is expected to last about an hour and Ko and
Chu will hold a joint press conference to announce any finalized plans after
it concludes.
TRA Banking on 'Diversification' to Solve Debt Crisis
The Taiwan Railways Administration says it will work to diversify into other
businesses after corporatization next year to stem an escalating (逐步升級)
debt crisis.
According to director-general Du Wei, the administration is looking to learn
from Japanese railroad companies, that have successfully diversified service
types to generate (產生) "substantial profits."
Du says the railways administration plans to expand its current scale of
affiliated businesses, from mostly meal box catering to train carriage and
station cleaning services - generating capital of 1.1-billion N-T per year.
Du also says similar strategies could apply to train maintenance and more, to
reduce human resource outsourcing.
Gaza Receives Aid Shipment
Gaza has received the largest aid shipment since the start of the war, but
humanitarian workers say it's not enough to meet the people's needs.
AP correspondent Mimmi Montgomery reports.
German Chancellor Meets Nigerian President
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has met with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu as
part of a West Africa tour as the European country looks to diversify
(多樣化) its trade partners and expand economic partnerships in the
energy-rich region.
In his third trip to Africa since he took office in 2021, Scholz pushed for
further development of Nigeria’s capacity to meet local needs, even as
Germany seeks improved trade relations with its second-largest trading
partner in sub-Saharan Africa.
Germany-Nigeria trade volume is estimated to be about 3 billion euros
annually.
Scholz says Germany can work with Nigeria to help tackle issues such as
migration, security and rampant coups in West and Central Africa.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 39-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,113
on turnover of $2.7-billion N-T.
The market tumbled on Thursday, as investors reacted to a decline on Wall
Street overnight and after some of the most influential (有影響力的)
companies turned in mixed profit reports.
MOHW Proposing Stipend Plan to Retain Long-Term Caregivers
The Ministry of Health has unveiled a proposed staff retention program that
aims to encourage young people to stay in the long-term care services.
The plans seeks to provide a monthly stipend of 5,000 N-T to those who opt to
remain working in the long-term care sector.
Health Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan says the plan is geared towards to both
attracting and retaining young people, in particularly those with a relevant
degree, to work in residential care facilities.
To be eligible to receive the 5,000 N-T monthly stipend, those who have
recently graduated with long-term care qualifications will have take an
additional week-long training program such as on disaster emergency response.
Graduates specializing in long-term care services will also need to work as a
caregiver in a residential care facility for at least one year before being
eligible for the stipend (助學金), which will be paid for up to four years,.
US Blinken China FM Meet
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi
met in Washington on Thursday in a flurry of (一陣) diplomacy between the two
nations.
The U.S. wants China to help make sure the Israel-Gaza conflict doesn't spill
over into other countries; and Beijing has expressed a willingness to work
together.
Caroline Malone reports from Washington
Sudan and Rival Forces Resume Peace Talks
Saudi Arabia say the Sudanese army and its rival paramilitary force have
resumed peace talks.
It says the talks between the army and the Rapid Support Forces are underway
in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah and are being brokered by both Riyadh and
Washington.
The RSF and the army have both confirmed they would participate in the talks.
Sudan was plunged into chaos in mid-April, when simmering (充滿勢將爆發的)
tensions between the military and the RSF exploded into open warfare.
Previous peace talks were held in Jeddah earlier this year but broke down in
late June.
The Saudi foreign ministry says it hopes the fresh negotiations will lead to
another cease-fire, and to a political agreement.
UN Forms AI Advisory Panel
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has announced the appointment of a
39-member global advisory panel to report on international governance of
artificial intelligence and its risks, challenges and key opportunities.
The U.N. chief told a news conference Thursday the gender-balanced,
geographically diverse (多種多樣的) group which spans generations will issue
preliminary recommendations by the end of the year and final recommendations
by the summer of 2024.
The U.N. said the formation of the body marks a significant step in its
efforts to address issues of AI international governance and will help bridge
existing and emerging initiatives.
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MND Looking into Alleged Sale of Firearms
Hou Hsiao-hsien Confirmed as having Alzheimer's Disease
UN Security Council Fails Again to Pass Resolution on the Middle East
Ukraine Evacuating Children From Front Line Areas
Venezuela Probing Organizers of Weekend Presidential Primary
Bud Light Returning to UFC
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 10-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,320
on turnover of 1.9-billion N-T.
The market recovered from early losses and closed moderately higher on
Tuesday, as late investor buying pushed up artificial intelligence
development-related stocks on the back of their relatively low valuations.
Taiwan and Canada Complete Negotiations on Investment Pact
Taiwan and Canada have completed negotiations on a pact aimed at promoting
investment and protection.
According to the Office of Trade Negotiations, if ratified (正式批准), the
deal "will be beneficial for Taiwanese small and medium-sized enterprises who
want to expand their investment presence" in Canada and "support Taiwan's
goal of achieving net-zero transformation."
While Global Affairs Canada says completion of the talks highlights that
Taiwan as an important trade and investment partner at a time when Canada is
deepening its economic partnerships and relationships in the Indo-Pacific
region.
Both sides say a foreign investment promotion and protection arrangement will
be formally signed after the completion of the legal text review and
respective administrative procedures.
DPP Lawmaker Apologizes for Affair
D-P-P lawmaker Chao Tian-lin has issued a public apology and admitted to
having an extramarital affair several years ago.
The apology comes after photographs of Chao and a woman, who has been
confirmed as being a Chinese national, were published earlier this week.
Speaking to reporters at his office in Kaohsiung, Chao said his wife was
aware of the affair and has forgiven him and he will not be seeking
re-election in January's legislative election.
Some opposition lawmakers are accusing Chao of being unfit to serve as a
lawmaker while others are claiming that Chao's Chinese girlfriend was allowed
to enter Taiwan under to guise (（尤指為了欺騙而裝出的）外表) of a
medical-related visit.
There are also calls for national security agencies to open an investigation
into Chao's actions.
China Replaces Defense Minister
Chinese state media are reporting that the country has replaced Defense
Minister Gen. Li Shangfu.
He has been out of public view for almost two months with little explanation
(解釋).
The announcement of Li's removal was made Tuesday without further information
being given.
Li is the second senior Chinese official to disappear this year.
Former Foreign Minister Qin Gang was removed from office in July with no
explanation offered.
There is no indication that the disappearances of Qin and Li signal a change
in China’s foreign or defense policies.
Horizon Air Pilot Pleads Not Guilty
More charges are being filed against an off-duty pilot who tried to cut (關)
the engines on a Horizon Aiir flight.
The AP's Ed Donahue reports.
Zimbabwe Missing Tourist Found Alive
A German tourist who went missing in a national park in northern Zimbabwe has
been found alive and in “good health” along with his rental car three days
later.
A national parks agency spokesperson says the tourist had last been seen
buying a drink at the park shop before going for a game drive Saturday
afternoon.
The spokesman says the car rental company failed to locate him on its GPS
tracking system and authorities deployed a helicopter, vehicles and sniffer
dogs to search for him.
There are no immediate details on how deep in the park the man had ventured
(冒險去（或做）).
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at
16,257 on turnover of 2.8-billion N-T.
The market tumbled more than 180-points on Monday to reach its lowest level
in five months after Wall Street took a hit at the end of last week on the
back of a spike in Treasury yields.
The bellwether electronics sector dragged prices lower, especially large cap
stocks, as rising Treasury yields made tech stocks and their relatively low
dividends less attractive.
DPP Accuses China of Pressuring Terry Gou with Hon Hai Probe
In news from and about Taiwan this morning,
The D-P-P is accusing Beijing of opening "politically motivated"
investigations into Hon Hai in an attempt to pressure Terry Gou into
abandoning his independent bid for the presidency.
According to the party's legislative caucus, the investigations are part of
efforts by Beijing to push for and accelerate (加速) the cooperation of
Taiwan's opposition parties.
The statements follow reports that tax authorities in China recently searched
Hon Hai offices in Guangdong and Jiangsu provinces, while the Ministry of
Natural Resources inspected the company's offices in Henan and Hubei
provinces.
Gou has not publicly respond to the reports.
NAMR Succeeds in Cultivating Giant Seaweed Species
The National Academy of Marine Research says it has successfully cultivated
two types of native giant seaweeds.
According to academy, the success in cultivation of the macroalgae species
will enable it to restore some marine habitats, give it a stable supply of
seedlings (幼苗) and the ability to enhance ocean carbon sinks.
And as part of the project, researchers collected 48 native species of large
seaweeds in waters off southern Taiwan and moved the fresh algae to
land-based tanks for cultivation in large amounts.
Hamas Releases Two Hostages
The International Committee of the Red Cross says Hamas militants have
released two hostages it had been holding captive in the Gaza Strip.
It was the second time the group has freed hostages seized in its bloody Oct.
7 cross-border incursion (侵入) into Israel.
The two freed women, 85 and 79 years old, were taken out of Gaza at the Rafah
crossing into Egypt, where they were put into ambulances.
Hamas reportedly received nothing in exchange for the release of the two
hostages, who were freed days after an American woman and her teenage
daughter
A U.S. official said Monday that Washington has advised Israel to delay a
possible ground invasion to allow more time to try and secure the release of
more hostages.
US Senator Pleads Not Guilty to Foreign Agent Charge
US Senator Bob Menendez has pleaded not guilty to conspiring to act as a
foreign agent for the Egyptian government.
The lawmaker appeared in a Manhattan court on Monday for a brief hearing,
which lasted less than five minutes.
Last month the lawmaker pleaded not guilty to accepting bribes to benefit
Egypt and interfere with law enforcement (執法官員) investigations.
Sally Patterson has more.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 49-points this morning from Friday's close, at 16,391
on turnover of 3.3-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex lost ground on Friday along with other regional markets, as
investors reacted to the prospect of a 5-per cent yield on 10-year U-S
Treasury bonds for the first time since 2007, which added to pressure on Wall
Street overnight.
Ko Eyes Cross-Party Committee to Review Electoral Pact
Taiwan People's Party presidential candidate Ko Wen-je is reportedly seeking
to establish a cross-party committee to review and oversee plans for a
electoral pact with the K-M-T.
Ko says the committee will communicate with K-M-T presidential candidate Hou
You-yi on issues concerning the forming a cross-party consultative (諮詢)
group sometime this week.
According to a spokesperson for Ko's office, the committee will seek to help
the two parties discuss how to allocate government posts if they win the
presidential election.
Tsai Calls for More Diverse and Heart-Touching Taiwanese TV Dramas
President Tsai Ing-wen is expressing her gratitude to film and television
workers -- and acknowledging the impact (影響) of their work on people's
lives and called for more diverse and heart-touching programs.
Taking to social media following this past weekend's 58th Golden Bell Awards,
Tsai congratulated those who won awards, while thanking those in the
broadcasting and TV business for their "companionship."
She also praised their consistent efforts to produce high-quality and diverse
content, including entertaining variety programs, trendsetting reality shows
and dramas that touched on many issues.
US "Ready to Protect Personnel in Middle East"
Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the United States is ready to protect
U.S. personnel in the Middle East, should the Israel-Hamas war escalate
(升級).
AP correspondent Jackie Quinn reports. ((opens with actuality))
Congo Boat Capsizing
Local authorities in Congo say st least 28 people drowned after a boat
capsized in the Congo River in Equateur province.
An administrator for the territory says the boat was traveling from Ngondo,
about 120 kilometers from the province’s capital and crashed Saturday night
in Bolomba village.
He said Sunday that about 200 passengers were rescued and an unknown number
of others were missing.
It was the second boat wreck (沉船) on the Congo River within a week.
On October 14-th, another boat capsized, killing at least 47 people and
leaving more than 70 missing.
Iran Sentences Female Journalists to Prison
A court in Iran has sentenced two female journalists to up to seven years in
prison for collaborating with the U.S. government and other charges.
Both have been imprisoned for over a year following their coverage
(新聞報道,) of the death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody in Sept.
2022.
They can appeal the sentencing within 20 days.
The journalists broke the news of Amini’s death for wearing her headscarf
too loosely was sentenced to seven years in jail, while the other who wrote
about Amini's funeral was sentenced to six.
Amini’s death touched off months-long protests in dozens of cities across
Iran, and nearly 100 journalists were arrested during the demonstrations.
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every day in the afternoon.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 18-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
16,434 on turnover of $2.46-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher on Thursday as tech heavyweights staged a
technical rebound from a the previous session, as investors opted to shrug
off a plunge on Wall Street overnight.
However, turnover remained capped, as investors remained cautious about
escalating tensions in the Middle East after the U-S vetoed a draft
resolution at the United Nations Security Council urging a humanitarian pause
in the Gaza Strip.
Lithuanian Officials to visit Taiwan to Talk Fintech Exchanges
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says a delegation of officials and business
representatives from Lithuania will visit Taiwan next week.
The visit will be focusing on discussions aimed at advancing bilateral
exchanges in financial technology and other fields.
According to the foreign ministry, the delegation will also meet with
President Tsai Ing-wen and other senior government officials during its
four-day stay.
The delegation will be led by the speaker of the Lithuanian parliament, and
will include her foreign policy advisor and the country's deputy finance
minister.
The foreign ministry says members of the delegation will participate in a
financial technology forum and visit the Ultrafast Laser Technology Research
and Innovation Center in Tainan.
While the speaker of the Lithuanian parliament is scheduled to address the
Legislative Yuan.
Canada Recalls Diplomats from India
Canada's foreign minister says the country has recalled 41 of its diplomats
from India after the Indian government said it would revoke their diplomatic
immunity, escalating ( 惡化、 加劇) a spat over the slaying of a Sikh
separatist in Canada.
The moves come after Canadian allegations that India may have been involved
in the June killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in suburban Vancouver.
India has accused Canada of harboring separatists and “terrorists."
But it has dismissed the allegation of its involvement in the killing as
“absurd” and has taken diplomatic steps to express its anger over the
accusation.
Indonesia ExGovernors Kick of Presidential Race
Two prominent ex-governors are first to put their hats in the ring (宣佈參選)
for the race to become Indonesia's next president.
The southeast Asian nation goes to the polls in February next year in the
world's largest direct presidential vote.
Patrick Fok reports.
EU Demands Meta TikTok Curb Disinformation
The European Union has demanded Meta and TikTok detail their efforts to curb
illegal content and disinformation during the Israel-Hamas war.
The 27-nation bloc’s executive branch on Thursday formally requested that
the social media companies provide information on how they’re complying
(遵守) with pioneering new digital rules aimed at cleaning up online
platforms.
Meta and TikTok were asked to explain what they've done to reduce the risk of
spreading and amplifying terrorist and violent content, hate speech and
disinformation.
The Israel-Hamas war is putting the new digital rules to the test.
Elon Musk’s social media platform X faced the EU's first formal request
under the rules last week.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 24-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
16,416 on turnover of 3.5-billion N-T.
The market tumbled 200-points on Wednesday as the bellwether electronics
sector led the losses after the the Biden administration cut off shipments of
chips designed by Nvidia and other American semiconductor designers to China.
Investors also remained cautious about Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
stock ahead of an investor conference later today, at which the company will
release its third quarterly results and give guidance for the fourth quarter.
Visiting Belgian Lawmaker Expresses Concern over China's Military Sorties
Visiting Belgian parliamentarian Els Van Hoof is expressing concern over
China's increasing military sorties near Taiwan.
Speaking during a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen, Van Hoof said Belgium
is concerned of the growing crossing of Taiwan's air defense identification
zone and also the medium line by military vessels and jets" by the Chinese
military.
According to Van Hoof, who chairs the Belgian Chamber of Representatives
Foreign Affairs Committee, "the importance of this week's parliamentarian
visit cannot be underestimated (被低估)" as it shows that "Taiwan is not
standing alone against these threats."
Van Hoof arrived in Taiwan on Sunday for a six-day visit heading a delegation
that includes seven other members of the Belgian parliament.
Labor Minister Stressed 'No Timetable' for Opening Hotel Industry to
Migrant Workers
Labor Minister Hsu Ming-chun is denying recent reports that the government is
seeking to opening the island's hotel industry to overseas migrant workers.
According to Hsu, the government currently has "no timetable" for such a move
and her ministry's top priority remains the welfare of Taiwanese workers.
The statement comes after it was reported the Cabinet is planning to approve
a plan to allow the hiring of migrant workers in the hotel sector, possibly
beginning next year, in order address an ongoing (正在進行的) labor shortage.
Government data shows the hotel industry is currently facing a shortage of
more than 1,000 workers.
Japan Saudi Arabia to Work Together on Palestinian Crisis
Japan and Saudi Arabia are agreeing to work together to address the
humanitarian crisis (人道危機) facing Palestinians in Gaza.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
Liberia Presidential Election Headed for Runoff
Liberia’s presidential election appears headed for a run-off, with the top
candidates neck and neck (不相上下，旗鼓相當) and the votes nearly fully
counted.
President George Weah, who is seeking a second term, had 44% of the vote
Wednesday with his main challenger Joseph Boakai at 43%, according to the
National Elections Commission.
A candidate needs more than 50% of the vote to win.
Once the votes from this round are finalized, the run-off will take place
within 15 days.
The Oct. 10-th election is the tightest in the nearly two decades since the
end of the West African country’s civil war that killed some 250-thousand
people.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 34-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
16,608 on turnover of 2.8-billion N-T.
The market closed marginally (稍微地) lower on Tuesday - that, as investors
opted to lock in profits almost across the board following an initial upturn
after Wall Street rebounded overnight.
However, the semiconductor sector brought some stability to the broader
market, with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in focus ahead of an investor
conference tomorrow that will offer third quarter results and fourth quarter
guidance.
CDC Reporting Decline in Dengue Fever Cases
The Centers for Disease Control is reporting a marked (明顯的) decline in the
number of new dengue fever cases for last week - with the figure dropping to
below 2,000 for the first time since early September.
According to the C-D-C, it recorded 1,521 local cases of the mosquito-borne
disease from between October 11 and 16.
That was down from the 2,527 cases reported the previous week.
A majority of the new cases are still being reported in Tainan.
The C-D-C has recorded a total of 17,084 local dengue fever cases and 32
deaths from the disease so far this year.
Tsai Honors Presidential Culture Awards Winners
And,
President Tsai Ing-wen has conferred Presidential Culture Awards on five
individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions (貢獻) to
society.
Taiwanese opera performer Liao Qiong-zhi was honored with the Arts and
Culture Award.
The Kavalan Development Association of Hualien County took the Community
Building Award.
The Humanitarian Dedication Award went to the Transasia Sisters Association.
Contemporary artist Zhang Xu-zhan won the Creative and Innovation Award.
While the long-running docuseries produced by Taiwan Public Television
Service, "Our Island" received the Public Advocacy Award.
The Presidential Culture Awards is now in its 12th year.
Biden Summit with Arab Leaders Called Off
US President Joe Biden's Mideast trip now faces setbacks (挫折).
AP Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports
Uganda Tourist and Guide Killed National Park Attack
A wildlife official in Uganda and the police say two foreign tourists and
their Ugandan guide have been killed in an attack by unknown assailants near
a national park.
Officials say the attackers set on fire the vehicle in which the group was
traveling just outside Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The park, located in a remote (偏僻的) area of western Uganda near the Congo
border, is one of the most popular conservation areas in Uganda.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority and the security agencies are working “to
establish who is responsible for the attack.
Sweden Reports Partial Damage to Undersea Telecom Cable
Sweden has reported partial damage to an undersea telecom cable in the Baltic
Sea running to Estonia.
Authorities believe it happened at the same time as damage to an undersea gas
pipeline and telecom cable from Finland to Estonia.
Finland has launched an investigation into possible sabotage after reporting
the damage to its gas pipeline to Estonia last week.
Sweden’s Civil Defense Minister says that the damage to the cable between
Sweden and Estonia appeared to happen at the same time but that it’s unclear
what caused it.
He says the cable was not severed and that there was only partial damage to
it.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 26-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,678
on turnover of 2-billion N-T.
The market lost ground and closed below the 16,700-point mark on Monday, as
investor sentiment was muted due concerns about Mid-East tensions and a rise
in international crude oil prices at the end of last week.
Investors opted to shift funds to U-S dollar-denominated assets for hedging
purposes ..
… while large-cap tech stocks, led by the semiconductor sector came under
heavy pressure, leading the broader market to trend lower throughout the
trading day.
Visiting AIT Chair Praises Taiwan Defense Reforms
Visiting American Institute in Taiwan Chairwoman Laura Rosenberger is
reiterated Washington's pledge to help Taipei defend itself with a "full
range of tools."
Speaking during a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen, Rosenberger said the
U-S "is seizing upon the full range of tools authorized by Congress, such as
Presidential Drawdown Authority and Foreign Military Financing to reach that
goal."
Rosenberger also praised the government's ongoing efforts to enhance (提高)
the island's self-defense capabilities through initiatives that include
increasing defense spending and reforming its reserve forces, conscription
and mobilization systems.
Rosenberger arrived in Taiwan on Sunday for a five-day visit.
Taipei Eying November Test Events for Dome
The Taipei Department of Sports says a baseball game is being planned as a
test event for the Taipei Dome.
The venue is scheduled to open for trial operations next month.
According to department commissioner Wang Hong-xiang, tickets for the
closed-door test event in early November will be available for free.
Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Shu-chuan last week announced that the stadium had
passed fire safety tests and was expected to receive its operating license in
later this month.
However, the sports department commissioner says the Dome is primarily
(主要是) a sports venue that will be used mostly for baseball games, and
future events outside of that purpose will require separate operating license
applications.
Ukraine: Russian Push to Take Avdiivka Slowing
Ukrainian officials say a dayslong attempt by Russian forces to storm a
strategically important city in eastern Ukraine appears to be running out of
steam.
The Ukrainian General Staff said Monday that Ukrainian forces repelled 15
Russian attacks from four directions on Avdiivka over the previous 24 hours.
That compared with what another official were up to 60 attacks a day in the
middle of last week, suggesting the Russian push was weakening.
A Washington-based think tank broadly concurred with that assessment.
As the Kremlin’s war entered its 600th day and with the looming onset of
winter that will limit military operations, both sides have been seeking
battlefield breakthroughs that could invigorate their efforts and raise
morale.
SCOTUS Orders Gun Makers to Comply on Ghost Guns
From the US…..
The Supreme Court has ordered makers of gun parts to comply (遵守) with rules
on ghost guns.
AP's Lisa Dwyer has more.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 69-points this morning from Friday's close, at 16,712
on turnover of 2.8-billion N-T.
The market moved lower on the final day of last week's session as investor
sentiment was muted (不熱烈的) due to higher-than-expected U-S consumer price
index data for in September, raising fears that inflation in America remains
a major issue.
TPP and KMT Accusing Each Other for Failure to Collaborate
The K-M-T and the Taiwan People's Party are criticizing each other for the
failure (失敗) to reach consensus on plans for a joint opposition ticket for
January's presidential election.
The spat comes after K-M-T and T-P-P campaign officials held talks this past
weekend aimed at exploring a possible electoral pact between the two parties
as they're both seeking to remove the D-P-P from power.
The T-P-P is pushing for a poll to see whether voters back either the K-M-T's
Hou Yu-ih or its presidential candidate, Ko Wen-je to represent the two
parties.
While the K-M-T is proposing an open primary to select the candidate.
Poor Air Quality in West to Last into Tomorrow
And,
The Ministry of the Environment says poor air quality in northern and western
parts of the island is expected to last until tomorrow.
The warning comes after a northeasterly monsoon began to pick-up strength on
Sunday, carrying high concentrations (濃度) of pollutants from China into
Taiwan proper.
Monitoring stations on in Keelung, Chiayi City, and Tainan all flashed orange
alerts on Sunday, mainly due to PM2.5 particulate pollution, indicating that
the air quality poses a health risk to sensitive groups.
People with allergies are being advised to wear face masks and avoid vigorous
outdoor activities.
While another wave of the northeast monsoon is forecast to arrive on Friday,
rising the possibility of more poor air quality.
Afghanistan Earthquake Leaves More Injuries and Deaths
A powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake has struck western Afghanistan, just over
a week after strong quakes and aftershocks killed thousands of people and
flattened entire villages.
Aid agency Save the Children said four people died in Sunday's temblor in
Herat province, with the regional hospital receiving more than 150 injured.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake's epicenter was about 34 kilometers
outside Herat, the provincial capital, and eight kilometers deep.
Earthquakes on Oct. 7 flattened villages in the province in what was one of
the most destructive (破壞性的) quakes in Afghanistan’s recent history.
United Nations officials say more than 90% of the people killed a week ago
were women and children.
Disney at 100
The Walt Disney company is 100 years old as of Monday – marking the start by
brothers Walt and Roy Disney on October 16th in 1923.
Caroline Malone reports.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 10-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
16,816 on turnover of $4-billion N-T.
Kinmen set for 1st taxi fare hike in 13 years
Taxi fares in outlying Kinmen County will be increased from January 1st 2024
for the first time in 13 years.
The Kimen County government said it approved the increase proposed by the
association of local taxi drivers due to the rising cost
Each journey will charge an additional $5 NT for every 200 meters after the
first 1,000 meters and for every accumulated (累積) two minutes during which
the taxi travels slower than 5 kilometers per hour.
The basic fare for each journey is currently $100 NT for a journey of less
than 1,000 meters, with journeys at night charging 20 percent more than
during the day.
NKorea Calls US Carrier "Provocation"
North Korea is lashing out at the arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier battle
group in South Korea, calling it a provocation and again raising the specter
(對於…的恐懼（或憂慮）) of using nuclear weapons to defend itself.
The North's state media issued that threat today, a day after the USS Ronald
Reagan and its battle group arrived at South Korea’s southeastern port of
Busan following a U.S.-South Korean-Japanese naval exercise in international
waters earlier this week.
South Korean defense officials said the carrier is to be docked at Busan for
five days as part of an agreement to increase the temporary deployments of
powerful U.S. military assets in response to the North’s growing nuclear
program.
UN Warns Gaza Situation Now Dire
The World Food Programme is warning that the humanitarian situation in the
Gaza Strip is "dire" after Israel said it will not life its blockade of the
territory until Hamas frees all the Israeli and foreign hostages that it
seized (抓住) last weekend.
Meanwhile, Jewish community sites worldwide are on alert after the former
leader of Hamas called for Friday to be a day of jihad against Jewish
targets.
Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.
IOC Suspends Russian Olympic Committee
The Russian Olympic Committee has been suspended by the IOC for breaching the
Olympic Charter by incorporating sports bodies in four regions in eastern
Ukraine.
Russian Olympic officials provoked (激起，引起) the dispute last week by
accepting the councils in Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia as its
members.
The suspension does not immediately affect any Russians who are returning to
compete in international sporting events as neutral athletes.
The Russian Olympic Committee can challenge the IOC decision at the Court of
Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 27-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,699
on turnover of $4.5-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan ended more than 150 points higher on Wednesday, the first
trading day after the prolonged Oct. 10 National Day holiday, amid eased
fears over an aggressive Federal Reserve in the wake of war breaking out
between Israel and militant group Hamas.
On the back of the gains posted by tech stocks on the U.S. markets during the
holiday in Taiwan, large-cap electronics stocks, in particular in the
semiconductor industry, attracted strong buying throughout the session, with
the financial sector also enjoying significant (顯著的) gains.
Suspects wanted for helping convicted tycoon flee surrender to police
Four people who allegedly helped a businessman convicted of insider trading
and stock manipulation flee to the Philippines in early September have turned
themselves in to the police.
According to the Central News Agency, the case involves Chu Guo-rong,
president of Global Funeral Service Corp., who fled Taiwan while in home
confinement as he appealed his convictions to Taiwan's Supreme Court and was
later listed as a wanted fugitive (通緝要犯) on Sept. 28-th.
CNA quotes sources as saying that Chu's business partner and race car driver
George Chou, along with the captain and two crew members of a fishing boat
who allegedly helped Chu flee to the Philippines turned themselves in to the
Criminal Investigation Bureau at the end of September.
The Taipei District Prosecutors Office said Wednesday that it could not
confirm or comment on details of the case as their investigation was still
underway.
US Biden Warns Iran After Israel Attack
US President Joe Biden has given a direct warning to Iran to "be careful"
following Hamas' attack on Israel.
The American leader is under pressure to refreeze $6 billion in Iranian
assets (資產) amid Tehran's support of the terrorist organization.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
French Troops Withdraw from Niger
The French military says it's begun withdrawing from Niger following the July
coup when mutinous soldiers toppled (推翻) the country’s democratically
elected president.
More than 100 troops left in two flights from the capital on Tuesday in the
first of what will be several rounds of departures between now and the end of
the year.
All are returning to France.
Also Tuesday, Niger’s junta said it was giving the United Nations resident
coordinator in Niger 72 hours to leave the country.
It cited “underhanded maneuvers” by the U.N. secretary-general to prevent
its full participation in last month’s General Assembly in New York as one
of the reasons.
Finland Investigates Gas Pipeline Leak
Finnish police say they have launched a criminal investigation into possible
sabotage (破壞) of an undersea gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia that
was shut down over the weekend following a leak.
Finland says it has started gathering evidence at the location of the leak,
which was detected Sunday on the Balticconector pipeline connecting the two
NATO allies.
A telecommunications cable was also damaged.
The purpose of the probe is to establish whether the damage to the
Balticconector pipeline resulted from sabotage or an accident.
Finnish authorities have already ruled out an operational mishap, saying the
damage was caused by “external activity.”
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 47-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,567
on turnover of $4.9-billion N-T.
U.S. Stocks Rise; TAIEX Eyes Rebound
U.S. major indices saw significant gains, with the Dow Jones rising over 600
points and NASDAQ up by 340 points.
As Taiwan returns from its National Day holiday, institutional investors
forecast a potential rally for the TAIEX, targeting the half-year line of
16-thousand-545 points.
Amid global industry developments, the Palestinian group Hamas launched
attacks on Israel, resulting in fluctuations (波動) in international oil
prices.
Meanwhile, the IMF adjusted Taiwan's projected annual economic growth from
2.1-percent to 0.8-percent.
Upcoming company financial statements and the Middle East situation are set
to be market focal points in the near future.
(PB)
Taiwan office in Israel cancels National Day celebration amid war
Taiwan's representative office in Israel cancelled its National Day reception
in Jerusalem after Israel declared war following an attack by Hamas on Oct.
7th.
Taiwan's representative to Israel Lee Ya-ping thanked wellwishers for the
congratulatory (祝賀) messages received on National Day, and added that the
office would help raise supplies for Israel.
Hamas launched its largest attack ever on Israel on the morning of Oct. 7,
and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later declared war against the
militant group.
Afghanistan Shaken By Another Strong Quake
Another strong earthquake has shaken part of western Afghanistan where a
quake on Saturday killed more than 2,000.
The 6.3-magnitude earthquake Wednesday morning was about 28 kilometers
outside the capital of Herat province, according to the U.S. Geological
Survey.
The earlier quake was also 6.3 magnitude and has been followed by several
strong aftershocks.
US Biden Urges Rule of Law for Israel Reprisals
US President Joe Biden has confirmed that American citizens are among those
hostages being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
He described the Hamas attacks on Israel last weekend as "sheer evil", and in
comments at the White House backed Israel's right to take reprisals (報復).
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to Israel for talks with
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials.
From Washington, Simon Marks reports.
Russia Defeated in Bid to Gain UN Human Rights Council Seat
Russia has been defeated in its bid to regain a seat in the United Nations
premiere human rights body by a significant majority in an election in the
General Assembly, which voted last year to suspend (（因犯錯而）暫令停職)
Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine.
Russia competed against Albania and Bulgaria for two seats on the
Geneva-based Human Rights Council representing the East European regional
group.
In Tuesday's secret ballot vote, Bulgaria got 160 votes, Albania got 123
votes and Russia just 83 votes.
In Tuesday’s election, the only other competitive race was in the Latin
America and Caribbean group where Cuba, Brazil, the Dominican Republic and
Peru competed for three seats.
Peru lost out.
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CWA to lift sea warning soon
Lin Yu-ting wins Taiwan's first Asian Games female boxing gold
U.N. says Lebanon faces one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises
Russian airstrike kills 51 in Ukraine
former US President Donald Trump may visit the Capitol to address Republicans as they pick a new speaker
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 40.5-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
16,314 on turnover of $2.3-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan took a beating Wednesday shedding more than 180 points, as
market sentiment was hit by steep losses suffered by the U.S. markets
overnight and growing fears over a further rate hike by the Federal Reserve.
A plunge among tech stocks on the U.S. markets sparked a sell-off in the
local bellwether electronics sector as a spike in the U.S. treasury yields
made those tech stocks look less attractive.
Imported American pork mislabeled
The Food and Drug Administration, together with Taoyuan Health officials,
have found that two Taoyuan frozen food businesses imported American and
Canadian pork and sold it as Canada or UK-produced pork to some 90 eateries
and vendors downstream.
As American pork may contain additive ractopamine, many local consumers would
try to avoid it.
Taoyuan officials say the two business imported some 150-thousand kilograms
of American pork, and most of it probably has been eaten.
While the two businesses said the pork was good and met the standards, health
officials say they have violated the Food Safety and Sanitation Act for
mislabeling the products.
The case now is in the hands of Taoyuan prosecutors, and the FDA is testing
whether the remaining pork stored in the two companies contain residues
(殘留物) of ractopamine.
(JL)
US Trump Denies Interest in House Speaker Position
Donald Trump has indicated that he's not interested in becoming the next
Speaker of the US House of Representatives.
The former President was speaking after a Republican member of Congress
formally nominated him for the job, following the unprecedented ouster
(史無前例的罷黜) of Kevin McCarthy earlier this week.
Our US correspondent Simon Marks reports.
Red Cross Calls for Belarus Red Cross Head Ouster
The international Red Cross is calling for the ouster of the head of the
Belarus Red Cross.
This comes after the Belarus Red Cross stirred international outrage for
boasting (自誇) that it was actively ferrying Ukrainian children from
Russian-controlled areas to Belarus.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says it
has given the Belarus chapter until Nov. 30 to dismiss Dzmitry Shautsou.
If not, the worldwide Red Cross will recommend all affiliates to halt new
partnerships and funding for the Belarus branch, which would be suspended
from the global organization.
Both Ukraine and the Belarusian opposition have decried the transfer of
children as unlawful deportations, and there have been calls for
international war crimes charges for the Belarus leader, similar to the
charges against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
US Women Win Gymnastics World Championships
Led by Simone Biles, the U.S. women have won a record seventh consecutive
team title at the gymnastics world championships.
The American team of Biles, Shilese Jones, Skye Blakely and Leanne Wong
combined for a total of 167.729 points to edge Brazil and France.
The U.S. women have won gold in the team event at every world championship
that included a team competition since 2011.
Their victory in Antwerp broke a tie with the Chinese men and made Biles the
most decorated (授予（某人）勳章) female gymnast in history.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 34.86 -points this morning from yesterday's close, at
16,419 on turnover of $2.97-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan came under pressure, closing below the 16,500 point mark
Tuesday amid renewed fears over a hawkish U.S. Federal Reserve in the wake of
a spike in American treasury yields, pointing to higher interest rates.
The bellwether electronics sector, which served as a driver to a 1.24 percent
increase on the main board on Monday, reversed its previous gains and moved
lower, sending the broader market into negative territory.
(10AM)Slowmoving Koinu Rim Soon to Reach Huadong Area
The Central Weather Administration says the outer rim of Typhoon Koinu will
soon reach the Hua-dong area.
The CWA says the slow-moving storm is currently centered about 270 kilometers
east of Cape Eluanbi, Taiwan's southernmost point, and was moving in a
westerly direction at 11 km per hour.
It was packing maximum sustained winds of 155 kph with gusts of up to 191 kph.
The CWA's land warning currently covers 15 cities and counties across the
center, east and south, as well as parts of the north.
Forecasters expect the storm to continue moving in a westerly direction, and
predict that the eye of the storm will pass over the Taitung area, and into
the Bashi Channel tomorrow.
(NS)
Thai Shooting Suspect Explains Shooting to Police
The teenage suspect arrested following a deadly gun rampage (狂暴行為) in a
luxury Bangkok mall told police someone was telling him to shoot others.
Two people were killed and five others were wounded in the shooting.
Patrick Fok reports.
Italy Bus Crash Leaves Dead and Injured
Italian authorities say at least 21 people have been killed and 18 injured in
a bus crash near Venice.
Local officials say the bus was carrying foreign tourists, including
Ukrainians.
The crash happened Tuesday when the bus fell from an elevated (高架) street
just northwest of Venice.
City officials say the bus was bringing tourists to a camping site.
Local media reports say the bus fell a few meters before crashing close to
railroad tracks, where it caught fire.
Multiple emergency crews are at the scene.
Mexico Signs Agreement with Sea Sheperd to Proect Vaquitas
The conservation group Sea Shepherd says it has signed an agreement with
Mexico to help expand the protection area for the endangered vaquita
porpoise.
Sea Shepherd helps the Mexican Navy to remove illegal gill nets that drown
the vaquita, the world's most endangered marine mammal.
Sea Shepherd said Tuesday that the expansion (擴張) will increase the area
work it works in the Gulf of California by about 60%.
The Gulf, also known as the Sea of Cortez, is the only place where the
vaquita lives.
As few as ten vaquitas remain.
They cannot be held or bred in captivity.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 37-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
16,520 on turnover of $3.9-billion N-T.
U.K. commissioner visits Taiwan to strengthen trade ties
The newly-appointed U.K. trade commissioner for Asia Pacific is visiting
Taiwan.
The British Office Taipei says Martin Kent is currently in Taiwan for a 5-day
visit to broaden (擴大) trade and investment links between the U.K. and
Taiwan.
The office says the main purpose of his visit is to meet with the
International Trade Administration under Taiwan's Ministry of Economic
Affairs and prepare topics for the 26th annual U.K.-Taiwan Trade Talks due to
take place in London in November.
In addition, the commissioner will meet with Taiwan's chief trade negotiator,
Minister without Portfolio John Deng, to continue talks on the U.K.-Taiwan
Enhanced Trade Partnership announced earlier this year.
And the office says during his visit, Kent will also meet with key
representatives of U.K. businesses in Taiwan to understand local market
opportunities, as well as key Taiwanese companies, including China Airlines
and silicon wafer supplier GlobalWafers, to explore collaboration.
Taiwan tennis star Hsieh's father dies at age 70
Hsieh Tzu-lung, the father of Taiwanese professional tennis star Hsieh
Su-wei, died Sunday at his home at the age of 70, according to a friend of
his wife.
Hsieh's mother disclosed (透露) the news on Monday through the friend, saying
that he died peacefully.
Hsieh Tzu-lung had seven children, all of whom except for the oldest were
tennis players.
Su-wei is the most accomplished of them, with six Grand Slam titles in
women's doubles.
UN Security Council approves sending a Kenya-led force to Haiti
There could soon be an international boost on the ground to help combat
(對付) the violence in Haiti.
AP's Lisa Dwyer reports ((Wrap))
Brazil Amazon Dolphins Die Due to Drought and High Temp
More than 100 dolphins have died in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest in the
past week due to a severe drought, and many more could be affected if water
temperatures remain high.
A research group of Brazil’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation,
said two more dead dolphins were found on Monday in the region around Tefe
Lake, which is key for mammals and fish in the area.
Thousands of fish have also died, according to local media.
Experts believe high water temperatures are the most likely cause of the
deaths.
The Brazilian government said last week it had sent teams of veterinarians
and aquatic (水棲的) mammal experts to investigate the deaths.
NZ Early Voting Begins in Election
Early voting has begun in New Zealand for the nation’s Oct. 14-th general
election, with conservative contender Christopher Luxon casting his ballot.
Early voting also began on Monday in some parts of Australia in a referendum
on the Indigenous people's “Voice” in Parliament.
The measure would enshrine in Australia’s constitution a mechanism (體制)
for Indigenous people to advise Parliament on policies that affect their
lives
In New Zealand, the campaign of Prime Minister Chris Hipkins faced a setback
on Sunday when he tested positive for COVID-19.
He said he's isolate for five days or until he returned a negative test.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened 29-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,383 on
turnover of $2.6-billion N-T.
Typhoon Koinu Strengthens
Weather experts warns that Typhoon Koinu is gaining strength, posing a
heightened threat as it nears Taiwan.
The typhoon is expected to have the most impact between Wednesday and
Thursday.
Forecasts indicate a significant chance of rainy weather starting tomorrow
afternoon, continuing through the weekend.
A meteorologist also mentions the possibility of the typhoon turning
northward, further impacting Taiwan.
The Central Weather Administration says the storm is currently about 860
kilometers southeast of Cape Eluanbi, Taiwan's southernmost point.
It's moving northwest at 13 kilometers per hour.
A sea warning is expected to be issued as early as Tuesday morning, with a
land warning likely for later in the same day.
Residents are advised to stay updated and take necessary precautions
(預防措施) for heavy rain and unstable weather conditions.
(PB)
CPC Taiwan Freezes Gas Prices in October to Help Stabilize Living Costs
The CPC Corporation has announced that gas prices will remain unchanged in
October.
This decision affects household barrel-packaged gas, industrial propane,
butane, mixed propane-butane, and automotive liquefied petroleum gas.
The move is part of an effort to stabilize the cost of living, in line with
government policy.
Although calculations suggested that the price per kilogram should increase
by 5 NT, CPC will temporarily absorb (吸收) this cost.
The company notes that the total absorbed amount stands at 20 NT per kilogram
and may be adjusted in the future if international prices drop.
(PB)
Turkey Warplanes Hit Kurdish Rebel Targets
The Turkish defense ministry says its warplanes have carried out raids on
suspected Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq following a suicide attack
on a government building in the Turkish capital.
A ministry statement said Sunday that some 20 targets of the Kurdistan
Workers’ Party, or PKK, were “destroyed” in the aerial operation,
including caves, shelters and depots (倉庫).
Earlier, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device near an entrance of
the Interior Ministry, injuring two police officers.
And government officials say a second assailant was killed in a shootout with
police Sunday.
A news agency close to the PKK said the group has claimed responsibility for
the suicide bombing.
Serbia Denies Military Buildup Near Kosovo
Serbia is denying reports of a troop buildup (積聚、累積) near Kosovo.
AP correspondent Mimmi Montgomery reports.
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UN to Vote on Authorizing Deployment ot Haiti
The U.N. Security Council is scheduling a vote for today on a resolution that
would authorize a one-year deployment of an international force to help Haiti
quell a surge in gang violence and restore security so the troubled Caribbean
nation can hold long-delayed elections.
The U.S.-drafted resolution obtained by The Associated Press on Saturday
welcomes Kenya’s offer to lead the multinational security force.
It makes clear this would be a non-U.N. force funded by voluntary
contributions (貢獻).
The resolution would authorize the force for one year, with a review after
nine months.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 20-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,331
on turnover of $2.2-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex recouped early losses to close slightly higher on Wednesday,
despite heavy losses on Wall Street overnight, as investor interest in Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing and select artificial intelligence
development-related stocks rebounded (彈回).
The main board moved in narrow range for most of the trading session, but
bargain hunters turned active late in the trading day, to push the Tai-Ex
past the 16,300 point mark by the closing bell.
1,600 Additional Teaching Assistants to be Recruited by 2027
The Ministry of Education says an additional 1,600 teaching assistants will
be hired to work at schools islandwide between 2024 and 2027.
According to Education Minister Pan Wen-chong, the move is aimed at
facilitating (促進) a better learning environment for students with
additional needs.
Pan says the plan is in line with amendments to the Special Education Act,
which was passed in May to reduce the pressure on those working in education
and to ensure reasonable salaries.
The education minister says his office has earmarked 1.1-billion N-T in next
year's budget to recruit the new assistants.
Pan is also touting what he says is the government's promotion of "inclusive
education" for students with additional needs to help them attend regular
classes and ensure their welfare.
NKorea Leader Calls for More Nuclear Weapons
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for an exponential increase in
production of nuclear weapons and for his country to play a larger role in a
coalition of nations confronting (面對、對抗) the United States in what he
described as a “new Cold War.”
State media say Kim made the comments during a two-day session of the
North’s rubber-stamp parliament which amended (修正的) the constitution to
include his policy of expanding the country’s military nuclear program.
The Supreme People’s Assembly meetings came after Kim traveled to Russia
this month on a trip that sparked Western concerns about a possible arms
alliance in which North Korea would provide Russia with munitions for its war
on Ukraine in exchange for advanced weapons technologies.
ChatGPT Update Includes Current Info Access
ChatGPT users will now be able to access (取得) up to date information from
the internet.
Previously, the popular chatbot hadn't been able to use information produced
after September of 2021.
Ira Spitzer has more from San Francisco
IMF: Sri Lanka Progress Not Enough for 2nd Tranche
The International Monetary Fund says that Sri Lanka has so far failed to make
enough progress in boosting tax collection and other economic reforms sought
by the IMF.
The progress is needed in order for the IMF to release a second tranche
(一份，一部分) of $330 million in the country’s $2.9 billion bailout from
bankruptcy.
An IMF team has concluded a visit to the island this week.
The organization says in a report that discussions would continue on an
agreement on how to keep up the momentum of financial reforms, and to unlock
the second installment of funding.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally lower this morning from yesterday's close, at
16,273 on turnover of 1.4-billion N-T.
The market took a beating on Tuesday to close at a four-month low amid
investor concerns about a spike in U-S treasury yields.
Rising interest rates made tech stocks on the local main board less
attractive, and investors opted to dump (甩賣,) those stocks for U-S dollar
denominated assets throughout the trading day.
Government to Raise Child Care Subsidies to Boost Birth Rate
Premier Chen Chien-jen says the government plans to raise child day care
allowances by at least 1,500 N-T per month starting next year.
The move is part of government efforts to boost Taiwan's fast declining birth
rate.
According to the premier, subsidies (補貼、補助金) for parents with children
under the age of 3 attending public care centers will be increased to 7,000
N-T per month.
Those using publicly subsidized private day care centers or home babysitting
services will receive 13,000 N-T a month.
Chen says additional child day care subsidies will also be offered to parents
with two or three children and those from low-income or lower-middle-income
families.
CDC Confirms 3 More Dengue Fever Deaths as Cases Surpass 10,000
The Centers for Disease Control has confirmed three more dengue fever-related
deaths - bringing the total number of such fatalities so far this year to 15.
The confirmation comes as the number of domestic cases of the mosquito-borne
disease islandwide have now surpassed 10,000.
Most the cases have been reported in Tainan.
And figures show of the total number of 10,496 cases recorded this year,
9,463 have been in Tainan.
A joint CDC-central government task force has been operating in Tainan since
September 18 in an attempt (試圖) to bring an end to the outbreak.
Iraq Wedding Fire Leaves 100 Dead
A fire that raced through a hall hosting a Christian wedding in northern Iraq
killed at least 100 people and injured 150 others, and authorities warn the
death toll could rise higher.
The fire happened in Iraq’s Nineveh province, some 300 kilometers northwest
of the capital, Baghdad.
There was no immediate official word on the cause of the blaze but initial
(最初的) reports by the Kurdish television news channel Rudaw suggested
fireworks at the venue may have sparked the fire.
Iraq's prime minister has ordered an investigation into the fire and asked
the country's Interior and Health officials to provide relief
US Congress Puts Forward ShortTerm Spending Bill
Members of U.S. Congress have put forward a short-term spending proposal to
try and avoid a government shutdown (政府停擺、政府關門).
Late on Tuesday, Senators voted on what's called a 'continuing resolution'
which they could send to the House later this week, to vote on before a
September 30th deadline.
Caroline Malone reports from Washington.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 11-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
16,440 on turnover of 1.6-billion N-T.
The market gained more than 100-points on Monday, as the bellwether
electronics sector continued to rebound from previous sessions after tech
stocks on Wall Street showed signs of stabilizing (穩定) at the end of last
week.
However, turnover was limited as many investors remained cautious ahead of
the Mid-Autumn Festival long weekend holiday, while foreign institutional
investors sold a net 3.08-billion N-T worth of shares on the main board
during the session.
Tsai Hoping to Deepen Trade and Energy Cooperation with UK
President Tsai Ing-wen says she believes that "there is more room for Taiwan
and the U-K to deepen (深化) cooperation in areas such as trade and energy."
The comments come as Tsai has been holding talks with visiting U-K Trade
Envoy to Taiwan Richard Faulkner.
Faulkner arrived in Taiwan last week for trade talks and to attend the 18th
UK-Taiwan Renewable Energy Conference in Taipei.
Speaking during a meeting with the U-K trade envoy, Tsai touted the opening
of official talks on the Taiwan-UK Enhanced Trade Partnership in July, and
cited Faulkner's strong support for that agreement.
The agreement focuses on energy and net-zero emissions, and digital trade.
Premier Touts More Funding for Firefighters
Premier Chen Chien-jen says the Cabinet plans to allocate an additional
8-billion N-T for the island's fire service.
According to the premier, the additional funding will be used to purchase new
equipment and protective gear.
The premier is also insisting (堅持、強調) that the Tsai administration is
"fully committed to protecting the rights of all firefighters."
The statements comes days after the deadly fire at a golf ball factory in
Pingtung, which left four firefighters dead.
Opposition lawmakers are calling for the government to provide fire
departments with new generation firefighting robots and new fire hoses with
enhanced range and water capacity.
There are also calls for the government to allow firefighters to be unionized.
Japan SKorea, China Eye Resuming Trilateral Talks
Japan, South Korea, and China are holding high-level talks on Tuesday to
discuss resuming trilateral leader summits.
Deputy foreign ministers from the three countries are meeting in Seoul to
pave the way for the annual talks which haven’t been held since 2019.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
Bahrain Officer Soldier Killed by Drone Attack
Bahrain's military command says a drone attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels
killed a Bahraini officer and soldier who were patrolling Saudi Arabia’s
southern border.
The statement, carried by the official Bahrain News Agency, says “a number”
of Bahraini soldiers were also wounded in Monday's attack, without
elaborating.
The island nation of Bahrain is a close ally of Saudi Arabia, which has been
at war with the Iran-aligned (結盟) Houthi rebels for several years.
A cease-fire had largely stopped the violence, and the two sides have
appeared close to a peace agreement in recent months.
It was unclear if the attack would derail those efforts or prompt retaliation
by Saudi Arabia and its allies.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from Friday's close, at
16,345 on turnover of 2.5-billion N-T.
The market ended the trading day higher on Friday, as other regional markets
finished the day mixed following a broad retreat on Wall Street overnight on
the back of concerns over more possible interest rate hikes in America.
More Diplomatic Allies Speak-Up for Taiwan at UN
Three more diplomatic allies have spoken up in support of Taiwan's inclusion
in the United Nations system during the on-going General Debate at the 78th
General Assembly.
The prime minister's of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Kitts and
Nevis, as well as Belize's foreign minister all made similar appeals
(懇求，訴請) in their respective addresses in New York.
It means that 11 of Taiwan's 13 diplomatic allies have so far voiced their
support for allowing Taiwan to participate in the U-N system during this
year's General Assembly.
The Vatican is scheduled to speak later today, but only has observer status
at the U-N and rarely speaks on political issues.
While Haiti's prime minister, Ariel Henry, spokes on Friday, and focused on
the continuing unrest in his country in his address and did not touch on
Taiwan this year.
Competitor Dies at Annual Sun Moon Lake Swimming Festival
A 25-year-old man participating in the Sun Moon Lake International Swimming
Carnival has died.
According to the Nantou County Government, the man fell ill soon after
entering the water and signaled distress (危難), about 100-meters into the
annual 3,000-meter swimming competition across the lake.
Emergency service personnel pulled the man out of the water, but he was
pronounced dead at the Puli Christian Hospital.
Officials say the man didn't drown and the cause of his cause of death was
still under investigation.
The event has been held annually since 1983 and this year drew more than
24,000 competitors from 33 countries.
France to End Military Presence in Niger
President Emmanuel Macron says France will end its military presence in Niger
and pull its ambassador out of the country now that its democratically
elected president has been deposed (廢黜的) in a coup.
France has maintained some 1,500 troops in Niger since the July coup and
refused a request by the new junta for its ambassador to leave.
But with tensions mounting, Macron says he told the ousted President Nohamed
Bazoum on Sunday that “France has decided to bring back its ambassador.
He also says France is ending its military cooperation with Niger.
French troops have pulled out of neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso in recent
years after coups there.
France had stationed thousands of troops in the Sahel region at the request
of African leaders to fight Islamic extremist groups.
NASA Collects First Asteroid Sample in Space
The first asteroid sample collected in space by US Space Agency, NASA, has
arrived on Earth.
Scientists say the asteroid, Bennu, could tell us more about how life began.
They're also keen (渴望的) to learn more about it as there's an outside
chance (微弱的可能性) it could hit Earth in the next 300 years.
Kate Fisher reports
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 49-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
16,267 on turnover of $4.1-billion N-T.
The market tumbled on Thursday, as investors reacted to rate hike-related
comments by the U-S Federal Reserve following the conclusion of its
policymaking meeting.
The bellwether electronics sector led the downturn on the back of heavy
losses suffered by tech stocks on Wall Street overnight, as a spike in U-S
treasury yields made interest rate sensitive stocks less attractive.
MOA Says Future Government Egg Imports to be Packaged in Country of Origin
The Ministry of Agriculture says any future state-funded egg import programs
will give preference to eggs packaged and washed in their country of origin.
The policy comes amid ongoing controversy over the government program used to
import 145 million eggs from overseas suppliers between March and July to
alleviate a domestic shortage.
The program has come under criticism after incidents in which imported eggs
were labeled with the wrong expiration date or country of origin, as well as
the agriculture ministry's admission (承認) that 54-million of the eggs were
sent to be destroyed after expiring in storage.
However, agriculture officials are continuing to defend the program - saying
that it was largely successful in easing the egg shortage without affecting
prices in a way that could harm local producers.
The ministry is also insisting that no imported eggs were sold past their
expiration, while any remaining eggs that have not yet expired will be
distributed to food processors, rather than being sold fresh.
UN seeks to turbocharge SDGs
Members of the United Nations are convening (召集) to set the groundwork for
a summit it hopes can reinvigorate the multilateral system.
The goal is to create a transformative pact ahead of next year's UN General
Assembly.
William Denselow reports from UN headquarters in New York.
UK Booker Prize Finalists Announced
Novels from Ireland, the United States, Canada and Britain that explore
families, communities and a world in crisis make up the six finalists for the
prestigious Booker Prize for fiction.
The shortlist announced Thursday for the $61-thousand US dollar award
includes Canadian author Sarah Bernstein, U.S. writer Jonathan Escoffery and
fellow American Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist Paul Harding.
Also on the list are Irish writers Paul Lynch and Paul Murray and British
writer Chetna Maroo.
James Shapiro, a member of the judging panel, said many of the books reflect
the “grim (嚴厲的,殘忍的,) times” we live in.
The winner of the 2023 Booker Prize will be announced Nov. 26 at a ceremony
in London.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 59-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
16,475 on turnover of $4.3-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex extended losses from the previous session on Wednesday, to close
below the 16,600 point market, as investor interest remained muted (被抑制的;
不熱烈的) ahead of the conclusion of this week's policymaking meeting of the
U-S Federal Reserve.
Market watchers say the bellwether electronics sector led the broader market
lower, as foreign institutional investors opted to move to the sell side and
cash in on profits in futures.
World Leaders Gather for UN Climate Ambition Summit
World leaders have pledged to invest billions of dollars to keep climate
change under control.
Many have gathered in New York for the Climate Ambition Summit, taking place
during the United Nations General Assembly.
But some leaders have been criticized (被批評) for failing to show up.
Sally Patterson reports from the UN headquarters.
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UK PM Delaying Ban on Gas and Diesel Cars
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says he’s delaying by five years a ban on new gas
and diesel cars that had been due to take effect in 2030.
The move is among measures that water down green pledges the U.K. has made.
Sunak says Britain remains committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions to
net zero by 2050, but in a way that won’t “impose unacceptable costs on
hard-pressed (遭受強大壓力的) British families.”
The announcement has angered green groups, opposition politicians and large
chunks of U.K. industry, but has been welcomed by some in the governing
Conservative Party who are against the expense of switching to renewable
energy.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 9-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
16,626 on turnover of 3-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Tuesday after coming off an earlier high, as
investors opted to lock-in gains from the bellwether electronics sector.
Many investors also appeared reluctant (不情願的) to chase prices, as they
await the outcome of this week's policymaking meeting by the U-S Federal
Reserve.
MOEA Keeps Electricity Rates Unchanged, but Lifts Freeze for 880 Businesses
The Ministry of Economic Affairs says it's keeping average electricity rates
unchanged for now.
However, it will be lifting the freeze on rates for around 880 businesses
from October 1.
Tai-Power says the end of the price freeze (價格凍結) could generate roughly
1.6-billion N-T in revenue.
The statements follow a meeting of the ministry's price review committee.
And according to the economics ministry, the average power rate currently
remains at 3.1154 N-T per kilowatt-hour.
Black Hawk Helicopters to Perform Double Ten Flyover Rehearsal
The National Day preparatory committee says UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters
will perform flyover (低空飛行) rehearsals for this year's Double Ten Day
over the Presidential Office this week.
According to the committee, early-morning rehearsals will take place tomorrow
and Saturday to ensure the flyover during the National Day celebrations
"proceeds smoothly."
Flyover training exercises involving other aircraft slated to take part in
the Double Ten Day celebrations will be conducted on September 28 and October
4th.
Zelensky Urges Unity Against Russian Aggression
Ukraine's President has urged (力勸) the international community to be united
in the face of Russian aggression.
William Denselow reports from UN headquarters in New York.
Israeli Military Raids Leave 3 Dead in West Bank
Palestinian health officials say at least three people have been killed in an
Israeli military raid in the northern West Bank.
They say some 30 others were wounded in Tuesday's operation in the Jenin
refugee camp.
The Israeli military is providing few details, though it says it carried out
a rare drone strike.
Palestinian health officials reported numerous casualties from Israeli
gunfire.
The identities of the dead were not immediately known.
Argentina Applauds ESMA World Heritage Site Designation
Argentina is celebrating a decision by a United Nations conference to include
a former clandestine detention and torture center as a World Heritage site.
A UNESCO conference in Saudi Arabia agreed to include the ESMA Museum and
Site of Memory in the list of sites “considered to be of outstanding value
to humanity,” marking a rare instance (實例) in which a museum of memory
related to recent history is designated to the list.
The former Navy School of Mechanics, known as ESMA, housed the most infamous
illegal detention center that operated during Argentina’s last military
dictatorship that ruled from 1976 through 1983.
It now operates as a museum and a larger site of memory, including offices
for government agencies and human rights organizations.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened opened up 8-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
16,706 on turnover of 2.6-billion N-T.
The market tumbled more than 200-points on Monday, to close below the 16,700
point mark, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing came under pressure
following heavy losses for tech stocks on Wall Street at the end of last
week.
While investor sentiment also remained cautious ahead of a two-day
policymaking meeting of the U-S Federal Reserve, which is slated to begin
today.
French Senator Olivier Cadic on 3rd Visit to Taiwan
French Senator Olivier Cadic has arrived in Taiwan for a four-day visit to
meet with senior government officials.
Cadic is the vice-president of the French Senate's permanent committee on
foreign affairs and defense issues.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cadic's agenda includes a visit
to the Ministry of Digital Affairs to discuss issues concerning Indo-Pacific
politics, democracy, human rights, and digital and information security.
The senator will also be meeting with French business representatives and
expatriates (外籍人士) in Taiwan.
It's Cadic's third visit to Taiwan and the fourth by a French parliamentary
delegation this year.
Central Bank Expected to Leave Interest Rates Unchanged
The central bank is expected to leave its key interest rates unchanged at its
quarterly policymaking meeting later this week due to eased inflationary
pressures.
Economists say the bank is likely to keep it rates unchanged on Thursday and
again its next policymaking meeting in December, unless the local consumer
price index growth surpassed (超過) the 3-per cent mark again.
The central bank raised rates by 75 basis points to combat inflation
beginning in March of last year, with the discount rate currently set at
1.875 percent.
It chose to keep rates unchanged at its last policymaking meeting in
mid-June, but the rates remain at an eight-year high.
Canada Expels Indian Diplomat Amid Activist Slaying
Canada is expelling (驅逐) a diplomat from India as it investigates India's
possible link to the death of a Sikh activist.
The AP's Ed Donahue reports.
Libya Facing Disease Outreak Post Flooding
Officials are warning that a disease outbreak in Libya’s northeast, where
floods have killed thousands, could create “a second devastating crisis” as
adults and children fell ill from contaminated (受汙染的) water.
The mission said the World Health Organization sent 28 tons of medical
supplies to the devastated country.
Libyan officials say at least 150 people suffered diarrhea after drinking
contaminated water in Derna, and at least 55 children got sick after drinking
polluted water in Derna.
Guatemala Protests for PresidentElect
Thousands of indigenous supporters have protested in Guatemala City to defend
Guatemala’s president-elect as government prosecutors seek to ban his
political party.
Many of the protesters carried banners or chanted slogans demanding the
resignation of government officials who have sought (尋求)to prosecute
Bernardo Arevalo and ban his Seed Movement party.
Protesters threatened to keep demonstrating until the efforts against Arevalo
are stopped.
Arevalo won the Aug. 20 presidential runoff in a landslide, but prosecutors
have continued pursuing multiple investigations related to the registration
of Arevalo’s Seed Movement party, and alleged fraud in the election.
International observers have said that's not supported by evidence.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 26-points this morning from Friday's close, at 16,893
on turnover of 3.3-billion N-T.
The local main board traded higher on Friday, as other regional markets moved
into positive territory, after China's central bank eased the reserve
requirements for banks and chip designer Arm Holdings' I-P-O on the Nasdaq
boosted investor optimism.
Electricity Price Freeze Expected to End for 880 businesses
The Ministry of Economic Affairs' electricity price review committee is
expected to end a freeze on electricity rates for over 800 businesses.
Tai-Power says the freeze is likely to be ended during a meeting of the price
review committee later today.
The economics ministry raised power prices for industrial consumers by 15-per
cent in July last year and by 17-per cent in April of this year.
However, the ministry did not increase rates for businesses in the cinema,
gym, department store, and catering (餐飲業、酒席承辦) and restaurant
sectors, due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on domestic demand.
MOEA Set to Budget NT$800 million to Develop Advanced IC Processes
The Ministry of Economic Affairs is set to budget around 800-million N-T to
subsidize smaller domestic I-C designers in the development of processes
below 28 nanometers.
The amount constitutes (構成) part of the 5.2-billion N-T the ministry is set
to receive next year as part of a semiconductor industry innovation project
proposed by the National Science and Technology Council.
The Industrial Development Bureau says the funding aims to help domestic
smaller I-C designers develop advanced I-C processes due to expected
competition from China.
NY Thousands Take Part in Climate March
Thousands of people took to the streets of New York on Sunday demanding an
end to the use of fossil fuels (化石燃料) and for the U.S. to show greater
leadership in the fight against climate change.
Jody Jacobs reports from New York.
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UN to List Jericho as World Heritage Site in Palestine
A U.N. committee has voted to list prehistoric ruins near the ancient West
Bank city of Jericho as a World Heritage Site in Palestine.
The decision Sunday angered Israel, which controls the territory and does not
recognize a Palestinian state.
Jericho is one of the oldest continually inhabited (有人居住的) cities on
earth, and is in a part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank that is
administered by the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority.
The listing refers to the Tell es-Sultan archaeological site nearby, which
contains prehistoric ruins dating back to the ninth millennium B.C. and is
outside the ancient city itself.
The decision was made by the U.N. World Heritage Committee meeting in Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 2-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,810
on turnover of $2.6-billion N-T.
The market gained more than 200-points on Thursday, as investor interest in
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing rebounded from previous session.
Renewed investor interest in T-S-M-C came after the company issued a record
cash dividend of 3 N-T per share for its first-quarter earnings - and that
led to a rally across the broader market.
Control Yuan Censures Taipei Prison
The Control Yuan has censured the Taipei Prison for its mistreatment of some
inmates.
According to the government watchdog, it is demanding the Ministry of Justice
review surveillance systems in all correctional facilities islandwide.
The move comes after it opened an investigation into the prison following
complaints filed by some inmates earlier this year.
The Control Yuan says that investigation found that some prisoners were
subject to abuse by prison employees, while other correctional officers
turned a blind eye to the mistreatment.
The abuse included handcuffing, beating and pepper spraying.
Control Yuan member Gao Yong-cheng says some of the incidents resulted in
injuries to the inmates, and some of them were coerced (脅迫的) by
correctional officials into signing a document stating that they had not been
injured.
The investigation also found that the surveillance cameras in the prison were
compromised by numerous blind spots.
EU Countries to Keep Sanctions on Iran
Britain, France and Germany have announced that they will keep their
sanctions on Iran related to the Mideast country’s atomic program and its
development of ballistic missiles.
The measures were to expire in October under a timetable spelled out in the
now defunct (不復存在的) nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.
The three European allies known as E3 had helped negotiate the nuclear deal.
In a joint statement on Thursday, they said they would retain their sanctions
in a “direct response to Iran’s consistent and severe (劇烈)
non-compliance” with the accord.
Iran has violated the sanctions by developing and testing ballistic missiles
and sending drones to Russia for its war on Ukraine.
Dominican Republic Closes Borers with Haiti
The Dominican Republic’s president has announced he will close all borders
with neighboring Haiti starting today in a dispute over a canal on the
Haitian side that would divert water from a border river.
His announcement signals that last-minute talks between the countries have
failed to head off the closure (關閉).
President Luis Abinader says air, sea and land borders will remain shuttered
“until necessary.”
It is a rare move for the Dominican Republic, and could hit economies in both
countries, though it will be most acutely (嚴重地) felt in Haiti.
The closure is a response to the excavation of a canal by a farming group on
the Haitian side that targets waters from the Massacre River.
NASA UFO Report Finds No Evidence of Alien Activity
A UFO sightings report from the US space agency has found no evidence of
alien activity in relation to a number of unexplained phenomena.
However, Nasa could also not rule out the possibility of the existence (存在)
of other life forms.
US correspondent Nick Harper reports.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened flat this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,581 on
turnover of 2.3-billion N-T.
The market closed almost flat on Wednesday as early gains were eroded amid
investor caution ahead of the release of August's U-S consumer price index.
The bellwether electronics sector came off a high as "Apple concept stocks"
came under pressure, despite the U-S electronics giant unveiling the latest
iPhone 15 series overnight, while buying switched to select old economy
stocks.
Presidential aspirant Terry Gou announces running mate
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. founder and aspiring (有抱負的) presidential
candidate Terry Gou has announced veteran singer-actress Lai Pei-hsia as his
prospective running mate for Taiwan's 2024 election.
Gou introduced Lai at a press conference at 8:35 a.m. and touted her
experiences in communication skills, adding that her female perspective will
be beneficial (有利) for him to promote gender equality.
Due to a lack of party affiliation, Gou still needs to collect signatures
from about 290,000 people between Sept. 19 and Nov. 2 to make it onto the
ballot, according to rules set by the Central Election Commission.
Gou is required to register his independent candidacy with the CEC no later
than Sept. 17 before his campaign can begin the signature drive.
Should Gou make it onto the ballot, he will face the DPP candidate and Vice
President Lai Ching-te, as well as the KMT's New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih and
the TPP Chairman Ko Wen-je.
FDA Grants EUA for Updated Moderna COVID Vaccine
The Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use authorization for
Moderna's updated coronavirus vaccine.
According to F-D-A Deputy Director Chen Hui-fang, the Spikevax XBB.1.5
vaccine will be rolled out here in Taiwan by the end of this month.
An expert panel has approved the vaccine for those aged over six months
during a review meeting.
The Centers for Disease Control is expected to take delivery of a batch of
2-million doses of the vaccine in the coming days.
Health officials will then spend a week inspecting (檢查) and label the shots
before making them available to the public.
The first jabs will be made available to people aged 65 and over.
Central EU Countries Call to Maintain Ukraine Grain Ban
Central European countries say they will ban Ukrainian grain imports if the
EU doesn't extend its existing restrictions, which are set to expire (到期)
on September 15.
Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Poland are concerned that a flooding of the
market with cheaper Ukrainian products will bring down their own grain
prices, hitting domestic producers.
Pablo Gutierrez reports from Budapest.
UN Imprisoned Reporter Family Calling for his Freedom
The father of imprisoned Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich is
calling on world leaders meeting at the United Nations next week to stand up
for freedom of the press and urge Russia to release him.
Mikhail Gershkovich came to U.N. headquarters with his wife and daughter at
the invitation of U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Wednesday to
spotlight his son’s nearly six months in a Russian prison on charges of
espionage, which the Journal’s lawyers call “patently (明顯地) false.”
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield urged all U.N. member nations “to join this
call for Evan’s release, and the release of all those who have been
wrongfully detained.”
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,578 on turnover of 1.5-billion N-T.
The market staged a technical rebound on Tuesday on the back of increased investor interest in semiconductor stocks follow a rise on Wall Street overnight sparked by a more than 1-per cent increase on the tech heavy Nasdaq.
MND Releases Latest Defense Paper The Ministry of National Defense has released its first national defense report since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
According to the report, the island's armed forces are learning from the war in Europe, and are boosting the asymmetrical warfare capabilities and adopting a whole-of-society approach in preparation for a potential cross-strait conflict.
The military notes that as is being seen in the Russia-Ukraine war, China is also deploying hybrid warfare to target Taiwan through both military coercion (強迫) and non-traditional threats, including cyber and cognitive warfare.
And the report says the military is responding to those actions by upholding its long-held "resolute defense and multi-domain deterrence" strategic guidance, and continuing to beef up its asymmetrical warfare capabilities in the face of a much stronger opponent.
Court Rejects Taipei's Initial Request to Freeze Kee Tai Assets The Taipei District Court has rejected a request by the Taipei City government to freeze 61.96-million N-T in assets (資產) belonging to Kee Tai Properties.
The city government submitted the request to the court on Sunday, days after underground excavation work at a Kee Tai construction site in the Dazhi neighborhood caused one building to partially collapse and six others to incline to one side.
According to the court, it chose to reject the request as Kee Tai is a publicly-traded company with authorized capital of 5-billion N-T, and has already agreed to transfer 100-million N-T into a fund for the affected households.
US Vows Support for Libya US President Joe Biden has promised emergency funds (資金) for Libya, after severe flooding killed an estimated 5,000 people.
Thousands of people are still missing, with parts of some cities completely destroyed.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Russian Warplane Crash The Russian military has announced that one of its warplanes crashed during a training mission in southern Russia without specifying the fate of its crew.
The Defense Ministry says the Su-24 bomber went down Tuesday in an unpopulated area in the Volgograd region and rescue helicopters were deployed to the site.
The ministry says that the aircraft wasn’t carrying any weapons.
It didn’t say what might have caused the crash that caused no casualties or damage on the ground.
The Russian air force has suffered a string of crashes that some observers have attributed to (將（某種狀況）歸屬於) a higher number of flights amid the fighting in Ukraine.
Simona Halep Suspended for Doping Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has been suspended (暫令停止參加活動) from professional tennis for four years for doping violations.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency says the 31-year-old Romanian “committed intentional anti-doping rule violations” by failing a drug test during the 2022 U.S. Open and for irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport.
Halep had been provisionally suspended since October 2022.
The four-year ban will run to Oct. 6, 2026.
She plans to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
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－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 【AD】 Johnnie Walker XR21年 蘇格蘭威士忌，淬鍊21年以上 使用三維立體工藝，珍稀·調和·喚醒陳釀 造就多層次細膩風味與醇厚酒體 是您聚會送禮最佳首選 https://bit.ly/3RowWUr 【禁止酒駕，未滿18歲禁止飲酒】 【本文內容涉及酒類產品促銷訊息，請勿轉發分享給未達法定購買年齡者】
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,433on turnover of 2-billion N-T.
The market extended losses from a session earlier on Monday, as it fell more than 140 points on the back of a sell-off in artificial intelligence development-related stocks.
Selling was seen across the main board, as investors remain concerned over the upcoming release of U-S consumer price index data for August later this week.
Premier Stresses "No Plans to Demolish CKS Hall" Premier Chen Chien-jen says the government currently has no plans to demolish (拆除) the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei as part of its ongoing transitional justice efforts.
However, Chen says the Tsai administration remains focused on removing symbols of authoritarianism.
The statement is in response to a opinion piece published by Liberty Times in which members of a Cabinet-level task force claimed the government has "little political will" to remove the memorial site.
According to the premier, the government firmly believes that the removal of symbols of authoritarian regimes is an major aspect of its pursuit of transitional justice, and a task force is studying ways to re-purpose the memorial hall.
University Makes Second Successful Research Rocket Test Researchers at the Tamkang University have conducted a successful test flight of a research rocket.
It marks the second successful launch by the university from the Xuhai rocket test site in Pingtung County since it became operational in 2022.
According to the Taiwan Space Agency, the scientific research rocket was named "Jessie" - after a Pokemon character - and its launch validated (驗證) its payload and structural design, which incorporates composite materials.
The single-stage rocket is fueled by an R-N-X composite propellant, known for its stability and safety.
It's hoped it will be able to reach an altitude of 4.2-kilometers.
NKorean Leader Departs for Russia The Kremlin has confirmed that Russian president Vladimir Putin will meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “in the coming days”.
State media in North Korea has confirmed that Kim departed (離開) Pyongyang for Russia on a private train on Sunday.
Chris Gilbert reports.
Sweden to Increase Military Spending The Swedish government wants to increase the country's defense budget by 28% as it prepares to join the NATO alliance.
The increase would put Sweden on track (有望成功、在正軌上) to reach NATO's target for military spending to be 2% of a country's gross domestic product.
Sweden’s center-right coalition government unveiled a defense bill Monday and said the defense budget will be increased by $2.4 billion.
About $63 million will be spent on Sweden’s future membership of NATO.
Sweden and neighboring Finland sought protection under the NATO security umbrella after Russia invaded Ukraine last year.
Finland joined earlier this year but Sweden is still waiting.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from Friday's close, at
16,579 on turnover of 2.2-billion N-T.
The market closed lower on Friday as Apple concept stocks came under pressure
on the back of reports that China plans to expand (擴張) restrictions on the
use of iPhones in government offices and state-backed entities dealers said.
And while the bellwether electronics sector led the downturn, buying in the
financial sector helped the local main board offset the impact of escalating
trade tensions between the United States and China,
Kee Tai and Taipei City Government Reach Consensus on Response to Building
Collapse
Kee Tai Properties and the Taipei City government have reached an initial
agreement to help people affected by the partial collapse of a building in
the city's Dazhi neighborhood.
A total of 442 people from 201 households have had to be evacuated pending
safety inspections and that figure includes 25 people who will need to be
temporarily rehoused after their homes suffered severe (劇烈) structural
damage.
News of the agreement comes after Kee Tai Properties C-E-O Feng Hsien-mien
had been facing criticism for his failure to make any public statement since
the incident occurred last Thursday.
Kee Tai has agreed to create a 100-million N-T fund for the purposes of
disaster relief and to cover the costs of building restoration and
temporarily resettling displaced residents.
The company has also promised to "fully cooperate" in the reconstruction of
the damaged buildings, regardless of whether the work is carried out by Kee
Tai or Taipei's Urban Regeneration Office.
Lee Hong-chi's "Love Is a Gun" Wins Best First Feature Award at Venice
Festival
Director Lee Hong-qi's debut movie "Love Is a Gun" has been awarded the prize
for best first feature at the Venice International Film Festival.
The award makes Lee the first Taiwanese director to score a win in the debut
(首次亮相) category at the annual film festival.
Lee was also the scriptwriter and lead actor in the movie that tells the
story of a a young man who, upon being released from prison, discovers that
he cannot escape his past.
It's the first time a Taiwanese film has won an award at the Venice
International Film Festival since 2013.
US Biden Visit Enhances Vietnam Ties
US President Joe Biden, visiting Vietnam, is praising the newly-enhanced
(增進) relationship between the two countries – once at war.
AP correspondent Jackie Quinn reports.
Subject: E*Sudan Drone Attack Kills Dozens in Khartoum
Sudanese activists and a medical group say at least 43 people have been
killed in a drone attack on an open market south of the capital, Khartoum.
They say more than 55 others were wounded in the attack Sunday and were
transferred to a hospital.
Sudan's military and a powerful rival paramilitary group, the Rapid Support
Forces, have been battling for control of the country since mid-April.
The paramilitary group blamed the military’s air force for Sunday’s attack.
It wasn't immediately possible to independently verify (核實) the claim.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 9-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,610 on turnover of $2.5-billion N-T.
Work Halted at Taipei Construction Site After Tilting Work has been halted at a Taipei construction site, after nearby residential buildings began to tilt (傾斜), and one partially collapsed into the ground.
The damage began last night, as Taipei city police and firefighters received reports of 5 to 6 apartment buildings adjacent to the construction site in Zhong-shan District, tilting to one side.
Through the night and into this morning, nearly 200 households were evacuated as a precaution, affecting over 350 residents.
There were also reports that the 1st floor of one of the buildings has already collapsed down into the ground, as other buildings showed cracks on the walls, bent metal window covers, and broken glass.
Kee Tai Properties states that it will not shirk its responsibilities and will provide plans to aid affected residents.
(NS)
ASEAN Touts Peace but Little Progress Indonesian President Joko Widodo called for establishing southeast Asia as a theatre of peace and inclusiveness (包容性) in his closing remarks at the ASEAN summit in Jakarta.
But the bloc is widely seen to have failed in solving critical issues including tensions in the South China Sea and conflict in Myanmar.
Patrick Fok reports.
Mali Islamic Insurgent Attacks Leave Dozens Dead Two attacks by Islamic insurgents in the restive north of Mali have killed 49 civilians and 15 government soldiers.
The provisional death toll given by the country’s military junta was read on state television.
A passenger boat near the city of Timbuktu on the Niger River and a Malian military position in Bamba further downstream in the Gao region were targeted.
The statement said the attacks have been claimed by Islamic extremist insurgent group JNIM, an umbrella coalition of armed groups aligned with (與…結盟) al-Qaida.
UN Report Gives Grim Picture of Gender Equality The United Nations says in a report that the U.N. goal of achieving gender equality by 2030 is impossible to achieve because of deeply rooted biases against women around the world in health, education, employment and the halls of power.
UN Women and the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs said in “The Gender Snapshot 2023” report launched Thursday that “active resistance to gender equality and chronic under-investment are key factors in slow progress and, in some cases, reversals (倒退) of gains already made.”
It also pointed to “unequal access to sexual and reproductive health, unequal political representation, economic disparities and a lack of legal protection."
The report assessing the progress for women in achieving the 17 U,N. goals for 2030 warned hat the continuing failure to make the achievement of gender equality a priority will put the achievement of all 17 goals “in peril.”
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 23-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
16,715 on turnover of $2.5-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed lower after coming off earlier highs as tech
heavyweights gave up their earlier gains in the wake of a lackluster
performance on the U.S. markets overnight,.
Market sentiment stayed cautious as investors anxiously waited for the
release of the U.S. August consumer price index for a better guess about the
next move the Federal Reserve will make in its monetary policy
Taiwan military to showcase new Indian Challenger motorcycles at base
opening
Taiwan's Military Police is scheduled to debut its newly purchased heavy
motorcycles in an upcoming military base opening event later this month.
The Military News Agency announced Wednesday that the Taipei-based 202nd
Military Police Command's Quick Response Company will showcase its new Indian
Challenger motorcycles at the Sept. 24 opening of the army base in Hukou
Township, Hsinchu County.
The MNA report said the company will hold a round of motorcycle performances
during the opening event, which is expected to be attended by tens of
thousands of civilian participants.
The 202nd Military Police Command's Quick Response Company is the only
military unit in Taiwan equipped with heavy motorcycles.
The military police said the motorcycles are highly mobile
(可動的，移動式的), explaining that a rider would be able to hold a locally
developed Kestrel anti-armor rocket and get to where they need to be much
quicker than on other military vehicles.
NKorea: China VicePremier to Visit for Founding Anniversary
North Korea says a Chinese delegation led by Vice-Premier Liu Guozhong will
visit the country to help celebrate the North's 75th founding anniversary,
which is on Saturday.
The report in state media today didn't say how the Chinese delegation would
be participating in the anniversary events or say if the delegates would meet
with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The report came amid speculation (猜測) that Kim will visit Russia soon for a
meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Such a meeting could involve discussions of North Korean arms sales to refill
Russian reserves drained by its war on Ukraine.
Trump trial in Georgia
The judge overseeing the Georgia case that accuses former President Donald
Trump and others of illegally trying to overturn (翻倒) the 2020 election in
the state… has denied requests by two of the 19 defendants to be tried
alone,
Prosecutors say the trial would take four months and include approximately
150 witnesses.
Ed Donahue reports.
Mexico Removes Federal Penalties for Abortion
Mexico’s Supreme Court has thrown out all federal criminal penalties for
abortion.
The sweeping ruling issued Wednesday declared that national laws prohibiting
the procedure are unconstitutional and violate women’s rights.
The high court ordered that abortion be removed from the federal penal code
(刑法).
The decision will require the federal public health service and all federal
health institutions to offer abortion to anyone who requests it.
Some 20 Mexican states, however, still criminalize abortion.
While judges in those states will have to abide by the court's decision,
further legal work will be required to remove all penalties.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
加倍享受不必忍受，夜間代謝大躍進！
全能天后楊丞琳連續3年強力推薦！
只要睡前2顆【Simply新普利超級夜酵素】，
輕鬆幫助入睡、躺平照樣高代謝，
全台康是美販口碑熱銷中！
線上買： https://bit.ly/47Xz8rD
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 5-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
16,796 on turnover of $2--billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed after little change throughout the day as the U.S.
market remained closed for Labor Day, providing no direction to the local
main board.
Contract chipmaker TSMC and the major stocks related to artificial
intelligence development reversed course following a brief surge Tuesday,
offsetting the gains made by other tech stocks during the trading session.
Taiwan Eswatini Sign Three MOUs
President Tsai Ing-wen has overseen the signing of three MOUs with diplomatic
ally Eswatini.
The President arrived in Eswatini yesterday, to celebrate the 55th
anniversary of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and the Kingdom of
Eswatini, as well as the 55th anniversary of Eswatini's independence.
And after her arrival, she met with Eswatini's King Mswati III, and witnessed
the signing of the bilateral agreements on supporting women's
entrepreneurship, assisting Eswatini in building oil storage tanks for
emergency oil reserves (儲備), as well as a "Sister City Agreement" between
Kaohsiung and Mbabane.
That agreement sees Kaohsiung sharing its experience in developing the
information and technology industry, as well as increase cultural and
educational exchanges.
(NS)
China Rejects Offer to Join Fukushima Water Testing
China is rejecting an offer by Japan to join an international framework to
test the radiation levels at the Fukushima nuclear wastewater discharge
(釋放) site.
Beijing, which strongly opposes the water release, banned all seafood imports
from Japan last month.,
Chris Gilbert reports.
Saudi Arabia Russia Extend Oil Production Costs
Saudi Arabia and Russia have agreed to extend their voluntary oil production
cuts through the end of the year.
The dual announcements from Riyadh and Moscow on Tuesday said the two
countries would trim (減少) 1.3 million barrels of crude out of the global
market.
Their move pushed benchmark Brent crude above $90 a barrel in afternoon
trading, a price unseen in the market since November.
It could increase costs for motorists at gas stations and put new pressure on
Saudi Arabia’s relationship with the United States.
President Joe Biden warned Saudi Arabia last year there would be unspecified
“consequences” for the kingdom partnering with Russia on cuts as Moscow
wages war on Ukraine.
Brazil Announces Financial Support for Reducing Deforestation
In a bid to slow down deforestation in the Amazon, Brazil will provide
financial support to municipalities that have reduced deforestation rates the
most.
The announcement was made Tuesday by the Ministry of Environment and Climate
Change during the country’s Amazon Day.
The new program will invest up to $120 million in technical assistance.
The money will be allocated based on the municipality’s performance in
reducing deforestation and fires, and must be invested in land titling
(土地所有權), monitoring and control of deforestation and fires, and
sustainable production.
The money will come from the Amazon Fund, which has received more than $1.2
billion, mostly from Norway, to help pay for sustainable development of the
region.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
9月是交通安全月，南投縣長許淑華提醒駕駛朋友們接近路口前減速
，注意周遭人車，停讓行人先過。
行人請在安全地點停等，遵守號誌且秒數足夠再通過，過馬路不分
心，並注意聽車輛警示音。
⚠️車輛慢看停 行人安全行⚠️
https://bit.ly/47KeJ9s
本廣告由南投縣政府提供
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 6-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16.784 on
turnover of 2.3-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan rose by more than 140 points Monday to close above the
16,700 mark amid eased fears over an aggressive Federal Reserve after the
United States reported a cooling job market.
The bellwether electronics sector regained its footing, led by large-cap
semiconductor stocks, with contract chipmaker TSMC, driving a solid upturn on
the main board in the wake of the gains posted by their counterparts on the
U.S. markets at the end of last week.
CWB Ends Sea Warning for Haikui
The Central Weather Bureau has ended its sea warning for Haikui.
The CWB ended the warning at 8:30am, as the storm continued to weaken (削弱)
into a tropical depression, as it moves west over China.
Forecasters say weather conditions across the island today should remain
relatively clear with occasional rainfall.
And northern and southern regions should remain on alert for afternoon
thundershowers.
The CWB says from September 2nd until 8am today, Haikui brought over
1-thousand-111 milimeters of accumulated rainfall over parts of Hualien
County, and 725 milimeters of rainfall over Taipingshan in Yilan County.
(NS)
Subject: E*Japan PM Announces Fnd for Exporters Hit by Wastewater Release
Return to Table of contents
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced a $141 million emergency
fund to help exporters hit by a ban on Japanese seafood imposed by China in
response to the release of treated radioactive wastewater from the damaged
Fukushima nuclear power plant.
The discharge (釋放) of the wastewater into the ocean began Aug. 24 and is
expected to continue for decades.
Japanese fishing associations and groups in neighboring countries have
strongly opposed the release, and China immediately banned all imports of
Japanese seafood.
Sunak says he's not to blame for school concrete crisis
British lawmakers have headed back to Parliament after their summer break but
thousands of U.K. children won’t be returning to their classrooms this week.
Their schools are at risk of collapse from crumbling (粉碎) concrete.
The UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says it's wrong to blame him for the
escalating crisis surrounding unsafe concrete material in English schools.
This comes after accusations that Sunak had ignored a report finding the
concrete in some buildings presented a "critical risk", and cut the school
repair budget when he was finance minister.
Julia Chapman reports.
Australia Rescues Ill Man at Antarctic Base
Authorities in Australia say an Australian who fell ill at a remote Antarctic
base is returning home on an icebreaker following a daunting mission to
rescue him.
The man was working at the Casey research station when he suffered from what
authorities described as a developing medical condition that needed
specialist (專家) assessment and care.
Officials say the icebreaker left Australia last week and traveled south more
than 3,000 kilometers, breaking through sea ice to reach a location 144
kilometers from the base.
From there, two helicopters were deployed from the deck on Sunday and arrived
at the base after nearly an hour to rescue the man.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
【AD】
Johnnie Walker XR21年 蘇格蘭威士忌，淬鍊21年以上
使用三維立體工藝，珍稀·調和·喚醒陳釀
造就多層次細膩風味與醇厚酒體
是您聚會送禮最佳首選 https://bit.ly/3RowWUr
【禁止酒駕，未滿18歲禁止飲酒】
【本文內容涉及酒類產品促銷訊息，請勿轉發分享給未達法定購買年齡者】
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 50-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,700
on turnover of $1.7--billion N-T.
Haikui Causes 44 Injuries Across Taiwan
Emergency officials say Severe Tropical Storm Haikui has caused dozens of
injuries, as well as damage across much of eastern Taiwan.
The Central Emergency Operation Center says the storm left 44 people injured,
mostly in Taitung, Tainan and Hualien.
Other damage included hundreds of uprooted roadside trees, as well as damaged
roads.
Haikui has been hovering in waters about 50 kilometers west-northwest of
Tainan, moving west-northwest at a speed of 9-km per hour.
The storm decreased in size and now has a radius of 150-kilometers, but still
covers Taitung, Hualien, and all areas south of Taichung.
Officials say the outer periphery (外圍) of the storm will continue to bring
heavy rain to much of Yilan and Hualien, and the precipitation is expected to
ease somewhat heading into the evening.
(NS)
Taitung Households Still Without Power
In related news…..
Over 10-thousand households and businesses in Taitung remain without power
this morning.
Local officials say more than 50-thousand users lost power yesterday, and
after emergency repairs by TaiPower crews, around 13-thousand still do not
have access to electricity services.
The severe tropical storm also brought strong winds and heavy rain to the
region, with 7 townships recording accumulated (積累) rainfall of near 400
milimeters.
Officials also say over 20 roadside trees were uprooted, but Taitung's famed
bishop wood in Chishang Township remains standing, despite suffering some
broken branches.
(NS)
Israel migrant riots
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he wants Eritrean migrants
involved in a violent clash (衝突) in Tel Aviv to be deported immediately and
has ordered a plan to remove all of the country’s African migrants.
His remarks came a day after bloody protests by rival groups of Eritreans in
south Tel Aviv left dozens of people injured.
Laurence Brooks has this report.
SKorea President to Stresses Sanctions on NKorea at ASEAN Meeting
South Korea’s president says he’ll tell world leaders about the need to
faithfully enforce U.N. sanctions on North Korea when they converge in
Indonesia and India for annual summits this week.
President Yoon Suk Yeol is to visit Jakarta to attend a series of summits
scheduled alongside a meeting of Association of Southeast Asian Nations
leaders.
He'll travel on to New Delhi for a summit of the Group of 20 leading
economies.
In written responses to questions from The Associated Press, Yoon says during
the G20 summit, he'll stress the need to block North Korea's cyber hacking
and other illicit (非法的) activities that fund its weapons programs.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
9月是交通安全月，南投縣長許淑華提醒駕駛朋友們接近路口前減速
，注意周遭人車，停讓行人先過。
行人請在安全地點停等，遵守號誌且秒數足夠再通過，過馬路不分
心，並注意聽車輛警示音。
⚠️車輛慢看停 行人安全行⚠️
https://bit.ly/47KeJ9s
本廣告由南投縣政府提供
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 6-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,641,
on turnover of $2.2-billion N-T.
Cabinet signs off on public sector AI guidelines
The Cabinet has signed off on new guidelines for the use of generative
artificial intelligence (AI) within the public sector.
Drafted by the National Science and Technology Council, the guidelines
indicate that public sector workers using generative AI must have any outputs
evaluated by an assigned party for potential (潛在的) risks.
The guidelines also state that government agencies must not solely depend on
the output of generative AI or its unverified content for administrative
actions or official decision-making.
In addition, the guidelines require disclosure when generative AI is employed
as a tool for official tasks.
Moreover, users are expected to adhere to regulations concerning information
security, personal data protection and copyright, under the guidelines.
40 Taiwanese youth ambassadors to visit Saint Lucia for 10 days
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is set to send 40 "youth ambassadors" to
Saint Lucia this month.
The youth ambassadors received two weeks of training under MOFA's annual
program, and will visit the Caribbean allied nation for 10 days to promote
friendship between the two countries.
According to MOFA, the ambassadors, all of them Taiwan nationals aged 18-35
who are still undergraduate or graduate students, were selected because of
their good command of English, special talents in the performing arts, or
outstanding skills in cooking.
Canada Updates US Travel Advisory for LGBTQ+
Canada has updated its travel advisory (旅遊警示) to the U.S., warning
members of the LGBTQ+ community that some American states have enacted laws
that may affect them.
The country’s Global Affairs department did not specify which states, but is
advising travelers to check the local laws for their destination before
traveling.
A department spokesperson says "Since the beginning of 2023, certain states
in the U.S. have passed laws banning drag shows and restricting the
transgender community from access to gender-affirming care and from
participation in sporting events”.
Asked about the travel advisory change this week, Canadian Deputy Prime
Minister Chrystia Freeland said travel advisories are based on advice from
professionals in the department whose job it is to monitor for particular
dangers.
She did not say whether her government had discussed the matter with its U.S.
counterpart.
US Pledges Funds for Auto Workers
The Biden administration has pledged more than 12 billion dollars to help US
automakers retrofit (改造) existing facilities as they transition to electric
vehicle production.
The move comes as auto workers threaten to go on strike.
Ira Spitzer reports
India Economy Grows 7.8Percent
India’s economy has clocked up growth of 7.8% in the first quarter of the
current financial year, mainly due to good performance by the agricultural
and financial sectors.
The World Bank says India is one of the fastest-growing economies of the
world and is poised (作好準備的) to continue on this path.
However, the manufacturing sector growth slowed to 4.7% during the quarter
from April to June, compared to 6.1% in the same period last year.
The World Bank said India's real gross domestic product growth is likely to
moderate to 6.3% this year from an estimated 6.9% in the last financial year.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
U.K. parliamentary report describes Taiwan as 'independent country' Taiwan's government has welcomed a new report from the U.K. parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, which stated Taiwan is "already an independent country."
The report included Taiwan in its "countries" section, describing it as possessing "all the qualifications for statehood" bar "greater international recognition."
According to Committee Chairperson Alicia Kearns of the ruling Conservative Party, the report is the first from a U.K. parliamentary committee to make such statements relating to Taiwan's sovereignty.
Meanwhile, the committee report called on the U.K. to develop deterrence diplomacy - building up resilience and defense in order to deter malicious (惡意的) actors - and to use this to protect the self-determination of the people of Taiwan.
According to the Central News Agency, MOFA spokesman Jeff Liu says Taiwan welcomed the report's support for Taiwan's international participation, and will continue to do its best to enhance deeper cooperation with the United Kingdom on various fronts for the prosperity of both countries.
New feature on Taipei Metro app makes meet-ups easier A new feature on the Taipei Metro mobile app will make it easier for passengers to find each other.
The Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation says the "train meet-ups" feature on the Taipie MRT Go app allows passengers to share their train information with friends and acquaintances (相識的人) via social media apps.
Passengers are required to enter the car number and door number which are located near the door inside each car before sharing a message, which allows the app to locate the train on a real-time MRT map for message recipients.
They are then notified near which door in which car the sender is located, so they can wait at the correct spot on the platform, or alternatively find each other if on the same train.
The app is currently only available in Mandarin.
N Korean missiles fall short of Japan EEZ North Korea says ballistic missiles it fired on Wednesday were part of a tactical nuclear drill.
The DPRK launched two projectiles towards the Sea of Japan which fell short of (沒達到) Japanese waters.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
Canada Bees Spilled on Road And from Canada….
Police in the city of Toronto warned drivers to keep their car windows closed after a truck spilled (灑) crates carrying five million bees onto a road.
Pedestrians were also asked to avoid the area just west of the city, where the accident occurred.
Regional police said they received a call Wednesday morning local time reporting the bee crates had come loose from a truck and spilled onto the road.
About an hour after police put out a notice on social media, several beekeepers were in touch with police offering to help.
Six or seven beekeepers eventually arrived at the scene.
By around 9:15 a.m., police said most of the five million bees had been safely collected and the crates were being hauled away.
Some crates had been left behind for the uncollected bees to return to them on their own.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Tsai Admin. Lobbying for United Nations Inclusion Ahead of General Assembly 31 Indicted in im.B Fraud Case 10 Drugs Targeted for US Medicare Price Negotiations Japan Could Take China to WTO over Seafood Import Ban Oher Lawyers Seeking School Records Related to the "The Blind Side"
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 19-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,528 on turnover of 1.9-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher on Monday as large-cap semiconductor stocks lent support to the broader market, despite the lose of early gains amid lingering (揮之不去) concerns over global inflationary pressure.
However, artificial intelligence development-related stocks came under pressure, which capped the upturn on the main board - that, after Nvidia shares tumbled more than 2-per cent on Wall Street at the end of last week.
KMT Describe's Gou's 2024 Decision as "Deeply Regrettable" The K-M-T is describing Terry Gou's plans to run as an independent candidate in January's election as being "deeply regrettable (遺憾的)."
In a statement released hours after Gou announced his decision, the K-M-T accused the Hon Hai founder of "reneging on an earlier promise" to help its presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih win the 2024 election.
The K-M-T also warned that party members who publicly show support for Gou's presidential bid will be subject to disciplinary measures.
However, the party went on to say that it hopes that Gou will return to the K-M-T fold one day and join "mainstream efforts to unseat the D-P-P."
Premier Touts Aims Build NT$1 trillion Biotech Industry Premier Chen Chien-jen says the government plans to transform the local biotech sector into "Taiwan's next industry" with the aim of generating (產生) 1-trillion N-T in production value.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Bio Taiwan Committee, Chen said the Cabinet plans to integrate government resources to map out appropriate policies and laws to boost the speed of the sector's growth.
According to Chen, the government is seeking to establish biotech industrial clusters by encouraging more startups to join the sector and attracting more foreign companies to enter the local market.
NKorea Kim Calls for Battle-Ready Military North Korea says leader Kim Jong Un has called for his military to be constantly ready for combat to thwart (阻撓) plots to invade his country, as he accused the U.S. of conducting “more frantic” naval drills off the Korean Peninsula.
The U.S. and South Korean militaries are holding joint summer exercises that North Korea views as an invasion rehearsal.
The allies have insisted the drills are defensive in nature.
The report said Kim made the remarks in a speech marking Navy Day on Monday.
Kim has been pushing to expand his nuclear arsenal and introduce new weapons systems.
He said the navy would become a component of his “nuclear deterrence,” which suggests it would get new nuclear-capable missiles.
Study: Voice Assistance Apps Not Reliable in Emergency A new study finds that you don’t want to rely (依賴) on voice assistance apps in the event of a medical emergency.
AP correspondent Jackie Quinn reports. ((opens with actuality))
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 現在加入【鉅亨買基金】：https://bit.ly/3qEd4kU 輸入優惠碼：LOVE
定期定額 終身0手續費 開戶成功 再送單筆0手續費券 最高14筆
一起陪孩子累積財富 為好日子提早做準備！ 本公司經主管機關核准執照字號為110金管投顧新字第008號
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 17-points this morning from Friday's close, at 16,498 on turnover of 2.8-billion N-T.
The market took a beating on Friday, tumbling almost 290-points, as large-cap electronics stocks led the downtrend following heavy losses suffered by the tech sector on Wall Street overnight.
That decline came ahead of a speech by U-S Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell - during which he warned that America's central bank may still need to increase interest rates to further slow inflation.
Taipei Mayor to Travel to Shanghai Tomorrow Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an will be leading a delegation to attend this year's Taipei-Shanghai Twin City Forum tomorrow.
Chiang will stay in Shanghai for three-days and along attending the forum (論壇), he will hold talks with officials in the city on issues related to environmental protection and childcare.
Chiang is also expected to visit Shanghai's Cheng-Huang Night Market Snack Street and meet with Taiwanese business owners in the city.
This year's forum is being held under the theme of "new trends, new development."
Taipei and Shanghai are expected to forge agreements promoting cooperation on carbon reduction, sustainability, the exhibition sector, and badminton.
Taiyen Urges Against Fukushima Panic Buying Taiyen Biotech is urging the public not to panic buy salt following Japan's release of treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean.
The call comes after the release of the treated radioactive wastewater sparked (觸發) panic buying in China and South Korea.
The island's largest salt producer is reassuring the public that it has an ample supply and is stressing that "panic buying is unnecessary."
Taiyen says salt supplies remains normal, despite the upcoming Ghost Festival driving up demand in recent weeks, and it is able to cope with extra demand.
Russia Wagner Leader Killed in Plane Crash Russian authorities are confirming that the head of the Wagner Group mercenary fighting force was killed in a plane crash last week.
AP correspondent Jackie Quinn reports. ((Wagner is pronounced VAHG’-nur))
Myanmar Orders East Timor Diplomat to Leave Myanmar’s military government has ordered East Timor’s diplomat to leave the country in retaliation for the East Timorese government holding meetings with Myanmar’s main opposition organization.
A Foreign Ministry statement says East Timor has conducted (進行) engagements with Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government, which views itself as the country’s legitimate administration after the military seized power from the democratically elected government in 2021.
East Timor's charge d’affaires is believed to be the first foreign diplomat expelled (被驅逐) from Myanmar since the army takeover.
Many countries have downgraded their relations with Myanmar and left behind the No. 2 diplomat in place of ambassadors.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
CDC Wraps-Up Deadly Amoeba Monitoring Tropical Storm Saola Could Bring Periodic Showers from Next Week Songshan Airport Reports 3-Minute Blackout Wall Street falls ahead of Powell speech London Zoo Weigh-In
Tsai Attends 1958 Kinmen Artillery Bombardment Memorial CDC Reporting First Locally Acquired Typhoid case of 2023 Prigozhin Dead in Plane Crash Authorities in Hawaii Seeking DNA Samples Tankers Collide in Suez Canal
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,440 on turnover of 2-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Tuesday, as artificial intelligence development-related stocks led the market higher following a surge in Nvidia shares on Wall Street overnight.
The bellwether electronics sector served as the main driver for the day's gains.
However, the upturn was capped amid lingering investor concerns about the 10-year U-S treasury yield, which some say could make electronics stocks less attractive.
Former Miaoli County Magistrate Quits KMT and Throws Support Behind Gou Former Miaoli County Magistrate Hsu Yao-chang has announced that he's quit the K-M-T and will now be supporting Terry Gou's possible run for the presidency.
Hsu's resignation comes only days before a deadline set by the party for him to explain why he's been urging supporters not to vote for the K-M-T's Hou Yu-ih, was due to expire (到期).
The former Miaoli County Magistrate has been critical in recent weeks of the K-M-T for choosing Hou has its presidential candidate and has also been accusing the K-M-T of corrupted by "backdoor politics" and of "failing to resonate with the general public."
CDC Reporting Second Dengue Fever Death as Local Cases Continue to Climb The Centers for Disease Control has confirmed the second dengue fever-related death this year.
According to the C-D-C, a woman in her 80s from Yunlin County died on August 15 after being hospitalized for several days with dengue fever-related symptoms.
Confirmation of the death comes as the number of domestic dengue fever cases are continuing to rise.
The C-D-C says as of August 21, it had recorded 2,135 domestic cases so far this year and that number includes 556 new cases reported in 10 administrative areas (行政區).
Most of the new cases are continuing to be reported in Tainan.
Report: Canada Wildfire Made Worse by Climate Change A group of scientists has found that climate change caused by humans has made Canada's wildfire season significantly (顯著地，相當數量地) worse.
The country is currently experiencing its worst fire season on record.
Ira Spitzer reports.
Pakistan Cable Car Rescue Army commandos using helicopters and a makeshift chairlift rescued eight people from a broken cable car as it dangled hundreds of meters above a canyon in Pakistan.
Authorities said the rescues were completed late Tuesday in a remote, mountainous part of the country.
The six children and two adults became trapped when a cable snapped (斷) while they were crossing a river canyon.
The children were on their way to school.
Video from the final rescues showed a handful of people hanging from a cable as they were pulled to safety through a stand of trees to a waiting crowd.
Villagers frequently use cable cars to get around Pakistan’s mountainous regions. But the cars are often poorly maintained.
Officials say they've ordered safety inspections of the country’s cable cars and chairlifts.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 48-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,429 on turnover of 4.4-billion N-T.
The market closed flat on Monday after giving up most of its early gains ahead of Nvidia's release of its latest financial results at an investor conference scheduled for Wednesday in California.
Investor sentiment was also negatively affected by concerns over the U-S Federal Reserve's rate hike cycle, as Fed Chair Jerome Powell is set to address the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium on Friday.
MOA to Take China Mango Import Suspension to WTO The Ministry of Agriculture says it plans to take China's decision to suspended imports of mangoes from Taiwan to the World Trade Organization.
The statement comes after Beijing announced that it had suspended imports of mangoes following the detection of an agricultural pest in recent shipments.
The agriculture ministry is slamming the suspension of mango imports -describing it as being "unwarranted (毫無根據的、不合理的) and out of step with international trade standards."
Agriculture officials say China's import ban is unlikely to have any major economic impact, as Taiwan has only exported 2.2-per cent of its total mango crop this year.
MOFA Congratulates Guatemala' President-Elect The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is congratulating Bernardo Arevalo on his victory in Guatemala's presidential election.
According to the ministry, it has informed Guatemala's president-elect that Taiwan will seek to strengthen cooperation and exchanges with his incoming government, based on the shared values of democracy and freedom.
The foreign ministry is "lauding" Guatemala for holding a successful election and Taiwan's embassy in Guatemala City sent an official letter of congratulations to Arevalo's camp after it declared victory in Sunday's runoff election.
Speaking in July, Arevalo said he would not switch (轉變) diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing if elected, despite his being favor of improving trade relations with China.
Japan to Release Fukushima Wastewater as soon as Aug24 The Japanese government says treated and diluted (經稀釋的) radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant will be released into the ocean as early as Thursday.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida gave the final go-ahead at a meeting Tuesday of the Cabinet ministers involved in the plan.
He instructed the plant's operator to being the release Thursday if weather conditions permits.
It comes more than 12 years after nuclear meltdowns at the plant caused by a massive earthquake and tsunami.
The water has been accumulating since then and will be released over decades.
US Biden Faces Criticism for Hawaii Response Joe Biden has visited the Hawaiian island of Maui, almost two weeks after deadly wildfires there killed more than hundred people.
The US President has faced criticism (批評) for not traveling to Hawaii sooner.
Swiss ZeroDegree Isotherm Level Reaches Highest Altitude The Swiss weather service says a heat wave has driven the zero-degree Celsius level to its highest altitude since recordings on it in Switzerland began nearly 70 years ago.
MeteoSwiss says the zero-degree isotherm level reached 5,298 meters above sea level over Switzerland overnight Sunday to Monday.
All of Switzerland’s snow-capped Alpine peaks had air temperatures exceeding (超過) zero Celsius, where water freezes.
That raises prospects of a thaw.
A MeteoSwiss meterologist says "if such conditions persist in the longer term, glaciers are set to be lost irreversibly (不可逆轉地)".
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 32-points this morning from Friday's close, at 16,414 on turnover of 3.9-billion N-T.
The market moved lower last Friday, as investors reacted to fresh concerns the U-S Federal Reserve will raise key interest rates further following warnings that "upside risks" to inflation could lead to more rate hikes.
The bellwether electronics sector was the focus of weakness on the main board, led by artificial intelligence development-related stocks, while the financial sector rose slightly amid lingering concerns over financial woes faced by Chinese debt-ridden companies.
US Calls on Beijing to Stop Pressuring Taiwan. The U-S State Department is calling on Beijing to cease pressuring Taiwan.
According to a State Department spokesperson, the White House is urging Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with the island.
The statement comes after the Ministry of National Defense reported that 45 Chinese aircraft and nine ships were detected operating around Taiwan from 6AM Saturday to 6AM in Sunday.
Of that total, 25 aircraft crossed the median line (中線) of the Taiwan Strait.
The U-S State Department says it will continue to closely monitor China's military exercises.
Dadaocheng Summer Festival Finale Attracts Over 100,000 The Taipei City Government says more than 100,000 people attended last night's finale of the Dadaocheng Summer Festival.
City officials say more than 1,000 police officers were on duty to direct traffic.
Strict traffic restrictions were in place last night ahead of the closing 8-minute long fireworks display and some local residents have complained (抱怨) about traffic problems due to the large number of people attending the event.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an is touting the decision to extend the summer festival this year from one weekend to 51 days - saying along with larger crowds, it also resulted in greater opportunities for local businesses.
Spain Wildfire Started Deliberately An official in Spain says it appears a wildfire that's forced thousands of evacuations on Tenerife was deliberately (故意地) started.
AP correspondent Mimmi Montgomery reports.
Libya Central Bank Reunified Libya’s central bank has announced its reunification after being split for nearly a decade due to the country’s long-running civil war that resulted in two rival administrations, in the east and the west.
The bank said in a statement Sunday that it has become a “unified (統一) sovereign institution” following a meeting in the capital, Tripoli, between the central bank governor and his deputy.
The announcement came 19 months after the bank started a unification process.
In 2014, it splintered along the country’s broader political fault lines.
Libya was plunged into chaos after a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011.
Russia Luna25 Crashes into Moon Russia's Roscosmos space agency says the Luna-25 spacecraft has crashed into the moon after it spun into an uncontrolled orbit, bringing a premature end to the country's first lunar mission since 1976.
The pilotless spacecraft was aiming to be the first ever to land on the south pole of the moon, an area where scientists believe there could be important reserves of frozen water and precious elements.
It was expected to land today.
However, Roscosmos said it lost contact with the Luna-25 on Saturday after the spacecraft ran into difficulties and reported an “abnormal (異常) situation.”
The Luna-25 was in a race with an Indian spacecraft to be the first to reach the south pole.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 8.2-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,508, on turnover of $2.8-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex bucked the regional downward trend and gained ground on Thursday, despite notes from a U-S Federal Reserve meeting denting hopes that its interest rate hike cycle is finished.
FDA to Amend Regulations on Nutrition Labeling for Prepacked Food The Food and Drug Administration says it planning to change the regulations regarding the nutrition labeling of carbonated beverages and other prepacked food products.
According to the F-D-A, the amendments have been drafted due to health concerns.
Deputy Director Lin Jin-fu says the amendments mean that carbonated beverages (碳酸飲料) will no longer be permitted to use labeling with words such as "rich in" Vitamin C or similar descriptions and the content of labeling will be limited to related nutritional facts.
Lin also says the revisions will not limit nutrients that can be labeled on food products.
Previously, only eight types of nutrients (養分) could be shown on packaging, but that restrictions will be lifted when the new draft takes effect, in accordance with international regulations on food products.
Canada Evacuations as Wildfires Spread Residents in parts of Canada's Northwest Territories are being evacuated due to wildfires threatening (威脅) their towns.
It's part of what has become the country's worst fire season on record, with a warmer and drier spring and summer than normal.
Caroline Malone reports.
DR ID on Dead Still Ongoing After Bakery Explosion Authorities in the Dominican Republic say it could take months to identify all of the 28 victims who died in a powerful explosion near the country's capital this week.
The announcement comes as friends and family keep trying to confirm whether their loved ones died in Monday’s explosion in the city of San Cristobal.
Fifty-nine people were injured, with the majority (多數) of them still hospitalized.
Forensics officials say only seven of the bodies found have been turned over to their families so far.
The explosion took place mid-afternoon in a bustling (繁忙的) commercial area in the city center, filled with businesses, including a bank and a hardware store.
An investigation is still underway as to what caused the explosion, and authorities have said they will hold accountable any business that was not operating properly.
Thailand Pangolin Scales Seized Thai authorities say they have seized more than a ton of pangolin scales worth over $1.4 million US dollars that are believed to have been headed out of the country through a land border. P olice say the pangolin scales, which have an estimated price of around $1,129 per kilogram, are suspected of being brought from Malaysia to Thailand, to be transported to Laos, and then sold to clients in China.
Two male suspects, who were on a truck with the scales, were arrested and charged with the illegal possession of carcasses (屍體) of protected animals.
Officiasl say the amount of scales is estimated to come from at least 3-to-4-thousand dead pangolins, adding that the scales will be tested to find out the species of the pangolins.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 35-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,411 on turnover of 4-billion N-T.
The market closed virtually flat on Wednesday as investors were cautious after Wall Street fell overnight amid renewed speculation the U-S Federal Reserve could once again raise interest rates.
Artificial intelligence development-related stocks remained popular despite the weakness of U-S markets overnight, but the financial sector struggled due to the debt issues faced by Chinese enterprises.
Military Refusing Comment on Test Launch of Cruise Missile The Ministry of National Defense is refusing to comment on reports that it test fired a new cruise missile earlier this week.
However, local media is citing unnamed military source as saying a classified missile was test fired on Wednesday, as part of an ongoing three-day live-fire drill in waters off Pingtung's Jioupeng military base.
Reports have been claiming the Air Force launched a Hsiung Feng IIE missile.
According to the United Daily News, the missile flew for over an hour after it was launched from a base in Pingtung County.
Defense officials didn't publicly acknowledge the existence of the Hsiung Feng IIE cruise missile system until March of last year.
Port Authorities Patch Hole in Sunken Container Ship The Taiwan International Ports Corporation says it has patched (修補) a hole in the engine room of a container ship which sank in Kaohsiung Harbor last month.
According to the corporation, it now expects to finish the clean-up of a related oil spill and the removal of containers that fell from the vessel by later today at the earliest.
The Palau-flagged "Angel" was anchored some 5-kilometers from shore when it began listing and taking on water on July 20 and it sank the following day.
US President Joe Biden to travel to wildfire-ravaged Hawaii next week US President Joe Biden will travel with the First Lady to Maui on Monday, where they'll meet with first responders and survivors, and survey damage from wildfires which last week ravaged (嚴重破壞) the island.
The death toll from the state of Hawaii's worst natural disaster in history, and the country's deadliest US wildfire in more than a century, has now topped 100 people. Officials say it's expected to rise further. ?
Thousands others have been made homeless.
Benji Hyer reports.
Germany Cabinet Approves Cannabis Decriminalization. Germany’s Cabinet has approved a plan to liberalize rules on cannabis.
The plan foresees legalizing possession of up to 25 grams of cannabis for recreational purposes and allowing individuals to grow up to three plants on their own.
The legislation is billed as the first step in a two-part plan and will still need approval by parliament.
Officials hope their plan will help protect consumers (消費者) against contaminated (受污染的) products and reduce drug-related crime.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 44-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,438 on turnover of 4-billion N-T.
The market tumbled 207-points on Monday amid investor concerns that debt-ridden Chinese property giant Country Garden will trigger a financial crisis and send regional currencies lower against the U-S dollar.
The financial sector led the downturn, while the bellwether electronics sector also struggled as investors opted to dump large-cap tech stocks after a sell-off on Wall Street at the end of last week.
Lai in Paraguay Ahead of Pena Inauguration Vice President and D-P-P presidential candidate Lai Ching-te is in Paraguay to attend the inauguration of President-elect Santiago Pena.
Lai and his delegation were greeted on their arrival by Taiwan's Ambassador to Paraguay Jose Han, Paraguay's Vice Foreign Minister Raul Silvero, and representatives from Paraguay's presidential office.
Lai held talks with incumbent (現任者) Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez and Pena shortly after his arrival.
Lai and his delegation will attend Pena's inauguration later today Taiwan time before heading back to the U-S for a brief transit in San Francisco on their return trip to Taiwan.
UK Seeking High-Tech Cooperation in Taiwan Trade Talks The U-K's Department for Business and Trade says London is hoping to deepen cooperation with Taiwan in high-tech fields through an enhanced trade partnership.
The statement comes ahead of this year's bilateral trade talks and an announcement in late July that both sides plan to start talks on an "Enhanced Trade Partnership" to strengthen the bilateral trade relationship.
A spokesperson for the U-K's Department for Business and Trade says the partnership will deepen engagement and take advantage of growing opportunities for British businesses.
The talks will be held later this year in London and Taiwan's delegation will be headed by Deputy Economics Minister C.C. Chen.
US Montana Judge Hands Victory to Climate Activists A landmark climate decision out of Montana.
A judge has ruled in favor of a group of young plaintiffs who have accused the state of violating their right to a healthy environment by supporting the use of fossil fuels, which are seen as a main driver (主要驅動力) of climate change.
Toni Waterman has more.
Germany Foreign Minister Plane Trouble Germany’s foreign minister had to wait for hours in Abu Dhabi after a technical problem on her government plane forced it to return to the airport rather than continue to Australia.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was due to arrive in Canberra on Monday night.
But her ministry said her German air force Airbus A340 had to return to Abu Dhabi after a refueling (加燃料，加油) stop because of “a mechanical problem with the landing flaps."
It was the latest in a string of problems with Germany's government planes, some of which are aging, that have affected various senior officials.
In May, Baerbock had to extend a trip to the Persian Gulf region by a day because of a damaged tire on an aircraft when she was in Qatar.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 15-points this morning from Friday's close, at 16,585 on turnover of 3.7-billion N-T.
The market closed the trading day in negative territory on Friday, as a technical rebound from the prevous session ran out of steam.
The semiconductor industry led weakness in the market, while select artificial intelligence development-related stocks bounced back to give some support to the local main board.
Tourism Bureau 'Optimistic' about 6 Million Tourist Target for 2023 The Tourism Bureau says it's optimistic about hitting its goal of 6-million tourist arrivals by the end of the year.
According to the bureau, firgure between January and June suggest it is likely to hit that target, as Taiwan saw a total of nearly 2.7-million visitors from January to June.
That figure is almost half the amount from the same period of 2019, when nearly 6-million visitors were recorded.
Acting bureau director-general Zhou Ting-chang says visitor numbers from countries including South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam are either on par with, or already exceed (超過) pre-coronavirus pandemic numbers.
Data shows the largest number of visitors between January and June were from Hong Kong and Macau, followed by Japan and South Korea.
Tainan Reporting More Dengue Fever Cases More dengue fever cases are being reported in Tainan.
The total number of cases of the mosquito-borne disease in the city now stands at 1,223 since June 13, when the first case of this year was confirmed.
Most of the cases has have been reported in the city's Yongkang, Annan, Rende and East districts.
Local government officials say this year's outbreak is being compounded (使加劇) by the recent heavy rains, which have resulted in an increase of potential mosquito breeding habitats - such as stagnant water sources.
While the rains have also made disinfecting potential outdoor breeding sites impossible.
Russian Shelling Kills Russian shelling (砲擊) in southern Ukraine has killed at least seven people, and warning shots were fired by a Russian warship.
AP correspondent Jackie Quinn reports.
Greece Rescues Migrants from Sea Greek authorities say they have safely rescued 48 migrants from a rudderless (無舵的) inflatable boat off the island of Lesbos, close to the Turkish coast.
A patrol vessel evacuated the migrants Sunday morning and took them to the port of Mytilene, the capital of Lesbos.
Three of them remain hospitalized.
The coast guard did not mention the ethnicities of the migrants, but a YouTube video it released shows most of them are Africans.
The coast guard says the packed inflatable vessel then sank.
Greece has seen a rise in migrant arrivals from Turkey, mostly by sea, in recent weeks amid more mild summer sailing conditions.
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慶讚中元！ 普渡必拜科學麵，平安順利最全面！ 國民零食科學麵，酥脆麵體搭配經典椒鹽粉，一口接一口，讓你整個暑假都歡樂無法擋！ 想要歡樂一整天就找科學麵！→ https://bit.ly/44S8FtB －－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ MOL Expected to Open Farming Sector to Indonesian Workers in September TASA Enters 2nd Phase of CubeSat Development Program At Least 17 Dead As Boat Carrying Rohingya Heading to Malaysia Breaks Up Russia's Moon Mission Australia jailed journalist in China
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 43-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,827 on turnover of 4.1-billion N-T.
The market closed marginally lower on Wednesday as artificial intelligence development-related stocks continued to trend down and investors opted to pocket recent gains.
Investors also remained cautious as the main board moved closer to the nearest technical resistance ahead of the 17,000 point mark, prompting many to stay on the sidelines throughout much of the trading day.
Hou Yu-ih Talks Restarting Nuclear Power Plants if Elected New Taipei Mayor and K-M-T presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih says he will not phase out nuclear power if elected, and will instead reopen decommissioned plants.
The statement comes as Hou is laying out his energy policy platform and 2050 energy vision.
According to Hou, his policies include ensuring (確保) environmental sustainability, national security, people's health and an orderly transition to renewables.
Hou says he also plans to develop renewable energy sources as well as use nuclear power to replace coal-fired power and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to ensure environmental sustainability.
Air Force and Navy to Carry Out Precision Missile Drill on August 15-17 The Air Force and Navy will be holding their annual joint precision missile live-fire exercise in water off the southeast coast from August 15 through 17.
According to defense officials, air-to-air and anti-ship missile systems will be tested during the exercise.
Sources are being reported as saying the Air Force will be deploying Mirage 2000-5, I-D-F and F16V jet fighters.
While the Navy will be test firing the Taiwan-made Hsiung Feng anti-ship missile at four decommissioned (退役的) vessels.
The Coast Guard Administration will be participating in the precision missile drill for the first time this year.
Ecuador Presidential Candidate Shot and Killed Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was shot and killed by an unidentified gunman while at a political rally in the country’s capital of Quito.
President Guillermo Lasso vowed that the crime "will not go unpunished".
The 59-year-old politician was one of eight presidential candidates for the late August election.
He also filed many judicial complaints (告訴) against high ranking members of the government of former President Rafael Correa.
Early accounts show that several others were injured in the attack, though authorities did not confirm how many.
The killing comes amid a wave of violence in the South American nation, with drug trafficking and violent killings on the rise.
World Bank Sanctions Uganda Over AntiGay Law Ugandan economists say the World Bank's move to halt loans to Uganda over the country's anti-gay law could reverse (倒轉，推翻) its economic gains.
The country has just recorded the lowest inflation in the last fifteen months - which was considered an indication it was recovering from the COVID-19 Shocks.
Hillary Ayesiga reports…
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 40-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,836 on turnover of 3.3-billion N-T.
The market closed lower on Tuesday after giving up early gains - as selling focused on large cap tech stocks.
Although the electronics sector was the main target of investor sell-offs, some artificial intelligence development-related stocks bounced back from an early downturn to give some support to the broader market.
Aso Stresses Need for Japan and US to Show Resolve to Fight to Defend Taiwan Visiting former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso says he believes the best way to deter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan is for Japan, the U-S and other like-minded countries to make it clear to Beijing that they would be willing to defend Taiwan militarily.
Speaking during his key note address at the Ketagalan Forum in Taipei, Aso reiterated that Japan and other G-7 countries seek peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, adding that China and Taiwan should resolve their differences through peaceful means.
He also touched on (簡略提到) trade during his address - saying Japan supports Taiwan's bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
CDC Warning of Dengue Case Rise The Centers for Disease Control says 264 new domestic dengue fever cases were reported over the past week.
They include the first confirmed (確認) cases so far this year in Miaoli and Chiayi.
According to the C-D-C, of the latest cases, 229 were in Tainan, 20 in Yunlin, six in Kaohsiung, five Chiayi County, two in Pingtung and one each in Taichung and Miaoli.
The latest cases bring the total number of domestic infections of the mosquito-borne disease to 1,109 since the first such case was confirmed in Tainan on June 13.
A majority of the cases have been reported in Tainan, where 920 infections have been confirmed to date.
Ukraine Accuses Russia of Double Tap Ukrainian officials are accusing the Kremlin’s forces of targeting rescue workers by hitting residential buildings with two consecutive (連續的) missiles — the first one to draw crews to the scene and the second one to wound or kill them.
Officials said the strikes Monday evening in the downtown district of the city of Pokrovsk killed nine people, including an emergency official.
The strikes also wounded more than 80 others, most of them police officers, emergency workers and soldiers who rushed to assist residents.
The Russian missiles slammed into the center of Pokrovsk in the eastern Donetsk region, which is partially occupied by Russia.
Emergency crews were still removing rubble on Tuesday.
Trump Vows to Keep Talking About Criminal Cases Former US President Donald Trump is vowing (發誓) to keep talking about his criminal cases.
The AP's Ed Donahue reports.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 10-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,006 on turnover of 4.6-billion N-T.
The market gained more than 150 points in Monday following a slump at the end of last week, as investor interest in artificial intelligence development-related stocks resumed and the sector moved out of consolidation mode.
The rise also came as investor sentiment improved amid eased concerns over further pending rate hikes by the U-S Federal Reserve on the back of the release of a weaker-than-expected American jobs report on Friday.
Carbon Exchange Opens in Kaohsiung President Tsai Ing-wen has overseen (監督) the opening of a carbon exchange at the Kaohsiung Software Park.
The exchange is part of the government's ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions and achieve its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
According to Tsai, the carbon exchange will work with its international counterparts to help Taiwan reach its goal of low carbon emissions, and those efforts are expected to bring in more than 4-trillion N-T in private investment.
Tsai also says it will also bring in 5.9-trillion N-T in production value, while potentially create more than 550,000 jobs from 2023-2030.
New Military Police Battalion to be Garrisoned in South Taipei And,
Military sources are saying the Ministry of National Defense plans to garrison a newly raised military police battalion in south Taipei.
The move is reportedly part of efforts to step-up protection for the president and other top government officials.
However, the specific location of the garrison (駐軍) has not yet been decided.
The unit will be the sixth military police battalion under the 202nd Military Police Command stationed in Taipei.
The military police command currently numbers 5,000 and teports have said that number could reach 11,000 in the coming years.
Pakistan Railway Service Partially Restored Officials say engineers have partially restored passenger rail service in southern Pakistan, a day after a passenger train derailed there, killing at least 30 people and injuring 90.
Local authorities have handed over 27 bodies of the victims of Sunday's crash to their families for burials while three people were still unidentified.
Engineers were still working at the crash site to fully restore rail service and dozens of injured remained in hospital on Monday.
A probe into the train accident was also underway.
Train accidents in Pakistan are common and often happen as the result of poor railway infrastructure and official negligence (疏忽).
US Texas Cost of Electricity Surges The price of electricity – crucial for air conditioning – has surged in the U.S. state of Texas in the last few days.
Just as parts of the state continue to swelter (熱得難受) in a heatwave that is pushing temperatures well above 100 Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius.
Caroline Malone reports from Austin.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 27-points this morning from Friday's close, at 16,870 on turnover of 3.6-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly lower on Friday amid volatility (易變) on Wall Street, after ratings agency Fitch cut the U-S' credit rating
Artificial intelligence development-related stocks bounced back from previous session, offsetting loses seen the semiconductor sector, while buying also rotated to select old economy stocks to lend further support to the broader market.
Agricultural Losses from Typhoon Khanun Estimated at NT$128 million The Ministry of Agriculture says agricultural losses (損失) caused by Typhoon Khanun currently stand at 129-million N-T.
According to the minstry, farms in Miaoli, Taichung and Nantou have been the hardest hit.
Agricultural damage in Nantou stands at 120-million N-T and accounts for 93-per cent of the total losses so far.
Miaoli County is seeing 6-million N-T in loses, while Taichung has sustained 2.5-million N-T in storm-related agricultural losses.
The Ministry of Agriculture is warning that those losses will likely rise, as more farms report further damage in the coming days.
Taoyuan Vietnamese Sandwich Stand Fined Following Mass Food Poisoning The Taoyuan City Department of Public Health says the owner of a Vietnamese sandwich stand at a traditional market in the Zhongli District has been fined 540,000 N-T following a mass food poisoning.
The fine was issued after the health department received reports that over 400 people who purchased food from the sandwich stand fell ill.
According to city health officials, it collected information regarding the food consumption (食用) history of 243 people who became ill, and discovered that 229 of them had developed symptoms after eating sandwiches purchased at the stand between August 2 and 3.
Four of the victims have since tested positive for salmonella.
Pakistan Train Crash Toll Rises Railway officials say the death toll from a train derailment in southern Pakistan has risen to at least 30, with more than 90 others injured.
Senior Railway officials said Sunday the train was on its way from Karachi to Rawalpindi when its 10 cars derailed.
Police say that 30 bodies have been recovered from the overturned (翻倒) and damaged cars and more than 90 were injured, some of them very seriously.
The minister for railways says the crash could be due to a mechanical fault or the result of sabotage.
He says an investigation was underway.
US Trump Demands New Judge and Venue for Trial Former US President Donald Trump says there is "no way" he can get a fair trial in his case related to the 2020 election.
Trump wrote on social media that his legal team (法律團隊) will ask for a new judge and to move the trial out of Washington DC.
Trump is accused of trying to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
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Agricultural Losses from Typhoon Doksuri Exceed NT$300 million Firefighters Battle of Blaze at PChome Warehouse for 3 Hours Trump Indicted French Military Transport Plane Carrying Europeans Departs Niger Sweden to Step up Border Controls
慶讚中元！ 普渡必拜科學麵，平安順利最全面！ 國民零食科學麵，酥脆麵體搭配經典椒鹽粉，一口接一口，讓你整個暑假都歡樂無法擋！ 想要歡樂一整天就找科學麵！→ https://bit.ly/44S8FtB －－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ Lawmakers Pass Amendments to the Act of Gender Equality in Employment TTP Removes 'Vote White, Vote Right' Slogan France Concern for Citizens in Niger OIC Calling for Action on Quran Desecration X Sign Removed from the San Francisco HQ
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 48-points this morning from Friday's close, at 17,341 on turnover of $6.3-billion N-T.
The market moved higher on Friday as investors ignored the losses on Wall Street continued to pick up artificial intelligence related stocks to offset (抵消) weakness in large cap stocks such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.
Buying also focused on select old economy stocks, in particular in the transportation industry in the wake of a rebound in freight rates by both container cargo and bulk cargo shipping companies.
Czech Republic Launches E-Gate Clearance System for ROC Passport Holders The Czech Republic has launched an automatic immigration clearance system or e-gate for R-O-C passport holders.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the reciprocal (互惠的) program to provide electronic immigration processing at both countries' respective airports makes the Czech Republic Taiwan's ninth e-gate partner.
However, the ministry says even with the e-gate system at the Vaclav Havel Airport Prague, R-O-C passport holders will still need to have their travel documents stamped by Czech customs officers when entering the country's border.
The announcement comes after the recent launch of direct flights by Taoyuan International Airport and Prague.
Pakistan Suicide Bombing Leaves Dead and Injured A suicide bombing at a political rally on Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan has killed at least 44 people and wounded nearly 200.
The Bajur district near the Afghan border was a stronghold (勢力強大的地方，大本營) of the Pakistani Taliban — a close ally of Afghanistan’s Taliban government — before the Pakistani army drove the militants out of the area.
Supporters of hard-line Pakistani cleric and political party leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman were meeting in Bajur on Sunday in a hall close to a market outside the district capital.
Party officials said Rehman was not at the rally, but organizers added tents because so many supporters showed up.
The Pakistan Taliban says the bombing was aimed at setting Islamists against each other.
US Heatwave Air Conditioning As parts of the US remain in the grips of (深陷于.) a heat wave, linked to global warming, it’s the lower-income families that suffer the most in hotter neighborhoods, without air conditioning.
AP correspondent Jackie Quinn report.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 2.7-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,245 on turnover of $3.4-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Thursday after the U-S Federal Reserve raised rates by a quarter of percentage point - a move that had been widely expected.
Female Students in Taichung Gain Easier Access to Sanitary Products The Taichung City Education Bureau says female students will be getting easier access to sanitary products at schools or receive vouchers to buy them at major retail chains from August 1.
According to the bureau, students will also be able get sanitary products at health center in the city's 350 high schools, junior high schools and elementary schools.
While some 10,000 female students from low-income households will be given two 100 N-T vouchers per month to purchase the products.
The bureau says the 102-million N-T scheme aimed at increasing access to sanitary products in the city is being funded by the Ministry of Education as part of an islandwide program.
Taichung received 11.89-million N-T from the ministry to expand its existing scheme (方案) to offer free sanitary products.
UN Calls for Peace in Middle East The United Nations says the deterioration of the security situation in the occupied West Bank once again undermines a possible two-State solution.
Security Council members on Thursday heard from the Assistant Secretary General, Khaled Khiari who said the situation is becoming untenable (難以繼續的，難維持的).
The occupied West Bank is currently experiencing a period of increasing violence and several members have once again raised concern.
Jody Jacobs reports from New York…
Kuwait Executes Five Prisoners Kuwait says it executed five prisoners including an inmate convicted over the bombing of a Shiite mosque in 2015 that killed 27 people and was claimed by the Islamic State group.
A statement from Kuwait’s Public Prosecution said the five inmates were hanged on Thursday.
The 2015 bombing struck during midday Friday prayers inside one of Kuwait’s oldest Shiite mosques.
The Islamic State group views Shiites as heretics (異教者).
The country conducted its last mass execution in November 2022 when it put seven inmates to death.
Vietnam Agrees to Vatican Representative and Office Vietnam has formally agreed to let a Vatican representative live in the country and open an office.
The Holy See announced the conclusion (結論) of an agreement during a visit to the Vatican by Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong, who met with Pope Francis.
A Vatican statement said the appointment of a resident representative of the pope to the communist country would support the local Catholic community, contribute to the development of the country and help serve as a “bridge to advance relations between Vietnam and the Holy See.”
The agreement Thursday still falls short of full diplomatic relations, which have been strained for decades.
But the two sides have held regular talks since at least 1990 studying the renewal of ties.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 27-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,189 on turnover of $3.9-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex closed slightly lower on Wednesday, as investors opted to stay on the sidelines awaiting the conclusion of the U-S Federal Reserve's two-day policymaking meeting.
Market watchers say movement throughout the session was dictated by (由… 影響) a tug-of-war between the bellwether electronics sectors, as investors looked-to cash in on profits earlier this week from for artificial intelligence, and financial sector related stocks.
Typhoon Doksuri 10AM Update The Central Weather Bureau has expanded its land warning for Typhoon Doksuri.
The CWB says its warning has now been expanded to cover Miaoli and areas southward, as well as Hualien, Taitung, Penghu, and Kinmen.
Now, only northern Taiwan remains outside of the land warning.
The bureau says Doksuri is currently 170 km southwest of Eluanbi, at the island's southernmost tip, moving at a speed of 15-to-22 km per hour.
Officials say the outer rim of the storm is now over southern and southeastern regions of the island, and rains are expected to ease off gradually starting tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the CWB is also keeping a close eye on (密切關注) a tropical depression east of the Philippines.
Forecasters say the system may form into the 6th typhoon of the season tonight or tomorrow, and will likely move toward Xiaoliuqiu.
They say it remains to be seen whether that storm will affect the island.
(NS)
Ukraine's CounterOffensive Reportedly Intensified The United States says Ukraine's counter-offensive against Russia is now in full swing (正在進行中，正在活躍) in the country's southeast.
Pentagon officials have told local media here in the US that thousands of reinforcements are being deployed into the battlefield, many of them trained and equipped by the West.
Jody Jacobs reports…
Nigeria Soldiers Claim Gov Overthrown Mutinous soldiers claim to have overthrown Niger’s democratically elected president, announcing on state television that they have put an end to the government over the country’s deteriorating security.
The announcement Wednesday night comes after a day of uncertainty (不確定) as members of Niger’s presidential guard surrounded the presidential palace, detaining President Mohamed Bazoum. It was unclear where the president was at the time of the announcement or if he had resigned.
Threats to Bazoum’s leadership would undermine the West’s efforts to stabilize Africa’s Sahel region, which has been overrun with coups in recent years.
Mali and Burkina Faso have had four coups since 2020.
Mexico Oil Spill Company says Leak "Natural" The head of Mexico's state-owned oil company contends oil washing up on the country's Gulf coast beaches could not have come from a spill of about 1,350 barrels caused by a pipeline leak.
Instead, Octavio Romero suggested Wednesday the oil came from natural seepage (滲漏) from ocean-floor vents.
The state-owned Petroleos Mexicanos company acknowledged last week that an aging underwater pipeline sprang a leak at the start of July.
Because Pemex did not have the right size fitting on hand to repair the pipe, the leak continued for 18 days.
The pipeline was finally fixed late last week.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 7-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,205 on turnover of $4.6-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex made solid gains on Tuesday - rising more than 160-points - as investor enthusiasm over the development of artificial intelligence continued to push up A-I-related stocks.
Market watchers say momentum accelerated as investors rushed to pick up A-I-related stocks after opting to ignore the lackluster performance of the tech-heavy Nasdaq on Wall Street overnight.
10AM Land Warning Remains in Effect for Typhoon Doksuri A land warning remains in effect for Typhoon Doksuri, as it continues to approach (逼近) the island.
The 5th typhoon of the season is currently 330-kilometers south of Eluanbi at the island's souternmost tip.
The storm is moving in a northwesterly direction at a speed of 14-kilometers an hour.
Doksuri is packing sustained wind speeds of 173-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to 209-kilometers-an-hour.
The Central Weather Bureau's land warning covers Tainan, Kaohsiung, Taitung, Pingtung, and the Hengchun Peninsula.
According to the bureau, high waves are expected today in the Bashi Channel and along Taiwan's coast.
Officials are warning the public to stay away from coastal regions.
(NS)
UK Lawmakers Concerned About Wagner Mercenary Group British lawmakers say the U.K. has underestimated the threat posed by the Russian Wagner mercenary group and should ban it as a terrorist organization.
The House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee says the sanctions imposed by Britain on Wagner are “underwhelming” and U.K. authorities have done little to track the network’s activities outside of Ukraine.
The committee said: “There are serious national security threats to the U.K. and its allies of allowing the network to continue to thrive.”
Wagner has played a key role in fighting in Ukraine, and the committee said it has conducted (實施) military operations in countries including Syria, the Central African Republic, Sudan, Libya, Mozambique and Mali.
Taliban Announces Beauty Salon Ban Now in Effect The Taliban has announced that all beauty salons in Afghanistan must now close as a one-month deadline ended, despite rare public opposition to the edict (法令).
A spokesman for the Taliban-run Virtue and Vice Ministry didn't say whether it would use force against salons that do not comply.
The ruling that took effect on Tuesday is the latest curb on the rights and freedoms of Afghan women and girls following edicts barring them from education, public spaces and most forms of employment.
US Biden Establishes Monument for Murdered Black Teen US President Joe Biden has signed a proclamation creating a National Monument for Emmett Till and his mother on what would have been his 82nd birthday.
Emmett Till was black teenager who was lynched in 1955 — his death and the activism (社會運動) of his mother Mamie Till-Mobley helped galvanise the civil rights movement in America.
With more, Benji Hyer reports.
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－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 原子彈之父奧本海默，為了終結戰爭，他必須測試毀滅性武器，做出撼動全人類的重要決定！克里斯多夫諾蘭編劇執導，席尼墨菲，麥特戴蒙，小勞勃道尼等眾星雲集，【奧本海默】7月21日大銀幕震撼登場，IMAX同步上映！ https://pse.is/54uu2y
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 28-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,061 on turnover of 4.8-billion N-T.
The market closed marginally higher on Monday, as gains by artificial intelligence-related stocks offset ongoing losses by semiconductor heavyweights after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing announced that it's cutting its 2023 sales outlook.
The Tai-Ex fluctuated within a narrow range throughout the session, as T-S-M-C dragged semiconductor shares lower, while gains posted by artificial intelligence server suppliers lent support to the main board towards the end of the day's session.
Tsai Urges Overseas Firms to Seek CPTPP Backing President Tsai Ing-wen is urging the World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce to help seek support for her administration's bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Speaking during a meeting with chamber members, Tsai said she hopes overseas Taiwanese businesses can exert (發揮) their influence to rally support for Taiwan's application to join the the trade bloc.
According to Tsai, the joining the partnership will strengthen Taiwan's economic resilience.
She's also calling on Taiwanese businesses based overseas to invest in Taiwan and build the nation into a key global industrial hub.
KMT Presidential Candidate Hou Yu-ih to Visit Japan The K-M-T's presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih will be traveling to Tokyo next week.
According to Hou's campaign office, the three-day trip is aimed at (目的是) strengthening his foreign policy credentials.
Hou is slated to meet with lawmakers and officials from the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association.
Hou's campaign office says he'll also be doing interviews with Japanese national broadcaster N-H-K and the Asahi Shimbun newspaper.
Hou will also be meeting with oversea's Taiwanese in the Japanese capital and will be accompanied by K-M-T think tank head Ko Zhi-yen, and Overseas Department head Chen Yi-xin.
UN Urges Russia to Revive Grain Deal The United Nations' highest official is urging Russia to revive a grain deal with Ukraine.
AP correspondent Norman Hall reports.
Algeria Wildfires Leave Dead and Injured The Algerian government says wildfires raging across the country have killed 25 people and injured about 50.
The Defense Ministry says Monday that includes 10 soldiers killed while trying to get the flames under control in the face of high winds and scorching (灼熱的) summer temperatures.
The Interior Ministry says at least 1,500 people were evacuated.
Wildfires, some spread by strong winds, moved across forests and agricultural areas in 16 regions. That caused 97 blazes in the north African country. The largest and deadliest fires ravaged parts of the Kabyle region east of Algiers.
Musk Reveals New Twitter Logo Elon Musk has unveiled a new “X” logo to replace Twitter’s famous blue bird as he follows through with a major rebranding of the social media platform he bought for $44 billion last year.
The X started appearing at the top of the desktop version of Twitter on Monday, but the bird was still dominant across the smartphone app.
In response to questions about what tweets would be called when the rebranding (重塑形象) is done, Musk said they would be called Xs.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from Friday's close, at 17,036 on turnover of 5.7-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Friday, as regional indexes ended the week mixed after the latest rally on Wall Street fizzled, with big declines for Tesla, Netflix and other big tech-oriented stocks.
French Parliamentary Group Visits Taiwan The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says a French parliamentary delegation has arrived on Taiwan for a five-day visit.
The delegation is being led by Senator Andre Gattolin, who serves as the vice-chairman of the French Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and the Armed Forces.
The foreign ministry says the delegation is slated to meet with senior government officials, including Vice President Lai Ching-te, Legislative Speaker You Si-kun, National Security Council Secretary-General Wellington Koo and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.
The talks are expected to focus enhancing (增強) bilateral economic and trade ties between the two countries and on cooperation on semiconductors.
Tai Tzu-ying Loses in Korea Open Final Tai Tzu-ying has failed to win to Korea Badminton Open after losing 21-9, 21-15 in the women's singles final to South Korea's defending champion An Se Young.
Despite the lose at the Jin-Nam Stadium in Yeo-Su, Tai still recorded (記錄，得到) her best ever performance in the Badminton World Federation Super 500 event, bettering the semifinal she reached in 2019.
World No. 2 An beat Tai in 38 minutes for her seventh win over the Taiwan player in their nine matches played.
Tai is currently ranked word No. 4.
Tai's next event is the Badminton World Federation Super 750-level Japan Open, which begins tomorrow.
China Flooding Leaves Dead and Missing Five people have died and three are missing after heavy rains caused flooding and a landslide in eastern China.
State media reported Sunday the floods swept through part of Hangzhou city and engulfed (吞沒) many houses.
The rain led to a partial mountain collapse and mudslide, affecting multiple areas.
Seasonal flooding hits large parts of China every year, but some northern regions this year have reported the worst floods in 50 years.
US Heatewave Continues Pervasive heat continues to hit many parts of the United States, after what has already been a record-breaking few weeks: particularly in the South and South West.
As the heatwave moves east, many usually cooler states are due to feel the intense (激烈的) heat in the coming week.
Caroline Malone reports from Washington.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 59-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,106 on turnover of $4.5-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex closed slightly higher on Thursday, despite investor sentiment remaining cautious during the current earnings season pushing turnover down.
Analysts say the market moved in a narrow range for the much of the trading day. as buying in old economy and financial sectors helped offset losses suffered by large cap tech stocks in the semiconductor industry.
Government to Donate US$2.5million to help Kyiv Build Bridge The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the government has pledged a donation of 2.5-million U-S dollars toward the construction of a bridge in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.
According to the ministry, the bridge will connect (連接) Obolonksy Island with the city.
The pledged donation will be given to the charitable fund, Future Kyiv.
That organization has been designated by the Kyiv government, based on a memorandum of understanding signed between Taiwan's Representative to Poland, and the head of the fund earlier this week.
US Senate Advances Bill on Supreme Court Ethics From the US…..
The Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced an ethics (道德) bill for Supreme Court justices in the wake of a series of reports about Justice Clarence Thomas's relationship with a wealthy Republican donor.
However, the legislation has little chance of being approved in the House or the Senate.
US Correspondent Ira Spitzer has more.
Brazil Homicides Fall but Attacks on Women Rise Researchers say the number of homicides in Brazil last year reached the lowest level in more than a decade.
The Brazilian Forum on Public Safety is an independent group that tracks national crime statistics.
It says in a report Thursday that about 47,500 people were killed in 2022, which was down 2.4% from the previous year.
The downward trend has come amid a sharp rise in the number of firearms circulating (散佈,) in Brazil.
Experts have come up with at least three factors to explain the dual trend, including a relative truce among gangs since 2018.
On other violence, the report says that while homicides fell last year, violent attacks on women rose and there was a record number of rapes.
Bolivia Lithium Resource Estimates Increased Bolivia’s president says the Andean country's total lithium (鋰) resources have increased 2 million tons to a total of 23 million tons.
The new estimate released Thursday further cements Bolivia’s position as the country with the most lithium resources in the world.
Bolivia is stepping up its search for international partners to help develop its lithium reserves amid soaring global demand for the metal used in batteries for electric vehicles.
Previous estimates placed Bolivia’s lithium resources at 21 million tons.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 12-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,105 on turnover of $3.12 -billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex closed lower on Wednesday for a second consecutive session, as investors continued to lock-in recent gains on the back of lingering enthusiasm over artificial intelligence development.
Market watchers say sentiment remained cautious ahead of the release of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing's latest earnings report later today, as investors are still anxious ( 焦慮的) about inventory adjustments in the global semiconductor industry.
Taipei Zoo's Malayan Tapir Dies The Taipei Zoo says it will be holding a memorial for Malayan tapir, "Moko," following the animal's death earlier this week.
According to the zoo, "Moko" died from undetermined causes after falling ill and running a high temperature since the weekend.
The zoo said the animal was found lying next to a pool in its enclosure (圍場) on Tuesday morning but was unable to stand.
A veterinarian then administered a blood test, provided a nutritional supplement (營養補充品) and other medical treatment throughout the day, but the tapir was found unresponsive (沒有反應) in the mid-afternoon.
The zoo says an autopsy will be performed today to determine its cause of death.
The seven-year-old Malayan tapir born in Prague Zoo in the Czech Republic and was sent to the Taipei Zoo in 2018 as part of a cross-institute breeding program.
NewZealand Gunman Kills Two at Construction Site Near A gunman has killed two people at a construction site in Auckland, New Zealand, as the nation prepared to host (主辦；主持) games in the FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament.
Authorities said the shooter was also dead and a police officer and four civilians were injured.
The shooting took place near hotels where Team Norway and other soccer teams have been staying.
New Zealand Prime Minster Chris Hipkins said the tournament would go ahead as planned.
The opening match is scheduled for Thursday between New Zealand and Norway.
Mother of US Soldier in NKorea Appeals for his Return The mother of an American soldier being held in North Korea has appealed for her son to come home.
Claudine Gates told US network ABC News that she was "shocked" when Army officials told her on Tuesday that her son had fled (逃跑).
Private Travis King crossed the border while on a tour of the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea.
Pyongyang has not commented on the incident so far.
Sally Patterson reports from New York.
Russian Belarus Athletes Allowed to Compete as Neutral Athletes Gymnasts from Russia and Belarus will be allowed to take part in sanctioned (准許; 批准) competitions as “individual neutral athletes” from the start of 2024.
The International Gymnastics Federation announced the move but said any decision on the Paris Games will be left to (留給，交給) the International Olympic Committee.
Russian and Belarus gymnasts had been banned since last year in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Belarus' military support.
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《不斷網會客室》帶你挖掘網路世界下的運作原理和秘辛，從AI、去中心化、國際參與到全球網路治理，各種硬核科普冷知識，深入淺出娓娓道來。本節目由TWNIC台灣網路資訊中心和台灣資訊社會研究學會共同製作。 https://bit.ly/43r8Yde -- 暑假最夯打工博覽會來了，應徵還送 5 萬元！想要暑假躺著賺，快到全台最大打工賺錢 APP－小雞上工 立即應徵： https://bit.ly/42mNSwd －－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ MAC to Open Limited Ferry Service to 'Designated' Chinese Nationals Defense Minister Confirms Plans to Purchase US NASAMS 2 Air Defense System US Solider Flees to North Korea Satellite Images Show Wagner Belarus Camp Canada Wildfires Burned Record Amount of Area in BC India's Space Chief Confirms Debris on Australian Beach is Part of a Rocket
《不斷網會客室》帶你挖掘網路世界下的運作原理和秘辛，從AI、去中心化、國際參與到全球網路治理，各種硬核科普冷知識，深入淺出娓娓道來。本節目由TWNIC台灣網路資訊中心和台灣資訊社會研究學會共同製作。 https://bit.ly/43r8Yde －－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ Rent Index Hits Record High in June TIPC Touting More Cruise Liners Set to Stop in Taiwan Russia Halts Ukraine Grain Export Deal Biden Invites Netanyahu to Meet in the US Greece Issues Precautionary Evacuation Orders Lindsay Lohan Give Birth to First Child
DPP 'Adopts' Ban on Candidates with Criminal Records 2023 Green Appliance Subsidies to Continue Europe heatwave Putin Warns on Use of Cluster Munitions Jane Birkin Dies Aged 76
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 91-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,153 on turnover of $5.9-billion N-T.
Cabinet approves amendments targeting power-based sexual harassment Taiwan's Executive Yuan has approved a set of draft amendments, that say employers may face a fine of up to $1 million NT for sexual harrassment of their employees.
The draft amendments aim to start an "effective" clampdown (鎮壓) on sexual harassment, and to strengthen protections for victims of sexual violence.
The proposal mandates the local government to intervene when an individual is sexually harassed by their employer, or is not satisfied with their organization's handling of their sexual misconduct report.
Kaohsiung Factory Fire and Explosion Firefighters are working to put out a blaze at a factory in Kaohsiung.
Officials say several explosions were reported by residents near the electronic components factory in Nan-zhi District at around 7am today, and emergency personnel were dispatched to (發送, 派遣) the scene.
They say there have been no reports of any injuries or workers trapped so far, but firefighters are still fighting to contain the blaze through thick smoke.
(NS)
ICC Investigating Darfur War Crimes The International Criminal Court prosecutor says he is investigating alleged new war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan’s western Darfur region.
Karim Khan told the U.N. Security Council on Thursday that fighting between government forces and the paramilitary Rapid Security Forces has spilled into Darfur which was wracked by (被毀壞) bloodshed and atrocities in 2003.
He said the country is now “in peril of allowing history to repeat itself.”
In 2005, the Security Council referred the situation in Darfur to the ICC and Khan said the court still has a mandate under that resolution to investigate crimes there.
The current conflict in the region has killed over 3,000 and displaced more than 3 million.
US Justice Department Urges Judge Not to Postpone Trump Trial The Justice Department is urging a federal judge to reject Donald Trump’s efforts to postpone (推遲、延後) his trial in the classified documents case.
AP correspondent Jackie Quinn reports.
UAE Sultan on COP28 Plan The head of this year’s United Nations climate talks is calling for governments and businesses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (排放量) in all regions and sectors if they want to stop the planet from passing a key temperature limit agreed on more than seven years ago.
Sultan al-Jaber of the United Arab Emirates told senior officials from Europe, Canada and China gathered in Brussels on Thursday that record-breaking heat seen across the world recently shows the need for urgent action to curb emissions.
Al-Jaber laid out his strategy for the upcoming COP28 global climate talks in Dubai this fall.
Al-Jaber urged governments to come forward with more ambitious national targets for cutting emissions in the next few months.
He also named two veteran officials from South Africa and Denmark to lead negotiations on the first global stocktake of where the world stands in meeting the Paris goals.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 33-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,995 on turnover of $5.1-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed higher Wednesday as contract chipmaker TSMC got a boost from buying in the last few minutes of the session to climb out of its previous weakness.
But the local main board remained in a narrow range throughout the session as market sentiment was cautious ahead of the release of the United States' June inflation figures, which are expected to influence (影響) moves by the Federal Reserve.
Military stages rehearsal for anti-takeover drill at Taoyuan airport According to the Ministry of National Defense, Taiwan's military on Wednesday morning held a rehearsal for an anti-takeover drill at Taoyuan International Airport.
The drill at Taiwan's main international gateway is designed to test the armed forces' cross-branch coordination and emergency response capabilities, during a simulated Chinese invasion.
In the rehearsal staged at a hanger of the Taoyuan International Airport, members of the Aviation and Special Forces Command and Army Airborne Special Forces acted as the red team invading force, with the blue team formed by ground troops from Sixth Army Corps serving as the defenders.
The red team was originally set to arrive at the drill ground in Army helicopters, but decided to call them off, given the fact that nearby schools were hosting college entrance exams.
After yesterday's rehearsal, the actual anti-takeover drill is scheduled to take place on July 26th, and will be the first such exercise staged at Taoyuan International Airport since it opened in 1979.
NKorea Kim Vows to Bolster Nuclear Capabilities North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to bolster (加固、提高) his country’s nuclear fighting capabilities as he supervised the second test-flight of a new intercontinental ballistic missile designed to strike the mainland U.S.
North Korea's state media reported Kim’s comments a day after the launch of the Hwasong-18 missile.
Kim was quoted as saying deepening U.S. and South Korean hostilities require "more intense efforts to implement the line of bolstering nuclear war deterrent.”
According to KCNA, the Hwasong-18 missile was launched on a high angle to avoid neighboring countries.
It flew a distance of about 1-thousand kilometers before landing in a targeted area in the open waters off the North’s east coast.
The missile’s flight time is the longest recorded by any weapon launched by North Korea.
US VP Harris Makes History with Tiebreaking Votes Return to Table of contents
US Vice President Kamala Harris has made history with tiebreaking votes in Senate.
AP's Lisa Dwyer has more.
Kosovo to Reduce Police Numbers and Hold Mayoral Elections Kosovo’s government has decided to reduce by one-fourth the number of special police officers and also hold new mayoral elections in four Serb-majority municipalities.
The move is a bid to defuse tensions with neighboring Serbia that flared anew in May.
Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti said Wednesday that more officers would be withdrawn based on the continuous (連續的) evaluation of the situation.
Kurti also said the government would formally declare holding new elections in the four Serb-majority municipalities.
Violent clashes in late May sparked when new Albanian mayors took office left at least 30 international peacekeepers and more than 50 ethnic Serbs injured.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 原子彈之父奧本海默，為了終結戰爭，他必須測試毀滅性武器，做出撼動全人類的重要決定！克里斯多夫諾蘭編劇執導，席尼墨菲，麥特戴蒙，小勞勃道尼等眾星雲集，【奧本海默】7月21日大銀幕震撼登場，IMAX同步上映！ https://pse.is/54uu2y
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 4-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,903 on turnover of $4-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan moved sharply higher Tuesday amid renewed interest in tech heavyweights focused on artificial intelligence development and the financial sector.
But old economy stocks were more mixed.
3 teenage boys drown near Taoyuan's Xiaowulai Skywalk Three junior high students drowned, while swimming in a restricted area in Taoyuan.
The Taoyuan City Fire Department says it received a report from residents yesterday, that several teenage boys from a group of seven had fallen into the water under the Xiaowulai Skywalk.
Emergency workers were dispatched to the scene, but three of the boys were pulled from the water with no vital signs, and later pronounced dead.
Officials believe the boys had been caught in a whirpool (漩渦) underwater, and were unable to escape.
The fire department says the spot where the drownings happened was restricted, and emphasized that people should not enter the deep-water zone.
SKorea: NKorea Lanches Ballistic Missile South Korea says North Korea has launched a ballistic missile toward the North’s eastern waters.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff says the launch was made this morning but gave no further details.
The reported launch came a day after North Korea threatened “shocking” consequences to protest what it called a U.S. spy plane’s reconnaissance activity near its territory.
The United States and South Korea dismissed the North’s accusations and urged it to refrain from any acts or rhetoric (言辭) that raises animosities.
US Charles Manson Follower Released from Prison A follower of cult (邪教) leader Charles Manson, Leslie Van Houten, has been released from a California prison.
The AP's Ed Donahue reports.
France Notre Dame Trusses Placed Work to rebuild the fire-ravaged Notre Dame has hit a new milestone.
A crane hoisted massive oak trusses (桁架) from a barge and onto the Notre Dame Cathedral, as part of the operation to bring the Paris Monument back to life by December 2024.
The operation involving the trusses, each weighhing up to 7.5 tons, drew crowds along a bridge over the Seine River and its banks Tuesday.
France's transport minister says seeing the sight of the trusses placed on the cathedral was a "magic moment" for Parisians.
Notre Dame was consumed by flames in 2019, and the French government determined it would be rebuilt using traditional techniques.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 原子彈之父奧本海默，為了終結戰爭，他必須測試毀滅性武器，做出撼動全人類的重要決定！克里斯多夫諾蘭編劇執導，席尼墨菲，麥特戴蒙，小勞勃道尼等眾星雲集，【奧本海默】7月21日大銀幕震撼登場，IMAX同步上映！ https://pse.is/54uu2y
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 23-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,676 on turnover of $3.4--billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed slightly lower Monday as earlier gains were eroded amid lingering concerns the U.S. Federal Reserve will resume its rate hike cycle in July.
Investors seemed to ignore the losses on the U.S. markets on Friday, but selling set in as investors started to pocket their earlier gains, pushing down the Taiex to negative territory by the end of the sessions as select nontech stocks remained resilient on rotational buying.
Launch date getting closer for first locally built weather satellite The Taiwan Space Agency says a domestically engineered weather satellite will leave Taiwan on Friday for French Guiana, where it is scheduled to be launched into space in September, after all tests found it ready to go.
TASA says the Triton will take off into orbit on an Arianespace Vega C rideshare mission.
TASA Director-General Wu Jong-shinn said the Triton project was initiated (發起) in 2014 and that it has finally reached the launch phase after eight years of hard work.
Wu said Triton was Taiwan's first domestically engineered weather satellite and was built with many domestic components, including Taiwan's own global navigation satellite system-reflectometry.
TASA says the Triton will be launched into a circular low earth orbit at an altitude of about 550-650 kilometers.
Erdogan Biden to Meet After Turkey Approves Sweden NATO Bid
US President Joe Biden will meet his Turkish counterpart (作用相同者，相對應者) on Tuesday on the sidelines of the NATO summit after Turkey lifted its opposition to Sweden's membership of the military alliance.
Julia Chapman reports from the Lithuanian capital, where the summit is being held.
UN Envoy Warns of Strained Peace Efforts in Yemen A U.N. envoy says sporadic armed clashes between Yemen’s Houthi rebels and government forces are straining peace efforts, and the rivals are now also battling over revenue from ports, trade, banking and natural resources.
The U.N. special representative for Yemen told the U.N. Security Council on Monday that the fight over economic wealth “has become inseparable from the political and military conflict.”
Hans Grundberg says that fighting has decreased in Yemen markedly since an April 2022 truce, but that “continued sparks of violence" and threats to return to large-scale fighting have increased fear and tensions.
He says that the “the situation on the ground remains fragile (脆弱的).”
Canada More Fires Started in British Colombia Lightning strikes over the weekend triggered more than 100 new wildfires in British Columbia, raising the total above 300 and leading authorities to order a ban on campfires for most of the province.
The wildfire danger was high to extreme across most of British Colombia on Monday.
The province’s Wildfire Service says almost 200 of the fires are ranked as out of control.
Officials warn of challenging conditions, with lightning storms forecast for most of the week and above-average temperatures throughout the central interior (內部的) of the province.
Last week, the Canadian Forest Service said wildfires raging across Canada had already broken records for total areas burned, the number of people forced to evacuate their homes and the cost of fighting the blazes.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 原子彈之父奧本海默，為了終結戰爭，他必須測試毀滅性武器，做出撼動全人類的重要決定！克里斯多夫諾蘭編劇執導，席尼墨菲，麥特戴蒙，小勞勃道尼等眾星雲集，【奧本海默】7月21日大銀幕震撼登場，IMAX同步上映！ https://pse.is/54uu2y
原子彈之父奧本海默，為了終結戰爭，他必須測試毀滅性武器，做出撼動全人類的重要決定！克里斯多夫諾蘭編劇執導，席尼墨菲，麥特戴蒙，小勞勃道尼等眾星雲集，【奧本海默】7月21日大銀幕震撼登場，IMAX同步上映！ https://pse.is/54uu2y -- 想要跟podcaster們一樣自信開口，綻放你的精彩時刻嗎？ 用好來清新，讓你每次開口都充滿動人自信！ 全新好來清新防護牙膏，升級配方更強大， 內含抗口氣分子，持久長效直達12小時！ 隨時隨地，讓你的自信好口氣，一開口就精彩動聽！ 瞭解更多：https://bit.ly/42XLWLO －－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 3.22-points this morning from Friday's close, at 16,667 on turnover of $2.6-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed lower last week, amid concerns that the U.S. Federal Reserve will hike rates at its next meeting later this month.
Contract chipmaker TSMC remained unchanged, however, preventing the bellwether electronics sector and the broader market from falling further, but old economy and financial stocks largely fell.
Taipei Sinkhole Continues to Cause Problems A large sinkhole in Taipei is continuing to cause problems.
The city government dispatched personnel to the site, after the sinkhole appeared Saturday night in the middle of Nanjing West Road near its intersection with Gui-de Street.
The hole, estimated to be about 1.5 meters long, 1 meter wide, and 1.5 meters deep was filled in with concrete after workers confirmed that there were no leaks in underground pipes.
But officials say the sinkhole continued to expand, despite being supported by dozens of sandbags and concrete, and water services were shut off for 108 nearby households due to concerns over leaks and flooding.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an inspected the site earlier this morning, and city officials say they are working to rectify (改正) the problem as quickly as possible.
(NS)
Venus to shine at its brightest so far this year Monday The Taipei Astronomical Museum says the night sky tonight will boast three celestial wonders.
The museum says stargazers will be able to see a dazzling Venus that will shine at its brightest so far this year, the close alignment of the planet Mars and the star Regulus, and the passing of the International Space Station over Taiwan.
Officials say Venus will reach its brightest and will be visible in the sky after sunset.
The museum adds that the celestial conjunction (結合，聯合) of Mars and Regulus will be visible from around 4 p.m., but the two celestial bodies will only be visible through binoculars because they will shine 300 times less bright than Venus.
Then at about 8:00 p.m., the ISS will travel across Taiwan's night sky from the southwest to the northeast and is expected to be visible for around seven minutes from Taiwan.
UN won't retract condemnation United Nations says Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stands by his views which condemn Israel's attack on the Jenin refugee camp.
This came after Israel’s United Nations ambassador called on Guterres to retract (撤回) his condemnation.
Julie Walker reports.
Syria Cancels BBC Media Accreditation Syria’s Information Ministry has canceled the BBC’s media accreditation, accusing the British public broadcaster of biased (有偏見的) and fake news in its coverage of the war-torn country.
The ministry late Saturday said the decision was made after “warning the channel more than once that it has broadcasted its misleading reports relying on statements and testimonies from terrorist entities and those hostile to Syria."
The announcement came days after BBC Arabic released an investigative documentary about the illicit drug trade in Syria, pinpointing links between the blossoming of Captagon amphetamine pills and associates of President Bashar Assad.
The Syrian government denies any involvement in the production of Captagon.
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Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
暑假最夯打工博覽會來了，應徵還送 5 萬元！想要暑假躺著賺，快到全台最大打工賺錢 APP－小雞上工 立即應徵： https://bit.ly/42mNSwd -- 詹子晴ㄚ頭和森田攜手創立快電商C2Cbuy 只要1990元，一鍵開啟你的網路商店！ 由名人領軍，打造多元化系統課程 嚴選千件商品、強大的行銷團隊、專人客服、訂單物流系統化 加入快電商開啟你的輕鬆斜槓新生活～ https://bit.ly/42vG4cv －－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 25-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,737 on turnover of $4-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex plunged by more than 294-points on Thursday as investors await the outcome of a trip to China by U-S Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and amid concerns America's central bank will continue to hike interest rates this month.
About Time Technologies Offering Free Checks after Smartwatch Fire A local smartwatch manufacturer says it will compensate the family of a 10-year-old schoolboy who sustained second-degree and first-degree burns after the device he was wearing caught fire.
According to New Taipei-based About Time Technologies, it will also offer the family free testing of all models in its Herowatch series.
The company has also issued apologizes to customers for the incident and says it will have the device examined by a third party to determine the reason it caught fire, if the customer agrees to that.
The statement comes after the smartwatch caught fire on June 30.
The 10-year old now requires skin grafts (植皮).
The National Communications Commission says it could order a recall of the battery used in the smartwatch pending an investigation.
Pakistan Death Toll Rises Due to Monsoon Officials in Pakistan say the death toll from two weeks of monsoon rains rose to at least 55 on Thursday after at least 12 people died in weather-related incidents.
The eastern city of Lahore had a record-breaking downpour the previous day, flooding many streets and disrupting normal life.
Officials say since Wednesday, 19 people have died in the city due to collapsing roofs and electrocution (觸電死亡).
Heavy rain also continued to lash Pakistan, overflowing the main rivers in the Punjab province, prompting the disaster management agency to be on high alert for fear of flash floods.
Twitter Threatens to Sue Meta Over Threads App Twitter has threatened (威脅) to sue rival Meta over its new Threads app, according to multiple media reports.
Ira Spitzer reports.
Brazil Amazon Deforestation Drops New government data indicates that deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest dropped 33.6% in the first six months of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s term.
From January to June the rainforest had alerts for possible deforestation covering 2,650 square kilometers, down from 4,000 square kilometers during the same period last year under former President Jair Bolsonaro.
This year's data includes a 41% plunge in alerts for June, which marks the start of the dry season when deforestation tends to (傾向於) jump.
Lula campaigned last year with pledges to rein in illegal logging and undo the environmental devastation under former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Next month, Lula will preside over a meeting in Belem, bringing together heads-of-state from all Amazonian nations to discuss means to effectively cooperate in the challenging region.
Lula has promised to end net deforestation in Brazil's Amazon by 2030.
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Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
詹子晴ㄚ頭和森田攜手創立快電商C2Cbuy 只要1990元，一鍵開啟你的網路商店！ 由名人領軍，打造多元化系統課程 嚴選千件商品、強大的行銷團隊、專人客服、訂單物流系統化 加入快電商開啟你的輕鬆斜槓新生活～ https://bit.ly/42vG4cv -- 維格醫美 擁有三大安心認證 #原廠認證診所 #原廠認證醫師 #原廠認證產品 簡單打造李敏鎬同款的精緻臉蛋 美國音波Ulthera 永不過時的經典醫美選擇：無恢復期、非侵入式拉提、精緻輪廓線 立即預約維格醫美： https://reurl.cc/x7QLyb －－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ Tai-Ex opening down 39 points MOFA to Open Rep. Office in Mumbai ITRI Marks 50th Anniversary IAEA says Japan's nuclear waste water is safe South Africa-Gas Leak Deaths
《Apex 英雄》傳奇征途嘉年華 草根選手築夢成為職業選手的年度盛事，踏上追求財富、名聲與榮耀的征途，成就你的輝煌傳奇！ 即日起至 7 月 2 日止，每週末觀看賽事還能抽豐厚好禮！敬請鎖定賽事網站關注最新消息： https://bit.ly/3JeaGHT -- 維格醫美 擁有三大安心認證 #原廠認證診所 #原廠認證醫師 #原廠認證產品 簡單打造李敏鎬同款的精緻臉蛋 美國音波Ulthera 永不過時的經典醫美選擇：無恢復期、非侵入式拉提、精緻輪廓線 立即預約維格醫美： https://reurl.cc/x7QLyb －－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 10 -points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,130 on turnover of 4-billion N-T.
The market extended its gains from a session earlier on Tuesday - as investor interest remained focused on artificial intelligence-related stocks after tech stocks led Wall Street earlier this week.
Although the local main board has fallen into consolidation (合併) mode, analysts says artificial intelligence server suppliers remain the target of investor interest, as the sector continues to dominate the trading floor.
CDC Reports First Severe Dengue Fever Cases in 3 Years The Centers for Disease Control is reporting the island's first domestic severe (嚴重) cases of dengue fever in three years.
According to health authorities, four of the 101 cases reported between June 27 and July 3 have been classed as severe.
All of the severe cases involve people living in Tainan, where a majority of this year's cases have been recorded.
The C-D-C says 241 cases of the mosquito-borne disease have been reported so far this year.
Of that total, 53 are imported, and some 188 other cases are domestic infections, with 177 of them being reported in Tainan.
Army Conducts Stinger Missile Firing Drill The Army's precision weapon live-fire exercise is on-going in Pingtung - with troops on Tuesday firing Stinger surface-to-air missiles.
The drills include troops from the 11 Army units, including the 21st Artillery Command, the Kinmen and Penghu defense commands and the Marine Corps Air Defense Garrison Group.
Defense officials say the precision weapon live-fire exercise is aimed at test the military's asymmetrical warfare (不對稱作戰) capabilities.
The military earlier this week tested fired Sky Horse surface-to-surface missiles, the Thunderbolt 2000 multi-tube rocket system and Sky Bow surface-to-air missiles as part of the "Mighty Bow" exercise.
Tel Aviv Car Attack Leaves Injured Seven people have been injured, three seriously, after a car-ramming and stabbing attack in Tel Aviv.
The attack happened as Israeli forces entered the second day of the ongoing raid in Jenin in the occupied West Bank, which has drawn condemnation (譴責) from the United Nations and Washington.
Ten people have died, including 3 children, and 120 have been injured.
Mia Alberti has more.
Netherlands Luxembourg Leaders Call for Ties Btwn KosovoSerbia The leaders of the Netherlands and Luxembourg say normalizing ties between Kosovo and Serbia would serve not only regional peace and stability but also their prospects of further integration into the European Union.
Prime Ministers Mark Rutte of the Netherlands and Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg on Tuesday were on a trip to Pristina after visiting Belgrade on Monday.
They called on Pristina and Belgrade to de-escalate recent tensions that have threatened to push the Balkan region into instability (不穩定) as Europe faces Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
Pristina and Belgrade were also told to re-engage in EU-facilitated dialogue.
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《Apex 英雄》傳奇征途嘉年華 草根選手築夢成為職業選手的年度盛事，踏上追求財富、名聲與榮耀的征途，成就你的輝煌傳奇！ 即日起至 7 月 2 日止，每週末觀看賽事還能抽豐厚好禮！敬請鎖定賽事網站關注最新消息： https://bit.ly/3JeaGHT -- 新鮮事、新奇事、新故事《一銀陪你聊“新”事》 第一銀行打造公股銀行首創ESG Podcast頻道上線啦 由知名主持人阿Ken與多位名人來賓進行對談 邀請您一起落實永續發展 讓永續未來不再只是想像 各大收聽平台搜尋：ㄧ銀陪你聊新事 https://solink.soundon.fm/fcbesg －－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 29-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,055 on turnover of 8.2-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Monday to close above the 20-day moving average as investor interest was sparked by the gains on Wall Street at the end of last week.
All sectors registered gains, but the big winners were the computer sub-index, which jumped 4.03-per cent and the transportation sub-index, which ended the day up 3.6-per cent.
Hou to Scrap Extension of compulsory Military Service K-M-T presidential candidate and New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih says he plans to scrap the extension of compulsory military service if he wins next January's election.
According to Hou, he'll restore the current four months of compulsory (強制性的) conscription for qualified male citizens of military age if elected in order to help "maintain peace and stability between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait."
However, Hou's statement is being criticized by defense experts who argue that only by maintaining a sufficient military training regime can Taiwan hope to have an effective reserve force to increase the deterrence against a Chinese invasion.
The government is set to extended compulsory military service from the current four months to one year on January 1, 2024.
Cost of Domestic Air Travel to Fall The Civil Aeronautics Administration says the cost of domestic air travel will fall by between 2.7 and 6.9-per cent from August 1 due to a decline in aviation fuel prices.
The cost cuts will cover all 23 domestic routes.
According to the administration, the Taipei to Kinmen route operated by Mandarin Airlines will see the largest decline - with the price of a one-way ticket falling by 6.9-per cent.
While the smallest decrease will be on the Taitung to Green Island route, which will see 2.7-per cent decline.
The announcement comes after the average price of aviation fuel (航空燃料) from May to July fell below the benchmark price of 21.74 N-T per liter.
Ukrainian Writer Dies After Russia Missile Attack The PEN America rights group says award-winning Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina has died from her injuries suffered after a Russian missile attack on a popular restaurant last week.
The attack on the restaurant, frequented by journalists and aid workers and located near the front line, killed at least 11 other people and wounded scores more.
Ukrainian authorities arrested a man a day later, accusing him of helping Russia direct the strike.
The 37-year-old Amelina had expanded her work beyond literature following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and had documented Russian war crimes.
Her first work of English nonfiction is expected to be published soon.
US Travel Chaos Due to HeatWave Travel chaos is plaguing US airports ahead of the Independence Day holiday, as over 100 million Americans are under extreme weather warnings.
More than 1,000 flights were delayed or cancelled as of Monday morning.
Our US correspondent Kate Fisher report
Senegal President Won't Seek Third Term Senegalese President Macky Sall says he will not seek a third term in the presidential elections set for February.
Sall said Monday that he would not be a candidate “even if the constitution allows me to do so.”
Top opposition leader Ousmane Sonko already had called for more demonstrations around the West African country in the event Sall had instead announced his intention (打算) to run again.
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Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 31 -points this morning from Friday's close, at 16,946 on turnover of 4.4-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Friday, despite other regional indexes closing the day up after Wall Street ended higher overnight on the back of news that America's economy grew at a 2-per cent annual rate in the first three months of the year.
That figure was much stronger than the 1.3-per cent rate earlier estimated.
Tainan Dengue Fever Cases Rise to 158 The Tainan Public Health Bureau says the number of dengue fever cases in the city has now risen to 158 after 28 new cases were confirmed on Sunday.
According to city health officials, all of the new cases are related to areas with a high risk of transmission of the disease.
City health authorities are now urging residents to clean up vector (昆蟲媒介) mosquito-breeding sites by getting rid of stagnant water, throwing out unused containers and destroying mosquito eggs.
The total number of domestic dengue fever case since June 13 now stands at 211.
Only 88 cases of the mosquito-borne disease were recorded for the whole of last year.
TPass Passengers Not Eligible for TRA Delay Compensation The Taiwan Railways Administration is stressing that passengers using the newly introduced regional T-Pass on its trains will not be eligible for compensation in the event of delays.
According to the railways administration, as the contactless cards offer unlimited (無限) journeys on not only T-R-A trains but also other forms (形式) of public transport, it will be impossible to break down the cost.
One of the T-Pass' covers Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung and Taoyuan, another covers Taichung, Changhua, Nantou and Miaoli, and a third can be used on public transport in Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung.
The 30-day unlimited transport pass can be used for railway, M-R-T, bus, light-rail, and ferry journeys as well as YouBike rentals.
Syria Israel Exchanges Airstrikes The Syrian military says Israel carried out airstrikes on areas near the central Syrian city of Homs causing material damage but no casualties.
A Syrian anti-aircraft missile exploded over Israeli territory, the Israeli military said, prompting another round of strikes early Sunday.
Syrian state media quoted an unnamed military official as saying that the air defenses shot down some of the missiles fired by Israeli warplanes flying over neighboring Lebanon.
Israel, which has vowed to stop Iranian entrenchment (牢固確立;) in Syria, has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets in government-controlled parts of neighboring Syria in recent years, but it rarely acknowledges them.
Australia Changes Psychiatrist Prescriptions Australia has become the first country to allow psychiatrists to prescribe certain psychedelic (迷幻的) substances to patients with depression or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
AP correspondent Karen Chammas reports.
Thailand Elephant Returning for Medical Care An ailing elephant that Thailand presented to Sri Lanka more than two decades ago has returned to his native land for medical treatment Sunday following allegations the animal was badly abused while living at a Buddhist temple.
The male elephant was flown directly from the South Asian island nation’s capital to northern Thailand on a cargo plane.
A six-person team, including two veterinarians and four trainers, accompanied the elephant on the flight, which took about six hours.
The 4-ton animal traveled in a specially built container.
Video footage of his arrival in Chiang Mai province showed the elephant conscious and appearing calm.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 72-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,870 on turnover of $4.8-billion N-T.
The market ended the day marginally higher on Thursday, as investors awaited the release of fresh economic data out of America and as major central banks announced they need to keep interest rates high to fight persistent inflation.
Maximum Fine for Failure to Yielding to Pedestrians Rises to NT$6,000 The fine for motorists caught failing to yield to (停車讓道) pedestrians on crosswalks in being raised to 6,000 N-T from today.
Drivers who fail to allow pedestrians to pass first, either at pedestrian crossings or other designated areas for pedestrians to cross a road, will also be required to attend traffic-safety lectures.
And those who fail to stop for pedestrians at crossings that results in injury or death, will face a maximun fine of 36,000 N-T and could have their driving license suspended for one year or revoked.
The new traffic regulations also extend the traffic safety lecture requirement to motorists who refuse to stop at police checkpoints, and those who fail to properly secure cargo on vehicles, that results in items falling into and obstructing the road.
French Court Sentences Rwandan Policeman for Genocide A court in Paris France has found a former Rwandan military policeman guilty of genocide (種族滅絕) and crimes against humanity during the Rwanda 1994 murders.
Daniel Kijo reports.
Italy Hunting Colosseum Defacer Italian police say they believe the man filmed while engraving (雕刻) his name last week on the ancient Roman Colosseum is a tourist who lives in Britain.
Neither the name of the suspect nor his whereabouts were revealed in the statement.
Italian officials have vowed to find and punish a tourist who carved names and numbers on the wall of the Colosseum in Rome, a crime that has resulted in hefty fines in the past.
It was at least the fourth time this year that such graffiti was reported at the Colosseum.
Google To Remove Canada News Links Google says it will remove links to Canadian news on its platforms across Canada after a new law that forces digital giants to compensate (補償) media outlets for content they share or otherwise repurpose comes into force.
Google has informed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government of its decision.
It did not say exactly when it will remove news, but it will happen before the law comes into force.
The law passed last week and will come into effect by the end of the year.
Meta made a similar announcement last week, saying that it will remove news from its social media platforms Facebook and Instagram before the law comes into force.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 5-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,930 on turnover of $2.9-billion N-T.
The market bounced back from loses in previous sessions this week on Wednesday, as investors were buoyed by reports suggesting that the American economy is in better shape than feared.
Vice Premier Meets with Japan's LDP Secretary-General in Tokyo Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan has held talks with the secretary-general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Cheng met with Toshimitsu Motegi at the party's headquarters in Tokyo.
Speaking during the meeting, Motegi described Taiwan is an extremely important partner to Japan and a precious friend with shared values and the the two countries also enjoy close economic relationships and regular personnel (人員) exchanges.
Cheng is leading a delegation of economics officials to Tokyo this week for talks on energy, net-zero emissions and 5-G wireless cellular technology.
World News Media Congress Opens in Taipei The World News Media Congress is taking place in Taipei this week and is bringing together more than 900 leaders in journalism and news media organizations from 58 countries.
It's the first time since 2013 that the event has been held in Asia.
Speaking at the opening ceremony at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, President Tsai Ing-wen told delegates that combatting (對抗) disinformation is a shared challenge all democracies must face, as disinformation directly influences people's way of life.
According to Tsai, Taiwan has become home to many international media professionals in the past few years and that's testament to the island's "hard work on safeguarding media freedom and the right to free speech."
SKoreans Scrap Traditional Age System Millions of South Koreans are now one or two years younger, after the country abandoned (棄) a traditional system for giving people’s ages.
Here’s Andrew Wood – who used to live in South Korea – to explain
Malta Eases Abortion Laws Maltese lawmakers have unanimously approved legislation to ease the the strictest abortion laws in the European Union.
But a coalition of pro-choice campaigners say last-minute changes make the legislation “vague, unworkable and even dangerous.”
The original bill allowing women access to abortion if the mother’s life or health was in danger was hailed as a step in the right direction for the nation.
Under the amendments, though, a woman must be at risk of death to access an abortion, and then only after three specialists consent.
The new law allows a doctor to terminate (終止) a pregnancy without further consultation only if the mother's life is at immediate risk.
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《Apex 英雄》傳奇征途嘉年華 草根選手築夢成為職業選手的年度盛事，踏上追求財富、名聲與榮耀的征途，成就你的輝煌傳奇！ 即日起至 7 月 2 日止，每週末觀看賽事還能抽豐厚好禮！敬請鎖定賽事網站關注最新消息： https://bit.ly/3JeaGHT -- 《Apex 英雄》傳奇征途嘉年華 草根選手築夢成為職業選手的年度盛事，踏上追求財富、名聲與榮耀的征途，成就你的輝煌傳奇！ 即日起至 7 月 2 日止，每週末觀看賽事還能抽豐厚好禮！敬請鎖定賽事網站關注最新消息： https://bit.ly/3JeaGHT －－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 18-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,906 on turnover of 2-billion N-T.
The market ended the trading day in negative territory again on Tuesday, following a steep decline in tech stocks on Wall Street overnight.
Market watchers say investor sentiment this week will likely remain muted as they await the release of the latest U-S inflation data - which is due out on Friday.
Military Planning 'Anti-Takeover' Drill at Taoyuan Int. Defense officials say Taoyuan International Airport will suspend commercial air traffic for one hour late next month for a military anti-takeover drill.
It will be part of the live fire phase of this year's Han Kuang exercises and will be the first time that such a drill will have ever been staged at the airport.
The exercise has been set for July 26 and officials say it's likely to last less than an hour in order to avoid lengthy disruption (擾亂) to air traffic.
According to defense officials, all major airlines will be informed of the event and an international air traffic broadcast will also be issued.
TAITRA Opens Taiwan Trade Center in Dallas And,
The Taiwan External Trade Development Council has opened an office in Dallas, Texas.
According to council chairman James Huang, the office has been opened to support Taiwanese businesses operating in the state at a time when the American south is fast becoming a manufacturing hub (中心).
The opening of the Taiwan Trade Center in Dallas was attended by five U-S representatives - who all touted their belief in the need to boost commercial ties between the U-S and Taiwan.
The opening of the center means the External Trade Development Council now has three offices in the United States.
Pakistan IMF Close to Bailout Deal A senior official with the International Monetary Fund and Pakistan’s prime minister are indicating a deal could soon be reached on a much-needed $6 billon bailout package for the impoverished (貧困) south Asian country.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Kristalina Georgieva, the managing director of the IMF on Tuesday, according to a government statement.
Later, the IMF’s mission chief to Islamabad released a statement suggesting the sides were close to reaching an agreement.
Talks between Pakistan and the IMF stalled in December, after the global lender delayed the release of a crucial tranche of $1.1 billion from the bailout
Scientists: Climate Change Made US Heat Dome More Likely With temperatures near 40 degrees Celsius in some parts of the US, scientists have found human activity is making these extreme (極端) weather events more likely.
Southern US states have been under a heat dome for the last few weeks.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Klimt Painting Most Expensive Artwork Ever Sold in Europe A late-life masterpiece (傑作) by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt is now the most expensive artwork ever auctioned in Europe.
"Lady with a Fan", sold at Sotheby’s on Tuesday for about the equivlanet of $108.4 million US dollars in London.
The sale price exceeded the presale estimate of $80 million.
It also beat the previous European auction record of $104.3 million for Alberto Giacometti’s sculpture “Walking Man I” at Sotheby’s in 2010.
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Government Maintains 3-Meter Rule for Motorists on Crosswalks Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an to Visit Singapore Tai-Ex opening Greece Prime Minister Elections Guatemala Election Saudi Arabia Hajj Pilgrimage
MOFA Admits it Tope Envoy to Thailand Resigned Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations US Transit Passengers Could be Exempt From Security Screening at Taoyuan International Airport Tai-Ex opening Russian mercenaries' future and direction of Ukraine war remain uncertain China-Russia Talks Saudi Arabia Hajj Pilgrimage
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Subject: E*Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,186 on turnover of 2.8-billion N-T.
The market lost ground to close below the 17,200-point mark on Tuesday, as investor interest turned cautious after foreign institutional investors recorded a net sell during the previous session earlier, ending a six session buying streak.
The bellwether electronics sector led the downturn, but old economy stocks, in particular those in the paper and electric machinery sectors, attracted strong rotational buying to give some support to the broader market.
MOE to Roll Out New Subsidy for Private College Students The Ministry of Education has announced that the cost of education for private college undergraduate students will be subsidized beginning next February.
According to the ministry, the move is aimed at mitigating (減免) the tuition fee gap between private and public schools.
Some 473,000 students are expected to benefit.
The education ministry says it will cover at least 50-per cent of the tuition fee for private college students, with a minimum of 25,000 N-T per year.
That payment will be deducted from the student's bill at the beginning of each academic year.
Coronavirus Cases Remain Flat for Second Consecutive Week The Centers for Disease Control says the number of serious coronavirus infections has remained high, but stable for a second consecutive week.
Data shows the C-D-C recorded a daily average of 253 moderate to severe cases from June 14 and 20, which represented a 3-per cent increase over the previous week's daily average.
According to the C-D-C, the number of infections is expected to continue to plateau (平穩期、停滯期) through the end of this month due to the increased risk of transmission during the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival holiday weekend.
Ukraine Shoots Down Russian Drones Ukrainian officials say the country's air defenses have downed 32 of 35 Shahed exploding drones Russia launched overnight.
Most of them were taken down in the Kyiv region.
The attack was part of a wider bombardment of Ukrainian regions that extended (延伸到) as far as the Lviv region in the west of the country near Poland.
In other Ukraine news, the country's military intelligence chief claimed Russia has mined the cooling system of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
The plant’s six reactors are shut down but still need cooling.
Tokyo Couple Convicted of Student Killing A Tokyo couple has been convicted of the brutal murder of an 18-year old high school girl.
The pair were found to have abducted (綁架) the student before killing her in a remote location two years ago.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
Norway to Open for Deep Sea Mining Norway says it wants to open parts of the Norwegian continental shelf for commercial deep sea mining.
Norway’s minister for petroleum and energy says the country needs minerals to help transition to a more green economy.
The Norwegian seabed is reportedly rich with minerals and metals including copper, zinc, manganese and cobalt.
But the Norwegian government’s plan is controversial (有爭議的) and environmental groups are warning that mining the sea bed would threaten the biodiversity of the vulnerable ecosystems in the area.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 40-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,233 on turnover of 5.9-billion N-T.
The market moved slightly lower on Monday after rebounding from an early low, as technical support was seen at around the 17,200 point mark.
The bellwether electronics sector came under pressure, but rotational buying remained active, with a focus on tourism, aviation and financial stocks, to help the broader market recoup its early losses.
Premier Seeks to Reassure in US-China Talks Premier Chen Chien-jen says Washington has been keeping the government informed about the meeting between U-S Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China's Xi Jin-ping.
According to the premier, the government here has been informed of details of those talks in regards Taiwan and communications channels on matter between the two sides are "running smoothly."
However, Chen says the government will not be releasing details concerning its knowledge of the talks between Blinken and Xi based on "bilateral practices, mutual trust and longstanding tacit understandings."
Tainan Opens Dengue Fever Screening Station The Tainan City Health Bureau has established (成立) a dengue fever screening station in the city's Rende District.
The move comes after health authorities in Tainan reported the city's 14th dengue fever infection.
All of the cases of the mosquito-borne virus have been linked to the Rende District and city officials are advising residents showing symptoms of the disease to visit the screening station, which is located in the activity center in Cheng-Cong Village.
City officials are also urging people to clean up possible mosquitoe breeding sites to prevent the further spread of the disease.
The Kaohsiung City Government is taking similar action and has opened a dengue fever command center that covers six districts that border Tainan.
US Blinken on China Trip US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the United States remains "clear eyed" about the challenges posed by China, but insists there is agreement on both sides to stabilise the bilateral relationship.
He was speaking off the back of a trip to Beijing, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a sign of potentially thawing (解凍) ties between the two superpowers following months of tensions.
Benji Hyer reports from Washington DC.
UAE Qatar Reopen Embassies The United Arab Emirates and Qatar have reopened their embassies following a yearslong rift.
The two countries issued statements on Monday saying the Qatari Embassy in Abu Dhabi and a Qatari Consulate in Dubai, as well as an Emirati Embassy in Qatar’s capital, Doha, had resumed (恢復) operations.
The UAE joined Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt in imposing a boycott and blockade of Qatar in 2017 in large part over its support for Islamist groups across the Middle East that the other Arab countries consider terrorist organizations.
The boycott was officially lifted in January 2021.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 14-points this morning from Friday's close, at 17,274 on turnover of 3.1-billion N-T.
The market lost ground last Friday after hitting a 14-month high the previous session - as it bucked the regional upward trend despite a broad-based rally on Wall Street overnight.
EU Parliamentarians And Polish Lawmakers Visit Taiwan The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says a seven-member delegation (代表團) from the European Parliament and a 10-member delegation from the lower house of the parliament of Poland are visiting Taiwan this week.
According to the ministry, the European Parliamentary group is being led by by the vice-chair of the E-U Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defense and includes members from subcommittees of Foreign Affairs, Economic and Monetary Affairs, among others.
Meanwhile, the Polish delegation is being led by the vice chairwoman of the Polish lower house's Foreign Affairs Committee.
That delegation includes parliamentarians across from across Poland's major political parties.
They are all slated to meet with President Tsai Ing-wen and other senior government officials this week.
Temperatures Likely to Top 36 Degrees Today And,
The Central Weather Bureau has issued "yellow" heat alerts for 13 cities and counties today, as the mercury is forecast to rise above 36-degrees.
The heat alerts cover Taipei, New Taipei and Keelung, all areas south of Taichung as well as Hualien and Taitung.
The heat alert will remain in affect through this afternoon.
According to the weather bureau, sunny to partly cloudy skies can be expected across most of the island from today through Friday.
However, occasional morning showers could affect areas in the center and south, while residents (住戶, 居民) of mountainous areas could see some thunderstorms.
Pakistan PM Declares Day of Mourning for Capsized Migrants Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has declared a national day of mourning (喪、哀) for citizens who died when a fishing trawler packed with migrants sank off the Greek coast.
As many as 750 people from Syria, Egypt, the Palestinian territories and Pakistan were on board the vessel, trying to reach relatives in Europe.
The Greek coast guard has defended its response to the tragedy that has left more than 500 migrants presumed drowned.
The vessel sank Wednesday.
Sharif expressed his grief over the tragedy and said today would be observed as a day of mourning, with the national flag flying at half-staff.
US Washington Shooting Leaves Dead and INjure Two people were killed and three injured in a shooting near a Washington state campground hosting people attending a nearby music festival.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports.
Switzerland Votes for Climate Measures A majority of Swiss citizens have voted in favor of a bill aimed at introducing new climate measures to sharply curb the rich Alpine nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Sunday's referendum was sparked by a campaign by scientists and environmentalists to save Switzerland’s iconic glaciers, which are melting away at an alarming rate.
Campaigners initially (最初) proposed even more ambitious measures but later backed a government plan that requires Switzerland to achieve “net zero” emissions by 2050.
The nationalist Swiss People’s Party, which had demanded the popular vote, had claimed the measures would cause electricity prices to rise.
Swiss glaciers experienced record melting last year, losing more than 6% of their volume and alarming scientists who say a loss of 2% would once have been considered extreme.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 8-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,343 on turnover of T$3.98-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex gained ground and hit a 14-month high on Thursday as investors continued to digest the U-S Federal Reserve's overnight decision to leave key interest rates unchanged.
Market watchers say the tech sector led the main board higher.
As investors took cues from a 1.52-per cent overnight rally on the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index, old economy stocks also rose while the transportation sector extended (延長) its momentum from a session earlier.
New Regional Public Transport Passes Rolled Out The new regional monthly public transport passes serving the north, center and south have gone on sale ahead of the programs launch on July 1.
The monthly "T-Pass" can be used to take unlimited (無限) journeys on most trains operated by the Taiwan Railways Administration, intercity buses, metro and light rail trains, local city buses, limited ferries as well as bicycle-sharing services.
The pass is now available for purchase at M-R-T stations, T-R-A stations and intercity bus stations as well as other outlets including convenience stores.
Commuters can also use their existing smartcards such as the EasyCard to purchase and sync to the "T-Pass" - but one card can only purchase the "TPass" service for one of the three regions each month.
The monthly "TPass" for Keelung, Taipei, New Taipei and Taoyuan costs 1,200 N-T, the pass for central Taiwan is 699 N-T for Taichung residents and 999 N-T for non-Taichung residents, while the monthly "TPass" for Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung costs 999 N-T.
US Charges Filed Over Pentagon Leak A grand jury has indicted the US air national guardsman accused of leaking military intelligence online.
Jack Teixeira faces six counts of retaining (保留) and transmitting classified national defense information.
Ira Spitzer reports.
Iran and Cuba Leaders Sign Cooperation Agreements Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has met with Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel in Havana.
During a trade forum with local businesspeople in Cuba's capital on Thursday, the leaders said Cuba and Iran would seek opportunities to work together in biotechnology, mining, electricity generation and other areas.
After the forum, Raisi and Diaz-Canel toured biotechnology production plants in the western part of Havana and then headed to an official reception at Cuba's Palace of the Revolution.
The leaders also signed several agreements on customs (關稅), justice, telecommunications and diplomatic action.
Peru Mummy Found Next to Soccer Club Field Archeologists have found a pre-Hispanic mummy surrounded by coca leaves on top of a hill in Peru’s capital next to the practice field of a professional soccer club.
Experts say the mummy was buried in a ritual that included coca leaves and seashells.
The burial was on top of a destroyed U-shaped clay temple, a characteristic (特徵) of some pre-Hispanic buildings.
Officials say the mummy has not yet been subjected to radiocarbon dating to determine its age.
The hill is next to the training field and headquarters for the Sporting Cristal soccer club.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 21-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,259 on turnover of 5.3-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher on Wednesday despite investor interest in the bellwether electronics sector dropping off following gains in recent sessions.
Analysts say many investors remained cautious ahead of the outcome (結果) of this week's policymaking meeting of the U-S Federal Reserve and the central bank's comments on America's economy.
Vice President of Italian Senate Arrives in Taiwan The vice president of the upper house of the Italian parliament has arrived in Taiwan for a six-day visit.
The visit to Taiwan this week by Gian Marco Centinaio is the highest-level Italian parliamentary trip to Taiwan since 1970.
Centinaio is heading a three member delegation that includes one senator.
According to Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Centinaio and his delegation will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen for formal (正式的) talks.
The foreign minister says the delegation is seeking to gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan and explore opportunities for bilateral collaboration in the fields of politics, trade, technology, and culture.
Rain Helping Further Ease Drought in South The Water Resources Agency says the heavy rain that has lashed parts of the island over the past few days has contributed some 23-million cubic meters of water to major reservoirs.
According to the agency, the Xinshan, Feitsui, Shihmen, Second Baoshan reservoirs in the north have received an estimated 7.1-million cubic meters of rainfall.
In central Taiwan, the Techi Reservoir is now at 74-per cent of capacity, and the Liyutan Reservoir has reached 73.6-per cent of its capacity.
While in the south, the Tsengwen and Wushantou Reservoirs have now accumulated more than 100-million cubic meters of rain water in total.
The Water Resources Agency says levels are expected to continue to rise as the current plum rain front is forecast to last until June 18.
Japan Investigating Defense Force Shooting Japan’s Self Defense Force is launching an investigation after a trainee shot and killed two others at a shooting range on Wednesday.
The 18-year old was arrested and all shooting ranges (射擊場, 靶場) across the country shut down following the incident.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
Myanmar Army and Resistance Clash Leaving Dead Reports say recent fierce fighting between Myanmar’s army and resistance fighters in an area east of the country’s capital has killed at least two dozen civilians.
The fighting has taken place in Shan State’s Pekon township, a hotly contested (有爭議的) area of the armed struggle that arose after the army’s February 2021 seizure of power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
A local resident said at least 26 people were killed, either shot dead in their homes or when they went out onto the street, or killed by artillery strikes.
Pope and Imam Call for Human Fraternity Pope Francis and a leading Sunni imam have made calls for peace as the U.N. Security Council met to discuss the importance of human fraternity.
The pope sent a statement calling for an end to war.
Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, grand imam of Al-Azhar in Cairo, said in a virtual briefing that human fraternity was the key to global peace.
After their appeals, council members adopted a resolution recognizing that hate speech, racism, xenophobia, intolerance and gender discrimination can contribute to conflict.
he resolution urges all countries to condemn (譴責) these acts.
It was adopted unanimously even though some of the council’s 15 members have been accused of some of the same actions they are condemning.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 29-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,190 on turnover of 5.1-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Tuesday to close at a 14-month high after Wall Street rallied overnight.
Tuesday high came as buying remained focused on tech heavyweights due to continuing optimism (樂觀) over the development of artificial intelligence-related products.
MND Releases New Revised Civil Defense Handbook The Ministry of National Defense has released a revised version of its civil defense handbook.
The moved comes after the original version was heavily criticized for being out of date when it was published in April of last year.
According to the ministry's All-Out Defense Mobilization Agency, the updated version of the handbook has almost doubled (加倍) its content and been expanded from 28 pages to 48 pages.
Agency head says Shen Wei-zhi, the new version consists of two main parts - "peacetime preparation" and "wartime responses" - and has far more descriptions of civil defense concepts and more detailed suggestions on how to respond to different types of emergencies.
The original version focused more on identifying which government agencies were responsible for doing what during wartime.
Premier Declares War Drugs Premier Chen Chien-jen is declaring war on recreational drugs.
Speaking at an event marking the conclusion of the government's "Eighth Wave Anti-Drug Program," Chen cited marijuana as being the main target of recent crackdowns (打擊；鎮壓).
According to the premier, over 6,000 kilograms of illegal drugs have been seized over the past three months and that includes 900 marijuana plants, while 56 drug factories have also been shut down.
Chen went on to describe recreational drugs as being the "root of all evils" and stressed that President Tsai Ing-wen attaches great importance to drug prevention and control operations.
*US House Resolution to Overturn Gun Regulation From the US…..
The House has pushed through a resolution to overturn (改變, 推翻) a new federal gun regulation.
AP correspondent Norman Hall reports.
AI Used to Record Beatles Song Paul McCartney says artificial intelligence has been used to extract (取出) John Lennon’s voice from an old demo to create “the last Beatles record," decades after the band broke up.
McCartney told the BBC on Tuesday that the technology was used to separate (分離) the Beatles’ voices from background sounds during the making of director Peter Jackson’s 2021 documentary series “The Beatles: Get Back.”
He said the new song is set to be released later this year.
McCartney didn't identify the name of the demo, but the BBC and others said it was likely to be an unfinished 1978 love song by Lennon called “Now and Then.”
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 180-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,136 on turnover of $6.9-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed higher Monday as interest in artificial intelligence pushed chipmaker TTSMC and iPhone assembler Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. higher.
Caution remained, however, ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's policymaking meeting on June 13th and 14th, when the Fed is expected to hold rates steady.
White House on Reports of Citizen Evacuation Plan The White House is denying media reports that it is formulating an evacuation plan for Americans in Taiwan.
US news outlet "The Messenger" published a report citing 3 anonymous sources, that the US government has been formulating the evacuation plan for citizens living in Taiwan for at least six months.
The report claims an insider pointed out that Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 as a driving factor behind the development of the plan.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stated during a routine White House briefing today that it is not standard U.S policy to evacuate American citizens from conflict zones, the U.S. has protocols "for any type of emergency".
Kirby goes on to say that "there's no indication at this time that current conditions in Taiwan would warrant any reconsideration (重新考慮) of that policy".
(NS)
CWB: Rain Continues for South Rainfall is set to continue for southern Taiwan.
The Central Weather Bureau says a stationary front continues to linger (逗留, 徘徊) over the island today, likely causing showers or thunderstorms in central and southern Taiwan as well as brief periods of rainfall in Taitung.
The CWB says the precipitation over southern regions will be more sustained, while northern and eastern Taiwan should see brief thundershowers in the afternoon.
But forecasters say the unstable conditions could result in short periods of heavy or even torrential rain, and those heading out should take precautions, particuarly near coastal regions.
(NS)
Trump in Florida for Court Appearance Former US President Donald Trump has arrived in Florda ahead of his scheduled court appearance.
AP correspondent Eric Tucker has the details.
< [CLIP] Slug:
Pakistan India Brace for Severe Cyclone India and Pakistan are bracing for the first severe cyclone this year expected to hit their coastal regions later this week.
Authorities halted fishing activities, deployed rescue personnel and announced evacuation plans.
From the Arabian Sea, Cyclone Biparjoy is aiming at Pakistan’s Sindh province and the coastline of the western Indian state of Gujarat.
It is forecast to make landfall on Thursday and could reach maximum wind speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour.
Disaster management personnel have been deployed to densely populated (人口密集) regions and cities in the storm's path.
It will likely affect Karachi in Pakistan and two of India’s largest ports in Gujarat state.
It's the first severe cyclone to hit Pakistan since last year when floods killed over 1,700.
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FM to Visit Prague for European Values Summit The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that Foreign Minister Joseph Wu will be traveling to Europe this week.
According to the ministry, Wu will be visiting the Czech Republic to deliver an address at the European Values Summit 2023 in Prague on Wednesday.
He will give a speech titled "One Theater, One World and One Vision," which will focus on both countries' shared democratic values and human rights as well as their close partnership during the one-day summit.
However, the foreign ministry is not releasing further details of Wu trip - including whether or not he will also travel to Brussels later this week.
Traces of Barbiturates Found in 8 Students at New Taipei Preschool The New Taipei City Government says blood tests have found trace amounts of barbiturates in eight students at a private preschool in the Banqiao District.
According to New Taipei Deputy Mayor Liu Ho-ran, the blood tests administered to 28 students on June 5 detected the barbiturate at a concentration (濃度) of 1 to 1.5-micrograms per milliliter in six of the students,
Two other children showed higher concentrations of 1.5 to 2 and 3 to 3.5-micrograms per milliliter.
Prosecutors opened an investigation into the preschool after several parents filed reports with police that a teacher had given their children unknown drugs and used improper physical methods to discipline them.
Colombia Children Survive Plane Crash Children from the ages of 13 down to a 1 year old have been found alive in thick jungle in Colombia, after they survived a plane crash.
All the adults aboard the crash died when the Cessna aircraft came down on May 1st.
A massive (大量、巨大的) search operation was successful with the siblings now back to safety.
Caroline Malone reports.
Former Scottish First Minister Questioned by Police Former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was arrested and questioned by police investigating the finances of Scotland's pro-independence governing party.
Police say a 52-year-old woman was detained Sunday “as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.”
The force said she was “released without charge pending further investigation” after about six hours.
A spokesperson for Sturgeon said the former first minister voluntarily attended (出席) an interview with police and would cooperate with the force’s investigation.
Two former officials, the party treasurer and chief executive, have previously been arrested and questioned as part of the investigation.
Neither has been charged.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 42-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,776 on turnover of $3.5-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Thursday, after tech stocks slummed on Wall Street overnight - as the local main board lost momentum to close below the five-day moving average of 16,764.
Government Dismisses Calls for Three-Day Weekend The government has responded to a petition posted on an online public policy participation platform calling for a shorter workweek.
The petition asking the government make Taiwan the first Asian country to implement a three-day weekend garnered more than 5,700 signatures meaning it passed the threshold requiring a government response.
According to the Ministry of Labor, the government has rejected a proposal, as current labor shortages mean the proposal is impossible to implement and wholly (完全地) unsustainable.
The Financial Supervisory Commission has also responded to the petition, arguing that the shorter week would result in the government facing a 30-billion N-T loss in stock transaction taxes.
Officials say the proposal would result in increases in labor costs at public service institutes, including hospitals, while it would also have a negative affect on supply chains and agricultural logistics.
Ukraine: Russia Shelled Flooded Ukrainian City Ukrainian officials say Russian forces have shelled a southern Ukrainian city that was inundated in a catastrophic dam collapse.
They said that forced a suspension of some rescue work hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to the area to assess (評估) the damage.
At least 14 people have died, many are homeless, and tens of thousands are without drinking water after the Kakhovka dam’s destruction.
Officials say more than 6,000 people have been evacuated on both sides of the river.
Both sides blame each other for the destruction of the dam.
US Trump Indictment in Classified Doc Case Donald Trump says he's been indicted by a grand jury over his handling (處理) of classified documents.
Trump is now the first former president in U.S. history to face federal charges.
William Denselow reports.
Vatican: Pope Condition Stable The Vatican says Pope Francis' condition is stable and is following the regular post-operative course of recovery following a three-hour operation to remove intestinal scar tissue and repair a hernia in his abdominal wall.
The Vatican says he is drinking liquids, received the Eucharist and even made a phone call Thursday.
Most of the day, though, was spent resting.
Doctors say Wednesday’s operation was successful and there were no complications or other pathologies ( 病狀, 病變) discovered.
The pontiff is expected to remain in the 10th-floor papal suite at the Gemelli hospital for several days, and all papal audiences have been canceled through June 18.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 58-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,864 on turnover of 2.7-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Wednesday to close above the 16,900-point mark as semiconductor stocks attracted investor interest.
While buying also focused on old economy stocks, in particular those in the tourism and green energy storage sectors, to lend additional (附加的) support to the broader market throughout the trading day.
Ko Dismisses Xi Meet Without Agenda Taiwan People's Party chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je says he has no plans to meet with China's Xi Jinping "just for the sake of it" and if such a meeting were to take place "there must be a clear aim for such talks."
Speaking to reporters during his trip to Tokyo, Ko said he firmly believed there is "no problem" with cultural exchanges with China and he supports be economic cross-strait cooperation.
Ko has been holding talks this week in Tokyo with former and current Japanese government officials and Taiwan business owners in Japan.
He's slated to (定於) return to Taiwan today.
CDC Reports First Monkeypox Case in a Child The Centers for Disease Control says a four-year boy has tested positive for monkeypox.
According to C-D-C Deputy Director General Philip Luo, its the first case in Taiwan of the the disease in a child.
The boy is believed to have been infected by a family member, who had previously been confirmed as having contracted the disease.
Health officials also say the boy had been absent from pre-school after coming down with the illness, and the risk of transmission (傳播) is low.
However, people he had close contact with at home and at school have been ordered to closely monitor their health for 21 days.
SKorea National Security Strategy Targets North South Korea is highlighting (強調) Pyongyang as a main security threat in its newly unveiled National Security Strategy.
The document highlights the risks of North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo
Expedition Sights More Vaquitas A new research expedition (考察隊；探險隊) report suggests that the remaining handful of Mexico’s endangered vaquita porpoises are holding on in their only habitat in the Gulf of California.
Experts on the expedition estimate they saw from 10 to 13 of the elusive porpoises during nearly two weeks of sailing in the gulf last month.
That is a similar number to those seen in the last such expedition in 2021.
Experts from Mexico, the conservation group Sea Shepherd and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said they sighted at least one and probably two calves.
They said there may be more vaquitas out there, since the voyage covered only part of the creature’s habitat in the gulf.
It lives nowhere else, and the species cannot be captured, held or bred in captivity.
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National Policy Adviser Quits Amid Sexual Harassment Accusation Three Private Universities Ordered to Halt Enrollments Russia and Ukraine Trade Barbs at UN Boeing Holding Up Deliveries of 787 Dreamliner Gooding Jr. Settles in Raped Case
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 1-point this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,712 on turnover of 2-billion N-T.
The market closed marginally higher on Monday after coming off an early high - as investors opted to lock in gains while the main board moved closer to the nearest technical resistance ahead of the 16,800 point mark.
AIT Chair 'Looking Forward to Meeting' Presidential Candidates American Institute in Taiwan Chair Laura Rosenberger has arrived in Taiwan for a six-day visit.
According to Rosenberger, she plans to meet with the presidential candidates during her trip and is also reiterating that Washington will cooperate with whichever candidate wins January's election.
It's her second visit to Taiwan since she assumed the post on March 20.
Speaking to reporters, Rosenberger said she's looking forward to further "engaging (接洽) with leaders from across Taiwan's political spectrum" this week and plans to "spend time with each of the declared presidential candidates."
And she went on to stress that "the United States will not take sides and we oppose outside interference or influence in Taiwan's elections."
Climate Institute Holds Plaque Unveiling Ceremony The newly established Climate Institute has held a plaque-unveiling ceremony.
The event was attended by Vice President William Lai and the heads of several of Taiwan's leading tech companies.
They included A-U-O chairman Paul Peng and Pegatron chairman Tong Zi-xian.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lai reiterated the government's plans to achieve (達到) net-zero emissions by 2050 and hopes that the private and public sectors can further collaborate to reach that goal.
The institute has been tasked with hosting training courses to promote sustainable development and tackle climate change and to offer assistance to private companies seeking to reduce their carbon footprint under the Taiwan Climate Partnership.
Haiti Flooding Death Toll Rises Authorities say the number of people killed by heavy floods that hit Haiti over the weekend has risen to 42 and that another 11 are missing.
Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency says at least 85 people are injured, and more than 13,600 homes were flooded.
The rains pelted Haiti’s western, northwestern, southeastern and central regions.
The weather has since improved, but many crops were damaged amid a spike (激增) in starvation.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry has said he has asked for international help.
SKorea Support for Nuclear Arsenal Falls Public support for South Korea to develop its own nuclear arsenal is plummeting (暴跌) according to new figures.
Chris Gilbert reports.
British Princess Eugenie Welcomes Baby Boy Buckingham Palace says Princess Eugenie has given birth to a baby boy.
Eugenie, the niece of King Charles III, and her husband, welcomed their son on May 30th.
The baby is the couple’s second child.
The child is 13th in line to the throne (王位繼承人).
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 7-points this morning from Friday's close, at 16,714 on turnover of 2.6-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher Friday after the U-S Senate voted to raise America's debt ceiling and avoid a default and turbulence (動盪) in global markets.
Buying focused on both the bellwether electronics sector and old economy stocks as the Tai-Ex closed the session above the 16,700 point mark.
DPP and KMT 2024 Candidates Rally Supporters D-P-P presidential candidate William Lai has met supporters in Nantou and Miaoli counties.
Speaking in Nantou, Lai criticized Beijing's 1989 crackdown on protesters in Tiananmen Square and said "the people of Taiwan must remain united in the face of China's threats and military intimidation."
And speaking in Miaoli, Lai rejected Beijing's "one China" principle and the "1992 consensus" saying acceptance of both would be tantamount (等於) to Taiwan giving up its sovereignty.
Meanwhile, the K-M-T's presidential candidate Hou You-yi has launched a campaign group in Taipei - where he told supporters that "peace is the main point of concern for next year's election" and cross-strait peace was the main he reason he chose to run in the election.
Grandriders Finish Annual Round Island Ride And,
Members of the Hongdao Senior Citizens Welfare Foundation's "Grandriders" have finished their annual round island motorbike trip.
According to the foundation, 32 riders made the 10-day, 1,106-kilometer trip this year - which began and finished in Taichung.
The oldest rider was 99-year-old.
The annual event has been held since 2006 and seeks to raise awareness and funds for disadvantaged (弱勢) elderly adults.
It was the focus of a documentary titled "Go Grandriders" in 2012.
The film became the first ever Taiwanese-made documentary to be submitted to the Academy Awards in 2013.
US Navy Claims Ship in Strait of Hormuz Harrassed by Iran The U.S. Navy says its sailors and the United Kingdom Royal Navy came to the aid of a ship in the crucial Strait of Hormuz after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard “harassed” (騷擾) it.
A US Navy statement says Three fast-attack Guard vessels with armed troops aboard approached the merchant ship at a close distance Sunday afternoon.
Black-and-white images the Navy said it took from overhead showed three small ships close to the commercial ship.
The guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul and the Royal Navy’s frigate HMS Lancaster responded to the incident, with the Lancaster launching a helicopter.
Iran did not acknowledge the incident.
Hollywood Writers Potential Deal A union representing many Hollywood writers is presenting an agreement to them to help them get back to work.
Thousands of writers have been on strike for a month to push for (努力爭取) better wages and protection against AI.
Here's U.S. Correspondent Caroline Malone.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 12-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,525
on turnover of $2.8-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Thursday, despite the U-S House approving a debt
ceiling and budget cuts package to avoid a default crisis.
Taiwan and Lithuania Ink MOU to Boost Bilateral Digital Resilience
The National Institute for Cyber Security and Lithuania's Innovation Agency
have signed a memorandum of understanding that seeks to mutually boost the
digital resilience (數位韌性) of both nations.
The agreement was signed remotely by institute head Ho Quan-de and the head
of Lithuania's Innovation Agency using an external communication adapter
during a virtual conference.
According to Digital Affairs Minister Audrey Tang, the use of the external
communication adapter marked a bilateral milestone as it was issued by
Ministry of Digital Affairs and recognized by Lithuania.
Along with strengthening mutual digital resilience, the M-O-U also aims to
boost bilateral cooperation while seeking talent exchange.
UN Warns of Russia Blockage of Ukraine Ports
The United Nations is warning of a new threat to global food security.
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Russia is limiting the number of ships
allowed to pick up Ukrainian grain at Black Sea ports in its campaign to get
Kyiv to open a pipeline for a key ingredient of fertilizer to get to world
markets.
He expressed serious concern that only 33 ships departed from Ukrainian ports
in May, half the number compared to April, and exports of grain and other
foodstuffs (食品) totaled just 1.3 million metric tons last month, less than
half the amount of the previous month.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted Wednesday that the port of
Yuzhny is blocked and more than 1.5 million tons of agricultural products are
waiting there for shipment to at least 10 countries.
He urged everyone to pressure Russia to unblock food supplies.
US President "Fine" After Fall
The White House says President Joe Biden is doing "fine" after he tripped and
fell Thursday as he was handing out diplomas at a graduation ceremony at the
US Air Force Academy.
Toni Waterman has more.
Italy Florence Bans ShortTerm Vacay Rentals in City Center
The city of Florence has announced an immediate ban on new short-term private
vacation rentals in the city's historic center.
The move is part of an effort to bring full-time residents back to one of
Italy’s most popular tourist destinations.
Students in Italian cities, including Florence, Milan and Rome, have been
camping out in tents on campuses to protest a lack of affordable housing.
At the same time, art cities like Florence and Venice have seen their housing
stocks depleted (耗盡) by short-term rentals, defined as covering any period
less than 30 days.
The Italian government is expected to adopt a plan that so far allows only
the city of Venice to cap the number of days a property can be rented out at
120.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 67-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
16,511 on turnover of 3.4-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly lower on Wednesday as the electronics sector lost
momentum following rallies in recent sessions.
Buying rotated to select old economy stocks that offset losses in the tech
sector, and bargain hunters also turned active in the afternoon session to
pick up T-S-M-C shares.
However, selling reemerged as passive mutual funds cut their holdings in
local stocks in response to the downgrade of Taiwan's weighting in two of
M-S-C-I's major indexes.
KMT Chair Denies Plans to Replace Presidential Candidate
K-M-T Chairman Eric Chu is dismissing (駁回) speculation the party could move
to replace Hou Yu-ih as its candidate for next January's election.
The statement comes after a My-Formosa published its latest 2024 election
poll.
That survey found that Hou is running in third place with a support rating of
18.3-per cent.
That's behind Taiwan People's Party candidate Ko Wen-je with a 25.9-per cent
support rating and the D-P-P's Lai Ching-te who, according to the poll, is
enjoying a 35.8-per cent support rating.
According to Zhu, rumors of plans to replace Hou are "groundless" and are
being disseminated by pan-green supporter with the sole aim of sowing
disunity with the K-M-T.
HAP Cites 32% of Retailers Caught Selling Cigarettes to Buyers in School Uniform
And,
The Health Promotion Administration says some 32-per cent of retailers were
found to have sold cigarettes to buyers wearing school uniforms.
According to the administration, the Consumers' Foundation sent undercover
(臥底的) buyers dressed in school uniforms to 663 convenience stores,
supermarkets, hypermarkets and betel nut stalls between April and October of
last year.
The survey found betel nut vendors were the least likely to carry out age
verification, with the undercover buyers able to purchase cigarettes from
42.4-per cent of the stalls.
Undercover buyers were able to purchase cigarettes from 40.3-per cent of
grocery stores, 26.6-per cent of supermarkets or hypermarkets, and 18.8-per
cent of convenience stores.
NKorea to Reattempt Satellite Launches
North Korea is reaffirming its intention to put a spy satellite into orbit
after a failed launch attempt on Wednesday.
The projectile, fired by Pyongyang, triggered alarms in both South Korea and
Japan, before crashing into the Yellow Sea.
Chris Gilbert reports.
Scientists Say Climate Change Didn't Cause Italy Flooding
A group of scientists say in a new study that climate change in itself wasn't
responsible for a series of exceptional rain and resulting deadly flooding in
northern Italy in recent weeks.
Instead, the study concluded that the three cyclones hitting the
Emilia-Romagna region in 21-day-period drove the flooding.
Scientists used computer modeling to estimate (估計) that having such three
heavy rainfalls so close together was an event that had a one-in-200 chance
of occurrence in a given year.
The study, unveiled on Wednesday, wasn't peer-reviewed since it was done so
soon after the flooding.
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詹子晴ㄚ頭和森田攜手創立快電商C2Cbuy 只要1990元，一鍵開啟你的網路商店！ 由名人領軍，打造多元化系統課程 嚴選千件商品、強大的行銷團隊、專人客服、訂單物流系統化 加入快電商開啟你的輕鬆斜槓新生活～ https://bit.ly/42vG4cv －－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 29-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,593 on turnover of 3.8-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Tuesday, as investor optimism about a deal on America's debt ceiling was dented (受打擊) by worries about the regional economy.
10AM - Typhoon Mawar Typhoon Mawar is be passing through waters off Taiwan's southeast and eastern coasts.
The Central Weather Bureau says the storm is currently located some 430-kilometers east of Eluanbi, at the island southernmost tip, and moving in a north-northeasterly direction at between 9 and 13-kilometers-an-hour.
Mawar still has a radius of 300-kilometers and is packing sustained wind speeds of 126-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to 162-kilometers-an-hour.
According to the weather bureau's forecast center, Mawar will move away from Taiwan tomorrow and begin to skirt (沿…的邊緣走) the Ryukyu Islands in southern Japan.
Lawmakers Pass Amendments to Immigration Act to Retain Foreign Talent Lawmakers have passed amendments to the Immigration Act aimed at improving professional talent retention by easing residency restrictions for foreign nationals and their spouses and children.
The amendments extend permanent residence rights to spouses (配偶), minor children, and adult children with disabilities of foreign nationals …
…. who are high-level professionals, have won top professional awards, have made a significant contribution to Taiwan, or hold an investment visa.
While Alien Permanent Resident Certificate holders will only need to spend an average of 183 days per year over the last five years in Taiwan to retain their permanent residency status, instead of the current 183 days each year for five years.
New US Aid Package for Ukraine A New US aid package for Ukraine will likely include munitions (彈藥) for drones.
Lisa Dwyer has the details…..
UN Extends Arms Embargo on SSudan The U.N. Security Council has extended an arms embargo on South Sudan.
The 10-0 vote with five abstentions (棄權) on the U.S.-drafted resolution was the same as the vote on the previous sanctions resolution adopted last May.
The resolution welcomes “encouraging developments” in implementing some elements of a fragile 2018 power-sharing agreement including completing the first phase of training and graduation of a unified force.
But it expresses concern “over the continued intensification of violence prolonging the political, security. economic and humanitarian crisis in most parts of the country."
Malaysia Reports Chinese Barge Plundering WWII Shipwrecks Malaysia’s maritime agency says a detained Chinese barge likely plundered (竊取，侵佔) two World War II British shipwrecks in the South China Sea.
Malaysian media reported that illegal salvage (打撈) operators are believed to have targeted the HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales, which were sunk in 1941 by Japanese torpedoes.
Over 800 sailors perished, and the shipwrecks are designated war graves.
The agency detained the barge on Sunday for anchoring without a permit.
It found piles of scrap metal and an artillery shell believed to be from World War II.
The agency said a thorough search Tuesday found another 100 artillery shells on the vessel.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 12-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,648
on turnover of 3.6-billion N-T.
The market rose on Monday - gaining 131-points - as investors took cues from
the news that U-S President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have
reached a final agreement on a deal to raise America's national debt ceiling.
10AM - Typhoon Mawar Wrap
A sea warning is in affect for Typhoon Mawar.
The warning currently covers the Bashi Channel and waters off southeastern
Taiwan.
The storm is currently located some 470-kilometers east-southeast of Eluanbi,
at the island southernmost tip, and moving in a north-northwesterly direction
at 7-kilometers-an-hour.
Mawar has a radius of 300-kilometers and is packing sustained wind speeds of
155-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to 191-kilometers-an-hour.
The Central Weather Bureau says the storm is expected to veer in a more
northerly direction and begin moving away from Taiwan.
However, the storm's outer rim (外緣，邊緣) is forecast to bring a
significant amount of rainfall to the Yilan and Hualien areas tomorrow.
TPP Confirms Ko Wen-je's Japan Visit
The Taiwan People's Party has confirmed that its founder (創辦人) and
presidential candidate Ko Wen-je will travel to Japan next week.
According to party secretary-general Zhou Tai-zhu, Ko will visit Japan from
Sunday through Thursday of next week and will be holding talks with senior
administrative and legislative officials.
Zhou has not released any further details concerning the names of the senior
officials Ko will be meeting with, but says the talks will be focusing on
international and cross-strait affairs.
The T-P-P secretary-general also says he will be accompanying Ko along with
former Taipei deputy mayor Vivian Huang.
China Launches Manned Mission
China has doubled down (加倍下注) on its space ambitions with the launch of
the Shenzhou-16 manned mission, saying it plans to put astronauts on the moon
before 2030.
Nina-Maria Potts reports from Hong Kong:
SAfrica Appoints Judge to Investigate Arms Supply to Russia Accusations
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed a judge to oversee an
inquiry into allegations that the country supplied arms to Russia on a ship
that docked secretly at a naval base in December.
The allegations were made this month by the United States’ ambassador to
South Africa, who said he was sure that weapons and ammunition were loaded
onto the Russian-flagged cargo ship when it docked at the Simon’s Town naval
base near Cape Town.
South Africa has denied there was any government-sanctioned deal to provide
weapons to Russia, although it hasn’t categorically (斷然地) ruled out that
an unofficial transaction took place involving another entity.
South Africa could be in breach of international law and its own laws
regarding weapons sales if it is found to have supplied arms to Moscow for
the war in Ukraine.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 105-points this morning from Friday's close, at 16,610
on turnover of 8.5-billion N-T.
The market jumped by over 200 points on Friday to hit its highest level since
June of last year.
The rise was led by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing - which attracted
renewed investor interest after Nvidia - one of T-S-M-C's top clients -
reported improved second-quarter guidance.
New Zealand Parliamentarians to Visit Taiwan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says two New Zealand parliamentarians will
visit Taiwan this week to meet with senior government officials.
According to the ministry, Brooke van Velden, the deputy head of ACT New
Zealand, and James McDowall, ACT spokesperson for Immigration, Defense,
Tourism, Internal Affairs and Economic Development will discussing issues of
mutual concern.
They're slated to (預定) hold talks with Foreign Minister Joseph Wu and other
senior officials during their four-day visit.
The foreign ministry says the trip comes as Taiwan and New Zealand are
marking the 10th anniversary of the signing of an economic cooperation
agreement.
Computex to Begin with Nvidia CEO Speech
And,
Computex 2023 will be taking place at the Nangang Exhibition Center in Taipei
- and the event will be getting a pre-opening keynote speech later today by
Nvidia C-E-O Jensen Huang.
According to the External Trade Development Council, demand for tickets for
Huang's keynote address has surpassed 5,000.
The council orginally (起初) opened the event to 1,000 ticket holders, but
was forced to reopened registration this past weekend due to huge demand for
tickets to the event.
Huang will be delivering his keynote speech at Nangang Exhibition Center 2
today focusing on the future of artificial intelligence and smart technology.
Japan: NKorea Notification of Satellite Launch Plans
Japan’s coast guard said North Korea has notified it that it plans to launch
a satellite in coming days, which may be an attempt to put a military
reconnaissance satellite into orbit.
Japan’s coast guard said North Korean waterway authorities gave a launch
window (發射時限) from May 31 and June 11th.
They also indicated that the launch may affect waters in the Yellow Sea, East
China Sea and east of the Philippines’ Luzon Island.
Japan’s coast guard issued a safety warning for ships in the area during
those days.
Pyongyang said this month its first military spy satellite was ready for
launch.
Subject: E*Turkey Erdogan Reelected
Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won reelection Sunday, extending his
rule into a third decade.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports.
Oman Sultan Arrives in Iran for Talks
Iranian state media says Oman’s ruler has arrived in the Iranian capital
Tehran for talks with President Ebrahim Raisi and other top officials.
State media said Sultan Haitham was welcomed Sunday by Iran’s senior vice
president at the airport.
This is the sultan's first visit to Iran since he ascended the throne.
Oman also recently hosted rounds of talks between Iran and its rival Saudi
Arabia, facilitating an agreement to resume diplomatic relations after a
seven-year rift (裂痕).
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Taiwan shares open higher
Supreme Court Upholds Life Sentence in Arson Case
NTCH Touting Rise in Online Ticket Sales
Opposition party banned from Cambodia elections
Founder of the extremist group the Proud Boys, Stewart Rhodes, was sentenced to 18 years in prison
Tai-Ex opening up
Central Bank Governor Upbeat about Economic Rebound
Latest Coronavirus Wave Expected to Last for a Month
Typhoon Mawar hit Guam
DeSantis' run for White House
Labor Ministry to Allow Hiring of 28,000 Additional Migrant Workers
Serious Coronavirus Cases Jump 30% as 4th Omicron Wave Hits
DeSantis to Announce 2024 Bid on Twitter
France Bans Domestic Short-Haul Flights
Ukraine Blames Russia for Preventing Black Sea Grain Deal Port from Operating
MOFA Protest Taiwan's Exclusion from WHA
Taipei Mayor Announces Twin-City Forum Will be Held in China this Year
White House debt ceiling meeting
America's secretive bomb
Taiwan's weather report
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只要1990元，一鍵開啟你的網路商店！
由名人領軍，打造多元化系統課程
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People March in Support of Taiwan in Geneva Ahead of WHA
Computex 2023 to Highlight AI and High-Performance Computing
More talks on U.S. debt crisis planned
China summons Japanese ambassador over actions at G7
Canada's wildfires continue
詹子晴ㄚ頭和森田攜手創立快電商C2Cbuy
只要1990元，一鍵開啟你的網路商店！
由名人領軍，打造多元化系統課程
嚴選千件商品、強大的行銷團隊、專人客服、訂單物流系統化
加入快電商開啟你的輕鬆斜槓新生活～
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 44-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,146
on turnover of $3.84-billion N-T.
The market continued its upward momentum on Thursday, as investors were
encouraged by hopes U-S political leaders can reach an agreement to avoid a
potentially disastrous default on government debt.
Taoyuan Households See Power Out Amid Rain and Thunder
Tens of thousands of households in Taoyuan were without power earlier today,
amid rough weather conditions.
Taiwan Power Company says heavy rain and thunder early this morning caused
power outages in the city's Zhong-li, Ping-zhen, Long-tan, and Yang-mei
Districts.
The state-run power company says up to 10-thousand-829 households were left
in the dark.
Officials say emergency repairs returned power to nearly 10-thousand
customers before 5am, and the remainder were also reconnected by 7:30.
(NS)
Torrential rain pounding Hsinchu
Many streets in Hsin-chu city and county are flooded due to torrential rain
that has kept pounding the area since early this morning.
Four underground passes, including Yuan-pei and Tai-yuan underpass, are also
inundated (淹沒) in water as high as the roof of sedans.
The Central Weather Bureau issued an extremely heavy rain advisory for
Hsinchu city and county before dawn, saying that accumulated rainfall in the
western parts there has reached some 340 millimeters so far today.
The CWB has also posted thunderstorm warnings for those in Taoyuan city and
Hsinchu, saying people should watch out for lightning strikes, strong gusty
winds, and flash floods.
Xiang-shan High School in Hsinchu city has canceled today's classes.
Russia Fires Missiles at Kyiv
Ukrainian officials say Russia has fired 30 cruise missiles against various
parts of the country in the latest nighttime test of Ukrainian air defenses
which shot down 29 of them.
Kyiv officials said defense systems also shot down two exploding drones and
two reconnaissance drones early Thursday.
A military spokesman said one person died and two were wounded (受傷) by a
Russian missile that got through and struck an industrial building in the
southern region of Odesa.
Loud explosions were heard in Kyiv as the Kremlin’s forces targeted the
capital for the ninth time this month.
US Disney New Campus Plans Shelved
Plans for a new Disney campus in Florida are off the table (不在考慮範圍內).
AP's Lisa Dwyer has more.
Australia Doctor Freed After Kidnapping
Australia says an 88-year-old doctor held captive in West Africa for more
than seven years has been released.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Kenneth Elliott was safe and well and had
been reunited (團聚) with his wife and their children.
Elliott and his wife were kidnapped by Islamic extremists in northern Burkina
Faso in 2016 near the border with Mali and Niger, where they were running a
medical clinic.
Elliot's wife was released a month later.
Wong said the Australian government and the Elliott family have worked
tirelessly toward Elliott’s release.
She did not detail the circumstances of his release.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
詹子晴ㄚ頭和森田攜手創立快電商C2Cbuy
只要1990元，一鍵開啟你的網路商店！
由名人領軍，打造多元化系統課程
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 134-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
16,060 on turnover of 4.9-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Wednesday - jumping 1.6-per cent - as
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing extended its gains from the previous
session to lift other I-C stocks throughout the trading day.
Buying also spread to old economy heavyweights in the auto and petrochemical
sectors - giving an additional boost to the broader market.
MOL Warns Subsidies 'Only Way to Stabilize Labor Insurance Fund'
Deputy Labor Minister Lee Chun-yi is warning that continued government
subsidies are currently the "only way" to stabilize (穩定) the Labor
Insurance Fund.
According to Lee, subsidies are the only way to ensure the fund's
sustainability due to a lack of consensus over how to proceed with the next
stage of the government's pension reform.
Speaking at a legislative hearing, Lee told lawmakers he believes the issue
must be approached with caution as it involves 10-million workers and
600,000-employers, but so far, "the parties involved are still a long way
from a consensus."
The Cabinet has injected 147-billion N-T to stabilize the fund since 2020 and
has earmarked 100-billion N-T in subsidies for the fund for next year.
Pre-Sales of New Regional Public Transport Pass Begins Today
A commemorative stored-value card for two monthly public transport pass
programs will be available for pre-sale from today
One of the passes covers Taipei-New Taipei-Taoyuan and Keelung while the
other is for Taichung-Changhua-Nantou and Miaoli.
The "TPass" is going on pre-sale for 100 from 11AM today at branches of
7-Eleven, FamilyMart, OK Mart and Hi-Life.
The cards will be available for pickup on June 15.
Those not wishing to purchase the commemorative "TPass" will be able to use
their regular EasyCards to register for the new monthly pass program after
that date.
The regional public transport pass program is currently slated to be (定為)
launched at the beginning of July.
Pakistan Police Surround Khan Home
Police have surrounded the home of former Pakistan’s former Prime Minister
Imran Khan, claiming he is sheltering dozens of people who were allegedly
involved in violent protests over his recent detention.
Wednesday's police deployment raised concerns about possible new clashes
(衝突) between them and the security forces.
Last week, Khan supporters attacked public property and military
installations after he was dragged out of a courtroom and detained.
Ten people were killed in the violence, and more than 4,000 were arrested.
The popular opposition leader was released over the weekend and returned to
his home in Lahore.
Human rights groups say they are alarmed by government plans to try those
suspected of involvement in the protests in military courts.
G7 Leaders Arriving in Japan for Summit
World leaders are arriving in Japan for the G7 summit being held in Hiroshima
this week.
The three day talks are expected to address global security and financial
challenges, including enhancing (增加；增強) sanctions on Russia and reducing
economic reliance with China.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
詹子晴ㄚ頭和森田攜手創立快電商C2Cbuy
只要1990元，一鍵開啟你的網路商店！
由名人領軍，打造多元化系統課程
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 28-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,702
on turnover of 1.9-billion N-T.
The market closed sharply higher on Tuesday, rising by almost 1.3-per cent,
as the bellwether electronics sector led the rise after Wall Street made
gains overnight.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing attracted (吸引) strong buying, despite
Warren Buffett announcing that he's dumped all of his shares in the company
because of concerns over geopolitical risks.
Former UK PM Liz Truss Arrives in Taiwan
Former U-K Prime Minister Liz Truss is in Taiwan for a five-day trip.
According to Truss, visiting Taiwan had been on her mind for some time but
she had previously been "unable" to do so because she was in the U-K
government.
The former U-K prime minister is giving a talk today in Taipei entitled
"Taiwan: On the Frontline of Freedom and Democracy," organized by the
government-funded Prospect Foundation.
She also scheduled to meet with senior government officials and other figures
(人物) from Taiwan's political, business and academic circles during her
visit.
Third Offshore Wind Farm Officially Inaugurated
The Formosa 2 offshore wind farm project in Miaoli has been officially
inaugurated.
The wind farm consists of 47 wind turbines and covers an area of 68-square
kilometers off the coast of Zhunan Township.
According to developers, Formosa 2 has an installed capacity of 376-megawatts
and is expected to supply power to approximately 380,000 households per year
in the area.
The wind farm is a joint development project by Japanese joint venture (企業)
J-E-R-A, Australia's Green Investment Group under Macquarie Asset Management,
and Taiwan's Synera Renewable Energy.
Formosa 2 is the third offshore wind farm to enter into service here in
Taiwan - and follows Formosa 1 in Miaoli and the Taiwan Power Company's
Phase-1 Power Grid Construction for Offshore Wind Connection in Changhua
County.
G7 Leaders To Pledge Nuclear NonProliferation
G7 leaders are set to pledge extra support for nuclear non-proliferation
agreements when they meet in Japan this weekend.
The G7 summit is taking place in Hiroshima, one of the only places to have
experienced a nuclear attack, and Japan is hoping it will set the stage for
discussions on nuclear disarmament (解除或放棄武器的行為).
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
Italy Cocaine Bust
Italian authorities say customs police found more than 2,700 kilos of cocaine
hidden in 70 tons of boxed bananas shipped from Ecuador.
Police estimated the cocaine could have brought traffickers more than $900
million US dollars in street sales if it had reached its ultimate destination
in Armenia.
Customs police at a southern port became suspicious (懷疑), when a background
check showed the banana shippers weren’t in the business of moving that much
fruit.
Officers used scanning machines and the dog to uncover packets of cocaine
hidden in boxes already stacked meters-high in container trucks.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
詹子晴ㄚ頭和森田攜手創立快電商C2Cbuy
只要1990元，一鍵開啟你的網路商店！
由名人領軍，打造多元化系統課程
嚴選千件商品、強大的行銷團隊、專人客服、訂單物流系統化
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex ended the trading day down on Monday, despite gains in other
regional markets, as investors here remain concerned about a possible
recession in the U-S after Wall Street lost ground on Friday.
Taipei Mayor Vows to Hold Construction Company Accountable for Sinkhole
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says he will hold a construction company and
project contractor accountable (應負責任的) for damage caused by a massive
sinkhole that appeared on a street next to a construction site in the city's
Xinyi District.
Speaking at a Taipei City Council meeting, Chiang says the sinkhole is
believed to been caused by a nearby construction project, but the city
government was still investigating the exact cause of the hole.
City government officials say ground-penetrating radar is now being used to
check the affected area for possible holes or soft soil layers and building
examinations will be completed within a week.
Petitions on Shorter Workweek and Reduced Working Hours to Get Response
Two petitions posted on an online public policy participation platform
calling for a shorter workweek and reduced (減少) working hours have passed
the 5,000 signature threshold required to get a government response.
One of the petitions asks that the government make Taiwan the first country
in Asia to implement a three-day weekend.
While the other seeks to revise Article 30 of the Labor Standards Act to
lower the number of working hours to six or seven daily, or to between 30 and
35 hours per week.
The Ministry of Labor says discussions on both petitions will be held and
responses issue in late June or early July.
Croatia Sees Flooding Amid Heay Rain
Hundreds of soldiers have been deployed in Croatia to help people in parts of
the country hit by floods.
Heavy rain in recent days caused some rivers to overflow (溢出) their banks,
flooding homes, roads and public buildings in some towns.
Authorities said some 300 army troops stepped in on Monday to help people in
need and to bolster flood defenses.
Floods were also reported downstream in northwestern Bosnia.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said his government would provide
all necessary funding and aid.
Meteorologists in Croatia said more rain was expected in the coming days.
Japan Under Pressure to Improve LGBT Rights
Japan is coming under mounting international pressure to improve LGBT rights
ahead of this weeks G7 summit in Hiroshima.
The government, so far, has declined (謝絕) to respond to a video by 15
diplomatic missions calling on it to take action on marriage equality.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
詹子晴ㄚ頭和森田攜手創立快電商C2Cbuy
只要1990元，一鍵開啟你的網路商店！
由名人領軍，打造多元化系統課程
嚴選千件商品、強大的行銷團隊、專人客服、訂單物流系統化
加入快電商開啟你的輕鬆斜槓新生活～
https://bit.ly/42vG4cv
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 13-points this morning from Friday's close, at 15,489
on turnover of 2.6-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly lower on Friday despite recouping most of early
losses, following weakness on Wall Street overnight, as investors remained
wary over the health of America's banking sector.
Protesters Take to Streets to Promote Pedestrian Safety
In news from and about Taiwan this morning,
Protests has been held in several cities demanding action to improve
pedestrian safety.
The rallies have been taking place after a three three-year-old girl was
killed and her mother injured last Monday after being hit by car making a
left turn as the were crossing a street in Tainan.
Protesters in Tainan gathered at that intersection calling for the wider use
of pedestrian scrambles at major junctions, which stop all traffic when
pedestrians cross.
Residents of Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung also took the streets - and
congregated at (聚集在) crosswalks that have also been the sites of recent
deadly traffic accidents.
Premier Tests Positive for Coronavirus
And,
Cabinet spokesman Luo Ping-cheng says Premier Chen Chien-jen has tested
positive for the coronavirus.
According to Luo, Chen took an at screening test at home on Saturday after
experiencing a cough and the results of the test were positive.
The Cabinet spokesman says Chen has been advised to follow the Center for
Disease Control's current "0+N" guidelines for people who
test positive for the virus, but only show mild symptoms.
That means the premier will have to wear a face mask if he chooses to return
to work today and monitor his health for up to 10 days, depending on the
severity of the symptoms.
France Pledges More Military Support for Ukraine
France has pledged additional military aid, including light tanks, armored
vehicles, training for soldiers and other assistance for Ukraine as it gears
up for a counteroffensive against Russian forces.
French President Emmanuel Macron's office also says more Ukrainians will also
be made battle-ready, with France aiming to train about 2,000 Ukrainian
soldiers in France this year and nearly 4,000 others in Poland as part of a
wider European effort.
The fresh French support followed surprise talks Sunday in Paris between the
Ukrainian and French presidents.
Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Macron met for three hours at the
presidential Elysee Palace.
The encounter was kept under wraps (保密) until shortly before the Ukrainian
leader's arrival in Paris from Germany on a French government jet, extending
a multi-stop European tour.
Zelenskyy met earlier Sunday with Germany's chancellor, Olaf Scholz.
US App Allows Migrant Appointments for Asylum
A new mobile app is allowing 1,000 would-be migrants per day to make an
appointment to apply for asylum (庇護) in the United States.
AP correspondent Jackie Quinn reports.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
詹子晴ㄚ頭和森田攜手創立快電商C2Cbuy
只要1990元，一鍵開啟你的網路商店！
由名人領軍，打造多元化系統課程
嚴選千件商品、強大的行銷團隊、專人客服、訂單物流系統化
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https://bit.ly/42vG4cv
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 38-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,477 on turnover of $2.5-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Thursday despite making early gains, as Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing saw its share price drop below 500 N-T on the
back of concerns over over ongoing inventory (存貨) adjustments in the global
tech industry.
Although lower-than-expected U-S inflation data for April raised hopes that
the America's central bank will not raise its key interest rates next month,
investor sentiment remains haunted by a weakening global economy ….
.. which pushed down the bellwether electronics sector and economy stocks
during the trading day.
Costco Releases Compensation Plan for Berry Contamination
Costco Taiwan has released a compensation package for customers who had
purchased Kirkland Signature brand frozen mixed berry products that have been
found to be contaminated (污染) with the hepatitis A virus.
According to the plan, Costco members who bought the frozen berries at its
Kaohsiung warehouse will be offered a full refund plus a consolation
equivalent to the refund amount.
Costco will also offer a subsidy of 500 N-T to any members who developed
hepatitis A symptoms after consuming the contaminated frozen berries.
That money can be used to pay for testing at healthcare facilities designated
by the Centers for Disease Control and Costco says it will also pay the full
medical bills of any member diagnosed with hepatitis A that could be traced
to the contaminated berry products.
UN Adopts Resolution on Sudan
The top U.N. human rights body has adopted a resolution concerning mounting
(增長) civilian deaths and rights abuses in Sudan since a bloody conflict
erupted between the African country’s two top generals last month.
Member states of the Human Rights Council narrowly passed on Thursday the
resolution with 18 states voting in favor, 15 against and 14 other nations
abstaining.
The main co-sponsors of the draft resolution were all European, in addition
to the United States.
The conflict erupted in mid-April between the chief of Sudan’s military, and
a rival general who commands a powerful paramilitary group.
So far, the violence has killed more than 600 people, and displaced hundreds
of thousands.
China Pledges Trade Dialogue with Australia
China says it’s committed to improving relations with Australia, ahead of a
meeting in Beijing between the countries’ Trade and Commerce Ministers.
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
French Prosecutors Sending Former President to Trial
French prosecutors are seeking to send former President Nicolas Sarkozy to
trial on charges that he received millions in illegal campaign financing from
the government of late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
The French national financial prosecutor’s office announced its decision
Friday to seek a trial after a decade (十年) of investigation.
Twelve others are also charged.
It is now up to judges to determine whether to move ahead.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
詹子晴ㄚ頭和森田攜手創立快電商C2Cbuy
只要1990元，一鍵開啟你的網路商店！
由名人領軍，打造多元化系統課程
嚴選千件商品、強大的行銷團隊、專人客服、訂單物流系統化
加入快電商開啟你的輕鬆斜槓新生活～
https://bit.ly/42vG4cv
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 24-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,666
on turnover of 1.7-billion N-T.
The market lost ground after coming under heavy pressure on Wednesday, as
investors remained cautious ahead of the release of U-S inflation data for
April and continued to watch negotiations on the government's debt ceiling in
Washington.
Selling focused on the electronics sector as Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing led the downturn despite raising its cash dividend payments for
earnings in the first quarter.
Kishida Reiterates Taiwan's Security is Global Issue
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is reiterated his belief in the
importance of continuing peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait - telling
Nikkei Asia that "it is a matter of importance not just to Japan, but the
whole international community."
Speaking ahead of the G-7 summit in the Japanese city of Hiroshima, Kishida
said Tokyo's position has always been that the issue of Taiwan should be
resolved peacefully through dialogue," and he believes the Group of Seven is
united on this."
According to Kishida, the G-7 leaders will demand Beijing act as a
responsible member of the global community and contribute to (貢獻) the
development of stable international relations through constructive dialogue.
NCC to Appeal High Court Ruling on CTi Licence Renewal
The National Communications Commission says it plans to appeal a ruling by
the Taipei High Administrative Court, which overturned its 2020 ruling
rejecting the renewal of CTi News' broadcast license.
The statement comes after the court sided with CTi News' appeal and ordered
the N-C-C to review the case based on the court's opinions.
The N-C-C says the court ruling has come as a "surprise" and is "regrettable
(令人遺憾的)".
Although siding with CTi News' calls for a review of its broadcast license
application, the court rejected a request for compensation from the
government and the immediate reinstatement of the broadcast license.
Australia Trade Minister Calls for End to Curbs on China
Australia is seeking to repair its strained economic ties with China.
Australia’s Trade Minister is meeting his Chinese counterpart in Beijing to
call for the end to all trade barriers (貿易障礙) on Australian exports.
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
Nicaragua Orders Red Cross Closed
Nicaragua has ordered the closure of the country's Red Cross, capping a
crackdown that has seen the government toss out out religious orders
(宗教組織), charities and civic groups.
The legislature voted to shutter the Nicaraguan Red Cross, accusing it of
"attacks on peace and stability" for helping treat injured protesters during
antigovernment demonstrations in 2018.
The legislature is dominated by President Daniel Ortega's Sandinista party.
The legislature ordered the country's Health Department to create “a new
Nicaragua Red Cross.”
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－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 19-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,708 on turnover of 2.1-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher on Tuesday as large-cap tech stocks once
again attracted investor attention to offset losses suffered by the old
economy sector.
However, market sentiment remained cautious, as investors wait to see if
Washington agrees to raise the government's debt ceiling to avoid (避免) a
default, while the pending release of U-S consumer price index data also
weighed on investor's minds.
Former UK PM Liz Truss to Visit Taiwan Next Week
Former U-K Prime Minister Liz Truss will visit Taiwan next week to
participate in a government-funded speaking engagement.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Truss, has been invited by the
Prospect Foundation think tank to give a speech in Taipei on May 17.
The ministry has not said on what topic Truss' speech would be on.
The foreign ministry has also not released any information concerning
possible meetings with senior government officials or other political and
business figures (人物) during her four-day visit.
Truss spent 49-days as the U-K's shortest event-serving prime minister last
year.
Coronavirus Subvariant XBB to Drive New Surge Through July
The Centers for Disease Control says the coronavirus XBB subvariant is likely
to become dominant soon, creating a new surge of infections through early
July.
According to C-D-C Deputy Director General Philip Luo, the subvariant
accounted for 40-per cent of the 70 local Omicron cases confirmed during the
week of April 30 through May 6.
Luo says it is now expected to replace the current BA.2.75 strain in the near
future.
The C-D-C reported a daily average of 116 moderate and severe coronavirus
cases from May 3 through 9, which represented a slight increase in daily
cases compared with the 114 the previous week.
Saudi Arabia Syria Embassies Resume Work
Saudi Arabia and Syria say their embassies will resume work 11 years after
they were closed as the two countries' relations improve.
Tuesday's announcement comes nearly a month after Syria and Saudi Arabia said
they were moving toward reopening embassies and resuming airline flights.
Last month’s development followed a visit by Syria’s top diplomat to the
kingdom, the first since Saudi Arabia cut off diplomatic relations with Syria
in 2012 and a visit by Syria’s foreign minister to Riyadh.
On Sunday, the 22-member Arab League agreed to reinstate Syria, ending a
12-year suspension and taking another step toward bringing Syria back into
the fold.
US Charges Filed Agains Congressman Who Lied on Resume
US prosecutors have filed criminal charges against George Santos, the
congressman who has admitted to (承認，供) lying about his resume.
Sally Patterson reports.
Germany Proposes Law Name and Gender Change
The German government has presented a proposal for a law that will make it
easier for people to legally change their name and gender, ending decades-old
rules that require them to get expert assessments and a court’s
authorization.
Under the planned “self-determination law,” adults would be able to change
their first name and legal gender at registry offices without further
formalities.
The existing “transsexual law,” which took effect in 1981, currently
requires individuals to obtain assessments (評估) from two ”experts" and
then a court decision before they can change their gender on official
documents.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher, rising 2-points this morning from
yesterday's close, at 15,702 on turnover of 1.6-billion N-T.
The market closed higher on Monday as buying was sparked by gains on Wall
Street at the end of last week on the back of better-than-expected U-S jobs
data for April.
The bellwether electronics sector led the upturn in the wake of (在…之後)
rising tech stocks on U-S markets, while buying was also seen among non-tech
stocks, in particular in the electric engineering sector, to give additional
support to the broader market.
Ko Wen-je Registers for TPP Presidential Primary
Taiwan People's Party Chairman Ko Wen-je has registered for the party's
presidential primary.
Ko registered at the party's headquarters in Taipei accompanied by T-P-P
Secretary-General Zhou Tai-zhu and former Taipei Deputy Mayor Vivian Huang.
Speaking to reporters after registering, Ko said he has until September to
find a suitable running mate and while he believes Huang would be a good
choice, the party is still hoping to garner (收集) more input from its
supporters.
A spokesperson for Ko's office says the T-P-P is now scheduled to officially
announce its presidential nominee on May 17.
MOTC Calls on Starlux to Review its Scheduling
Transport Minister Wang Kwo-tsai is urging Starlux Airlines to review is
scheduling amid concerns recent expansion has left the carrier overstretched.
The call comes after flight delays due to bad weather and a mechanical issue
with one of its aircraft left 308 passengers and two of Starlux's three A-350
planes stranded (被困住) overnight at Tokyo's Narita Airport.
Starlux was also forced to postpone flights on its Taoyuan to Los Angeles
route due to those delays.
According to the transport minister, Starlux's recent expansion into North
America has come despite the airline only having only three large A-350
aircraft and shows the company needs to enlarge its fleet and hire more
staff, and also review how it schedules its flights.
US Welcomes SKoreaJapan Summit
The US is welcoming a summit held over the weekend between its key
Indo-Pacific allies South Korea and Japan.
Leaders from the two countries met in Seoul for the first time more than a
decade, in an effort to boost bilateral co-operation and thaw historical
tensions.
Chris Gilbert reports.
Australia Forecasts Balanced Budget
The Australian government has forecast the nation’s first balanced annual
budget in 15 years.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced the forecasted surplus today before
releasing the government’s economic blueprint for next year.
Chalmers did not say how big the surplus will be, but media reported a $2.7
billion surplus was expected.
High prices for commodities including iron ore, coal and gas plus income tax
revenue helped deliver the surplus, which was also buoyed by an
extraordinarily low jobless rate.
The government's budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year aims to ease
financial hardships of the most needy without stoking (煽動，激起) stubbornly
high inflation.
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every day in the afternoon.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 22-points this morning from Friday's close, at 15,648 on
turnover of 2-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher on Friday despite investors remaining wary
of possible volatility on Wall Street due to renewed concerns over problems
in the American banking sector.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing returned to the 500 N-T mark during the
session, as the bellwether electronics sector staged a mild technical
rebound, which helped the broader market offset losses by non-tech stocks.
Nantou and Changhua See Most Rain During Passing Front
The Central Weather Bureau says Nantou and Changhua received the most
rainfall on Sunday - as a weather front passed over the island.
According to the bureau, Nantou County's Ren-Ai Township recorded accumulated
(積累) rainfall of over 10.5-centimeters from between midnight Saturday
through Sunday evening.
The Water Resources Agency says the island's reservoirs benefited from
Sunday's rain, but it was still not enough to alleviate drought conditions in
the south.
Starlux's Chang Kuo-wei Offers Full Refund to Passengers Stranded in Japan
Starlux Airlines Chairman Chang Kuo-wei says his company will offering full
refunds to passengers who had to spend the night at Narita Airport outside
Tokyo because of a flight diversion and aircraft deployment problems.
Chang flew to Japan early Sunday to apologize for the delay to the 308
affected passengers and made the pledge (保證) flying one of the two Starlux
A350 planes stuck at Narita overnight back to Taiwan.
According to airline, 183 of the 308 stranded passengers returned to Taiwan
on Sunday afternoon on an Airbus 321, while 99 passengers were booked on
regularly scheduled Starlux flights.
The remaining 26 passengers caught flights back to Taipei on other airlines.
The Civil Aeronautics Administration says it will review the case and request
Starlux submit a full explanation and to make improvements.
US Biden Calls for Gun Reforms
US President Joe Biden has once again called on Congress to pass gun reforms
following a shooting at a Texas shopping mall.
Authorities say the suspected gunman killed 8 people, injured 7 others, and
then was himself killed by an officer who had been dispatched (派遣) to the
area on a different call.
Our US Correspondent Jagruti Dave reports.
Canada Wildfires Slow Amid Cooler Temp
Fire crews battling wildfires threatening communities in western Canada are
getting some relief from cooler temperatures and a bit of rain, but officials
warn the reprieve (暫時緩解) is only in some areas.
Officials in Alberta say there were 108 active fires in the province Sunday
and the number of evacuees grew to about 29,000.
A provincewide state of emergency was declared Saturday.
Two out-of-control wildfires in neighboring British Columbia also have forced
some people to leave their homes, and officials warn that they expect high
winds to cause the blazes to grow bigger in the next few days.
Officials in Alberta say that despite the current cooling, hot and dry
conditions are predicted to return within a few days.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 19 points-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,628 on turnover of $2.3-billion N-T.
Cabinet approves NT$16 billion youth employment program
The Cabinet on Thursday approved the second phase of a cross-agency youth
employment program.
Under the new phase, $16 billion NT will be earmarked to help 800,000 young
people obtain (獲得) jobs over the next four years in industries experiencing
labor shortage.
The Ministry of Labor says the second phase will kick off in May and run
until 2026, targeting people aged 15 to 29.
The MOL says as part of 12 strategies and 48 measures devised jointly by
various government agencies, career guidance sessions will be held on school
campuses to help final-year students find opportunities that can eventually
become full-time jobs.
And the ministry says in addition, under the plan, training will be offered
to young people to sharpen their professional skills.
Serbia DriveBy Shooting Leaves Dead and Wounded
Serbian state television says at least eight people have been killed and 13
wounded in a drive-by shooting in a town close to Belgrade.
State media reports that the suspected killer used an automatic weapon to
shoot randomly at people near a town some 50 kilometers south of the capital.
The report says the shooter is on the run.
No other details are immediately available.
This is the second mass killing in Serbia in two days.
On Wednesday in Belgrade, a 13-year-old boy used his father’s guns in a
school shooting rampage (狂暴行為) that killed eight of his schoolmates and a
school guard.
Ｍore convicted over January 6 attack
From the US…
Four members of the far-right Proud Boys group, including their former
leader, have been found guilty of seditious (煽動性的) conspiracy.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington.
Canada Considers China Dipomats Expulsion
Canada’s foreign minister said Thursday the country is considering the
expulsion of Chinese diplomats over an intelligence agency report saying one
of them plotted (密謀) to intimidate the Hong Kong relatives of a Canadian
lawmaker.
Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said her department was summoning China’s
ambassador to a meeting to underline that Canada won’t tolerate such
interference.
She said the intelligence agency report indicated that opposition
Conservative lawmaker Michael Chong and his Hong Kong relatives were targeted
after Chong criticized Beijing’s human-rights record.
Chong warns that not taking action would send a signalt that Canada is "open
to foreign interference targeting Canadian citizens."
Trudeau has ordered Canada’s intelligence agencies to immediately inform
lawmakers of any threats against them, regardless of whether those threats
are considered credible.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 5-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,548 on turnover of $2.2-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan moved lower Wednesday as turnover shrank ahead of the
conclusion of a two-day policymaking meeting held by the U.S. Federal Reserve
due later in the day.
Caution continued throughout the session with many investors wary of
financial woes (困難) in the U.S. banking sector, which pushed down shares on
American markets overnight.
Taiwan ranked 35th in 2023 RSF press freedom index
Taiwan has moved up three spots to 35th in the latest World Press Freedom
Index released Wednesday.
The 2023 edition of the index issued by Reporters Without Borders ranked
Taiwan 35th out of 180 countries and territories evaluated based on the
environment for journalism, compared to 38th the previous year.
But RSF says the ranking does not represent (代表) improvement in Taiwan's
media environment, and is actually due to the decline in press freedom in
other countries.
Taiwan's latest ranking placed it fourth in the Asia-Pacific region, behind
New Zealand, Samoa, and Australia, but ahead of South Korea, Papua New
Guinea, and Japan.
The index's top three spots go to Norway, Ireland, and Denmark, in that order.
The last three places are occupied by Asian countries, namely Vietnam, China,
and North Korea.
Rwanda Flooding Leaves Dead and Missing
A public broadcaster in Rwanda says at least 129 people have been killed in
flooding amid torrential rain in the western and northern provinces of the
country.
The Rwanda Broadcasting Agency reported Wednesday that the death toll
“continues to rise.”
The governor of Rwanda’s Western province told reporters that a search for
more victims was underway (正在進行的) following heavy rain Tuesday night and
Wednesday morning.
Strong rainstorms last week caused flooding and mudslides that swept away
several houses across the country.
The Rwanda Meteorology Agency has warned that more rain is coming.
Parts of East Africa also are seeing heavy rainfall.
At least three people drowned in floods last week after a river burst its
banks in Uganda.
US Fed Raises Interest Rates
The US central bank has raised interest rates by a quarter percentage point -
its 10th increase in 14 months.
But it could be its last hike for a while as the Federal Reserve tries to
calm (使鎮靜) fears about the stability of banks and the broader economy.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington
Mexico Touts DomesticallyProduced COVID19 Vaccine
Mexican officials are touting the country's domestically developed COVID-19
vaccine.
The head of Mexico's government commission for science and technology said
Wednesday the new vaccine would be approved for use as a booster shot.
Mexico started developing the Patria vaccine in March 2020.
But testing was slow, and the country wound up (最後) importing 225 million
doses of vaccines.
And vaccine uptake in Mexico dropped in late 2022 and 2023.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 7-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,630 on turnover of 18-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed higher Tuesday even as contract chipmaker Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing remained weak amid lingering concerns over
inventory adjustments in the global IC industry.
Analysts say investors tended to exit large-cap tech stocks such as TSMC
while buying into old economy stocks, including machinery companies involved
in renewable energy development and companies holding large amounts of carbon
credits, keeping the market in positive territory.
Taichung man confirmed with hepatitis A, in wake of Costco recall
Taichung has reported a confirmed case of hepatitis A, involving a
40-year-old man who traveled to Mexico in March, and ate a frozen blueberry
product from Costco after returning to Taiwan.
The local government says the infected man's family members, who also ate the
frozen blueberries from an online supermarket, have not displayed any
symptoms.
The Food and Drug Administration announced that the contagious hepatitis A
virus was found earlier in April in a batch of the frozen fruit product
"Kirkland Signature Three Berry Blend", imported from Chile, and sold at a
Costco supermarket in Kaohsiung.
Two Costco stores in Taichung have removed more than 4,000 bags of berry
products from shelves as a precaution (預防措施).
The CDC has called on anyone who has eaten frozen berries sold by Costco to
monitor their health for 60 days, starting from the last day of consumption.
Palestinian Missile Barrage After Prisoner Death
The Israeli military says that Palestinian militants in Gaza have fired a
barrage of rockets following the death of a high-profile Palestinian prisoner
in Israeli custody after a nearly three-month-long hunger strike.
The death on Tuesday of 45-year-old Khader Adnan, a prominent leader of the
militant Islamic Jihad group, has outraged Palestinian militants and leaders,
and raised fears of an escalation (加劇，（使）惡化).
The Israeli military said that Palestinian militants in Gaza launched 26
rockets toward Israeli territory Tuesday, wounding three foreign nationals.
Gaza-based Palestinian militant groups, led by the enclave’s Hamas rulers
described the barrage as retaliation for Adnan's death.
UN Chief: World Cannot Be Silent on Afghanistan
The United Nations Secretary General says the organisation will never be
silent when women and girls' rights are under attack.
Guterres was speaking to reporters in Doha, Qatar, after convening (召集) an
international meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan.
Jody Jacobs has more from the UN.
US EU Busts Dark Web Drugs
Authorities in the U.S. and Europe have arrested nearly 300 people and seized
over $53 million in the latest major takedown of a dark web marketplace.
Most of the arrests in the operation targeting the “Monopoly Market” were
made in the U.S., as well as Germany and the United Kingdom.
They also seized firearms and drugs that included fentanyl or fentanyl-laced
narcotics.
The U.S. is in the grips of an overdose crisis. Synthetic opioids
(合成鴉片類藥物), mostly fentanyl, kill more Americans every year than died
in the Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined.
The FBI said investigators got leads in the case from local police
investigating overdose deaths.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 9.5-points this morning from Friday's close, at 15,589
on turnover of $1.5-billion N-T.
Latest step taken to pave way for Taiwan version of CHIPS Act
Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs is soliciting public opinion, on rules
to carry out and enforce Taiwan's version of the CHIPS Act.
Over the next 30 days, the MOEA will collect opinions on the proposed rules,
after which it will hold forums, to exchange views with businesses on the
amendment's details, as it prepares to start taking applications from
eligible companies next year.
The notice was issued after a new amendment was passed in early January,
which offers tax breaks to companies that develop innovative technologies
domestically, and have a critical role in international supply chains.
Following passage of the amendment, the revised law was dubbed (稱…為) the
Taiwan-version of the United States' CHIPS and Science Act, aimed at
subsidizing semiconductor investment in the U.S. market to strengthen U.S.
competitiveness in the global chip market.
Syria Reports Israeli Airstrikes at Airport
Syrian state media says Israeli airstrikes have targeted the international
airport in the northern city of Aleppo, killing one Syrian soldier and
putting the airport out of commission (無法使用).
SANA cited a military official, saying that two civilians and five other
Syrian soldiers were wounded in the strike early today.
The airport has been a key channel for the flow of aid into the country after
the Feb. 6 earthquake hit Turkey and Syria, killing over 50,000 people,
including more than 6,000 in Syria.
There was no immediate statement from Israeli authorities on the strikes.
Israel, which has vowed to stop Iranian entrenchment next door, has carried
out hundreds of strikes on targets in government-controlled parts of
neighboring Syria in recent years, but rarely acknowledges them.
US Philippines Strengthen Alliance
The Philippines is strengthening its alliance (聯盟) with the US, amid
increasing tensions with China. The Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos
Junior says South-east Asia is the most complicated geopolitical region in
the world right now.
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
Canada Gov Proposes Assault Firearms Ban
The Canadian government is proposing a ban on assault-style firearms that
would apply once legislation now before Parliament comes into force.
Under the scheme announced Monday, the government would make regulations
through the Firearms Act to ensure that guns are classified correctly before
entering the Canadian market.
Canada's public safety minister says the government also plans to recreate
(重建) a firearms advisory committee that will make recommendations on the
classification of guns now on the market.
The minister says the committee will include rural and northern residents,
Indigenous people, industry leaders, law enforcement and gun control
advocates.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 65.9-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,477 on turnover of $2.4-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex gained ground on Thursday, as other regional markets rose ahead of
the release of U-S economic growth data.
Changhua Launches Factory Inspections
The Changhua County government has ordered fire safety inspections at all
local large-scale food processing (食品加工) factories.
The move is in response to Tuesday's fire at the Lian Hwa Foods factory, the
death toll from which now stands at eight.
The bureau says a joint inspection team has been formed it includes fire
service members as well as officials from the county government's economic
and labor affairs departments.
They will be jointly inspecting some 138 large food processing factories in
Changhua.
The county government says those inspections includes all factories with a
floor area of 3,000 square meters or more that are equipped with large
boilers for food processing.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
Iran Seizes Marshall Islands Oil Tanker
Iran’s navy has seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of
Oman amid wider tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program.
The U.S. Navy’s Mideast-based 5th Fleet identified the vessel as the
Advantage Sweet.
Satellite tracking data for the vessel from MarineTraffic.com showed it in
the Gulf of Oman just north of Oman’s capital, Muscat, on Thursday
afternoon.
It had just come from Kuwait and listed its destination (目的地) as Houston.
Iran claimed the ship had run into another, causing Iranian sailors to go
missing and get hurt.
Thursday's seizure represents the latest-such capture in a waterway crucial
for global energy supplies.
US Pence Testifies in Trump Election Investigation
According to multiple media reports, former US Vice President Mike Pence has
appeared before the grand jury investigating Donald Trump's attempts to
overturn the 2020 election results.
Earlier this week, the former president lost a legal challenge to try and
block Pence's testimony.
US Correspondent Ira Spitzer has more
UK More Ceremonia Roles for Coronation
Buckingham Palace has announced more than two dozen ceremonial roles at King
Charles III's coronation.
They include Francis Dymoke, a 67-year-old farmer from eastern England who
will be the King’s Champion, like his ancestors (祖先) have been since 1066.
Other roles announced Thursday include those who will carry the king’s
regalia to the altar.
Some of the jobs went to those with historic claims.
Others will be carried out by senior military officers, bishops and
politicians, or even relatively unknown individuals.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened flat this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,374 on
turnover of 2.5-billion N-T.
The market closed little changed on Wednesday after recouping early losses,
and despite Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing continuing to lose ground on
the back of lingering concerns over inventory adjustments in the global I-C
industry.
Tech heavyweights came off their day's lows on a technical rebound, while
buying also rotated to large cap old economy stocks, to give an additional
boost to the broader market.
NSB Head Stressing Sharing of Real-Time Intelligence with 'Five Eyes'
National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen says Taiwan is
maintaining "real-time" intelligence sharing with the all member states of
the "Five Eyes" alliance.
Confirmation of the regular intelligence sharing contact with United States,
the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand came as Tsai was be
questioned during a legislative hearing about recent upgrades to the bureau's
computer equipment.
According to the N-S-B director-general, his office has allocated funds to
establish an "instant online reporting and communication mechanism" with
foreign countries and all intelligence is now shared via "a secure and
encrypted (加密的) system."
CDC Reporting Highest Number of Severe Flu Cases this Year
The Centers for Disease Control says 24 severe seasonal flu cases were
reported last week, marking the highest single-week total so far this year.
According to the C-D-C, the patients ranged in age from under 10 to over 90
and developed severe symptoms in the week ending April 22.
All but four of the patients suffer from (患有) chronic illnesses and 18 have
not received a flu vaccine.
Three patients aged in their 50s to their 70s died from severe flu
complications last week - all of whom suffered from chronic illnesses.
A total of 114 cases of severe flu and 20 deaths from the disease have been
reported since the start of the current flu season last fall.
US House Passes Bill to Cap Gov Spending
A Republican bill aimed at capping government spending has narrowly (勉強地)
made it through the U.S. House of Representatives.
Nina-Maria Potts reports:
Brazil Orders Telegram Suspension
A federal judge in Brazil on Wednesday ordered a temporary suspension of
messaging app Telegram.
The judge says the order was a result of the social media platform’s alleged
failure to provide all information Federal Police requested on neo-Nazi chat
groups.
The judge also increased the daily fine for non-compliance (不合規) to the
equivalent of about $200-thousand NT.
The development comes amid a wave of school attacks, which the federal
government is striving to stamp out.
Brazil has seen almost two dozen attacks or violent episodes in schools since
2000, half of them in the last 12 months.
NZ PM Plants Native Tree to Mark UK King Coronation
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has planted a native totara tree in
Parliament’s grounds to mark (紀念) the upcoming coronation of Britain’s
King Charles III.
The ceremony Wednesday was an early start to a campaign to plant 100,000
native trees around New Zealand.
The government has donated 1 million New Zealand dollars toward the effort.
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Teacher's Union Calls for Scrapping of Bilingual Nation Policy
Virginia Touts Trade Office and MOU as Steps to Strengthen Ties with Taiwan
Taliban Kill Senior Islamic State Group Leader
WHO Fires Doctor for Sexual Misconduct
Harris Kicks Off State Visit by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 20-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,606 on turnover of 2-billion N-T.
The market bucked the regional downward trend on Monday and gained ground, as
investors opted to ignore signs that America's economy is expected to show
slower growth this year and on news of more possible interest rate hikes by
the U-S Federal Reserve.
Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton to Visit Taiwan
Former U-S National Security Adviser John Bolton is set to visit Taiwan later
this month.
Radio Free Asia is citing Bolton's office as saying he'll be visiting Taiwan
to deliver speeches at two events.
One of those events is the World Taiwanese Congress, which begins on April
29, while the other is an event marking the 40th anniversary of the founding
of the Formosan Association for Public Affairs on May 1.
Bolton has visited Taiwan on numerous occasions in the past.
However, his upcoming visit comes after Bolton announced his bid to become
the Republican Party's nominee (提名人) for president.
Bolton has long called for Washington to officially recognize Taiwan as a
country.
More Monkeypox Vaccine Doses to Arrive by Late May
The Centers for Disease Control says it expects to take delivery of more
monkeypox vaccine doses next month.
The statement comes after the stock it currently holds was fully booked by
people wishing to be inoculated against the disease.
According to the C-D-C, it's currently in the process of signing a new
contract for the vaccine that can be used for the vaccination of 60,000
people.
C-D-C Deputy Director-General Philip Luo says the doses are expected to
arrive in Taiwan in mid or late May and will be available islandwide one week
after their delivery.
The new doses are likely to be administer no later than early June.
US calls for Russia prisoner release
The United States has called on Russia to immediate release several people it
argues have been wrongfully detained (被拘留).
The comments came during a United Nations Security Council meeting chaired by
Russia's Foreign Minister.
William Denselow reports from New York.
Mexico Liquid Meth In Tequila Bottles
Inspectors from the Mexican Navy say they have found 11,520 tequila bottles
bound for export that actually contained concentrated liquid meth.
The Navy said Monday the bottles contained the equivalent of almost ten tons
of methamphetamine.
The discovery was made over the weekend at the Pacific coast seaport of
Manzanillo.
Tests indicated the bottles contained 8,640 kilograms of meth.
Mexico has become a major producer of meth, and drug smugglers frequently are
stopped at the border with liquid meth in containers in their cars.
The liquid meth is usually recovered by the smugglers and taken to
specialized (專門) facilities where the water is extracted and then returned
to its usually crystal form.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 47 -points this morning from Friday's close, at 15,555
on turnover of 2-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Friday after giving up early gains, as investors
locked in gains in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing following the company's
investor conference a day earlier.
Selling was also seen among non-tech stocks throughout the session on the
back on lingering concerns over a recession (經濟衰退) in the United States,
after an aggressive rate hike cycle by the Federal Reserve.
French Senate Vice President to Visit Taiwan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says French Senate Vice President Alain
Richard will be leading a parliamentary delegation to Taiwan for a five day
visit.
The delegation will be the second group of French lawmakers to visit Taiwan
this month.
According to the foreign ministry, it will be meeting with President Tsai
Ing-wen and other senior officials to discuss cross-strait issues,
democratic values, bilateral (雙邊) economic and trade relations and
cooperation on semiconductors.
The delegation will also visit Yilan County and Tainan City.
Richard will be leading a delegation that includes three other members of the
friendship group as well as the group's secretary.
Number of Black-Faced Spoonbills Hits Record High
A survey by the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society shows that the number of
black-faced spoonbills wintering in Taiwan topped 4,000 for the first time
this year.
That figure accounted for nearly two-thirds of the endangered (瀕危)
waterbird's global population.
The number of black-faced spoonbills counted in Taiwan rose by 10.6-per cent
from 2022 to a record 4,288, making up 64-per cent of the species' global
population.
More than 90-per cent of the wintering black-faced spoonbills in Taiwan were
counted in the southwestern part of the island - with Tainan recording the
highest number of spoonbills with 2,279, or around 54-per cent of the
national total.
Evacuations from Sudan
High stakes evacuations have been made by a number of nations including the
United States of their diplomatic personnel from Sudan's capital Khartoum…
…where fighting between the military and an opposing (對立的) armed group
called the Rapid Support forces or RSF - shows no signs of abating after more
than a week.
Jagruti Dave reports from Washington.
Subject: Mexico Prez Suspends Tour Due to COVID19
Mexico’s president has suspended a tour of the Yucatan peninsula after
acknowledging he tested positive for the coronavirus, having previously
suffered two bouts of COVID-19.
President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrado wrote in his social media accounts
Sunday that “it isn’t serious.”
The comment came after reports in the local press that Lopez Obrador felt
faint Sunday morning and had to cancel his tour, something his presidential
spokesman later denied (否認).
Lopez Obrador says he will isolate for “a few days” in Mexico City.
The president was ill with COVID-19 in early 2021 and again in January 2022.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 69-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,777
on turnover of $2.7-billion N-T.
The market ground on Thursday and moved in a narrow range throughout the
session, as investors reacted to a lackluster (無生氣的) performance on Wall
Street overnight.
Although Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing bucked the downturn, to provide
some support to the broader market, many other large-cap tech stocks as well
as non-electronics stocks came under pressure.
FM No Committal on Tasi's APEC attendance
Foreign Minister Joseph Wu says Taiwan will "discuss" President Tsai
Ing-wen's possible attendance at November's APEC leaders' meeting in San
Francisco "with other countries."
The statement comes after U-S lawmakers called for Tsai to represent Taiwan
at the annual summit by Tsai instead of a proxy.
The letter to U-S Secretary of State Antony Blinken was signed by 21 House
Republicans.
Speaking on the sidelines of a legislative hearing, the foreign minister said
Taiwan will hold talks with other countries involved "to make the best
arrangements (安排)" for the island's participation at this year's APEC
leaders' summit.
Rain Dumps Nearly 20million Tons of Water into Reservoirs
The Water Resources Agency says the heavy rain that lashed the island on
Thursday dumped 19.12-million tons of water into the island's reservoirs.
According to agency deputy director Wang I-feng, the Li-Yu-Tan Reservoir in
Miaoli saw the biggest inflow (流入), with 5-million tons of rain water.
That was followed by the Shihmen Reservoir in Taoyuan, which registered an
inflow of some 3-million tons of rain water.
Wang says that means the Shihmen Reservoir will have a stable water supply
until the end of June.
Sudan MIlitary Rules Out Negotiations
Sudan’s military has ruled out negotiations with a rival paramilitary force,
saying it would only accept its surrender.
The two sides continued to battle in central Khartoum and other parts of the
country.
A tenuous (脆弱的) 24-hour cease-fire ran out Thursday evening with no word
of an extension.
The military’s statement raised the likelihood of a renewed surge in the
nearly weeklong violence that has killed hundreds and pushed Sudan’s
population to the breaking point.
Many hospitals have been forced to shut down and others are running out of
supplies.
The truce had brought only marginal calm to some parts of the capital,
Khartoum.
Uganda President Refuses to Sign Bill Against Homosexuality
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has refused to sign into law a
controversial new bill against homosexuality that prescribes the death
penalty in some cases, requesting that it should be amended.
Museveni’s decision was announced late Thursday after a meeting of ruling
party lawmakers, almost all who support the bill approved by lawmakers last
month.
A spokesman for the presidency said Museveni was not opposed to the proposed
(提議) punishments but wanted lawmakers to look into “the issue of
rehabilitation.”
Museveni is under pressure from the international community to veto the bill,
which needs his signature to become law.
The U.S. has warned of economic consequences.
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Hou Yo-yi Visits Singapore for 'Diplomacy'
MAC Warns Against Ending ECFA
Japan's highest trade deficit
Spain's worsening drought
K-pop star Moonbin dies aged 25
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 5-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,874
on turnover of 2-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Tuesday amid investor pessimism over global
uncertainties despite China reporting better-than-expected economic growth
data.
Analysts also say that news that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing could
report a 5-per cent decline in first-quarterly net profit also weighed on
investors minds during the trading day.
T-S-M-C is set to announce its first-quarter figures tomorrow.
G7 Foreign Ministers Issues Communique Warning China on Taiwan
The G-7 foreign ministers are stressing their solidarity against China's
moves to alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait following talks in Japan.
According to a communique, the G-7 "reminds China of the need to uphold the
purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and abstain from
threats, coercion, intimidation, or the use of force."
The G-7 stated it "strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to change the
status quo by force or coercion" and said that peace and stability in the
Taiwan Strait are "an indispensable (必不可少) element in security and
prosperity in the international community.”
And the communique also called for "peaceful resolution of relevant issues."
Monkeypox Cases See Marked Rise
The Centers for Disease Control is reporting a new weekly high of 13
domestically transmitted monkeypox cases over the last week.
C-D-C deputy head Philip Luo says, of the new domestic cases six are from New
Taipei, five from Taoyuan and one from Taipei, while the other case is from
Kaohsiung.
According to Luo, the infected individuals have received medical treatment at
hospitals and health officials have identified 19 high-risk close contacts,
who have been asked to observe (遵守) self-health management for 21 days.
Taiwan has reported a total of 31 domestic monkeypox cases and nine imported
one since June of last year.
NKorea Kim Claims Spy Satellite ot Launch
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says his country has completed the
development of its first military spy satellite and ordered officials to go
ahead with its launch (發射).
He didn't say when it would be, but an outside expert expects a launch in
coming months.
Putting a satellite into orbit requires a long-range missile launch.
Kim was quoted in state media as saying space-based surveillance is needed to
deal with U.S.-led security threats.
The U.S. and South Korean militaries began a 12-day aerial exercise this week
and also held a naval exercise with Japan.
US Fox News Settles with Dominion Voting System
Fox News has settled with Dominion Voting Systems for $787 million, just
ahead of the start of a much anticipated trial for defamation.
As part of the settlement, the network admitted (承認) that some of the
claims made on air related to voter fraud in the 2020 election were false.
US correspondent Ira Spitzer has more.
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Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,967 on turnover of 2.8-billion N-T.
The market joined other regional indexes and gained ground on Monday, as
investors opted to ignore continuing worries about economic growth and
inflationary pressure and focused instead on upcoming earnings reports.
MOFA to open Second Representative Office in Italy
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it will soon establish a new
representative office in the Italian city of Milan.
When operational (運作，經營), the office which will be Taiwan's second the
country.
Foreign ministry officials the decision to open an office in Milan comes as
the government is seeking to facilitate closer trade and economic links with
that part of the country.
The office will also offer consular and emergency services to Taiwanese
expatriates living and working in the eight administrative regions in
northern Italy.
Nine Hospitalized Following Gas Explosion in Taoyuan
And,
Nine members of a family have been hospitalized following a gas explosion at
a residential building in Taoyuan.
According to the city's fire department, it received a report at 8:45 last
night of an explosion in a single story residence in the city's Zhongli
District.
Ten fire trucks and seven ambulances were dispatched (派遣) to scene.
Fire fighters say two adults and seven children, ranging in age from 1 to 14
years old, were in the house at the time of the explosion.
All nine family members managed to get out of the building, but the father
and two of his sons sustained burns.
An investigation into the cause of the explosion is now underway.
Yemen Prisoner Swap Carried Out
A Saudi-led military coalition has freed 104 more prisoners captured in
Yemen's war, a unilateral (單方的) release that followed an organized
prisoner swap amid renewed diplomatic efforts to halt the conflict.
The International Committee of the Red Cross said it flew on Monday 96
released detainees from Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport heading to
Sanaa, Yemen’s capital.
Sanaa has been held for years by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Eight others went on a flight to Aden.
US Man Charged with Shooting Black Teen
Prosecutors in the US state of Missouri have announced charges against a
white man in his eighties, who is accused of shooting a black teenager.
Ralph Yarl's family says the 16 year old - who remains in the hospital -
rang the doorbell at the wrong house while trying to pick up his younger
siblings (弟弟妹妹).
US correspondent Ira Spitzer has more
Kuwait Crown Prince Orders
Kuwait’s crown prince has ordered its parliament again dissolved and new
elections for the country after a court decision reinstated lawmakers from
2020.
Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmed Al Jaber made the announcement in an address to the
nation Monday, calling it the will of the Kuwaiti people.
That's according to the state-run KUNA news agency.
Elections were scheduled within the next two months.
In March, Kuwait’s Constitutional Court threw out a 2022 election for
parliament, citing “discrepancies” in the decree (法令) dissolving the 2020
parliament for its ruling.
That briefly reinstated the former lawmakers.
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Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 5-points this morning from Friday's close, at 15,934 on
turnover of 2.2-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Friday following a technical rebound from a slump
the previous session, as investors took cues from a rally on Wall Street
overnight on the back of moderating inflation figures out of America.
The bellwether electronics sector led the upturn, while select "military
concept" and tourism stocks also lent additional support to the broader
market.
MODA to Invest NT$6billion in Wartime Telecommunications Resiliency
The Ministry of Digital Affairs has announced plans to invest 6-billion N-T
in a four-year Disaster Roaming program starting next year.
The ministry says the move is part government efforts to strengthen
telecommunication resiliency in cases of emergencies such as war.
According to the ministry, the program will seek to enable (使能夠) domestic
telecoms operators to "recognize" each other's customers in order to support
each other with services that ensure Voice over Internet Protocol
communication can continue in the event of a conflict.
When completed, the program will only request adjustments from telecom
companies, and customers will not be required to upgrade their devices.
New Taima to Begin Regular Keelung to Matsu Trips in June
And,
President Tsai Ing-wen and Premier Chen Chien-jen have attended a ceremony to
marking the maiden voyage of the New Taima ferry from Keelung to Matsu.
The ferry has the capacity to carry 642 passengers and 45 cars.
It also has four 20-foot freezers to carry foodstuffs (食品) and other goods
to the outlying islands.
The ferry is now set to begin to regular services from Keelung to the islands
of Nangan and Dongying on June 1.
Speaking at the ceremony to marking the New Taima's maiden voyage, Tsai said
she's aware that residents of the two island's having been waiting a longtime
for a new ferry service, and her administration has been working hard to make
that happen.
G7 Reps Discuss China Assertiveness
Top diplomats from G7 countries are agreeing to take a unified (統一)
approach to growing military assertiveness from China.
The foreign ministers are meeting in Japan ahead of next months G7 summit.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
Germany on EUIndonesia Trade Agreement
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Sunday that he will press for a trade
agreement between the European Union and Indonesia as part of his country’s
efforts to reduce its reliance on China for crucial raw materials.
Speaking at the opening of the annual Hannover trade fair, Scholz told
Indonesian President Joko Widodo that a trade deal between Southeast Asia’s
most populous (人口眾多) nation and the 27-nation bloc would create an
economic area with 700 million people.
Scholz said of the negotiations, which have been ongoing since 2016, that he
is “working to finally get this agreement across the finish line.”
The German leader said he was similarly hopeful about talks between the EU
and the Latin American Mercosur bloc, Mexico, Australia, Kenya and India
would go well as well.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 50-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,854
on turnover of $3.2-billion N-T.
The market bucked the regional upward trend and lost ground on Thursday, as
investors remained cautious despite signs that U-S inflation is easing and
the Federal Reserve expects fewer interest rate hikes this year.
MND to Recruit 5,000 More Military Police
The Ministry of National Defense is seeking to double the number military
police officers in the coming years in an effort to strengthen (加強)
protection for the president and other senior government officials.
Reports say of the 210,000 troops in Taiwan's armed forces, only 5,000 are
military police offices.
That number is set to rise to 10,000 pending central government approval.
Taiwan's military police are a separate branch of the armed forces.
They are tasked with protecting government leaders, guarding strategic
facilities, and conducting counterintelligence operations.
US Air National Guardsman Arrested Over Intelligence Leaks
21-year-old US Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira has been arrested in
connection with the unauthorized removal and transmission (傳播) of
classified information.
The leaked material includes sensitive information regarding the war in
Ukraine, as well as on China and US allies.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington.
UN Groups on Surge in Darien Gap Crossing
Two U.N. groups say the number of migrants crossing the dangerous Darien Gap
between Colombia and Panama could soar to as many as 400,000 this year.
That would represent a huge increase from the 250,000 migrants estimated to
have crossed the roadless, jungle-clad route in 2022.
The U.N. agencies for refugees and migration said in a report Thursday that
around 100,000 people have already made the crossing so far this year.
If that trend (趨勢) keeps up, it could mean many more migrants seeking to
reach the United States through Central America and Mexico.
The groups called it “an unprecedented movement (of people) through the
Americas.”
China Sandstorm to Continue Until Sunday
Many areas in northern China are blanketed with floating sand and dust, and a
sandstorm is expected to sweep through parts of Inner Mongolia.
The National Meteorological Center says the sandy, dusty weather and strong
winds will last until Sunday, advising the public to take precautionary
(預防性的) measures to guard against poor air quality.
It renewed a blue alert for sandstorms, the least severe warning in the
country’s four-tier weather warning system.
The center's chief forecaster says the sandy and dusty weather began Sunday
in southern Mongolia.
As cold air moved southward, the weather spread to various regions including
northern and northeast China.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 44-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,888 on turnover of 3.6-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher on Wednesday, as Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing's negative performance eroded gains made by select old economy
stocks.
U-S inflation concerns also resulted in local investors turning cautious and
the trading day proved to be a tug-of-war between T-S-M-C and gaining
non-tech stocks.
French Office Insisting Paris' Taiwan Position 'Unchanged'
The French Office in Taipei is insisting that Paris' position on Taiwan "has
not changed."
The statement comes days after French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe
cannot become a "follower" of either the United States or China on the issue
of Taiwan.
According to the French representative office, the government has been "in
favor of peace and stability" in the Taiwan Strait and such position "has
never changed."
And the office says France has advocated (提倡) the rule of law and the
freedom of navigation and Paris is "deeply aware"of its "global
responsibilities."
VP Lai Picked as DPP's 2024 Presidential Candidate
The D-P-P has officially selected Vice President Lai Ching-te as its
candidate for the 2024 presidential election.
The party's Central Executive Committee approved Lai's nomination nearly a
month after he registered as the sole (唯一) candidate for the party's
primary selection process.
Speaking to reporters following his official nomination, Lai said the 2024
election is not a matter of "war and peace" but a choice between "democracy
and autocracy."
According to Lai, the election will also decide "Taiwan's direction, in terms
of the continuity of its democratic system, the happiness of its future
generations, and the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific."
Japan Withdraws Alerts After NKorea Missile Launch
North Korea has fired a ballistic missile, triggering a false-alarm from
Japan’s alert system on Thursday.
Warnings and evacuation orders were issued throughout the country after the
system wrongly predicted (預料，預報) the missile would land near its
northern territories.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
Prince Harry to Attend King Charles Coronation
Buckingham Palace says Prince Harry will attend the Coronation service of his
father, King Charles III, at Westminster Abbey on May 6.
This ends months of speculation about whether the prince would be welcome
after leveling charges of (控告) racism and media manipulation at the royal
family.
But Harry's wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, will remain in California
with the couple’s two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The coronation date coincides with their son’s birthday.
Harry’s attendance comes despite the rift within the House of Windsor
prompted by Harry’s decision to reveal family secrets in his bestselling
book, “Spare.”
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened flat this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,914 on
turnover of 2.1-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher on Tuesday, despite Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing coming under heavy pressure and moving out of investor focus
after reporting disappointing sales for the first quarter.
Global Parliamentary Group Slams Macron's Comments on Taiwan
A group of cross-national parliamentarians have slammed French President
Emmanuel Macron for what it's describing as his "ill-judged remarks" that
sent a signal of "indifference (不重視)" over Taiwan.
The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China is expressing it's "dismay" over
Macron's comment, which appeared in an interview with Politico and Les Echos.
Speaking in the interview, Macron suggested Europe should avoid being "caught
up in crises that are not ours" and said Europe cannot becom a "follower" of
either the United States or China on the issue of Taiwan.
According to the alliance, the comments are "severely out of step with the
feeling across Europe's legislatures and beyond."
Two Tech Universities to Merger
The National Taiwan University of Science and Technology and the Hua Xia
University of Technology have agreed to a merger proposal.
When completed it will be the first merger (合併) between a public and
private university in Taiwan.
Under the merger plan, the private Hua Xia University will not enroll
students for the 2023-2024 academic year and will close after the 2025-2026
academic year.
Hua Xia says it will come up with severance and retirement packages for
employees on termination of employment, while the National Taiwan University
of Science and Technology will hire some of them for project teacher and
staff positions.
The plan still has to approved by the Ministry of Education.
Brazil President Begins China Tour
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is beginning a tour of China to
strengthen his country’s political and business ties with the world’s
second largest economy.
His trip comes just weeks after visiting President Joe Biden in the US.
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
Iran President Reshuffles Cabinet
State media says Iran President Ebrahaim Raisi has announced a Cabinet
reshuffle, replacing the minister of agriculture and the head of the planning
and budget office.
The country’s dire (危急的) economic conditions, including inflation of
nearly 50%, have contributed to widespread anger at the government.
It was the fifth Cabinet reshuffle in less than two years since Raisi came to
power.
Meanwhile, Iran has seen waves of anti-government protests since the
September death of a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman who was detained by
the morality police for allegedly violating Iran’s strict Islamic dress
code.
The protests rapidly escalated into calls for the overthrow of Iran’s ruling
Shiite clerics, marking a major challenge to their four-decade rule.
Iran has blamed the unrest on foreign powers without providing evidence.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 10-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,886
on turnover of $1.6-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Monday, after investors reacted (反應) positively
to a report on the U-S jobs market, which was released after regional markets
closed last Friday.
Canadian Parliamentary Delegation Visiting Taiwan
A 10-member Canadian parliamentary delegation arrived in Taiwan for a
week-long visit.
According to the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, the multi-party delegation
includes the chair of the parliamentary Committee on National Defense and the
vice chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.
The delegation will be hold talks with President Tsai Ing-wen and other
senior government officials.
It will meet with representatives of the business community and local N-G-Os.
The Canadian lawmakers are also scheduled to visit the National Palace
Museum.
It is the second trip to Taiwan by a Canadian parliamentary group since last
October.
New Taipei to Ban Disposable Plastic Ups at Drink Stores from May
The New Taipei City Government has announced that beverage shops will be
required to stop providing single-use plastic cups from next month.
According to the city's Environmental Protection Department, the move is
aimed at cutting down on plastic waste.
The department says the 2,704 beverage shops in New Taipei will be banned
from using disposable plastic cups, including those made from bioplastic
polylactic acid, with effect from May 1.
Under the regulation, beverage shops that continue to provide single-use
plastic cups will face a fine of up to 6,000 N-T for violating the Waste
Disposal Act.
Officials say the ban is expected to reduce (減少) the use of disposable
plastic cups in the city by about 368-million per year.
New Taipei is the second city to ban single-use plastic cups, following a
similar decision by Taipei City last December.
NKorea Leader Vows to Enhance Nuclear Arsenal
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to enhance his nuclear arsenal in
“practical and offensive” ways.
State media said Tuesday he made the remarks while meeting with military
officials to discuss war preparations in the face of their rivals’ “frantic
(瘋狂的)” military exercises.
The commission discussed strengthening North Korea’s defense capacities and
perfecting its war preparations.
The U.S. and South Korean militaries conducted field exercises last month and
naval and air force drills involving an aircraft carrier and U.S. bombers.
KCNA claimed the drills simulated all-out war against North Korea.
The United States and South Korea say their exercises are defensive.
US Classified Leak Origins
More details are emerging (出現) about the origin of leaked classified
documents.
AP correspondent Norman Hall reports.
Slovenia French Citizens Rescued Off Mountain
Slovenia’s emergency mountain teams say they have rescued four French
citizens who were stuck in bad weather in the Alps.
Monday’s operation on the Skuta mountain came a day after dozens of
emergency officers used helicopters to rescue another five people swept away
by an avalanche in an Alpine region further north.
The five were part of a group of seven people attending a mountaineering
(登山) course when the avalanche hit.
Three people were seriously injured.
The French citizens were unharmed.
Slovenia’s rescue service has urged mountaineers to avoid climbing in bad
weather.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 14 -points this morning from Friday's close, at 15,850
on turnover of 2-billion N-T.
The market moved slightly higher on Friday, despite investors erring on the
side of caution ahead of the release of a U-S job market update that traders
are hoping will encourage America's central bank to ease off on plans for
more interest rate hikes.
AIT Reports US Monitoring Chinese Military Drills Around Taiwan
The American Institute in Taiwan says the U-S is closely monitoring China's
military exercises around Taiwan.
According to A-I-T, channels of communication with Beijing remain open and
Washington has "repeatedly asked China to show restraint and refrain from
unilaterally (單方地) altering the status quo."
Reuters is citing an A-I-T spokesperson as saying the U-S is "comfortable and
confident" that it has the means to maintain peace and stability in the
region.
The statements comes as Beijing is continuing to a conduct drills around
Taiwan on response to President Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with U-S House Speaker
Kevin McCarthy last week.
Tai Tzu-ying Plans to Retire at End of 2024
And,
Tai Tzu-ying has revealed that she plans to retire from badminton at the end
of next year.
According to Tai, she will cease playing on the professional circuit "even if
she still can still play then."
Tai has talked about retiring from time to time over the past two years, but
this is the first time she has pinpointed an exact timeframe - and her plans
imply that the Paris 2024 Olympics will probably be her last competition.
The 28 year old is currently ranked fourth in the world in the Badminton
World Federation women's singles rankings.
Tai began competing internationally at age 15 and has won three All England
Open titles and three B-W-F World Tour Finals titles.
She also won silver at the Tokyo Olympics.
France Fire in Collapsed Building
Officials say eight people remain missing after the building they lived in
exploded and collapsed early Sunday near the port of Marseille.
Mounds of burning debris hampered rescue operations Sunday.
More than 100 firefighters worked to extinguish flames deep within the
rubble, but more than 17 hours later, officials said the situation remained
unstable.
Five people suffered minor injuries from the collapse, which occurred shortly
before 1 a.m. local time.
A neighboring building also came down.
Officials say the presence of the fire under the debris means both water and
flame-extinguishing foam could also be danger to people trapped underneath.
Robots were reportedly being deployed.
US Health Secretary Criticizes Abortion Pill Ruling
A top US health official says nothing is off the table when it comes to
making sure a commonly-used abortion pill remains available to women.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 45-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,856
on turnover of $1.7-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Thursday, as investors turned their attention to
upcoming earnings reports and other economic indicators.
Leofoo Village Fined Following Baboon Escape
The Hsinchu County Government says it has fined the Leofoo Village Theme Park
50,000 N-T for negligence that resulted in the escape of one of its baboons.
The county government's Agriculture Bureau says the theme park's operator
failed to realize that an animal had escaped, failed to notify local
authorities after discovering the baboon was missing and also failed to
properly assist authorities in their search for the animal.
The fine comes after the Forestry Bureau announced that it has given the
Leofoo Village Theme Park one month to improve its baboon facility and six
months to finish microchipping and registering all of its baboons
The case is also still being investigated by prosecutors - and the park could
face further fines and charges.
New Round of Online Monkeypox Vaccines Registration to Begin on Monday
The Centers for Disease Control says online registration for a new round of
monkeypox vaccine will begin next Monday.
According to C-D-C Deputy Director-General Philip Luo, the online
registration service will be available from Monday through Friday and the
vaccine doses will be administered at 48 designated hospitals islandwide.
As of Thursday, the C-D-C had recorded 23 confirmed cases, of which 16 were
locally transmitted and seven imported.
Nigeria Village Clashes Leave 50 Dead
Authorities say at least 50 people have died after two attacks on a village
in north-central Nigeria.
Local officials say three people had been killed on Tuesday, then gunmen
returned to thei village in Benue state and killed 47 others when they opened
fire at a market.
While there was no claim of responsibility, authorities said suspicion fell
on local herdsmen, who have clashed in the past with farmers over land
disputes in north-central Nigeria.
Benue state has been one of the hardest hit in the decades-long clashes
between agrarian communities and nomadic cattle herders in the West African
country.
US Republicans Oust Dem for Gun Protest
Tennessee Republicans have voted to expel their Democratic colleague Justin
Jones from the state's House of Representatives after he, and two other
Democrats, joined a protest in favor of stronger gun regulation on the
chamber floor last week.
The demonstration came just days after six people, including three children,
were killed at a Nashville elementary school.
Lawmaker are now debating expelling the other two lawmakers.
Toni Waterman has more.
Montenegro Elections Oust Djukanovic
Official results have confirmed a crushing defeat for Montenegro’s long-time
leader Milo Djukanovic in a weekend presidential election.
That marks his departure from the small Balkan state’s political scene after
more than 30 years in power.
The state electoral commission said Thursday that Jakov Milatovic, an expert
in economics but a political novice, won Sunday's presidential runoff.
Djukanovic led Montenegro to independence from Serbia in 2006 and to NATO
membership in 2017, despite strong opposition from former Slavic ally Russia.
Milatovic won around 59% of Sunday's vote, while Djukanovic had about 41%,
according to the final official results.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 29-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,838 on turnover of 5.9-billion N-T.
The market finished relatively flat last Friday as investors were cautious
about possible negative leads emerging during the five-day Tomb Sweeping
Festival holiday.
Tsai and McCarthy Reaffirm Strong Taiwan-US Bond
President Tsai Ing-wen and U-S House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have reaffirmed
the strong partnership between Taiwan and the United States and their
commitment to safeguarding regional stability.
The statement follows their two-hour closed door meeting at the Ronald Reagan
Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.
Speaking after the talks, McCarthy said he believes the bond (關係) between
the two sides is stronger now than at any time or point in his lifetime and
America's cooperation with the people of Taiwan will "continue to expand
through dialogue and exchange."
Meanwhile, Tsai said the presence of bipartisan Congress members at the
meeting and their unwavering support reassured the people of Taiwan that "we
are not isolated, and we are not alone."
Additional Pork Imports Amid Price Rise
The Council of Agriculture says it is not ruling out importing more pork due
to fast rising prices.
The statement comes after the hog trading price reached a record-high of
99.03 N-T per kilogram.
According to council, current price rises are being caused by a decrease in
domestic supply and a reduction (減少) in pork imports.
The department says the international feed price has increased by 17-per cent
over the past year and as a result of that hog prices are rising worldwide,
discouraging local traders from importing pork.
Data shows that Taiwan imported 9,913 metric tons of pork between January and
February of this year.
That was a decline of 48-per cent from the same two month period last year.
NKorea Criticizes US SKorea Drills
North Korea is blasting joint US and South Korea military drills as pushing
tensions to the brink of (邊緣) nuclear war.
Chris Gilbert reports.
French President on China Engagement
French President Emmanuel Macron says he wants to “engage China toward a
shared responsibility for peace” in Ukraine when he meets Chinese leader Xi
Jinping this week.
French officials say Macron plans to urge Xi in talks Thursday to use
Beijing’s influence with Russian President Vladimir Putin but didn’t expect
a big shift in the Chinese position.
Macron is accompanied by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Macron also said “several major deals” were due to be signed between French
and Chinese companies during the visit.
Brazil Former Prez Undergoes Questioning About Gifts
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has undergone questioning about
diamond jewelry gifts when he was in power, as part of an investigation into
whether he engaged in any irregularities in bringing the items into Brazil.
After Bolsonaro left the Federal Police headquarters in Brazil’s capital
Wednesday, it wasn’t know if he answered investigator’s questions or
exercised his right to stay silent.
Federal police are investigating whether three sets of jewelry brought into
the country from Saudi Arabia were public gifts that Bolsonaro improperly
tried to prevent from being incorporated into the presidency’s public
collection, or private gifts that Bolsonaro tried sneak into Brazil without
paying taxes.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 24.8 points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,849, on turnover of NT$2.66 billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex gained had gained ground on Thursday following a rally on Wall
Street overnight as investor concerns over the health of America's banking
sector subsided.
However, turnover for the session fell below the 190-billion N-T mark and
that decline is being attributed to (歸因於) a large number of investors
opting to stay on the sidelines ahead of the five-day long weekend.
Cabinet Approves Plan to Lower Preschool Teacher-Student Ratio
The Cabinet has approved a proposal to gradually lower the teacher-student
ratio in preschools and provide funding incentives.
The proposal was put forward by the Ministry of Education calls for all
public preschools that cater to (迎合) children between the ages of three and
six will be required to aim for a 1-12 teacher-student ratio beginning in
August of this year.
The ratio of 15 to 1 has remained unchanged since 1981 when it was
implemented under the now defunct (不復存在) Kindergarten Education Act.
The new policy will not be mandatory in private preschools.
AIT Head Lauds Taiwan as Global Partner
American Institute in Taiwan Chair Laura Rosenberger is lauding Taiwan as
being a "global partner" and says the U-S is working with all of its
partners, including Taiwan, to uphold (捍衛) key principles of democracy.
Rosenberger made the comments as she hosted President Tsai Ing-wen at a
banquet in New York.
During the event, Rosenberger hailed Taiwanese businesses and civic leaders
in the United States - describing them as being critical to the "diversity
and richness of American society and the stability of unofficial Taiwan-US
relations."
The A-I-T chair also stressed that Washington will work to ensure Taiwan's
meaningful participation in international forums.
UK to Join CPTPP
The U.K. has agreed to join an Asia-Pacific trade pact that includes Japan,
Mexico and Australia.
Britain says it's the biggest new trade deal it has struck since leaving the
European Union three years ago.
The agreement comes after almost two years of negotiations to join the
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or
CPTPP.
The government says membership will reduce tariffs on British dairy products
and other goods and remove red tape for U.K. services.
It's estimated it will boost the U.K. economy by 1.8 billion pounds ($2.2
billion) “in the long run.”
Critics say the deal is insignificant (微不足道) compared to Britain’s trade
with its neighbors in the EU.
Wall St Journal reporter detained in Russian on espionage charges
A US reporter working for the Wall St Journal has been detained by Russian
authorities on espionage (間諜活動) charges.
The Federal Security Service arrested Evan Gershkovich in the eastern city of
Yekaterinburg.
Jackie Quinn reports.
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Ma Mentions ROC During China Visit
High Prosecutors Office Touts Record-High Seizures of Controlled Drugs
Biden hosts Democracy summit
Brazil Reports 700,000th Coronavirus Death
New Cars Sold in EU Must be Zero-Emission from 2035
Ma Arrives in China and Talks 'Peace'
Post-Coronavirus Mortgage Subsidy Program to Begin in June
Nashville Shool Shooter had Drawn Maps and Done Surveillance
Germany Sends Leopard MBTs to Ukraine
UN Report Shows Evidence of Crimes Against Humanity in Libya
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 41-points this morning from Friday's close, at 15,873
on turnover of 2.2-billion N-T.
The market ended higher on Friday, as investors opted to shrug off concerns
about America's banking sector despite risks of recession overshadowing gains
on Wall Street overnight.
US Backs Engagement with Taiwan
The United States is vowing to deepen its engagement with Taiwan and is
encouraging all countries to do the same after Honduras severed formal
diplomatic ties with the island.
According to a statement issued by the National Security Council and the
American Institute in Taiwan, "regardless of Honduras' decision, the U-S will
continue to deepen and expand its engagement with Taiwan in line with its
longstanding one China policy."
The statement described Taiwan as "a reliable, likeminded, and democratic
partner" and went on to say the U-S "strongly encourages all countries to
expand engagement with Taiwan" and to continue to stand on the side of
democracy.
Tainan Temple Head Detained as Part of Shooting Probe
The Tainan District Prosecutors' Office has detained the head of the Ci-Ji
Temple in connection with its investigation into November's shooting
incidents on the city's Xue-Jia District.
The shootings targeted the a technology company run by former D-P-P Central
Executive Committee member Guo Tsai-qin and the local election campaign
headquarters city councilor candidate Hsieh Shu-fan.
According to the prosecutors' office, it has detained Ci-Ji Temple chairman
Wang Wen-cong on charges of possession of illegal firearms and of harboring
known criminals.
Wang was first questioned in connection with the case late last month
following the extradition from China of two other suspects.
US House Speaker on TikTok Legislation
US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says "The House will be moving forward with
legislation" on TikTok, following the platform's CEO's congressional
testimony last week.
McCarthy said the legislation would protect Americans from" what he called
"the technological tentacles of the Chinese Communist Party."
Jagruti Dave reports from Washington.
Florence Invites US Parents Students to View David
A Florence museum and the city's mayor are inviting parents and students from
a Florida charter school to visit and see Michelangelo’s sculpture of David.
The invitation comes after the school principal was forced to resign
following parental complaints that an image of the nude Renaissance
masterpiece was shown to a sixth-grade art class.
The board of the Tallahassee Classical School pressured Principal Hope
Carrasquilla to resign last week after the image of the David was show to the
art class.
Carrasquilla has said two parents complained because they weren’t notified
in advance that a nude would be shown, while a third called the iconic statue
pornographic.
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Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
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想要像魏嘉瑩、王Aden一樣發光發熱
就要站上#咖啡廣場音樂挑戰賽
咖啡廣場連續11年舉辦音樂挑戰賽
就是要讓世界聽見我們新聲代的不一樣 !
站出來，實現夢想➡️http://bit.ly/3YU3XbX
--
想要像魏嘉瑩、王Aden一樣發光發熱
就要站上#咖啡廣場音樂挑戰賽
咖啡廣場連續11年舉辦音樂挑戰賽
就是要讓世界聽見我們新聲代的不一樣 !
站出來，實現夢想➡️http://bit.ly/3YU3XbX
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 5.9-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,870 on turnover of $3.1-billion N-T.
The market recovered from early loses on Thursday as the semiconductor,
electronics and financial sectors rebounded to help the broader market to
close higher despite heavy loses on Wall Street overnight.
The rise came as foreign institutional investors continue to move more funds
into the region and the New Taiwan dollar strengthened against the U-S
dollar, which is making investors more confident that the U-S Federal Reserve
has slowed the pace (速度；節奏) of its rate hike cycle.
Central Bank Raises Interest Rates by 12.5 Basis Points
The central bank has raised its key interest rates by 12.5 basis points.
The move comes after the bank held its quarterly policymaking meeting.
It is the fifth consecutive quarter the central bank has raised interest
rates, as it continues efforts to fight inflation.
The latest rate hike means the bank's discount rate will rise to 1.875-per
cent - and that's the highest level in eight years.
The central bank has now raised its key interest rates by a total of 75 basis
points since March of last year.
2023 Taiwan National Indigenous Games to Open Today
The 2023 Taiwan National Indigenous Games is set to open later today.
The games feature participants from 17 of Taiwan's indigenous tribes, and a
delegation of New Zealand Maori athletes is participating this year.
According to the Council for Indigenous Peoples, it's the first time a team
from New Zealand has sent a delegation to the Games, which are organized to
boost (提高) exchanges between Austronesian peoples of Taiwan and the Pacific
region.
The 37 member New Zealand Maori team arrived in Taiwan earlier this month.
The 2023 Taiwan National Indigenous Games are taking place at the Taipei Expo
Park's Expo Dome from today through next Monday.
France Protests Against Pension Reforms
More than a million people have demonstrated across France against unpopular
pension reforms, with violence erupting in some places.
French unions are calling for new nationwide strikes and protests next week,
coinciding with King Charles III’s planned visit to France.
Violence marred a huge protest march in Paris as well as numerous (許多的)
other demonstrations elsewhere Thursday.
The Interior Ministry says the march in Paris drew 119-thousand people.
That was a record for the capital during the pension protests.
Polls say most French oppose President Emmanuel Macron’s bill to increase
the retirement age from 62 to 64.
He says it's necessary to keep the system afloat.
NKorea Tests Underwater Nuclear Drone
North Korean state media said the country has tested a new nuclear-capable
underwater attack drone with the ability to generate (產生) a radioactive
tsunami.
Analysts say it's designed to show North Korea has different means of
launching a potential nuclear attack.
Patrick Fok reports.
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Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
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想要像魏嘉瑩、王Aden一樣發光發熱
就要站上#咖啡廣場音樂挑戰賽
咖啡廣場連續11年舉辦音樂挑戰賽
就是要讓世界聽見我們新聲代的不一樣 !
站出來，實現夢想➡️http://bit.ly/3YU3XbX
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 48-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,711 on turnover of 2.2-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Wednesday following a rally on Wall Street
overnight after U-S Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the government will
guarantee bank deposits.
And buying emerged in local semiconductor heavyweights to lead the gains
across the main board, while the financial sector also attracted strong
bargain hunting.
US Chips Program Office Senior Officials to Visit Taiwan
The U-S Department of Commerce has announced that officials from its Chips
Program Office will visit Taiwan.
According to chips program director Michael Schmidt, the delegation will also
be visiting Japan and South Korea.
Schmidt says the aim of the trip to Asia is to promote cooperation in the
global semiconductor supply chain.
The Chips Program Office has not disclosed (透露) any details about Schmidt's
trip to Asia.
However, a senior Department of Commerce official is being cited as saying
the delegation will include the office's senior policy advisor and its
director of international exchanges.
MOFA Announces New Monetary Donation to Turkey
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the government will make another
financial donation to Turkey to help the country rebuild following the
February 6 magnitude 7.8 earthquake.
According to Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Yu, his office his office will
soon allocate (分配) money from the relief fund to make a monetary donation
to help the disaster relief effort in Turkey.
The donations will include 1.17-million U-S dollars for Ankara to buy mobile
food trucks to provide ready-to-eat food to people in the earthquake affected
areas and another 5-million U-S dollars to the Turkish Red Crescent Society.
Brazil Bolsonaro Ordered to Return Diamonds
A Brazilian government watchdog is giving former President Jair Bolsonaro
five working days to return to authorities a set of jewels he received from
Saudi Arabia in 2021.
All nine members of the government watchdog voted Wednesday in favor of
(贊成) requiring Bolsonaro to turn the jewels over to the state-owned bank in
the capital city of Brasilia.
Another set of jewels from Saudi Arabia estimated to be worth several million
dollars and also sent to Bolsonaro, according to one of his former ministers,
was seized by customs at Sao Paulo's international airport.
Bolsonaro, who has been in the United States since he left office in January,
is under preliminary police investigations at home since Brazilian media
started reporting on the jewels earlier this month.
Bolsonaro did not declare either set of jewels to tax authorities. Legal
experts say he could face prosecution in the case.
It is unclear whether the diamonds were a gift from Saudi authorities or not.
Beethoven's Death Being Researched
Nearly 200 years after Ludwig van Beethoven's death, researchers are
searching for clues about his health problems.
The AP's Ed Donahue reports. ((opens with music))
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 21-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,535
on turnover of 1.7-billion N-T.
The market staged a technical rebound on Tuesday, as buying was sparked by a
rally on Wall Street overnight as financial regulators' voiced strong support
for financially troubled banks.
The local financial sector got a boost from the recovery of U-S banking
stocks - as it outperformed the broader market, rising 0.92-per cent.
MOFA Stressing 'No Notification' from Honduras Regard Termination of Ties
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has yet to receive any official
communication from Honduras ending diplomatic relations and is continuing in
its efforts to salvage (挽救) ties .
The statement comes after Honduras' foreign minister was quoted as saying his
country has already sent a communication to Taiwan's Embassy informing it of
the severing of formal ties.
However, the foreign ministry here is insisting that no such formal
notification from Honduras dissolving the countries' diplomatic relations has
been received.
DPP and LDP Exchange Views on Diplomacy and Defense
Representatives from the D-P-P and Japan's governing Liberal Democratic Party
have held their first ever in-person talks in Taipei.
The two hour closed-door meeting was attended by D-P-P lawmakers and the
directors of the L-D-P's foreign affairs and defense divisions.
According to D-P-P lawmaker Luo Zhi-zheng, the talks focused on the two
party's diplomatic and national defense policies.
Luo says both sides also touched on (提到) the issue of Taiwan joining the
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
The D-P-P and L-D-P previously held virtual talks in August and December of
2021.
French Journalist Freed and Returned Home
French journalist Olivier Dubois has been welcomed home by President Emmanuel
Macron, one day after he was released in Mali.
Dubois was held hostage by Islamic extremists for nearly two years, after
being kidnapped in April 2021 from northern Mali.
Dubois was greeted by his sister and father at a military airport, southwest
of Paris.
The conditions of his release, including whether it involved a ransom, have
not been disclosed (透露).
An American aid worker was also freed in Mali on Monday.
US Man Sentenced for Capitol Riot Attacks
From the US….
A man gets a 4 year prison sentence for attacking police during the Capitol
riot.
The AP's Ed Donahue reports.
Mexico Monarch Butterflies Dropping
The number of monarch butterflies wintering in the mountains of central
Mexico dropped 22%, and the number of trees lost in their favored wintering
ground more than tripled compared to last year.
The director of Mexico’s nature reserves said Monday that frost and
“extreme temperatures” in the United States may have played a role in the
butterfly’s decline.
The area occupied by the monarchs in the mountains west of Mexico City
dropped to 2.2 hectares from 2.84 hectares a year earlier.
Each year the monarchs return to the United States and Canada on an annual
migration.
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Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
想要像魏嘉瑩、王Aden一樣發光發熱
就要站上#咖啡廣場音樂挑戰賽
咖啡廣場連續11年舉辦音樂挑戰賽
就是要讓世界聽見我們新聲代的不一樣 !
站出來，實現夢想➡️http://bit.ly/3YU3XbX
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 17-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,437
on turnover of 1.7-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Monday after moving in narrow range throughout the
session, as investor sentiment remained muted due the financial woes
affecting the U-S and European banking sectors.
Turnover for session dropped to below 200-billion N-T and market watchers say
that decline came as investors await the outcome of a policymaking meeting by
the U-S Federal Reserve, which is scheduled for today.
Ma Foundation Stresses "No High-Profile Political Meetings" Planned for China Trip
Ma Ying-jeou Foundation executive director, Xiao Xu-cen says the former
president is not planning to meet with any top Chinese political figures or
visit Beijing during his upcoming trip to China.
The statement comes after it was announced that Ma will will travel to the
Chinese cities of Nanjing, Wuhan, Changsha, Chongqing and Shanghai from March
27 through April 7.
According to the foundation, Ma plans to worship his ancestors during the
Tomb Sweeping holiday and will also be leading a delegation of around 30
Taiwanese students to meet with their Chinese counterparts.
Central Bank to Focus on Inflation at Policymaking Meeting
Central bank deputy governor Yen Cong-da says the focus of this Thursday's
policymaking meeting will be on inflation.
Speaking in a hearing of the Legislative Finance Committee, Yen said the
central bank wil be considering economic growth, financial stabilization and
inflation when it adjusts (調整) its monetary policy later this week.
According to Yen, inflation is weighing on consideration as the consumer
price index has risen by more than the 2-per cent alert level for 19
consecutive months and that long period of high growth has boosted
expectations that it will continue to rise.
The C-P-I rose by 2.74-per cent over the first two months of this year
compared to the same period of last year.
Japan PM Invites Indian Counterpart to G7 Summit
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has invited his Indian counterpart
Narendra Modi to the Group of Seven summit and announced a new action plan
for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Kishida met Modi in New Delhi during his two-day trip to India.
The Indo-Pacific plan is a Tokyo-led initiative aimed at curbing (抑制)
China’s assertiveness and will include Japan’s assistance to emerging
economies, support for maritime security, the provision (提供) of coast guard
patrol boats and other infrastructure cooperation.
Kishida also said Modi accepted his invitation to participate in the G-7
summit of major industrial nations, which will be held in Hiroshima in May.
He told reporters later that he will also invite seven other heads of non-G-7
countries, including South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.
US Biden Signs Bill on COVID Origins Declassification
US President Joe Biden has signed a bill concerning the origins of COVID-19.
AP correspondent Lisa Dwyer has the details.
IMF Approves Sri Lanka Bailout Program
The International Monetary Fund says its executive board has approved a
nearly $3 billion bailout program for bankrupt Sri Lanka.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe's office says the approval will unlock
financing of up to $7 billion from the IMF and other international
multilateral financial institutions
About $333 million will be disbursed (支付) immediately, and the approval
will open up support from other institutions.
Sri Lanka last year suspended repayment of its debt amid a foreign currency
crisis.
The currency crisis created severe shortages of fuel and other essentials,
leading to street protests that forced out then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 1-point this morning from Friday's close, at 15,454 on
turnover of 2-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Friday as investors breathed a sigh of
relief (鬆一口氣) after the U-S and Switzerland appeared to rescue
financially troubled banks.
The bellwether electronics sector got a boost from big gains by tech stocks
on U-S markets overnight and served as an anchor to support the local main
board during the trading day.
Australian PM Stresses No Deal to Help US Defend Taiwan
Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says Canberra has not given
the U-S any commitment to join Washington in defending Taiwan in the event of
a cross-strait conflict.
The statement comes amid reports that such an agreement was reached as part
of the AUKUS negotiations.
Marles was asked during an appearance on the A-B-C's "Insiders" program,
whether Australia had explicitly (明確的) or implicitly (含蓄的, 不明言的)
given the U-S a commitment that it would join the ally in the event of a
conflict over Taiwan, in return for access to the submarines.
The Australian deputy prime minister said he's heard Taiwan related
"conjecture (推測) from a number of commentators and it's plain wrong."
Egg Wholesalers Slam Price Freeze and Threaten to 'Close Market'
A group of wholesale egg suppliers in Taipei is threatening to stop sales
"indefinitely" if the Poultry Association extends the current price freeze
this week.
The move comes a the association's production and marketing supervision
committee backed the freeze of the wholesale price of domestically produced
eggs.
However, the wholesale egg suppliers argue that such a price freeze is "not
sustainable (無法維持) and will hurt egg farmers and suppliers."
The wholesale price of eggs currently stands at 55 N-T per 600-grams, while
the farm gate price is 45.5 N-T per 600-grams.
The Egg Marketing Cooperative says it will consider wholesale price
adjustments, but that will depend on whether imported supplies are sufficient
to meet market demand.
China Xi to Meet with Putin
China is dismissing international concerns over its relationship with Russia,
ahead of a high profile meeting between the countries’ leaders in Moscow.
Beijing says the trip is designed to promote a peaceful end to the conflict
in Ukraine.
This comes after the Russian president visited the occupied city of Mariupol
in Ukraine, and attacks continue across the country.
AP correspondent Charles de Ledesma reports.
Croatia AntiShip Mine Safely Destroyed
Croatian authorities have destroyed a huge anti-ship mine from World War II
that was buried in the seabed near a key northern Adriatic Sea port.
Local authorities in the port of Rijeka sounded emergency sirens early Sunday
to mark the start of the operation.
They earlier had evacuated parts of the city while also halting (停止) all
traffic to secure the area during the removal of the bomb with 690 kilograms
of explosives.
Officials said that the bomb was first discovered last June.
It was positioned too close to the city and it had to be moved further away
before emergency teams performed the controlled detonation.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 117-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,338 on turnover of $2.7-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex joined other regional markets and lost ground on Thursday, after
Wall Street tumbled overnight as a plunge in Credit Suisse shares reignited
investor concerns about a possible bank crisis following the failure of two
U-S lenders.
Cabinet Seeks to Stiffen Penalties for Illegal Export of Seedlings
The Cabinet has approved a draft bill that could see those who illegally
export certain types of seedlings or their derivatives (衍生物) fined or
jailed for up to three years.
The move is part of government efforts to keep high-value indigenous plant
and fruit species in Taiwan.
The draft bill is a proposed amendment to the Plant Variety and Plant Seed
Act.
The bill was introduced after China suspended imports of Tainong 17
pineapples, claiming that it has already cultivated the same variety of
pineapples.
The draft amendment states that anyone who imports or exports seedlings, the
derivatives thereof or products made from such derivatives will face a
maximum prison term of three years and/or a fine of up to 3-million N-T.
Under the existing rules, such violations result in a maximum fine of
1.5-million N-T and no prison time.
Deputy Agriculture Minister Chen Jun-ji says the smuggling of valuable
species out of Taiwan to China and other countries undermining the island's
trade.
The draft amendment will now go the Legislative Yuan for review.
Japan SKorea Resume Diplomatic Visits
Japan and South Korea are vowing to resume diplomatic visits amidst (在其中)
warming ties between the two countries.
It follows the first in-person summit between their leaders in more than a
decade.
Chris Gilbert reports.
Colombia Ends Mine Rescue Operations
Rescue operations at a coal mine in central Colombia that collapsed earlier
this week have ended and officials say the accident had left 21 workers dead.
The mine near the town of Sutatausa collapsed late Tuesday following an
explosion that blocked (擋、堵塞) several of its entrances.
Rescue teams worked nonstop for more than 30 hours to find survivors and
retrieve bodies.
Provincial authorities say nine workers survived the accident, while the
relatives of miners who were killed were receiving support.
All of the workers who were at the mine at the time of the accident have been
accounted for.
Montenegro President Dissolves Parliament
Montenegro’s president has dissolved parliament and paved the way (做好準備)
for an early parliamentary election.
President Milo Djukanovic issued a decree dissolving parliament on Thursday,
three months after Montenegro’s last government fell in a no-confidence
vote.
Djukanovic is expected to set a date for the early election today.
He is running for reelection in Montenegro's presidential election on Sunday.
Analysts predict the voting will not produce a clear winner and that the
pro-Western incumbent will face one of several challengers in a runoff two
weeks later.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
想要像魏嘉瑩、王Aden一樣發光發熱
就要站上#咖啡廣場音樂挑戰賽
咖啡廣場連續11年舉辦音樂挑戰賽
就是要讓世界聽見我們新聲代的不一樣 !
站出來，實現夢想➡️http://bit.ly/3YU3XbX
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 53-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,334 on turnover of 3-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher on Wednesday after giving up early gains
amid ongoing investor concerns of a spate of bank failures in the United
States following the collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank.
China Lifts Import Ban on Taiwan Beltfish and Mackerel
China has lifted its ban on imports of fresh chilled beltfish and frozen
Atlantic horse mackerel from Taiwan.
According to China's Taiwan Affairs Office, the lifting of the ban is due to
the easing (緩和) of coronavirus restrictions and is aimed at "promoting the
healthy development of cross-strait trade."
China suspended imports of the two types of fish products from Taiwan on
August 3 if last year citing a "consideration of biosecurity risk prevention"
as it claimed that traces of the coronavirus were detected on the outer
packaging.
According to the Fisheries Agency, the Council of Agriculture has received
the relevant documentation regarding the lifting of the import ban from
Beijing and he's "happy to see China complying with international standards."
Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Tops Profit List Again
The Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital generated (產生) the highest overall
profit among healthcare facilities last year.
It's the sixth consecutive year that the hospital has topped the profit list
compiled by the National Health Insurance Administration.
The annual report is based on the profits made by healthcare facilities that
receive National Health Insurance funding in excess of 200-million N-T.
Data shows the Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital reported 3.47-billion N-T
in profit.
The report also shows that the percentage of healthcare facilities that
registered surplus revenue at the end of last year stood at 89.3-per cent, an
increase from 2021's 86.3 percent.
Cyclone Freddy Dissipates After Destruction in Mozambique Malawi
Monitors say Cyclone Freddy has dissipated after killing hundreds of people
in Mozambique and Malawi but flooding still threatens both countries.
At least 225 people have died in Malawi’s south and within and around
Blantyre, the country’s financial hub.
In neighboring Mozambique, at least 20 people have died since the storm made
landfall in the port town of Quelimane on Saturday night.
The cyclone has displaced 88,000 in Malawi and more than 45,000 are holed up
(躲起來、避難) in shelters in Mozambique.
The heavy rains are now flowing downriver and causing more flooding.
An official with Doctors Without Borders says the number of casualties will
increase.
Cyclone Freddy developed near Australia, crossed the Indian Ocean and has
caused destruction in southern Africa since late February.
US Trump Media Investigated for Money Laundering
Federal investigators are reportedly expanding their Trump investigation.
According to reports Federal prosecutors in New York are now looking at the
former president's social media company examining whether it violated (違反)
money laundering statutes.
Our correspondent, Jody Jacobs has more from New York…
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
想要像魏嘉瑩、王Aden一樣發光發熱
就要站上#咖啡廣場音樂挑戰賽
咖啡廣場連續11年舉辦音樂挑戰賽
就是要讓世界聽見我們新聲代的不一樣 !
站出來，實現夢想➡️http://bit.ly/3YU3XbX
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 65-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,425
on turnover of 4.3-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply lower on Tuesday.
Analysts say although investors are anticipating the U-S Fed will hold back
on its rate hikes to prevent liquidity risks following the collapse of the
Silicon Valley Bank, concerns are lingering that rate increases will not be
strong enough to tame (馴服) inflation.
NCSIST Unveils 'Suicide Drone'
The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology has unveiled
nine domestically developed drones - including a loitering munition, or
"suicide drone.
The domestically made "suicide" drone is based on the U-S made AeroVironment
Switchblade 300, which is currently being used by Ukrainian forces in the
country's war with Russia.
According to the institute's Aeronautical Systems Research Division, the
miniature loitering munition drone has a range of 10-kilometers, can fly for
15 minutes and can be carried by a single soldier.
It's equipped with a high-performance electro-optical and infrared sensor and
can be used to destroy high-value and high-risk targets.
Limited Cross-Strait Ferry Services to be Expanded in Coming Week
K-M-T lawmaker Chen Yu-zhen says the eligibility and scope of the limited
ferry services between Kinmen and Xiamen in China will be expanded later this
month.
According to Chen, R-O-C passport holders from Taiwan proper and their
spouses (配偶) will be able to use the ferry services, while daily trips
between Kinmen and Xiamen will also be increased from two to 12.
Chen says the expansion of ferry services follows talks between the Mainland
Affairs Council and other related agencies - at which it was decided to bring
forward the expanded service ahead of the five-day long weekend Tomb Sweeping
Day holiday.
However, Chinese independent travelers are still not included in the expanded
service.
US Drone Crashes After Russian Jet Encounter
The U.S. military says a Russian warplane struck the propeller (螺旋槳) of a
U.S. drone over the Black Sea on Tuesday.
The U.S. European Command said two Russian Su-27 fighter jets intercepted the
drone while it was operating within international airspace.
It said one of the Russian fighters struck the propeller of the MQ-9, causing
U.S. forces to bring it down in international waters.
US Air Force officials say the "unsafe and unprofessional act by the Russians
nearly caused both aircraft to crash".
Moscow says the U.S. drone maneuvered sharply and crashed into water
following an encounter with Russian fighter jets scrambled to intercept it
near Crimea, but insists its warplanes didn’t fire their weapons or hit the
drone.
US Biden Takes Steps to Strengthen Gun Control
US President Joe Biden has taken steps to strengthen (加強) gun background
checks.
AP correspondent Norman Hall reports.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
想要像魏嘉瑩、王Aden一樣發光發熱
就要站上#咖啡廣場音樂挑戰賽
咖啡廣場連續11年舉辦音樂挑戰賽
就是要讓世界聽見我們新聲代的不一樣 !
站出來，實現夢想➡️http://bit.ly/3YU3XbX
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 42-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,517 on turnover of 2.5-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Monday after recovering from early loses, as
investor sentiment improved following a decision by the U-S government to
guarantee (保證) that all deposits taken by the financially troubled Silicon
Valley Bank will be paid in full.
Buying increased in select large cap stocks in the semiconductor and
transportation sectors, while bargain hunters turned active late in the
session to push the broader market back into positive territory by the end of
the trading day.
MOEA Head Rules Out Extension of Second Nuclear Plant Service
Economics Minister Wang Mei-hua says the government has no plans to extend
the service of the second nuclear power plant.
The statement comes amid calls for the government to suspend plans to
decommission (退役) the plant's second reactor.
Decommissioning of the No. 2 generator at the plant in New Taipei will begin
today - on the expiration of its 40-year operating permit.
According to Wang the spent fuel pools at the plant are full and no new
storage facilities are available, making it impossible to continue to
generate power there.
Science Parks See Record Revenue in 2022
National Science and Technology Council chief Wu Cong-zhong says Taiwan's
three science parks posted revenue of 4.26-trillion N-T last year.
That figure is a 14.75-percent year on year increase and all-time high.
According to Wu, the Hsinchu Science Park's revenue stood at 1.61-trillion
N-T, the Central Taiwan Science Park saw its revenue stand at 1.17-trillion
N-T, while 2022's revenue at the Southern Taiwan Science Park hit
1.48-trillion N-T.
Of the three parks, the Southern Taiwan Science Park registered the biggest
year-on-year revenue rise of 35.48-per cent.
Integrated circuits were the number one driving force (推動力) at the science
parks last year, accounting for 77-per cent of the total revenue.
Russia extends grain deal
A Russian delegation at talks with senior U.N. officials says Moscow is ready
to accept an extension (擴大) to a grain export deal that has helped bring
down global food prices amid the war with Ukraine.
But it said it would accept only a 60-day extension as the Kremlin holds out
for changes to how the arrangement is working.
Jody Jacobs has more.
UK Steps Up Defense Spending
In related news…..
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to increase U.K. military
funding by $6 billion over the next two years in response to Russia’s
invasion of Ukraine and the challenge posed by China.
The increase is part of a major update to U.K. foreign and defense policy,
but is less than military officials wanted.
The extra money will be used, in part, to replenish Britain’s ammunition
stocks, depleted (消耗, 減少) from supplying Ukraine in its defense against
Russia.
Some will also go toward a U.K.-U.S.-Australia deal to build nuclear-powered
submarines.
Sunak met U.S. President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony
Albanese in San Diego on Monday to confirm next steps for the military pact.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 12-points this morning from Friday's close, at 15,514
on turnover of 2.6-billion N-T.
The market fell sharply on Friday as investors turned cautious ahead of the
release of U-S February jobs data, which is seen as one of the most important
factors expected to influence the Federal Reserve's ongoing rate hike cycle.
The local bellwether electronics sector came under heavy pressure, led by
large-cap semiconductor stocks, while a sell-offs were also seen in the old
economy and financial sectors, adding more downward pressure on the local
main board.
Premier Thanks US Congress for Taiwan Lend-Lease Bill
Premier Chen Chien-jen is thanking members of the U-S Congress for
re-introducing a bill aimed at authorizing Washington to lend or lease
defense equipment to Taiwan to deter Chinese aggression.
The "Taiwan Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2023," was put forth (提出)
by Senator Marsha Blackburn late last week and co-sponsored by fellow
Republicans Rick Scott and Marco Rubio.
The content bill is the same as the one sponsored by Blackburn last year.
That bill failed to make it through the Senate.
MOHW to Extend Coronavirus Herbal Drug EUA to June 2024
Health Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan says the emergency use authorization for a
traditional herbal formula developed here in Taiwan to treat the coronavirus
will be extended until June 2024.
According to the health minister, the extension is aimed at buying more time
for the availability of Ching-Guan Yi-Hau before it can obtain formal drug
certification.
Hsueh says an expert group will be formed in the near future to complete the
drug certification process for the herbal formula before the E-U-A is
terminated.
The statement comes amid reports the Central Epidemic Command Center could be
disbanded (解散) by the end in June.
SKorea US Begin Military Exercises
The South Korean and U.S. militaries have begun their biggest joint military
exercises in years.
In apparent protest, North Korea said it conducted submarine-launched cruise
missile tests.
The launches on Sunday signal North Korea likely will conduct more weapons
testing during the U.S.-South Korean drills that are to run for 11 days.
Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered his troops to be ready to
repel (擊退) its rivals’ “frantic war preparation moves.”
The South Korean-U.S. drills include a computer simulation and several
combined field training exercises.
The allies had scaled back such drills in past years to make room for
diplomacy and because of the pandemic.
Nicaragua Vatican Suspends Relations
Nicaragua ’s government says it has proposed suspending relations with the
Vatican days after Pope Francis compared President Daniel Ortega’s
administration to a communist or Nazi dictatorship amid a crackdown on the
Catholic Church in the country.
Relations between the church and the Nicaraguan government have been
deteriorating (惡化) since 2018, when authorities violently repressed
antigovernment protests.
Some Catholic leaders gave protesters shelter in their churches and the
church later tried to act as a mediator between the regime and the
opposition.
Pope Francis had remained largely silent on the issue, but in a March 10th
interview, he called Ortega’s government a “rude dictatorship” led by an
“unbalanced” president.
Nicaragua’s foreign ministry released a statement Sunday saying: “a
suspension of relations between the Republic of Nicaragua and the Vatican
State has been proposed.”
Ortega branded Catholic figures he saw as sympathetic to the opposition as
“terrorists” who had backed efforts to overthrow him.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Duck Egg Prices Climb Amid Chicken Egg Shortage
Roger Ng sentenced to 10 years for 1MDB scandal
Germany's shooting incident
Tensions escalating in Korean Pennisula
US actor Robert Blake acquitted
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 9-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,827
on turnover of 1.8-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly lower on Wednesday despite recouping most of its
early losses sparked by remarks from U-S Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell
- who warned that America's central bank could continue its current rate hike
cycle.
Foreign institutional investors turned cautious about further rate hikes by
the U-S Fed, but local investors remained willing to pick up bargains on the
local main board during the day's trading session to lend some support to the
broader market.
Kevin McCarthy Confirms Tsai Meeting
U-S House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has confirmed that he will meet with
President Tsai Ing-wen in the United States early next month.
However, McCarthy says that meeting does not preclude (排除) a possible trip
to Taiwan at a later date.
The U-S House speaker is also dismissing reports that the meeting in
California is being held to avoid possible confrontation with China and that
both sides were uneasy that a visit would severely increase cross-strait
tensions if he were to visit Taiwan
According to McCarthy, Beijing can't tell him where or when to go and the
Taiwan president just happens to be in America.
U-S State Department spokesman Ned Price is describing Tsai's travel as
"transit" rather than a "visit" to the United States.
More Newborns Eligible for NT$6,000 Cash Handouts
The Ministry of Finance has announced that babies born to Taiwanese citizens
before the end of this year will be eligible (有資格的) to receive one-off
cash payments of 6,000 N-T drawn from the government's 2022 tax surplus.
The ministry had previously said that only children born within six months
following the starting of disbursement of the tax rebates would be included
in the groups eligible for the payments.
However, the eligibility criteria has now been expanded to cover newborns
born by December 31, 2023.
Reports say the expansion of the cash handout program will require around
200-million N-T in additional funding.
Malaysia Summons Former PM for Abuse Allegations
Malaysia's anti-graft agency has summoned former prime minister Muhyiddin
Yassin following allegations of abuse in stimulus programmes launched under
his leadership of the country.
He's denied the accusations and described them as a political vendetta
(仇殺、仇殺).
Patrick Fok reports.
UN Criticizes Taliban Repression of Women and Girls
The United Nations says that since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, the
country has become the most repressive (嚴厲的, 強硬的) in the world for
women and girls.
The U.N. mission to Kabul said in a statement released Wednesday that
Afghanistan’s new rulers have shown an almost singular ( 特別的，奇特的)
focus on imposing rules that leave most women and girls effectively trapped
in their homes.
The special representative of the U.N. secretary-general and head of the
mission to Afghanistan, says it's ""been distressing to witness their
methodical, deliberate, and systematic efforts to push Afghan women and girls
out of the public sphere.”
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 38-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,819 on turnover of 2.7-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Tuesday on the back of rotational buying, as
investors opted to ignore lackluster (無生氣的) showings on Wall Street ahead
of an appearance before Congress by U-S Fed Chairman Jerome Powell.
Investors remained bullish on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, but chose
to pick-up stocks in electric machinery suppliers, due to optimism over
higher demand for energy storage equipment within the global electric vehicle
market.
Defense Minister Affirms Military Would Fire at Chinese Forces Within Territorial Space
Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng is stressing that comments he made earlier
this week concerning the military's opening fire on Chinese forces if they
enter Taiwan's territorial waters or airspace was "not meant as a provocation
(挑釁) to Beijing."
The minister says the comments were "simply a reaffirmation of the military's
job to protect the island's sovereignty."
Chiu also says that it's Taiwan's "armed forces' duty to mount an appropriate
response to such aggression."
The statements come after the defense minister earlier this week told
lawmakers that the military will fire at China's forces, including drones and
aircraft, if they enter Taiwan's 12-nautical-mile line.
Taiwan Farm Produce on Display at Foodex Japan
The External Trade Development Council says the Taiwan pavilion at Foodex
Japan is showcasing a wide range of special agriculture and aquaculture
(水產養殖) products.
According to the council, Taiwan's pavilion at the international food and
beverage exhibition features 136 exhibitors are operating 132 booths and it
is second largest national pavilion at the expo.
Nine county and city heads from Taiwan attended the opening of the food show
to promote farm produce.
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai is heading a delegation of 13 agriculture and
aquaculture businesses from the city to the fair.
While Pingtung Magistrate Zhou Chun-mi is leading a delegation of 10
companies from the county to participate in the expo this week.
France Protests Against Retirement Age Hik
More than a million demonstrators have marched in cities and towns across
France in a new round of protests and strikes against the government’s plan
to raise the retirement age to 64.
Unions called for more protests on Saturday while warning that the situation
could become “explosive.”
The government “must withdraw its project now,” unions demanded after an
evening meeting Tuesday to decide their course of action.
Garbage collectors, utility workers, train drivers and others walked off the
job across the country to show anger at the reform (改革).
Unions asked for an urgent meeting with authorities, saying government
silence is growing dangerous.
US Women Sue Texas for Abortion Ban
Five women have sued the state of Texas over its near total ban on abortion -
the first such lawsuit since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade last
year.
The women say they, and countless other pregnant people, have been denied
necessary and potentially (可能地) life-saving care because doctors in Texas
are afraid of running afoul of the state's abortion laws.
Toni Waterman has more.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
【企劃、製作、主持！Podcast入門心法全攻略！】線上課 1.5HR 報名連結：https://bit.ly/3YJqqIU
--
想要像魏嘉瑩、王Aden一樣發光發熱
就要站上#咖啡廣場音樂挑戰賽
咖啡廣場連續11年舉辦音樂挑戰賽
就是要讓世界聽見我們新聲代的不一樣 !
站出來，實現夢想➡️http://bit.ly/3YU3XbX
－－－－以上訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,763 on turnover of 2.4-billion N-T.
The market rose on Monday as buying was sparked by the gains on Wall Street
at the end of last week on the back of reduced concerns over rate hikes by
the U-S Federal Reserve.
The bellwether electronics sector led the broader market higher, while
semiconductor stocks also rose as they enjoyed the upturn seen by U-S tech
firms last Friday.
Defense Minister Warns China Could Enter 24-Nautical-Mile Limit
Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng is warning that China could seek to use visit
to Taiwan by high level foriegn officials as a pretext (藉口) to enter
Taiwan's maritime baseline of 24-nautical miles.
Speaking at a legislative hearing, Chiu said Beijing is actively looking for
excuses to further encroach (侵犯) on Taiwan's territorial waters and
airspace, and such visits could see China intensifying it's the military
threat towards to the island.
Chiu says along with entering Taiwan's maritime baseline, China could also
seek to approach the island's territorial space of 12-nautical miles.
The defense minister says that island's military is prepared for any possible
military response from China and the armed forces will "restrain itself" from
launching the first strike to avoid giving China an excuse to attack Taiwan.
Premier Attends Opening of Kaohsiung's New Cruise Terminal
And,
Premier Chen Chien-jen has attended (出席) the opening of Kaohsiung's new
cruise liner terminal.
The Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal is shaped like a whale and was built at a
cost of 5-billion N-T.
It took 10-years to complete and on Monday welcomed its first two cruise
ships.
The new cruise terminal will allow up 3,500 people to enter Taiwan every hour.
It has automated voice-to-text translation kiosks in four languages and has
26 gates for customs inspection, up from 12 in the old terminal.
Iran Supreme Leader on Suspected Poisonings
Iran’s supreme leader says that if a series of suspected poisonings at
girls’ schools is proven to be deliberate, the culprits (罪魁禍首) should be
sentenced to death for committing an “unforgivable crime.”
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has the final say on all matters of
state, and Monday was the first time he spoke publicly about the suspected
poisonings.
The incidents began late last year and have reportedly sickened hundreds of
children.
Iranian officials only acknowledged them in recent weeks and have provided no
details on who may be behind the attacks or what chemicals — if any — have
been used.
Unlike neighboring Afghanistan, Iran has no history of religious extremists
targeting women’s education.
US FBI Offers Reward for Kidnapped Citizens in Mexico
The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward to help find four US citizens who were
kidnapped in a Mexican border city.
The Mexican president says they crossed over from the US to buy medication
(藥物) when they were attacked by gunmen on Friday.
US correspondent Nick Harper reports.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
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咖啡廣場連續11年舉辦音樂挑戰賽
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 66-points this morning from Friday's close, at 15,675 on
turnover of 4.1-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher on Friday as Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing gave up early gains amid lingering concerns over rising
interest rates.
Although semiconductor stocks lost momentum, buying rotated to select old
economy stocks with transportation in focus, lending some support to the
local main board, as it breached (沖破) the 15,700-point mark by the end of
the trading day.
On-Campus Face Mask Mandate to be Relaxed Today
The face mask mandate on campuses and at educational institutions has been
relaxed from today.
It means students are attending classes indoors without face masks for the
first time in over 800 days.
The mandatory face mask rules are being eased in schools at all levels,
kindergartens, preschools, afterschool institutions and cram schools.
According to Central Epidemic Command Center spokesperson Philip Luo, the
move comes after a continuing decline in the daily number of domestic
coronavirus cases.
Luo says if the relaxation of face mask mandates in schools works, it will
likely mean the current (現行的) five-day home isolation for individuals who
have mild infections could be lifted by the end of this month at the
earliest.
Malaysian-Chinese Writer Wins Newman Prize
And,
Malaysian-Chinese Taiwan-based writer Chang Gui-xing has been awarded the
eighth Newman Prize for Chinese Literature at the University of Oklahoma.
Chang migrated to Taiwan in 1976 and got his Taiwanese citizenship in 1982.
He's the third Taiwanese author to win the biennial honor that recognizes
"outstanding achievement in prose (散文) or poetry that best captures the
human condition."
According to Chang, despite having won many literary awards in Taiwan and
overseas, the Newman Prize for Chinese Literature still means a lot to him
"because of this word 'Chinese.'"
Greece Stationmaster Charged for Train Collision
A stationmaster accused of causing Greece’s deadliest train disaster has
been charged with negligent homicide and jailed pending trial.
An examining magistrate and a prosecutor agreed Sunday that multiple counts
of homicide as well as charges of causing bodily harm and endangering
transportation safety should be brought against the railway employee.
At least 57 people were killed when a northbound passenger train and a
southbound freight train collided late Tuesday in central Greece.
The 59-year-old stationmaster allegedly (涉嫌地、據稱) directed the two
trains traveling in opposite directions onto the same track.
Also Sunday, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis apologized for any
responsibility Greece’s government may bear for the tragedy.
Russian Forces Target Bakhmut
Russian forces are continuing their push for the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, a
prime target (主要目標) for Moscow in eastern Ukraine.
AP correspondent Sarah Naffa reports.
UK King Office in Touch with Harry About Coronation
King Charles III’s office has been in touch with Prince Harry about the new
monarch’s coronation.
The move raises the possibility of the king's younger son attending the
ceremony despite tensions within the royal family.
A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan confirmed Sunday that Harry had received
“email correspondence (通信聯繫)’’ from the king’s office about the
coronation.
Buckingham Palace didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 23-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,621
on turnover of $2.1-billion N-T.
The market closed little changed on Thursday, as investors reacted to signs
that lingering upward pressure on American consumer prices are adding to
expectations the Fed could stick with higher interest rates for longer than
expected.
CECC Could Downgrading Coronavirus Classification by May
Central Epidemic Command Center head Victor Wang has announced plans to
potentially downgrade (降級) the coronavirus alert level and officially
disband the center in May.
The coronavirus is currently listed as a category 5 communicable disease
under the Communicable Disease Control Act.
A category 5 virus calls for the "formulation of preventive and control
measures or preparedness plans," including the establishment of the epidemic
command center.
According to Wang, the government may takes steps to ease epidemic protocols
after observing a steady decline in the number of domestic cases since the
228 long weekend holiday.
Drought Operations Center Opens in Tainan
The Tainan City Government has established a Drought Operations Center in
response to the lack of rainfall since last year, which has forced it to
lower water pressure.
According to Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che, the south is experiencing its lowest
annual precipitation for 30 years and as a result of that, the city
government has been forced to raise its water alert level from "yellow" to
the more severe "orange alert."
The move means that supplies of water for commercial (商業的) use will be
limited.
According to the Water Resources Agency, levels at reservoirs that serve the
Tainan are all below 50-percent of capacity.
Italy Pushes India on Russian War in Ukraine
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is urging India to play a central role
in facilitating (促成) negotiations to end the Russian war against Ukraine.
India, with the rotating presidency of the Group of 20 industrialized and
developing countries, could represent the needs of less-developed nations,
Meloni said following talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Modi reiterated his cautious stand by reaffirming that peace can be achieved
only through diplomacy and dialogue.
He said India is ready to support a peace initiative in that direction.
Both sides called for expanding cooperation in defense, green energy, digital
transition, cybersecurity and space.
US House Ethics Panel Investigating NY Representative
From the US…..
New York Representative George Santos is now under investigation by a House
ethics panel.
AP correspondent Norman Hall reports.
UN Names New World Food Program Head
U.S. Ambassador Cindy McCain has been appointed the next head of the U.N.
World Food Program, the world’s largest humanitarian organization which aims
to help nearly 150 million people confronting (面對) conflicts, disasters and
climate change impacts this year.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Food and Agriculture Organization
Director-General Qu Dongyu on Thursday jointly announced the appointment of
McCain.
She has been the U.S. envoy to the Rome-based WFP and FAO since November
2021, and the U.N. and FAO chiefs called her “a champion for human rights.
McCain will succeed David Beasley, who has led WFP over the last six years
including through the COVID-19 pandemic and the global food crisis sparked by
Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 18-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,580 on turnover of 2.7-billion N-T.
The market recouped its early losses on Wednesday to close higher, as
investors were encouraged by news that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
will not be cutting its first-quarterly sales forecast.
T-S-M-C saw its share price rise by 2.15-per cent to close at the day's high
of 522 N-T.
And that gain pushed up the electronics sector by 1.55-per cent, boosted the
semiconductor sub-index by 2.38-per cent and contributed more than 90-points
to the main board's overall rise for the trading day.
Agriculture Minister Sees End to Egg shortage by late March
Agriculture Minister Chen Ji-chung says he's anticipating that the current
national egg shortage could be over by the end of this month, as the
government is introducing short and long-term measures to address the
problem.
According to Chen, up to 5-million eggs will be imported from Australia by
the end of March to fill the current daily deficit of between 500,000 and
800,000 eggs
Those eggs will be first allocated to food processors so they can release
their stocks of locally grown eggs to meet domestic consumption.
The Council of Agriculture has also earmarked 1.8-billion N-T this year to
help local poultry farms renovate and modernize their operations -- which are
seen as a key measure to achieve full self-sufficiency.
The agriculture minister says more details of those plans will be published
tomorrow.
Water Restrictions in Kaohsiung to Begin Next Week
The central government announced that it will enforce water restrictions in
Kaohsiung beginning next week due to a lack of rainfall.
According to the Central Emergency Operation Center, the water alert level
for Kaohsiung will be raised from green to yellow from March 8, meaning that
water pressure will be reduced from between 10PM and 6AM.
Kaohsiung has been placed on green alert level, indicating that water-storage
levels are below normal.
The ministry says it is coordinating with the Water Resources Agency, the
Water Corporation and the local government to take water shortage alleviation
measures.
Greece Search for Train Crash Survivors Continue
Emergency workers are searching late into the night for survivors and bodies
after a passenger train and a freight train crashed head-on in central
Greece.
The collision just before midnight Tuesday killed at least 43 people and
injured scores.
It was the country's deadliest rail crash on record.
Greece's transport minister resigned Wednesday, saying he felt it was his
duty (責任) to step down.
The cause of the crash near the Vale of Tempe was not immediately clear, but
the stationmaster at the train's last stop was arrested.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has pledged a full, independent
investigation.
Japan Vows to Pursue Return of NKorean Abductees
Japan’s Prime Minister is vowing to pursue (追究, 追求) all measure possible
to resolve historical abductions (綁架) of Japanese citizens by North Korea.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
想要像魏嘉瑩、王Aden一樣發光發熱
就要站上#咖啡廣場音樂挑戰賽
咖啡廣場連續11年舉辦音樂挑戰賽
就是要讓世界聽見我們新聲代的不一樣 !
站出來，實現夢想➡️http://bit.ly/3YU3XbX
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 68-points this morning from Friday's close, at 15,435
on turnover of 7.6-billion N-T.
The market lost ground last Friday despite Wall Street breaking its longest
losing streak since December with a modest rally led by tech stocks.
Tsai Touts Need for Gov't 'Not to Make Same Mistakes' at 228 Memorial
President Tsai Ing-wen has attended an event commemorating the 76th
anniversary of the 228 Incident in Tainan.
She was accompanied by government officials including Premier Chen Chien-jen
and Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che.
Speaking at the ceremony, Tsai said the government "must not make the same
mistakes again" and she is determined to lead a free and democratic society
so that Taiwanese people could live with dignity (尊嚴).
Tsai praised the Taiwanese people for their courage, citing life stories
displayed in the Tainan 228 Memorial Hall and said her administration has
worked to promote transitional justice since she took office in 2016.
Tsai went on to say that government has also identified 42 "historic sites of
injustice" and that it's her goal to unveil history to foster more unity.
MOFA Seeking Assistance in Search for Missing Fishing Trawler
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says its requested assistance from
authorities in the U-S, Palau, the Philippines, and Indonesia in the search
of a missing fishing trawler (拖網漁船).
The "Sheng Feng 128" lost contact while operating in waters some 414 nautical
miles northwest of the port of Malakal in Palau.
Palau's Coast Guard has been assisting in the search and Indonesia's Maritime
Security Agency has also joined the search,
While the foreign ministry says a Philippine fixed-wing aircraft has carried
out searches of the areas where the "Sheng Feng 128" was last reported.
IAEA: Iran Enriched Uranium Particles Found
Inspectors from the United Nations nuclear watchdog have found uranium
particles enriched up to 83.7% in Iran’s underground Fordo nuclear site.
That's according to a report seen Tuesday by The Associated Press.
The confidential quarterly report by the Vienna-based International Atomic
Energy Agency distributed to member states likely will renew tensions between
Iran and the West over its nuclear program.
The IAEA report only speaks about “particles" and suggests that Iran isn’t
building a stockpile (儲備物、囤積物 ) of uranium enriched above 60% — the
level it has been enriching at from some time.
US Supreme Court Debates Student Debt Relief
The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments on whether to keep or get rid of
President Joe Biden's plan on reducing student loan debt (學生貸款).
The decision affects millions of people in the U.S. who have student debt,
particularly those with the greatest financial need who could get relief of
up to 20,000 dollars each.
Caroline Malone reports from Washington.
Dan David Prize Winners Announced
Nine emerging scholars of history from around the world have been announced
as winners of the prestigious Dan David Prize, with each awardee receiving
$300,000 to help further their work.
The Dan David Prize board said Tuesday it is recognizing the historians for
“changing our understanding of the past” by delving into under-researched
topics.
The winning research topics include dust in ancient dental plaque
(牙垢、牙菌斑) to illicit sexuality in colonial Nigeria.
The award is administered by Tel Aviv University.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 54-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,670
on turnover of $3.5-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Thursday, despite Wall Street seeing its biggest
one-day decline in two months overnight, after notes from a recent U-S
Federal Reserve meeting showed officials expect to keep interest rates high
to fight stubborn (固執的) inflation.
MOTC Planning Public Transport Pass
The government says it plans to introduce a 1,200 N-T monthly public
transport pass serving Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan and Keelung.
The pass that is likely to be launched in July and is aimed at encouraging
the use of public transport, which the government says was negatively
impacted by the coronavirus pandemic due to a decline in passenger volume.
According to acting Cabinet spokesman Lo Ping-cheng, families in Taiwan spend
about 12-per cent of their household income on public commutes, so the
monthly pass will help alleviate some of that burden (負擔).
The monthly pass will allow unlimited travel on public transport, including
local city/intercity buses, M-R-T lines, Taiwan Railways Administration
trains and bicycle-sharing services, in Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan and
Keelung.
FDA Plans to Make Trans-Resveratrol a Legal Dietary Supplement
The Food and Drug Administration has unveiled a draft regulation on the use
and labeling of a certain type of trans-resveratrol.
The draft states that the substance shall be considered a dietary supplement
(營養補充品) so long as the daily adults dose does not exceed 150-micrograms.
The regulation covers the use and labeling of trans-resveratrol derived from
the fermentation (發酵) of a genetically modified brewers' yeast, and states
that the end product must go through a purification process to rid it of
genetically modified organisms, or gene segments.
Suppliers and vendors found to have used noncompliant trans-resveratrol as an
ingredient will face a fine of up to 3-million N-T.
NKorea Claims Missile Test
North Korea says it test-fired long-range cruise missiles in waters off its
eastern coast a day earlier.
The U.S. and South Korean militaries didn’t immediately confirm the
exercise, which North Korea’s state media said were intended to verify the
reliability of the missiles and the rapid-response capabilities of the unit
that operates those weapons.
The launches would have taken place as the United States and South Korea held
a simulated military exercise in Washington aimed at sharpening their
response to North Korean nuclear threats.
KCNA said the exercise involved four missiles, which flew for nearly three
hours, drawing oval (橢圓形) and figure-eight patterns above the sea, and
showed that they can hit targets 2,000 kilometers away.
The U.S. and South Korean militaries have another joint computer-simulated
exercise and field training scheduled in March, which South Korean officials
say would involve the allies’ biggest live-fire training in years.
China Carries Out Mine Safety Checks
Chinese regulators are carrying out widespread safety inspections of coal
mining operations, as rescue efforts continue to find survivors from a
collapsed mine in Inner Mongolia.
Six people are known to have died, and 47 are still missing.
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening up 45-points
US Federal Reserve in favor of slower rate hikes
Ukraine Foreign Minister tells U.N General Assembly they will continue to fight
Philippines Plane Crash Victims Found on Volcano
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 22-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,541 on turnover of $2-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed slightly higher Tuesday after moving in a narrow
range throughout the session, after a lack of leads from overseas with U.S.
markets closed on Monday for the President's Day holiday.
The bellwether electronics sector remained weak on selling from foreign
institutional investors, and the financial sector suffered sell-offs amid
investors' unhappiness with E. Sun Financial Holding Co.'s dividend policy.
In addition, buying rotated to select old economy stocks, in particular in
the shipping industry, lending support to the broader market.
Poll:Public increasingly optimistic about U.S. troops coming to Taiwan's aid
A new opinion poll in Taiwan shows that the percentage of people who believe
the U.S. will send troops to defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion
is increasing.
According to the Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation, 42.8 percent of those
surveyed in February this year said that they believed Washington would
intervene (介入) militarily if Beijing attacked Taiwan, a rise of more than
8% compared with the same poll in 2022.
Despite the rise, 46.5% said that they did not believe the United States will
send troops to defend Taiwan, a year-over-year drop of 9%, while 5% percent
said they were uncertain.
The TPOF released the poll ahead of the first anniversary of the war in
Ukraine on Feb. 24 to gauge whether public opinion in Taiwan has changed due
to the conflict.
US Trump Election Probe Recommends Perjury Charges
A spokesperson for a Georgia jury investigating former President Donald Trump
and allies' election interference says they recommended indictments of
multiple people on a range of charges.
A report, partially (部分地) revealed last week, showed one or more witnesses
lied under oath when they testified.
Caroline Malone reports from Washington.
HK Revokes Chinese Scientist's Visa
Hong Kong has revoked a visa it granted to a Chinese scientist who set off an
ethical debate five years ago with claims that he made the world’s first
genetically edited babies.
The Hong Kong government revoked He Jiankui's visa hours after he announced
his research plans in the financial hub.
He shocked the world in 2018 when he announced he had altered the embryos
(胚胎) of twin girls, with many in the scientific community criticizing his
work as unethical.
He was convicted by a mainland Chinese court of practicing medicine without a
license.
He announced in Beijing on Tuesday that Hong Kong had granted him a visa to
explore opportunities.
But the Hong Kong government revoked the visa hours later.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 16-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,536 on turnover of $1.9-billion N-T.
Most shares in Asia were subdued yesterday, as a holiday in the US led to a
slow start for global stock markets.
Investors were still awaiting minutes from the last Federal Reserve meeting
for a hint of what's to come for inflation and interest rates changes.
Rights groups urge government to ease migrant worker vacation rules
Migrants rights groups rallied outside the Executive Yuan in Taipei
yesterday, to demand the government overturn what they called discriminatory
obstacles, faced by workers who vacation in their home countries.
Dozens of migrant workers led by the Migrants Empowerment Network in Taiwan,
and the Domestic Caretakers Union Taoyuan, held up banners and placards
urging the government to abolish (廢除) complicated border regulations that
they say target blue-collar migrant workers.
The DCU secretary says that unlike foreign white-collar professionals and
Taiwanese, blue-collar migrant workers have always needed to apply for a
re-entry permit from the National Immigration Agency, to re-enter Taiwan and
are required to enter Taiwan by the expiration date on the permit.
In addition, when the worker arrives in Taiwan, they are not allowed to leave
the airport on their own and must be signed for and collected by their
employer or an individual assigned by the employer.
Turkey New Quake Leaves More Dead and Injured
A new 6.4 magnitude earthquake has killed three people and injured more than
200 in parts of Turkey laid waste two weeks ago by a massive (巨大的) quake
that killed tens of thousands.
Officials said more buildings collapsed, trapping some people, while scores
of injuries were recorded in neighboring Syria too.
Monday’s earthquake was centered in the town of Defne, in Turkey’s Hatay
province, one the worst-hit regions in the magnitude 7.8 quake that hit on
Feb. 6-th.
It was felt across the region and followed by a second, magnitude 5.8
temblor.
Rescue efforts were underway in three collapsed buildings where six people
were believed trapped.
US Supreme Court Mulls Tech Online Speech Law
The US Supreme Court is set to hear a landmark case that could transform
(改革) the Internet.
Gonzalez versus Google is being brought by the family of a woman killed by an
ISIS gunman in Paris in 2015.
It will tackle whether tech companies should be liable for harmful content
promoted by their algorithms.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington
Egypt Unveils Newly Renovated Museum Wing
Egypt’s ministry of tourism and antiquities has unveiled a newly renovated
(重新裝修) wing of its oldest museum.
The new wing is home to a 16-meter-long papyrus scroll unearthed last year.
The refurbishment marks the first stage of broader renovations for the
120-year-old museum in downtown Cairo.
The new papyrus contains around 113 spells from The Book of the Dead.
The museum also has added modern glass protection and new interior lighting.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 28-points this morning from Friday's close, at 15,452
on turnover of $2.4-billion NT.
The market remained under pressure today, after swinging between gains and
losses over the past several trading days, following forecasts for weak Asian
markets due to continuing concerns over continued aggressive action from the
US Federal Reserve.
Man fined NT$17m in fraud case involving resale of 3,525 phones
A customer of Chunghwa Telecom Co. has been ordered to pay the company $17
million NT in damages.
The New Taipei District Court says he was sued for reselling 3,525 cellphones
he had obtained under Chunghwa's preferential contracts.
The man, surnamed Lin, began running the scam in 2016, after he set up a
one-man company that purportedly was conducting research into the wireless
charging of iPhones, according to a court ruling issued on Feb. 13-th.
With the subscription contracts, Lin obtained (獲得) 3,525 cellphones,
including iPhone and Samsung Galaxy models, which he paid little or nothing
for.
He then resold the mobile phones to vendors and wholesale businesses at low
prices, according to the ruling.
In the civil case, the court ordered Lin to pay damages of $17.64 million NT,
which would accrue an annual interest rate of 5 percent if it is not paid in
full.
The case is subject to appeal.
Lantern Fest Sees Over a Million Visitors on Closing Day
The Taiwan Lantern Festival saw over a million visitors on closing day
yesterday.
Taipei's Department of Information and Tourism says as of 10pm last night,
the four main festival display areas and 12 districts in the city saw more
than a million visitors.
And officials say the five MRT stations near the festival grounds recorded
180-thousand riders yesterday.
The department says the city government mobilized over 50-thousand workers
over the 19-day-long festival, including over 20-thousand police officers,
and over 1-thousand medical and fire emergency personnel.
Officials say the festivities brought an increase in business of 10-to-30
percent for many of the districts involved.
(NS)
NKorea Fires Missiles and Artillery
North Korea has fired two short-range ballistic missiles and artillery shells
toward its eastern waters.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected (發現，察覺) the two
missile launches from a western coastal town, just north of Pyongyang, this
morning.
It said South Korea has boosted its surveillance posture and maintains a
readiness in close coordination with the United States.
Japan's Defense Ministry said both missiles landed in the waters between the
Korean Peninsula and Japan.
It said Japan condemned the launches as a threat to the peace and safety of
Japan and the international society.
Also this morning, North Korea's long-range artillery units on its western
coast fired two rounds cross-country toward the eastern waters in response to
what its state media called the U.S.-South Korean aerial drills on Sunday,
according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency.
KCNA said the North Korean artillery rounds simulated strikes on targets up
to 395 kilometers away.
Biden heads to Poland
U-S President Joe Biden heads to Europe this week to mark a second year of
war by denouncing (駁斥) Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
He's also expected to publicly declare that the United States will support
Kyiv until the final moments of the conflict.
Shelly Adler reports.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 46.8-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,504 on turnover of $2.7-billion N-T.
4.6 Earthquake in Eastern Taiwan
A magnitude 4.6 earthquake has shaken parts of eastern Taiwan.
The Central Weather Bureau says the tremors struck at 9:22am, and was
centered 15.2-kilometers west-southwest of Hualien County Hall, at a depth of
18.7-kilometers.
The quake was felt most strongly in Hualien City and County, measuring an
intensity of 4 on the CWB's intensity scale.
The tremors were an intensity of 3 in Nantou County, and 2 in Taichung City.
(NS)
Navy launches third domestically made missile corvette
Taiwan's Navy on Thursday held a launch ceremony in Yilan County for its
third domestically (在國內) built Tuo Chiang-class corvette, naming it the
"Hsu Chiang" after a river in Keelung.
The Tuo Chiang-class corvette is a class of Taiwanese-designed fast and
stealthy multi-purpose corvette, built by Lungteh Shipbuilding Co. for the
Taiwanese Navy.
The Navy is set to build a total of 11 Tuo Chiang-class corvettes by the end
of 2026.
Based on a recent Ministry of National Defense report presented to the
Legislative Yuan, aside from the prototype, five of the Tuo Chiang-class
corvettes will be fitted with eight subsonic missiles, and four supersonic
missiles.
Keelung Water Suspension After Burst Pipe
Parts of Keelung are seeing their water services suspended today.
The Water Resources Agency says leaks were discovered earlier this morning,
resulting form a damaged pipeline, and repairs (維修) are underway.
But in the meantime, the WRA says water stoppages are in place for some
residents in Keelung City's Ren-ai, Xin-yi, Zhong-zhen, Zhong-shan, and An-le
Districts until around 11am today.
Officials say around 20-thousand households will be directly affected.
And another 40-thosuand will see their water pressure lowered.
(NS)
Japan Moves Toward Shooting Down Aircraft
Japan’s ruling coalition is agreeing to empower (授權) the defense force to
shoot down flying objects in its airspace.
Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo
Canada to Send Navy Vessels to Haiti
Canada says it will send navy vessels to Haiti for intelligence-gathering as
part of efforts to quell (制止，平息) worsening gang violence in the
Caribbean nation.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement Thursday in the
Bahamas at an annual meeting of Caribbean leaders.
A key topic at the meeting has been Haiti’s surge in killings, rapes and
kidnappings blamed on gangs emboldened since the July 2021 assassination of
President Jovenel Moise.
Also at the meeting is Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry who has pleaded for
a full-fledged international military intervention to stem the mayhem.
Haiti requested help from the U.N. Security Council in October and has
suggested the U.S. and Canada lead a force.
No such intervention has come together.
Mexico Expedites Visa Application Process for Some Cubans
Mexico has announced it will set up an expedited visa application process for
Cubans who already have relatives in Mexico.
The Foreign Relations Department said Wednesday the special visa appointments
will be handled at the Mexican consulate in Havana.
Economic and political problems in Cuba have caused an exodus from the
island, and many Cubans cross into Mexico seeking to reach the U.S. border.
Of the 40,000 Cubans who entered Mexico in 2020, 5,000 were returned to the
island and 20,000 were given some form of residency or humanitarian visa in
Mexico.
It was not clear what happened to the remainder, though many enter the United
States.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Government Extends Import Duty Reduction on 75%-Alcohol Product Materials
The Customs Administration says the reduced import duty on materials used to
produce 75-per cent alcohol products used as sanitizers or disinfectants has
been extended (延長) for another six months.
The import duty was first cut from 20 to 10-per cent in February 2020 at the
start of the the coronavirus pandemic and it has since been extended several
times.
According to Customs Administration, the decision to extend the reduction is
aimed at ensuring sufficient supplies of sanitizers and disinfectants due to
the on-going coronavirus situation here in Taiwan.
The reduced import duty will remain in place until August 26.
Figures show that as of January 31 of this year, 45.47-million liters of raw
materials have been imported since the duty was first reduced, resulting in
tax relief of 118-million N-T.
Average Hotel Room Rate Hit Record High in 2022
The Tourism Bureau says the average daily room rate at international hotels
in Taiwan hit a record high last year, despite relatively low occupancy due
to the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the bureau, data shows that the occupancy rate at international
hotels averaged 48.06-per cent in 2022.
That was the fourth-lowest in history.
However, the average room rate increased for a third consecutive year to
stand at a record setting 4,195 N-T.
EU Circulates Resolution on Russian Invasion of Ukraine
The European Union is circulating the resolution to be voted on by the U.N.
General Assembly on the eve of next week’s first anniversary of Russia’s
invasion of Ukraine.
It calls for a cessation (停止) of hostilities and a peace that ensures
Ukraine’s “sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity.”
There are no vetoes in the 193-member world body, so the resolution is
certain to be adopted at the end of a high-level emergency special session of
the assembly Feb. 23.
The assembly has become the most important U.N. body dealing with Ukraine
because the Security Council is paralyzed as a result of Russia’s veto
power.
While the assembly’s five previous resolutions on Ukraine are not legally
binding — as council resolutions are — they are important as a reflection
of world opinion.
Berlusconi Acquitted in 'Bunga-Bunga' Party Case
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been acquitted of bribing
witnesses to lie about his notorious "bunga-bunga" parties.
The 86-year old media tycoon had been accused of paying young showgirls and
others to give false testimony about the allegedly raunchy (色情的) parties.
The other 28 defendants have also been acquitted.
Berlusconi has faced many court cases.
However, he has denied any wrongdoing in all cases and accused prosecutors of
pursuing a political vendetta against him.
Raquel Welch Dead at 82
And finally,
Hollywood star Raquel Welch has died after a brief (短暫的) illness.
She was 82.
The A-P's Margie Szaroleta looks back at her career.
<
[CLIP]
Slug:
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
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新年新希望，今年一定要桃花不斷
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 156-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,497 on turnover of 3.9-billion N-T.
The market rebounded on Tuesday from the previous session on the back of a
rally on Wall Street overnight.
Investor interest in the bellwether electronics, financial and old economy
sectors lent support to main board, and helped it clear technical resistance
near the 15,600 point mark.
However, turnover remained thin, as investors awaited the release of U-S
inflation data for January.
President Tsai Ing-wen Reportedly Slated to Visit US
Reports say President Tsai Ing-wen could travel to United States in May or
June to give a speech at Cornell University.
Tsai obtained a Master of Laws degree at Cornell in 1980.
The Presidential Office has not confirmed that such trip is in the planning
stage (規劃階段), but several D-P-P lawmakers have said it could take place
in the first half of this year, prior to the run up to next year's
presidential elections.
Tsai last visited the U-S in January of 2017, when she transited there on the
way to during a four country trip to Latin America.
Reports are also saying Tsai could travel to Guatemala next month to co-host
the event with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei.
Taiwan Search and Rescue Team in Turkey Finds Man 198 Hours After Earthquake
Members of a Taiwan search and rescue team operating in Turkey's Adiyaman
province have pulled an 18-year-old man out of the rubble and building, where
he had been trapped for 198 hours following last week's earthquake.
According to the information on the International Headquarters S.A.R's
website, it took the team and local rescue workers, roughly four hours to
pull the man from the rubble.
Members of the two Taiwan search rescue teams sent to Turkey, along with
their search and rescue dogs, are scheduled to arrive back in Taiwan this
afternoon on a special EVA Airways charter flight.
Chinese Leader Expresses Support for Iran
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has expressed support for Iran during a visit by
its president as Tehran tries to expand relations with Beijing and Moscow to
offset Western sanctions over its nuclear development.
Xi expressed support for Raisi’s government, saying “China supports Iran in
safeguarding national sovereignty” and “resisting unilateralism (單邊主義)
and bullying” .
Beijing says Xi and Raisi attended the signing of 20 cooperation agreements
including trade and tourism.
Those add to a 25-year strategy agreement signed in 2021 to cooperate in
developing oil, industry and other fields.
China is one of the biggest buyers of Iranian oil and a source of investment.
NATO Continues Military Support for Ukraine
NATO will continue to send military support to Ukraine as pressure from
Russia continues to build.
Alex Cadier reports from Brussels
NZ Preps for Final Rescues After Cyclone
New Zealand authorities expect to make the final rescues soon after a cyclone
brought extensive flooding and landslides that claimed at least two lives.
Cyclone Gabrielle struck the country’s north Monday and has brought more
destruction to the nation of 5 million than any weather event in years.
Emergency officials say the body of a volunteer firefighter had been
retrieved (尋回) from a landslide that destroyed a flooded house near
Auckland on Hawke’s Bay.
They say a woman has also been killed by a landslide in the Hawke’s Bay
area.
Helicopters will help make the final 25 rescues of individuals and family
groups today
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 40-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,584
on turnover of 2.1-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Monday and followed most other regional indexes
lower, as investors awaited a U-S inflation update that traders worry might
lead to more interest rate hikes by America's central bank.
Hsiao Bi-khim Touts More US Congressional Taiwan Visits
Taiwan's top envoy to the U-S says American congressional representatives
remain highly interested in visiting Taiwan and such delegations will
continue to visit Taiwan, regardless of (無論如何，不顧) threats from China.
The statement comes amid reports that members of a U-S House of
Representatives special committee on China are planning to visit Taiwan in
the coming months.
Speaking to reporters following a meeting with members of the Legislative
Foreign and National Defense Committee, Hsiao didn't say whether it has been
confirmed that members of the U-S special committee on China will be holding
"a field hearing in Taiwan."
According to Hsiao, no details concerning such a visit have been discussed,
but her office would help make the arrangements if need be.
()
KMT Vice Chairman Touts Aims of China Trip Met
K-M-T Vice Chairman Andrew Hsia says his visit to China has achieved the
three main goals of its trip and expects more such exchanges in the future.
Hsia says the main purposes of the trip were to look after the needs of
Taiwanese based in China, convey the problems regulations have caused small
and medium-sized enterprises and to get to know the new Chinese officials in
charge of Taiwan affairs.
Hsia arrived in China last Wednesday, and since then he has held talks with
officials including Sung Tao, the head of the Taiwan Affairs Office.
And he says he will continue to meet with Taiwanese businessmen in other
Chinese cities to learn of their difficulties (困難).
Syrian President Approves More Border Crossings for UN
Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has approved the use of two additional
border crossings to be used by the United Nations.
The U.N met with al-Assad on Monday to urge (敦促) him to open the crossings
as they needed to get more to rebel controlled north-west Syria.
Jody Jacobs has more from the UN.
Pakistan to Impose New Taxes for Bailout
Officials and analysts say cash-strapped Pakistan will impose billions in new
taxes to help secure a massive bailout, but they warned the move could cause
inflation to escalate.
The grim outlook came as the impoverished nation prepares to impose taxes of
170 billion rupees in a bid to convince the International Monetary Fund to
revive a $6 billion bailout.
Last week, the IMF delayed the release of a crucial $1.1 billion portion
(]部分) of the bailout that has been on hold since December over Pakistan's
failure to meet the terms of a previous deal.
The stalemate in talks was seen as a blow to the government of Prime Minister
Shahbaz Sharif, who is struggling to avoid a default.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 21-points this morning from Friday's close, at 15,564
on turnover of 2.6-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly lower on Friday as investor sentiment turned
cautious after Wall Street lost ground amid renewed concerns over an
aggressive (積極的)Federal Reserve.
Although stocks across the board remained largely weak, select large-cap tech
and financial stocks appeared resilient, providing some support to the
broader market to prevent further losses by the close of Friday's session.
Taiwan Search and Rescue Teams to Leave Turkey
The National Fire Agency says Taiwan's search and rescue teams that have
operating on southern Turkey since last week are scheduled to arrive back in
Taiwan on Wednesday afternoon.
According to the agency, all 130 personnel and five search and rescue dogs
are now leaving the disaster zone ( 災區) and heading to Adiyaman Airport in
batches.
They will fly out of Istanbul Airport Tuesday evening on a special EVA
Airways charter flight.
Taiwan's search and rescue teams are known to have pulled three people from
the rubble of collapsed buildings since they arrived in southern Turkey last
week.
Over 1 Million Visit Taiwan Lantern Festival
The Tourism Bureau says more than 1-million people visited the Taiwan Lantern
Festival in Taipei on Saturday.
That's the highest single-day figure so far for this year's event.
The bureau is attributing the mild and dry weather over the weekend for the
huge turnout and the surge (急遽上升) in volume of traffic across Taipei's 12
districts, each of which hosts a lantern display.
Figures show that number of passengers using the five M-R-T stations that are
near the major displays was more than 300,000 on Saturday - and that's an
increase of around 130,000 from last year's Taipei Lantern Festival.
The 2023 Taiwan Lantern Festival runs until February 19.
US Shoots Down Flying Object Near Great Lakes
The United States military has brought down a fourth flying object over Lake
Huron in Michigan near the US Canada border.
The incident (事件) was confirmed by the state's governor who said she'd been
in contact with the federal government.
Our Washington correspondent Jagruti Dave has more.
Arab Islamic Leaders Condemn Israel Actions in West Bank
Dozens of leaders and senior officials from Arab and Islamic countries have
condemned recent Israeli measures in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank,
where violence has surged between Israel and the Palestinians.
The meeting in Cairo on Sunday was hosted by the Arab League and attended by
President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt, Jordan’s King Abdullah II and
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Speakers at the meeting condemned (譴責) Israel’s “unilateral measures” in
Jerusalem and the West Bank, including home demolitions and expanding
settlements.
They also condemned visits by Israeli officials to the city’s contested holy
site, which is sacred to both Jews and Muslims and has often been the
epicenter of Israeli-Palestinian unrest.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 29-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,627
on turnover of $3.5-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex lost ground on Thursday, as other regional markets ended the
trading day mixed amid lingering investor uncertainty over interest rate
hikes and inflation.
iRent Fined for Data Leak
The Ministry of Transport and the Taipei City Government have both fined
vehicle rental and sharing services platform iRent for it failure to properly
protect is users data.
According to the Directorate General of Highways, it opened an investigation
in to the company on February 4 and that probe found iRent had violated
(違反) of the Personal Data Protection Act as well as other regulations
related personal information security.
The bureau, which operated under the transport ministry says it has fined the
company 200,000 N-T for those violations.
Meanwhile, the Taipei City Government has fined the platform's is operator,
Ho Ing Mobility Service, 90,000 N-T for violating a city autonomous ordinance
that regulates vehicle sharing services.
The Taipei Department of Transport says it could also file a civil case
against the company either under the Damages and Class Action of the Personal
Data Protection Act or the Consumer Protection Act.
Ukraine President To Address Russia at Olympics
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to address a group of sports
ministers meeting Friday to discuss Russian participation at next year’s
Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee is working on a plan to allow Russian and
Belarusian athletes who have not actively supported the war to enter
qualifying events (排位賽) for the 2024 Summer Games in Paris despite the
ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
As Ukraine pushes for Russian athletes to be barred and threats of a boycott
mount, officials from 30 countries planned the summit to discuss how to
respond.
Zelenskyy has previously said any neutral flag for Russia would be “stained
with blood.”
He is due to address the online summit by video link.
US Biden Rally in Florida
The US president holds a rally in Florida.
AP correspondent Shelley Adler reports.
Twitter Fails to Provide EU Report on Combating Misinformation
Twitter has failed to provide a full report to the European Union on its
efforts to combat online disinformation, drawing a rebuke from top officials
of the 27-nation bloc.
The company signed up to the EU’s voluntary 2022 Code of Practice on
Disinformation last year — before billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk bought the
social media platform.
Under the code, online platforms including Google, TikTok, Facebook and
Instagram parent Meta agreed to commit to measures (措施) aimed at reducing
disinformation.
They filed their first “baseline” reports last month showing how they’re
living up to their promises.
All who signed up to the code submitted complete reports except Twitter.
Twitter didn't respond immediately to a request for comment Thursday.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
新年新希望，今年一定要桃花不斷
Zenyum綻雅來自新加坡，是市面上唯一能夠做到均一價，無隱藏收費的隱形牙套品牌，與150位以上國考認證醫師合作，設計個人專屬治療計畫🦷
6,000退稅紅包不夠嗎？Zenyum加碼再折6,000 .ᐟ
點擊下方連結，五分鐘快速「免費」線上評估
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 28-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,590 on turnover of 3.3-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Wednesday to close more than 1.4 percent higher,
as investors were buoyed (受鼓舞) by a rally on Wall Street overnight on the
back of further signals that the U-S Federal Reserve may ease off on its
interest rate hikes.
The bellwether electronics sector attracted a majority of investor attention
to drive the gains throughout the session, while old economy and financial
stocks closed the trading day day mixed.
KMT Vice Chairman Arrives in China
K-M-T Vice Chairman Andrew Hsia has arrived in China for a multi-city 10-day
visit.
Hsia is being accompanied by K-M-T Mainland Affairs Department head Lin
Zu-jia and National Policy Foundation members Gao Si-bo and Zhao Chun-shan.
Speaking to reporters at Taoyuan International Airport prior to boarding a
flight to Beijing, Hsia described the trip as being "apolitical" (非政治的)
in nature and said it's aimed at looking after the welfare of Taiwanese
living and working in China.
According to Hsia, although he's not authorized to engage in any form of
political negotiations or consultations in China, he still believes that trip
will help improve understanding and dialogue across the strait.
Jeremy Lin Introduced as Member of Plus League Kaohsiung 17 Live Steelers
Jeremy Lin has made his first public appearance since arriving here to play
for the Plus League Kaohsiung 17 Live Steelers.
Speaking at a press conference at which he was introduced as the latest
member of the Steelers team, Lin said coming to Taiwan will give him a chance
to rediscover "(重新發現) his passion for the game."
According to Lin, he hasn't felt the passion for basketball for a long time -
so he decided to join the Steelers, and he's really looking forward to the
first game to "return to an environment with fans."
Lin is expected to make his Steelers' debut on February 12, when the team
plays the Formosa Taishin Dreamers.
US Walmart Shooter Pleads Guilty
The man accused of killing 23 people at a Texas Walmart has pleaded guilty to
federal hate crime and firearm charges.
Toni Waterman has more from Texas.
SKorea Minister Impeached for Itaewon Crush
South Korea’s opposition-controlled parliament has impeached Interior and
Safety Minister Lee Sang-min, holding him responsible for government failures
in disaster planning and the response that likely worsened (使惡化) a crowd
crush that killed nearly 160 people in October.
The impeachment Wednesday suspends Lee from his duties and the Constitutional
Court has 180 days to rule on whether to formally unseat him or reinstate him
to his job.
He's a key ally of the president, whose office accused opposition lawmakers
of abandoning legislative principles and creating “shameful history.”
An investigation found police and public officials failed to use meaningful
crowd control measures and ignored calls about the huge crowds in the Itaewon
nightlife district hours before the deadly crush.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
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Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 137-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,538 on turnover of 4.2-billion N-T.
The market closed little changed on Tuesday after moving in a narrow range
throughout the session ahead of a scheduled speech by U-S Federal Reserve
Chairman Jerome Powell.
Investor interest in the bellwether electronics sector, especially large-cap
semiconductor stocks, was muted (淡漠的), but old economy stocks in the
biotech and tourism sectors got a boost from rotational buying to lend
support to the broader market.
Premier Calls for Increase in Coronavirus Vaccination Rate
Premier Chen Chien-jen is calling on the Central Epidemic Command Center to
step up efforts to increase the coronavirus vaccination rate among the
island's elderly population.
According to Chen, the center needs to work more closely with local
governments to boost vaccination rates among the elderly and those at higher
risk of severe illness from the virus.
The statement comes after health authorities released data showing that first
booster shot coverage rate stands at 76.3-per cent, but second booster shot
coverage is only at 22.4-per cent.
The epidemic command center has repeatedly (反复) warned that the majority of
people aged 65 years or older who have died from the coronavirus were either
unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated against the disease.
Government Increases Donation to Turkey to US$2 million
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the government has increased its
donation to Turkey to 2-million U-S following Monday's
magnitude-7.8 earthquake.
The government made a pledge of 200,000 U-S dollars in the immediate
aftermath (後果) of the quake.
According the foreign ministry, it chose to increase the donation after
damage reports from areas devastated by the earthquake began to come in and
as the death toll continues to rise.
NKorea Touts Military Strength
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un lauded the “limitless strength” of his
nuclear-armed military as he visited troops with his daughter to mark the
75th founding anniversary of his army.
That's according to a state media account of his visit and its description of
a speech Kim gave to encourage his troops.
There have been signs North Korea is preparing to hold a massive (大量的)
military parade, which could take place later today.
The event could showcase the latest hardware of a growing nuclear weapons
program that stokes the concern of North Korea's neighbors and the United
States.
Google to Launch AI Chatbot
Google has announced that it plans to launch a rival to the popular AI
chatbot ChatGPT in the coming weeks.
The tech giant has faced questions about whether its core (最重要的部分)
search product will remain relevant given recent advances in AI technology.
Silicon Valley correspondent Ira Spitzer reports.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
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--
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 16-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,376 on turnover of 2.3-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex followed most other regional markets and lost ground on Monday, as
investors were concerned that strong U-S jobs data could result in more
interest rate hikes by America's central bank to cool inflation.
MAC Warning on China Visits
The Mainland Affairs Council says any politicians choosing to visit China
must reflect the will of Taiwan to maintain democracy and peace.
The statement comes after the K-M-T announced that Vice Chairman Andrew Hsia
will be traveling to China from February 8 through 17.
According to the council, it has received notice of the trip from the K-M-T -
but is stressing that any cross-strait exchange must be based on the
principles of reciprocity (互惠) and dignity.
The council says visiting politicians must also promote mutual understanding
and cannot unilaterally agree to any political prerequisites or desired
outcomes, while also voicing their opposition to the use of force to resolve
cross-strait issues.
Government Donates US$200,000 to Turkey Following Earthquake
And,
The government has pledged to donate 200,000 U-S dollars to Turkey after the
country was struck by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake.
According to the foreign ministry's Department of West Asian and African
Affairs, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu has conveyed his condolences (哀悼) to
Turkey's representative in Taiwan on behalf of of the government
Department head Anthony Ho says the 200,000 U-S dollars in funds will be used
for disaster relief.
Syria Calls on UN to Help with Earthquake Rescue
War-ravaged Syria is calling on the United Nations and all member states to
help with rescue efforts, health services, shelter and food aid.
That's following a massive earthquake that killed thousands in Syria and
Turkey.
The quake-damaged area in Syria is divided between government-held territory
and the country’s last rebel-held enclave (飛地，被包圍在另外一個國家境內).
Syria’s U.N. ambassador was asked by reporters whether Syria would allow the
U.N. to deliver aid through other crossing points from Turkey.
He didn’t respond directly, but said the government is ready to help and
coordinate aid deliveries “to all Syrians in all territory of Syria.
US Ohio Toxic Leak Containment Continues
Workers are dealing with an Ohio train derailment (出軌) involving toxic
chemicals.
APcorrespondent Norman Hall reports.
Spain PM Urges EU to Reindustrialize
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is urging the European Union to
“reindustrialize” to end its dependence on energy, microchips and food from
outside the bloc.
On Monday, he called on the 27 EU nations to learn the lessons of shortages
provoked (刺激、引起) by the COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine.
Sanchez announced that a joint research project with 25 EU countries would
analyze reliance on other nations for energy, food, health and technology.
The speech was given to outline Spain's policy priorities before assuming the
rotating presidency of the EU council during the second half of 2023.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 87-points this morning from Friday's close, at 15,514
on turnover of 3.5-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly higher on Friday as large-cap semiconductor stocks
recovered from early losses on the back of ample liquidity, which offset the
impact of disappointing results reported by some major tech companies on Wall
street.
While old-economy and financial stocks were weak as investors awaited the
release of U-S jobs data for more clues about the state of the world's
largest economy in the wake of (在之後) the current rate hike cycle.
Johnny Chiang Leading Delegation in UK for CPTPP Bid
Members of legislative delegation are visiting the U-K this week in an
attempt to boost support for Taiwan's bid to the join the Comprehensive and
Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
The delegation is being led by K-M-T lawmaker Johnny Chiang, who heads the
Taiwan-UK Inter-parliamentary Amity Association.
The groups also includes K-M-T lawmaker Ma Wen-chun, Wen Yu-hsia, Wu Si-huai,
Sandy Yu and Wu Yi-ding.
Taiwan's Representative Office in London says it has also organized a series
of (一系列) meetings.
Those meetings include talks with several British think tanks, business
representatives and the heads of the House of Commons' foreign affairs and
defense committees.
Injuries Reported at Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival
Emergency service personnel in Tainan say 12 people sustained injuries during
last night's Beehive Fireworks Festival in the city's Yanshui District.
Sunday was the conclusion to two-day event that see thousand of people
packing the streets as fireworks are launched from palanquins (轎子).
Officials say of the 12 injuries, one included a man who suffered multiple
burns to some 37-per cent body after failing to wear proper protective
gear, while another was a 13-year-old boy who was hit in the left eye by a
firecracker.
Both of them remain hospitalized.
US Gov Bickers Over Biden Balloon Response
There is political bickering (爭吵) in Washington over the Biden
administration’s response to the Chinese surveillance balloon that was shot
down on Saturday.
AP correspondent Jackie Quinn reports. ((opens with actuality))
Pope Planning India Visit Next Year
Pope Francis is planning to visit India next year and is studying a possible
trip to Mongolia later this year.
Francis outlined his upcoming travel schedule during his flight back to Rome
from South Sudan.
The pope also confirmed that he would be in Lisbon, Portugal for World Youth
Day the first week of August and in Marseille, France on Sept. 23.
Francis spoke to reporters after a six-day visit to Congo and South Sudan,
where he was joined in the South Sudanese capital by the Archbishop of
Canterbury and the moderator of the Church of Scotland.
The Catholic, Anglican and Presbyterian leaders made a joint (聯合的) visit
to push South Sudan’s political leaders to make progress on implementing a
stalled 2018 peace accord that ended a civil war following the country’s
2011 independence from Sudan.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 3.2-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,592 on turnover of $3.95-billion N-T.
The market continued to gain ground on Thursday from the session earlier, as
investors reacted positively to the U-S Federal Reserve announcing that
America's economy is moving toward lower inflation.
The semiconductor sectors attracted strong buying, as foreign institutional
investors continued to move funds into the region, which is expected to have
positive effect on the local main board for the near future.
NT$6,000 Tax rebate to be Accessible at Most ATMs
The Ministry for Digital Affairs says the government's planned one-off 6,000
N-T tax rebate payment will be available via most ATMs.
According to the ministry, some 80-per cent of the ATMs islandwide will
provide access to the payment.
And the ministry says it is currently working on ways to directly deposit the
funds into the bank or post office accounts without the need for recipients
(領受者) to register first.
Traffic Control Plan for Wuling Farm's Cherry Blossom Season
Police in Taichung say traffic control measures will be implemented for the
cherry blossom season of Wuling Farm in the city's Heping District.
The cherry blossom season begins next Tuesday.
According to police, the daily number of visitors to the farm will be capped
(限制) at 6,000 during the 22-day season.
People will only be allowed to enter the farm run by the Veteran Affairs
Council with a pass issued to those who have made a booking.
The passes are issued to tour groups, people who have booked accommodation on
the farm, and individual visitors who have purchased bus tickets bundled with
tickets to the farm.
Visitors are being encouraged to use public transport.
US: Chinese Spy Balloon Spotted
The Pentagon says a Chinese spy balloon spotted over Western US.
AP's Lisa Dwyer has details.
Guyana Death Sentence for Piracy Attacks
A Guyanese court has handed down death sentences for two men found guilty of
high seas piracy attacks that killed seven fishermen off the nation’s coast
in 2018.
Authorities say the men were found guilty of attacking a group of fishing
vessels in waters near Suriname in a turf row over fishing grounds.
Seven fishermen perished (滅亡), while about a dozen others were rescued
after drifting on the waters for days.
The men can appeal the ruling to the local court of appeals and also to the
Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice, which is the final court for
Guyana.
Brazil Bolsonaro Elections Plot Controversy Continues
A Brazilian magazine has released audio of a senator claiming then President
Jair Bolsonaro sought help in a plot to annul the October elections and keep
himself in power.
In the recording, Sen. Marcos do Val tells the magazine Veja that the idea
was discussed at a meeting Dec. 9, three weeks before leftist Luiz Inacio
Lula da Silva was set to take office.
Veja released the audio after the senator issued denials following the
magazine’s report Thursday morning about the purported (據稱) plot, which
had not cited him as its source.
Bolsonaro is already under investigation following the Jan. 8 riot in the
capital by his supporters.
He is in Florida and did not comment on any of his social media channels.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 88-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,508
on turnover of 4.4-billion N-T.
The market staged a technical rebound on Wednesday following a slump the
previous session - as buying was triggered by gains on Wall Street overnight.
And the bellwether electronics sector was boosted by late-session buying,
with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in investor in focus as foreign
institutional investors continue to move funds into the region.
Pavel Defends Phone Call with Tsai
Czech Republic President-elect Petr Pavel is defending his decision to talk
with President Tsai Ing-wen by telephone following his election victory.
China lodged formal objections to the phone call.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters earlier this
week Pavel's actions "persisted (堅持) in stepping on China's red line,
seriously interfering in China's domestic affairs and hurting the feelings of
the Chinese people."
In a Czech-language tweet, Pavel said he understood that China had
"reservations" about the phone call - but the Czech Republic is a "sovereign
country and we do what we think is right."
Pavel will assume the presidency in March.
CECC to Lift Coronavirus Testing for Overseas Arrivals from February 7
The Central Epidemic Command Center says overseas arrivals (到達的人)
observing the seven-day self-health monitoring period will no longer be
required to take coronavirus rapid tests from February 7.
From next Tuesday, all arrivals will only be given a single at-home rapid
test kit, instead of the current four.
Under the new rules, arrivals will only need to take an at-home rapid test if
they develop suspected symptoms during the self-health monitoring period.
US Philippines Officials to Discuss Military Cooperation
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin has arrived in the Philippines where he
will meet with the country's president Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
They are expected to discuss expanding US access to military bases in the
country, which would help Washington counter Chinese influence in the region.
The two countries have been working on the defense agreement for almost a
decade (十年) but have made little progress so far, as FSN's Nick Harper
reports from Washington
Brazil Officials Reelected by Lawmakers
Brazilian lawmakers have voted to reelect the heads of both the Chamber of
Deputies and the Senate, bolstering President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s
prospects for passing legislation and governing in the polarized nation.
Chamber Speaker Arthur Lira won in the biggest landslide since Brazil
returned to democracy almost four decades ago, with 91% of the votes.
Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco secured victory with a sizeable margin,
outdoing analysts’ expectations for a tight contest and even possible upset
by his challenger.
The two congressional leaders set the daily agenda for proceedings, choosing
which bills are put up for debate and vote, and they have the power to
greenlight congressional investigations.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
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Government Talks Up Idea of Tsai -Pavel Meeting
CECC Set to Relax Indoor Face Mask Mandate
PLA February 1 incursions
United Nations warning about Myanmar
Farewell, Boeing 747!
Alec Baldwin charged with involuntary nanslaughter
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 75-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,419 on turnover of $3.6-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan lost some momentum after a strong opening yesterday, as Wall
Street stocks also trended lower overnight.
Investors are now reserved as they await announcements this week from the U.S
Fed, as well as other key economic indicators.
China's partial lifting of import ban on Taiwan a political move
China has lifted its ban on 63 products from Taiwanese food and beverage
producers, which was imposed in December 2022.
The lifting of the ban enables Taiwanese companies making the 63 items,
including Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor Inc., to export those products to China,
effective from last Saturday, January 28th.
The head of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, Chiu Tai-san, has called the
lifting of the ban a "political maneuver" (政治花招), as it violates
international trade practices.
Chiu says China's import ban on Taiwanese beverage suppliers in early
December violated international trade practices, and that the lifting of the
ban on some of their items on Sunday was politically motivated.
Free Taiwan Lantern Festival lanterns up for grabs from February 1st
80,000 Year-of-the-Rabbit-themed lanterns are to be made available to the
public tomorrow.
The 2023 rabbit light can held like a traditional lantern, or reassembled
(重新組裝) into a luminous rabbit ear ornament and worn as a hat.
The Taipei City government's Department of Civil Affairs says members of the
public would be able to place preorders for 10,500 of the free lanterns via
the festival's official website and TaipeiPASS app, starting from 10 AM
tomorrow.
France Rail Operator Recommends Staying Home Amid Strikes
France’s national rail operator is recommending that passengers stay home if
possible today to avoid labor strikes.
The strikes over pensions are expected to cause major transport woes but
largely spare high-speed rail links to Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Labor unions mobilized massive street protests in an initial salvo
(行動的第一炮) of nationwide strikes earlier this month.
They're hoping for similar success Tuesday to maintain pressure on government
plans to raise France’s retirement age.
Rail operator SNCF warned that major network disruptions are expected from
Monday night to Wednesday morning.
It recommended passengers cancel or postpone trips and work remotely if
possible.
US Biden to End COVID19 Controls
US President Joe Biden is going to end the nation's coronavirus emergencies.
The AP's Ed Donahue reports.
Emirates Tests Boeing 777 on Sustainable Fuel
Long-haul carrier Emirates has successfully flown a Boeing 777 on a test
flight with one of its two engines entirely powered by so-called sustainable
fuel.
The flight lasted just under an hour over the coastline of the United Arab
Emirates, after it took off from Dubai International Airport, the world’s
busiest for international travel.
The fuel powered one of the Boeing’s two General Electric Co. engines, with
the other running on conventional (傳統的) jet fuel for safety.
Emirates described the sustainable fuel as a blend that includes compounds
from plant-based sugars, and vegetable oils and animal fats.
Those fuels reduce the release of carbon dioxide, but analysts suggest
sustainable fuels can be three times or more the cost of jet fuel.
It wasn't immediately clear how much the fuel used in the Emirates' test
today cost per barrel.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
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Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
國泰人壽今年歡慶60歲生日，這些年來有好多的職場故事想要跟大家分享！
到底星座真的會影響職場表現嗎？
什麼樣的主管那麼會踩雷！
還有最資深和最年輕員工，進行世代思想大PK！
點擊收聽「國泰樹輪說」！
https://reurl.cc/MX9Xzk
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 359-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
15,291 on turnover of $15.8-billion N-T.
The Taiex opened strong today as the island returned after a long Lunar New
Year holiday.
Shares surged following a steep (急劇的)rise on Wall Street, let by tech
stocks over the 10-day break, and Taiwan tech stocks followed suite, led by
shares in semiconductors.
Legislative speaker You to attend U.S. National Prayer Breakfast
Legislative speaker Yo Xi-kun will travel to the United States on Tuesday to
speak at a summit on religious freedom and attend the U.S. National Prayer
Breakfast.
Yo would depart for the U.S. tomorrow and deliver a speech on Wednesday at
the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit in Washington, D.C.
Yo will then attend the Prayer Breakfast, an annual gathering of political
and religious leaders in Washington, on Thursday, before taking a flight
home from New York the next day.
He had originally planned a nine-day visit to the U.S., but condensed (壓縮)
his schedule due to domestic political factors, including the swearing in of
a new Cabinet and the Legislature's review of a proposal to distribute
surplus tax revenue to the public.
The Legislature's new session will begin on Wednesday.
Iran Says Drone Attack Targets Defense Factory
Bomb-carrying drones targeted (把…作為攻擊目標) an Iranian defense factory,
amid heightened tensions in the Islamic Republic.
AP correspondent Sarah Naffa reports.
Pakistan Road Accidents
A passenger bus has fallen off a bridge and caught fire, killing 40 people in
the crash in southern Pakistan.
A government official in the town of Bela said the bus was speeding when it
crashed into a pillar (柱子) and fell off the bridge Sunday.
Four survivors are being treated in a hospital for their injuries.
Separately, in Pakistan's northwest, at least 10 children died in a boating
capsizing Sunday while they were on a picnic.
Local police said the boat apparently overturned because it was too crowded.
Turkey May Approve Finland NATO Application
Turkey’s president has suggested his country might approve Finland’s
application for NATO membership before taking any action on Sweden’s.
The two Nordic nations applied jointly to become members of the military
alliance following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In a prerecorded video released Sunday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
indicated Turkey might sign off on only Finland.
Turkey has accused Sweden of being too lenient (寬容) toward groups it deems
as terror organizations or existential threats.
The Turkish government late Saturday issued a travel warning for European
countries due to anti-Turkish demonstrations and what it described as
Islamophobia.
The warning came after pro-Kurdish groups held protests and an anti-Islam
activist burned the Quran in Stockholm.
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Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
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Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
台彩春節加碼9億！大樂透加碼360組100萬春節大紅包，1/20~2/5天天開獎，對億元頭獎再對加碼百萬獎，過年就要買彩券！
https://taiwanlotteryevent.com.tw/cny/
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
2022 GDP Growth Falls Below Government Forecast.
Taiwan's year-over-year G-D-P growth for 2022 fell below the government's
forecast.
According to the an advanced estimate by the Directorate General of Budget,
Accounting and Statistics, the island registered growth of 2.43-per cent last
year.
That fell short of the original forecast of 3.06-per cent.
The government is attributing the disparity (差距) to aggressive rate hike
cycles by the major central banks that resulted in weakening global demand
and inventory adjustments in many industries.
Shuttle Bus Service for Taiwan Lantern Festival
The Taipei City Government says two shuttle bus services will be provided for
the up-coming Taiwan Lantern Festival in the capital for those wishing to
travel to the event's separate sites.
According to city officials, the shuttle buses services will cost 5 N-T per
journey and will be connecting the four main display zones.
Those zones will be located in Taipei's Xinyi District, the Songshan Cultural
and Creative Park, the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall park, and Taipei City Hall
plaza.
Shuttle bus No. 1 will mainly run between the Taipei Metro Blue Line and Red
Line, while shuttle bus No. 2 will operate between the Taipei Metro Red Line
and Green Line.
The Taipei M-R-T will be increasing services on the Red and Blue lines
beginning February 1 - but the metro operator is considering allowing
passengers to only board trains, any not alight (下車) at the Taipei City
Hall and Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall stations.
The 2023 Taiwan Lantern Festival runs from February 5th through 19th.
NZ Ardern Not Contesting Elections
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she will not contest (競選)
this year’s general elections.
Ardern told reporters that Feb. 7 will be her last day as the country’s
leader.
Ardern said she is leaving because she no longer has "enough in the tank" to
do the job justice.
Ardern has called New Zealand’s next general elections for Oct. 14.
She says she will remain a lawmaker until then.
US Finalizing Ukraine Military Aid
The U.S. is finalizing a massive (巨大的) package of military aid for
Ukraine.
The AP's Ed Donahue reports.
UN Environment Chief Reelected
The U.N. General Assembly has elected Inger Andersen of Denmark to a second
four-year term as executive director of the United Nations Environment
Program.
Wednesday's vote came after the assembly rejected a Russian-sponsored
resolution that would have opened the job to other candidates.
The decision extends her leadership (領導) of the U.N.’s environment agency,
based in Nairobi, Kenya, until June 14th, 2027.
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Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex Loses Ground in Year of the Tiger
The Tai-Ex rose marginally (稍微地，略微地) higher on Tuesday, as it closed
out the Year of the Tiger above the 14,900 point mark.
However, figures show the local main board fell by 2,741-points, or 15.51-per
cent, during the Year of the Tiger.
That represent a loss of 8.08-trillion N-T in market value for the 12-month
period.
The Tai-Ex's first trading day of the Year of the Rabbit will be on January
30.
People Likely to Get NT$6,000 Cash Handouts by Early March
National Development Council Minister Kung Ming-hsin says Taiwanese citizens
and eligible foreign nationals could receive a one-off 6,000 N-T tax surplus
cash payment by late February or early March.
Speaking at a legislative committee hearing, Kung said chances that the
payments will be made before the Lunar New Year holiday are slim, as the
Cabinet's special budget plan is unlikely to be submitted to the Legislature
in time.
According to Kung, if the Cabinet finalizes the special budget plan on
February 2, sends it to the Legislature for review a day later, and it's
approved within a week, it is possible the payments could begin on February
28.
The statements come as lawmakers from across party lines are urging the
government to speed up the special budgeting process.
Reports Claim NHIA Data May Have been Sold to China
Mirror Media magazine is reporting that data allegedly stolen from the
National Health Insurance Administration could have been given to China.
According to publication, retired administration chief secretary Yeh
Feng-ming likely sold the information during numerous trips to China, as
there is evidence that large amounts of money were remitted to family bank
accounts following those trips.
The report comes a week after the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office
announced it opened an investigation into the leaking of private information
about government officials responsible for national security affairs from the
insurance administration.
UNSC: Russia Accuses Ukraine of Religious Persecution
The United Nations Security Council held another meeting on Ukraine on
Tuesday, to discuss allegations by Russia that Ukraine is attempting to
"destroy" the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Jody Jacobs has more on that story…
EU Pushes Clean Tech Plan Forward
The European Union is pushing forward with a major clean tech industrial plan
that also guarantee the EU's economic survival as it faces challenges from
China and the United States.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the outlines for
her “Green Deal Industrial Plan” on Tuesday at the World Economic Forum at
Davos.
The plan will make it much easier to push through subsidies for green
industries and pool EU-wide projects that are boosted with major funding.
The EU is pursuing the goal of being climate neutral by 2050.
Von der Leyen said that the 27-nation bloc will more forcefully counter
unfair trading practices.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 4-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
14,922 on turnover of 1.1-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Monday, after Wall Street ended last week on a
high note, despite other regional indexes ending the day in mixed territory
ahead of the release of the latest economic growth figures from China.
Today is the is the Tai-Ex's final trading day before the Lunar New Year
holiday - and it will reopen on January 30.
Taiwan-US Trade Talks Continuing
The second round of talks under the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century
Trade are set to wrap-up later today in Taipei.
The talks began on Saturday.
Taiwan's delegation is being led by Deputy Trade Representative Yang Zhen-ni,
while the U-S delegation is being headed by Assistant United States Trade
Representative Terry McCartin.
The Office of Trade Negotiations has yet to release (發布) many details of
the on-going talks - saying only it will hold a media briefing after the
negotiations are concluded today.
The first round of talks under the initiative took place in New York in
November of last year.
Exports of Integrated Circuit Chips Continued to Increase in 2022
The Ministry of Finance says exports of integrated circuit chips continued to
increase in 2022 - marking seven consecutive years of growth.
Data shows that Taiwan's chip exports rose by 18.4-per cent last year from
2021 earlier - and that was third consecutive year that exports registered
double-digit growth.
Bloomberg News is citing Barclays economist Son Bum Ki as describing Taiwan
as being "irreplaceable in the near-term in the semiconductor industry."
Son told Bloomberg that Taiwan's success in the sector is due to Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing's dominance, which accounts for over 50-per cent
of the global foundry (晶圓代工或晶圓專工) market and an even higher
percentage of the cutting-edge chip segment.
US Top General visits training site for Ukrainian soldiers
Ukrainian soldiers are taking part in a U.S. military’s training program.
AP correspondent Norman Hall reports.
UK to Block Scottish Gender Change Law
The British government says it will block a law designed to make it easier
for people in Scotland to legally change their gender.
Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack said he was vetoing the bill
approved by the Scottish parliament because of concern it conflicts with
“Great Britain-wide equalities legislation” which guarantees women and
girls access to single-sex spaces such as changing rooms and shelters.
The Scottish bill allows people 16 or older to change the gender designation
on their identity documents by self-declaration, removing the need for a
medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria (性別不安).
The Scottish government is likely to challenge Monday's decision at the U.K.
Supreme Court.
Italy Top Mafia Fugitive Arrested
Italy’s No. 1 fugitive has been arrested.
The Mafia boss was grabbed while he sought treatment at a private clinic in
Sicily after three decades on the run.
Matteo Messina Denaro was tried in absentia ( 缺席判決) and convicted of
dozens of murders, including helping to mastermind a pair of 1992 bombings
that killed top anti-Mafia prosecutors.
He faces multiple life sentences.
He is expected to serve them in a maximum security prison and under the
particularly restrictive conditions reserved for top organized crime bosses.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 71-points this morning from Friday's close, at 14,895 on
turnover of 3.5-billion N-T.
The market moved higher on Friday, but faced stiff technical resistance ahead
of 15,000 point mark.
Friday's rise was led by a rally by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, which
finished at or above the 500 N-T per share mark for the for the first time
since August of last year.
Tomorrow is the is the Tai-Ex's final trading day before the Lunar New Year
holiday - and it will reopen on January 30 .
VP William Lai Elected as DPP Chairman
Vice President William Lai has been elected the D-P-P's new chairman - after
winning the party's uncontested (無競爭的) election.
Lai won with 41,840 votes, or 99.65-per cent of the total cast.
According to the D-P-P's Acting Secretary-General Sidney Lin, turnout for the
ballot was 17.59-per cent.
However, that was slightly higher than the D-P-P's party previous chair
election in 2019, which stood at 16.9-per cent, when Zhuo Rong-tai was
elected.
Speaking after being formally announced the winner, Lai said will officially
take up the post on Wednesday during a D-P-P central standing committee
meeting.
His tenure will run until May 20, 2024, when Taiwan's next president will be
inaugurated.
43% of TRA Tickets for LNY Holiday Sold
The Taiwan Railways Administration says some 43-per cent of tickets for the
upcoming Lunar New Year holiday have so far been sold.
The rail operator is laying on a total of 499 additional train services to
meet the expected increase in passenger volume over the holiday period.
Those additional (額外的) trains will run until January 30.
According to the railways administration, the additional train services mean
that some 450,000 more seats will available - increasing capacity by 12-per
cent from last year.
Tickets for January 19, 20, 28, and 29 are sold out.
But the rail network says tickets for other days of the Lunar New Year
holiday are still available.
US Cali Preps for More Rain and Snow
The US state of California is preparing for more rain and snow after a severe
(嚴重) storm killed at least 19 people and left millions of others under a
flood watch.
Our US Correspondent Jagruti Dave reports.
Oxfam Recommends Solidarity Tax On Wealthiest
Anti-poverty group Oxfam says companies making big profits as inflation
surges (急遽上升) should face windfall taxes to help cut global inequality.
That's one of the recommendations in a report the group released today as the
World Economic Forum’s annual meeting of political and business elites gets
underway in Davos.
Oxfam also says that over the past two years, the world’s super-rich 1% have
gained nearly twice as much wealth as the remaining 99% combined.
Meanwhile, at least 1.7 billion workers live in countries where inflation is
outpacing their wage growth.
That's even as billionaire fortunes are rising by $2.7 billion a day.
To combat these problems, Oxfam urged higher taxes on the rich, through a
combination of measures including one-time “solidarity” taxes and raising
minimum rates for the wealthiest.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 191-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
14,923 on turnover of $6.9-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly lower on Thursday after moving in a narrow range
as investors remained cautious ahead of an investor conference by Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing.
The release of U-S December inflation data also dictated (決定) market
movements with many investors taking to the sidelines, pushing down turnover.
Coronavirus Home Care Consultations to Focus on High-Risk Groups
The Central Epidemic Command Center says remote medical consultation services
provided to all coronavirus patients during home quarantine are to be
restricted to high-risk groups only.
Health officials say the move is aimed more effectively allocating (分配)
health resources.
Beginning Sunday, only individuals aged 65 or above and 12 years or below
with severe underlying health issues will be able to use the service during
their five-day mandatory quarantine.
According to the epidemic command center, those individuals will be able to
consult their doctors and receive regular health evaluations remotely during
the period.
Other existing home care measures for patients with mild and asymptomatic
infections remain unchanged.
That includes remote prescription of medicines and their home delivery.
Japan Formal Charges for Abe Shooter
A lawyer says Japanese prosecutors are expected to formally charge the
suspect in the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with murder
today.
Tetsuya Yamagami was arrested immediately after allegedly shooting Abe with a
handmade gun as the former leader was making a campaign speech in July.
His five-month mental evaluation ended Tuesday, and he was reportedly deemed
fit to stand trial.
Police say Yamagami told them that he killed Abe because of Abe’s apparent
links to a religious group that he hated.
In statements and social media posts, Yamagami blamed the Unification Church
for bankrupting his family and ruining (毀壞) his life.
One of his lawyers, told The Associated Press on Thursday that he expects
prosecutors to charge Yamagami with murder and gun control law violations.
US Online Asylum System Launched
From the US….
The Biden administration has launched (開始, 啟動) an online system for
migrants on the Mexican border seeking asylum.
AP correspondent Norman Hall reports.
Sweden Identifies Deposits of Rare Earth Elements
A Swedish government-owned iron ore mining company says it has identified
“significant deposits” of rare earth elements in Arctic Sweden that are
essential for the manufacture of electric vehicles and wind turbines.
LKAB's CEO said Thursday that the quantity of rare earth metals exceeds 1
million tons and is the largest known deposit of its kind in Europe.
But the company warned that it could take at least a decade before mining
starts.
Sweden's energy and business minister said that the European Union's
“self-sufficiency (自給自足) and independence from Russia and China will
begin in the mine.”
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 29-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,781 on
turnover of $1.7-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Wednesday as selling focused on tech and financial
stocks, which pushed the market lower after it gave up early gains.
Investor sentiment has turned cautious after rally earlier this week, amid
increasing concerns over a major pullback ahead of stiff technical resistance
at around the 15,000-point mark.
While many investors are opting to pocket profits ahead of the upcoming long
Lunar New Year holiday.
Presidential Office Rules Out 'Immediate' Cabinet Reshuffle
The Presidential Office says discussions on a possible Cabinet reshuffle will
only take place after the end of the current legislative session.
The statement comes amid reports Premier Su Tseng-chang is set to resign this
week.
According to the Presidential Office, Su and President Tsai Ing-wen have
agreed to wait until the conclusion of the current legislative session before
they begin discussions on a reshuffle.
There has been speculation a reshuffle would be announced this week in
response to the D-P-P's loses in November's local elections.
However, a Presidential Office spokesperson says the President and the
Premier have decided to hold off on any changes in order to focus on getting
the central government's 2023 budget approved by the Legislature.
The current legislative session is scheduled to end tomorrow.
US 2nd Batch of Classified Docs Found by Biden Aides
Aides working for US President Joe Biden have found a second set of
classified documents.
This latest collection was found in a different, but so far undisclosed,
location to the batch of documents that was disclosed on Monday.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Afghanistan Kabul Explosion Kills Five
A police spokesman in Kabul says an explosion near the Foreign Ministry in
the Afghan capital has killed five civilians and wounded a number of others.
It is the second prominent attack in Kabul so far this year.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but the
regional affiliate of the Islamic State group in Afghanistan has stepped up
its attacks since the Taliban takeover in 2021.
Targets have included Taliban patrols and members of the country’s Shiite
minority.
Mexico President Praises Canada Investments
Mexico’s president has lauded (稱讚) investments from Canada and says he
will meet with Canadian companies that may have a problem with his energy
policies.
President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador commented Wednesday after a private
meeting with his Canadian counterpart, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Their session came on the heels of the North American Leaders’ Summit a day
earlier in which U.S. President Joe Biden also participated.
The United States and Canada accuse Lopez Obrador of trying to favor
Mexico’s state-owned utility over power plants built by foreign and private
investors, something that is forbidden under the three countries’ free trade
pact.
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Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
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什麼樣的主管那麼會踩雷！
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 20-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,822
on turnover of 1.9-billion N-T.
The market continued to gain ground on Tuesday -- extending momentum from a
session earlier, as the bellwether electronics sector continued to be the
focus of investor interest.
However, turnover for the session stood at 177-billion N-T - and that was a
sharp decline from Monday's 225-billion N-T - as many investors were wary of
a major technical pullback from the strong showing on the first trading day
of the week.
Climate Law and 2050 Net Zero Goal Passed Final Reading
Lawmaker have passed a sweeping climate bill that seeks to establish a carbon
fee system for large emitters and sets a goal of reaching net-zero emissions
by 2050.
The Climate Change Response Act was initially (起初，最初) approved by the
Cabinet in April of last year.
The final approved version of the act establishes a goal of reaching net-zero
carbon emissions by 2050.
The effort will be led by the National Council for Sustainable Development,
which will coordinate with central government agencies and other stakeholders
to draft climate "action plans."
Under the Act, those plans will be reviewed a minimum of every four years and
be implemented by local governments.
Taiwan and Japan to Resume Fisheries Meeting
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Taiwan and Japan are scheduled to resume
annual fisheries talks later this month.
The Taiwan-Japan Fishery Committee has not met since 2019 due to the
coronavirus pandemic related travel restrictions.
Both sides agreed the meetings needed to be held in a face-to-face format.
According to the foreign ministry, the upcoming discussions will focus on
resolve fisheries-related disputes between the two sides in overlapping
(重疊) waters.
The talks will be taking place in Tokyo.
US Trump CFO Sentenced to Jail Tim
Former President Donald Trump's long-time chief financial officer has been
sentenced to five months in prison.
A New York judge jailed him for his role in a tax fraud scheme (詭計，計劃,)
related to the Trump Organization.
Jody Jacobs reports…
China Embassy Stops Issuing Visas for SKoreans and Japanese
Chinese embassies stopped issuing new visas for South Koreans and Japanese in
apparent retaliation for COVID-19 measures imposed by those countries on
travelers from China.
The embassies in Tokyo and Seoul announced the suspensions in brief online
notices.
The Seoul notice said the ban would continue until South Korea lifts its
“discriminatory entry measures” against China.
China’s Foreign Ministry threatened countermeasures (對策，應對措施) last
week against countries that had announced new virus testing requirements.
Officials in the countries that did so expressed concern about a lack of
information about the Chinese outbreak.
Greece Former King Obit
The former and last king of Greece has died at the age of 82.
Doctors at a private hospital in Athens said Constantine died after treatment
in an intensive care unit but had no further details.
Constantine won an Olympic gold medal before entering politics in the 1960s
as king and spent decades in exile (流放，流亡).
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 44-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,796
on turnover of 2.7-billion N-T.
The market added 378-points on Monday to breach (沖破) the 14,700-point mark,
as buying was sparked by a rally on Wall Street at the end of last week on
the back of eased concerns over the U-S Federal Reserve's rate hike cycle.
The electronics sector led the upturn, as large cap semiconductor stocks were
in focus amid an inflow of foreign funds, while buying also spread to the
finance and old economy sectors, to push the main board higher.
Visiting Paraguayan Speaker Hopes Taiwan Ties Continue
The visiting speaker of Paraguay's lower house is expressing his hope that
Asuncion's diplomatic ties with Taiwan will continue and be supported by its
people.
Carlos Maria Lopez is heading a delegation of lawmakers from ruling and
opposition parties for a five-day visit.
Speaking during a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen, Lopez expressed his
gratitude on behalf of his government toward Taiwan and said he sincerely
hopes that the two sides' long-term diplomatic ties will be strengthened in
years to come.
That statement comes after a candidate running in Paraguay's April
presidential election said he will sever ties with Taiwan in favor of Beijing
if elected.
Almost One in Five Arrivals from China has Coronavirus
The Central Epidemic Command Center says some 19-per cent all arrivals from
China have tested positive for the coronavirus since January 1 - the day
testing of passengers from China began after Beijing ended its "zero COVID"
policy.
Health officials say the figure is comparable to that of other countries also
testing arrivals from China.
According to center head Victor Wang, a total of 8,259 passengers have
arrived on direct flights from China over the first seven days of this month
- and of that figure 1,571 of them tested positive for the coronavirus.
Samples taken for genome sequencing show that 66-per cent of the passengers
were infected with the Omicron BA.5 subvariant, while 34-per cent had the
Omicron BF.7 subvariant.
US DOJ Reviewing Documents at Old Biden Office
The US Justice Department is investigating the discovery of potentially
(可能地) classified documents at an old office space used by President Joe
Biden.
AP correspondent Jackie Quinn reports.
UN Security Council Votes to Keep Turkey Syria Crossing Open
The U.N. Security Council has voted unanimously to keep key a border crossing
from Turkey to Syria’s rebel-held northwest open for critical aid deliveries
for another six months.
Russia, whose support had been in doubt, joined in Monday’s 15-0 vote.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had warned that the already dire
(危急的、嚴重的) humanitarian situation in Syria is worsening, and said if
aid deliveries from Turkey to northwest Idlib aren’t renewed millions of
Syrians might not survive the winter.
Guterres said deliveries have increased across conflict lines within the
country.
But he said they cannot substitute for “the size or scope of the massive
cross-border United Nations operation.”
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 131-points this morning from Friday's close, at 14,504
on turnover of 3.9-billion N-T.
The market moved higher on Friday as buying reemerged (重新出現) in the
bellwether electronics sector, helping the main board recoup early losses on
the back of a decline on Wall Street.
However, turnover remained thin with many investors still opted to stay on
the sidelines, awaiting upcoming December U-S non-farm payroll data.
Paraguay's Lower House Speaker Arrives in Taiwan for 5-Day Visit
The President of the Paraguayan Chamber of Deputies Carlos Maria Lopez has
arrived in Taiwan for a five-day visit.
Lopez is meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen today.
According to the Presidential Office, Lopez showed strong support for Taiwan
during heightened (提高、增強) cross-strait tensions last August, when China
held live-fire military exercises in areas around Taiwan.
It's the first time that Lopez has visited Taiwan in his capacity as
Paraguay's lower house speaker.
Lopez is heading a parliamentary delegation that includes the chair of the
committee on national defense, security and intelligence; the head of the
committee on social development and housing; and the chair of the committee
on childhood and youth development.
Lawmakers Invited to Join International Parliamentary Group
D-P-P lawmaker Fan Yun says she and another lawmaker have been invited by the
Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China to join the group and its
decision-making body.
According to Fan, she and Zhang Qi-lu from the Taiwan People's Party were
invited to become the first Taiwanese members of I-PAC and co-chair the
island's representation in the alliance.
Fan says she will help about 40 "like-minded" Taiwanese lawmakers who have
applied to participate in the group to secure ( 取得) membership, seeking a
collective voice for Taiwan over issues regarding China.
Brazil Gov Buildings Back Under Contorl
Authorities have reestablished control of Brazilian government buildings in
the capital several hours after supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro
who refuse to accept his electoral defeat stormed Congress, the Supreme Court
and presidential palace.
The action was a week after the inauguration of his leftist rival, President
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The demonstrators bypassed security barricades, climbed on roofs, broke
windows and invaded the buildings that were believed to be largely vacant on
a Sunday.
The country's justice minister said roughly 200 people had been arrested.
Lula accused Bolsonaro of encouraging the uprising, while the former
president said peaceful protest was part of democracy but vandalism and
invasion of public buildings were “exceptions to the rule.”
US Speaker Now Faces Divided House
Newly-elected House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is about to face his next big test
with a divided House of Representatives -- that’s passing a rules package to
govern the chamber.
AP correspondent Jackie Quinn reports.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 23-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
14,279, on turnover of $2-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Thursday, following a rally on Wall Street
overnight as investors assessed minutes from the U-S Federal Reserve's latest
policymaking meeting and welcomed encouraging data on American jobs.
Fraud Rings Now Targeting Victims with NT$6,000 Rebate in Telephone Scams
The Cabinet is warning people that fraud rings are now using the government's
planned 6,000 N-T lump-sum tax surplus rebate in telephone scams.
Officials says people have been receiving text messages claiming to be from
the Ministry of Digital Affairs telling recipient to open an included link to
redeem (贖回) their payment.
According to Cabinet Spokesman Luo Bing-cheng, the government will not use
text messages to inform the public of how to apply for and how to receive
payments into their bank accounts.
Luo says the Cabinet has ordered the National Police Agency to investigate
all such telephone scams and to establish a series of preventive measures to
ensure that members of the public are protected against fraud.
The government says those who receive any text messages related to the
lump-sum tax surplus rebate claiming to be from a government agency to call
the 165 fraud prevention hotline.
Lunar New Year New Bank Note Exchange to Begin on January 13
The central bank says members of the public will be able to exchange old
bills for fresh bank notes in the run up to the Lunar New Year.
Old bills can be exchanged for new ones from January 13 through 19 at
designated (指定的) branches of eight local financial institutions.
The central bank says as demand is highest for 100 N-T bills, each individual
will be allowed to exchange a maximum of 100 notes - while the supply of
notes with other values will also be limited.
According to central bank governor Yang Jin-long, between 3 and 4 billion N-T
is allocated annually to print new bills.
The central bank is also urging the public to consider using virtual
transactions during the New Year.
US House Speaker Election now Longest
The saga to vote in the next Speaker of the US House of Representatives
continues - breaking records last set almost 165 years ago.
Republican Kevin McCarthy has now lost 11 rounds of voting over three days -
despite making major concessions (讓步) to the group of hardliners in his
party voting against him.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Pakistan Attack Against Polio Vax Team
Pakistani police say attackers armed with guns and hand grenades ambushed a
police van assigned to guard polio workers in the country's northwest,
wounding five officers.
Police say they returned fire after coming under attack near a bridge on
Thursday in a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
No group claimed responsibility for the attack but Islamic militants often
target polio teams and police protecting them.
They falsely claim the vaccination campaigns are a Western conspiracy to
sterilize (使絕育) children.
The latest anti-polio campaign started this week in northwestern Pakistan and
is the first in 2023.
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Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 85-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,285
on turnover of 2.5-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly lower on Wednesday, as investor sentiment was hit
by lingering concerns over a possible recession (經濟衰退) as major central
banks around the world are continuing aggressive rate hikes.
Buying rotated to the financial sector throughout much of the trading day,
providing some support to the broader market to offset losses suffered by
select large tech stocks, in particular those in the semiconductor industry.
Living Allowances for Disadvantaged Families Extended Through 2023
The Cabinet has extend the monthly living allowance of 750 N-T and 500 N-T
for individuals in low income and middle-to-low income households for an
additional year until the end of 2023.
According to the Cabinet, the Ministry of Health will coordinate with local
authorities to ensure eligible (有資格的) recipients receive the allowance
for January before the Lunar New Year holiday.
The living allowance plan is part of the government's coronavirus relief
measures.
A monthly cash payment of 750 N-T is given to those in low-income households
and 500 N-T is given to individuals in middle-to-low income households.
Those payments are on top of any existing allowances covering education,
health insurance, housing and other related expenses.
Former NATO Head Touts Visit as a "Show of Support for Taiwan"
Former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says his visit to Taiwan
this week is a show of "strong support" for the island's self-determination
and democracy.
Speaking during a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen, Rasmussen said he's in
Taiwan to show his support for the island's rights to decide the future of
Taiwan for itself and to show support for its right to "exist (存在) in
freedom and peace."
The former NATO head arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday for a three-day trip and is
visiting in his capacity as the founder of the Denmark-based Alliance of
Democracies Foundation.
US McCarthy Loses 6th US Speaker Vote
After six rounds of voting the US House of Representatives has still not
agreed on a new House Speaker.
Republican Kevin McCarthy has been repeatedly (反复) blocked from winning the
majority of the votes by a group of hardliners (強硬派) in his own party.
It's the first time in a hundred that the House has been unable to elect a
Speaker.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Australia to Buy US Missile and Rocket Systems
Australia announced Thursday it will boost its defense capabilities by buying
advanced missile and rocket systems.
The purchase includes U.S.-made HIMARS which have been successfully used by
Ukraine’s military.
The Australian government said the HIMARS it was buying included launchers,
missiles and training rockets and would be in use by 2026.
It said the system had a range of 300 kilometers, which may improve
(提升、改進)with technological advances.
It also signed a contract with Norway-based Kongsberg to buy new missiles for
navy destroyers and frigates.
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國泰人壽今年歡慶60歲生日，這些年來有好多的職場故事想要跟大家分享！
到底星座真的會影響職場表現嗎？
什麼樣的主管那麼會踩雷！
還有最資深和最年輕員工，進行世代思想大PK！
點擊收聽「國泰樹輪說」！
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 37-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
14,186 on turnover of 1.9-billion N-T.
The market bounced back from early losses on Tuesday, to close the first
trading session of 2023 in positive territory, but turnover remained thin
amid investor worries over a possible global recession this year.
The bellwether electronics sector led the rebound, while old economy and new
energy sector stocks also attracted buying on the back of government efforts
to push renewable power development.
Tainan City Council Speaker Questioned in Vote-Buying Probe
Newly-elected Tainan City Council Speaker Qiu Li-li has been questioned in
connection with an investigation into vote buying.
According to the Tainan District Prosecutors' Office, Qiu was questioned
after authorities searched her residence and over 20 other locations.
Those locations included the homes of Deputy Speaker Lin Zhi-zhan as well as
city councilors Li Wen-chun, Zhang Shi-xian and Li Zhen-guo.
Prosecutors says they opened the investigation into allegations of electoral
manipulation after receiving a tip-off in November.
Qiu beat incumbent Speaker Guo Hsin-liang in a vote on December 25 after in
which Li Wen-chun, Zhang Shi-xian and Li Zhen-guo all broke party ranks with
the K-M-T to back the D-P-P nominee.
Reports at the time speculated that the three then-KMT councilors had been
bribed.
Eslite to Close 24-hour Branch in Taipei's Xinyi District in December
Eslite has confirmed that its 24-hour branch in Taipei's Xinyi District will
close its doors in December.
According to the bookstore chain, the pending (待辦的) closure comes after it
failed to convince its landlord to extend the existing lease.
Eslite says it will continue to promote (推廣) culture and humanities in
Taiwan and provide a 24-hour service - and there is speculation that its
nearby Songyan store will become Eslite's and Taiwan's only 24-hour bookstore.
However, there has been no official confirmation of those reports.
The Xinyi store first opened 24-hours a day in mid-2020 after the Eslite
Dunnan store was closed.
China Criticizes COVID19 Requirements on Travelers
The Chinese government has sharply criticized COVID-19 testing requirements
being imposed on visitors from China and threatening countermeasures against
countries involved.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson said at a daily briefing Tuesday that China
believes the entry restrictions adopted by some countries targeting
passengers from China lack scientific basis.
China abruptly (突然) eased strict anti-virus measures in December, leading
to a surge in cases.
Countries including the U.S., U.K., India, Japan and several European nations
have announced tougher measures on travelers from China.
Many are worried about a lack of data from China and fear that new variants
may spread.
NYC Machete Attacker to be Arraigned
The 19-year-old accused on attacking 3 police officers with a machete near
Times Square on New Years Eve is expected to be arraigned (傳訊) tomorrow,
meanwhile his mother reached out to police last month to express concerns
about him.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports. ((No Excerpting Sound))
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 30-points this morning from last Friday's close, at
14,108 on turnover of $1.8-billion N-T.
The market gained ground last Friday, on the final trading day of 2022,
closing up 52.67-points, but turnover remained weak as foreign institutional
investors were away for the seasonal holiday period.
The Tai-Ex closed the year at 14,138-points, and that was down 22.4-per cent
from the end of 2021, pushing down market capitalization to 44-trillion N-T.
Data shows the local main board for whole of 2022 slumped on the back of
geopolitical tensions, aggressive interest rate hikes by the U-S Federal
Reserve and weaker demand in the electronics sector in the second half of the
year.
New Round of Reservations for Coronavirus Vaccines to Begin in Taipei
The Taipei Department of Health says those wishing to get a coronavirus
vaccine can now make an appointment.
The new round of reservations for the 73,000 available doses is now open
through 9PM Friday on Taipei's vaccination reservation system.
City health officials say the shots to be administered from between January
9-th and 15-th.
Among the vaccines available will be the Pfizer-BioNTech shot for children
aged from six months to 11 years old and for people aged 12 and older and the
Novavax vaccine for people 12 years and older.
The Moderna vaccines available will be the standard vaccine for people aged
six months to 11 years old and the bivalent vaccines offered as a booster
against the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants for children aged six to 11
years old and those aged 12 and older.
US Divided Congress to Begin New Session
A new session of the US Congress will begin on Tuesday with a return of a
divided government.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
German Village Scuffles Over Mine Expansion
Scuffles have broken out outside a village in western Germany that is to be
razed to allow the expansion of a coal mine.
German news agency dpa reported that activists on Monday threw fireworks,
bottles and stones at police outside the village of Luetzerath before the
situation calmed down and officers pulled back.
Protesters previously had set up a burning barricade (路障), and one glued
his hand to the access road.
The hamlet is to be demolished to expand the Garzweiler lignite mine.
Activists have been living in houses abandoned by former residents.
The county administration has authorized police to clear the village from
Jan. 10-th.
Mexico Elects First Female Chief Justice
Mexico’s Supreme Court has elected the first female chief justice in its
history.
Justice Norma Lucia Pina was sworn in (宣誓就職) for her four-year term at
the head of the 11-member court, pledging to maintain the independence of the
country's highest court.
As chief justice, Pina will also head the entire judicial branch.
The 6-5 vote by her fellow ministers Monday came despite pressure by
President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on the ministers.
Lopez Obrador had backed another female justice, Yasmin Esquivel, for the top
post.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 99-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
14,184 on turnover of $1.92-billion N-T.
Ex-Denmark PM and NATO secretary general to visit Taiwan next week
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Former prime minister of Demark and
ex-NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen will visit Taiwan next week,
to meet with President Tsai Ing-wen.
MOFA says Rasmussen has been calling on democratic countries to enhance
(提高、增強) cooperation with Taiwan, to build democratic reliance amid the
expansion of authoritarianism, adding that his upcoming visit was a clear
demonstration of his strong support toward Taiwan.
Rasmussen in 2017 founded the Alliance of Democracies Foundation, a
non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of democracy and free
markets across the globe.
In his current role, he hosts the annual Copenhagen Democracy Summit, which
was first held in 2018.
During his scheduled stay from January 3rd to 5th, Rasmussen will also meet
with Vice President William Lai and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, as well as
lawmakers and think tank scholars.
(TT)
MOL expands scope of online work permit applications for foreign nationals
A government online work permit application system for foreign nationals has
been expanded to cover cram schools, art-related jobs, and the adult children
of work permit-holding foreign professionals.
The Workforce Development Agency's "EZ Work Permit" website has been handling
applications from local companies to employ foreign managers, as well as from
sports- and art-related agencies to hire international talents.
Now, cram schools may also create an account on the EZ Work Permit website,
to apply for work permits and to renew (更新) the permits of their foreign
employees online.
The Ministry of Labor says that unlike offices with regular government
business hours, the online service is operational 24/7, and should take seven
working days or less to process and issue permit applications.
(TT)
US Biden Signs Bill
US President Joe Biden has signed a $1.7 trillion bill funding government
operations.
AP correspondent Norman Hall reports.
Brazil da Silva Names Amazon Activist as Minister of Environment
Brazil’s President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced Thursday that
Amazon activist Marina Silva will be the country’s next minister of
environment.
The announcement signals the new administration will prioritize cracking down
on illegal deforestation in the forest even if it means running afoul of
powerful agribusiness interests.
Lula has promised to end all deforestation by 2030.
This would be a sharp turnabout (徹底變化) from the policies of the outgoing
president, Jair Bolsonaro, who pushed for development in the Amazon.
Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon reached a 15-year high in the year ending
in July 2021, though the devastation slowed somewhat in the following 12
months.
Vivienne Westwood Obit
English designer Vivienne Westwood has died at 81.
Her fashion house announced her death Thursday on its social media platforms,
saying she died peacefully in South London surrounded by friends and family.
A cause was not immediately disclosed (公佈).
Westwood’s fashion career began in the 1970s with the punk (龐克) explosion,
when the onetime primary school teacher's radical approach to urban street
style took the world by storm.
But she went on to enjoy a long career highlighted by activism and a string
of runway shows and museum exhibits.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 76-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
14,098 on turnover of $2-billion N-T.
Taiwan reports 6.2 percent year-on-year increase in road fatalities
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications says Taiwan has reported
more than 2,500 road fatalities in the first 10 months of 2022, up 6 percent
year-on-year, and its highest level in nine years.
MOTC officials say there were more than 300-thousand total traffic accidents
in the first 10 months of this year, marking a 5.5 percent increase from the
same period last year.
In 2020, Taiwan reported 12.6 traffic fatalities per 100-thousand
individuals… four times higher than Japan and Denmark, and six times higher
than Sweden.
The MOTC has attributed the high death toll in Taiwan to the high number of
scooter-related accidents, and MOTC Minister Wang Kwo-tsai is calling on
local governments to work with the ministry to improve road safety.
(TT)
France Pledges Further Military Support
France’s defense minister has pledged further military support for Ukraine,
insisting his government’s backing is unflagging (永不減弱的) while efforts
are also being made with Moscow to reach an eventual (最終的) negotiated end
to Russia’s invasion.
Minister for the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu said support will include
French army equipment and a 200 million euro fund that would allow Ukraine to
purchase weapons.
Lecornu said France was giving military equipment from the French army to the
Ukrainian army, but highlighted that this would not weaken France’s defense.
Officials have also said France could deliver a new air-defense system in the
future, without revealing details, though Ukraine's defense minister added
that France would immediately begin training Ukrainian air officers on how to
use it.
The minister said his trip to Kyiv was important to identify the priorities
of the Ukrainian defense ministry.
US Trump Considered Pardons for Capitol Attackers
Newly released transcripts from the U.S. House Committee on the events of
January 6th, show how former President Trump was considering giving pardons
(赦免) to numerous people involved in the Capitol riot.
Caroline Malone reports from Washington.
Armenia Protests Against Road Block
Hundreds of opposition supporters have rallied in the Armenian capital,
urging the government to act to unblock a vital road linking Armenia to the
separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Azeri protests have choked off (阻止) basic supplies to the territory.
Both the protesters in Yerevan Wednesday and Armenian authorities have
accused Russian peacekeepers deployed to the area of failing to take adequate
steps to lift the blockade, something Moscow denies.
Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but has been under the control of
ethnic Armenian forces backed by Yerevan since a separatist war there ended
in 1994.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
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Extended military service to include higher pay, longer boot camp: President
President Tsai Ing-wen has announced that compulsory military service in
Taiwan will be extended from four months to one year, effective Jan. 1, 2024,
to strengthen Taiwan's combat readiness against potential Chinese attacks.
Tsai also promised to increase the monthly salary of conscripts, from the
current starting salary of $6,510 NT to $26,307 NT, to make sure they earn
enough to cover their basic daily expenses.
The decision is expected to affect conscripts who were born on Jan. 1, 2005
and after.
Tsai says conscripts will receive more intense (強烈的) and longer boot camp
training to boost their combat preparedness, firing no less than 800 rounds
of ammunition during their one-year service period.
She says they will also be trained to fire Kestrel anti-armor rockets and
FIM-92 Stingers, operate UAVs and engage in close-combat training, which have
proven useful in modern day warfare, she said.
The president stressed that "No one wants war," but Taiwan has faced
increasing military coercion from China in recent years and needs to do its
part by boosting self-defense.
(NS)
New wage subsidy available to employers of live-in migrant caregivers
The Ministry of Labor says employers of live-in migrant caregivers are
eligible for a subsidy of up to $3,000 NT per month.
Officials say the subsidies are aimed at covering the increase in the minimum
wage for live-in migrant caregivers from $17-thousand NT to $20-thousand NT,
that took effect on Aug. 10-th.
The ministry says applicants (申請人) should provide the employment contracts
showing that their employees are paid at least $20-thousand NT per month and
a copy of the passbook cover of the employer's domestic bank account.
Health officials say as of Dec. 15-th, there have been nearly 40-thousand
applications, and the first subsidy payments were made on Dec. 5-th.
(NS)
Pakistan Bombing Suspects Arrested
Pakistan's interior minister says authorities have arrested five people
suspected of involvement in last week’s suicide car bombing that killed a
police officer in the capital of Islamabad.
The minister says the detainees included the suicide bomber’s handler.
He said the attacker arrived in the garrison (駐軍) city of Rawalpindi from a
former tribal area of Kurram.
The official did not disclose the identity of the detainees and no spokesman
for the Pakistani Taliban, which had claimed responsibility for the attack,
was immediately available for comment.
US Trump Tax Returns Published Friday
Former President Donald Trump's tax returns are expected to be made public on
Friday.
AP correspondent Norman Hall reports
Mexico President Appeals Against
Mexico's president is appealing (呼籲) to the country's citizens not to
accept holiday handouts and gifts from drug gangs.
His comments came after videos posted online showed pickup trucks handing out
loads of gifts while bystanders described the drivers as members of the
Jalisco drug cartel.
Authorities have not confirmed the source of the gifts, but President Andres
Manuel Lopez Obrador confirmed that some drug gangs were looking to resume
such giveaways to gain the support of the local population.
Lopez Obrador said that local residents in some communities have tried to
protect traffickers, stop drug seizures or oppose the installation of
National Guard bases intended to fight drug trafficking.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 25-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,310
on turnover of 1.34-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan edged slightly higher Monday after moving in a narrow range
on low turnover as many foreign institutional investors were away for the
Christmas holiday.
Although the bellwether electronics sector finished little changed, contract
chipmaker TSMC ended higher to stabilize the broader market, and buying also
rotated to the biotech sector as COVID-19 infections spike in China.
CWB: Rains Coming for Northern Taiwan
The Central Weather Bureau says rainy weather may be coming for northern
Taiwan.
The CWB says skies should remain clear to cloudy today, but moisture is
gathering over the island, leading to possible rain over Keelung and other
parts of the north coast.
Lowest temperatures this morning were recorded in Hsinchu County's Er-mei
Township, at 5.2 degrees Celsius, and in general, daytime temperatures remain
relatively warm, between 18-22 degrees in the north and east, and 24 to 26
degrees in the center and south.
And weather expert Wu Der-rong also says a cold front may pass over Taiwan
from January 2nd to 5th next year, after a mild New Years' Day.
Dwight Howard to join Taoyuan's New Year countdown bash
Eight-time NBA All Star Dwight Howard will be at the countdown party in
Taoyuan to celebrate the New Year with his fans this coming weekend.
The T1 LEAGUE's Taoyuan Leopards basketball team says Howard will be
participating in the city's "2023 Show Taoyuan" this Saturday.
The team says at the event, a lucky spectator (觀眾) will also be chosen from
the crowd to get on stage for a photo with Howard.
The countdown party will be held at the square outside the Taoyuan high-speed
rail station from 7 p.m. that day, featuring firework displays and
performances by artists from Taiwan and abroad.
Indonesia Rohingya Muslims Land on Beach
A second group in two days of Rohingya Muslims has landed on a beach in
Indonesia’s northernmost province of Aceh after weeks at sea.
Police say at least 185 men, women and children disembarked (下船) from a
wooden boat at dusk on a beach, weak from dehydration and exhaustion (虛脫).
They were taken to the village hall and will stay there while they receive
help from residents, health workers and others.
Immigration officials and police are trying to identify the refugee to
determine if they were from the group of 190 Rohingya who were reported by
United Nations to be drifting in a small boat in the Andaman Sea for a month.
The UNHCR on Friday urged countries to rescue the refugees, saying reports
indicated they were in dire condition with insufficient food or water.
Aid Groups Suspend Work in Afghanistan
Foreign aid groups are suspending (暫停) operations in Afghanistan following
a decision by the Taliban leadership to ban women from working at
international and local non-governmental organizations.
The AP's Ed Donahue reports.
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Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
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Tai-Ex opening nearly unchanged
Taipei Mayor's priorities
Dozens of Rohingya Refugees reachd Indonesia
Iran protests ongoing
Meta agrees to $750 million settlement over Cambridge Analytica scandal
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Subject: E*EZ NEWS DECEMBER 23, 2022
Return to Table of contents
Subject: E*Tai-Ex opening
Return to Table of contents
The Tai-Ex opened down 125-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
14,318 on turnover of $2.9-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex gained more that 200-points on Thursday, as investors welcomed a
report showing U-S consumer confidence is holding up despite the Federal
Reserve's campaign to fight inflation by raising interest rates.
Subject: E*New Traffic Laws Pass Initial LY Committee Review
Return to Table of contents
Lawmakers on the Legislative Transportation Committee have approved a series
of amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act.
The amendments set out to increase fines for drivers who fail to yield to
pedestrians and the revoking (撤銷) of drivers' licenses in the event of a
pedestrian (行人) death for failing to yield.
Under the proposed amendments, drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians could
face a fine of up to 3,600 N-T.
The causing of injury by failing to yield to pedestrians will be punishable
by a fine of up 36,000 N-T and vehicle owners will have their license
suspended for one year.
While drivers who cause severe injury or death will have their license
revoked as well as facing criminal charges.
Subject: E*MOC Honors 3 Cultural Conservationists as 'National Living Treasures'
Return to Table of contents
The Ministry of Culture has honored three men who have dedicated their lives
to the conservation of traditional culture as "national living treasures" in
recognition of their efforts to preserve Taiwan's cultural heritage.
The ministry has awarded Hsu Ming-he the title for preserving exquisite
(精美的) traditional claywork techniques.
While Li Qing-hai and Su Qing-liang have been recognized for their excellence
at preserving traditional Han and foreign style building techniques.
The title of "national living treasure" was first awarded by the the culture
ministry in 2010.
The title is based on the provisions of the Cultural Heritage Preservation
Act.
It has honored 10 national important cultural heritage conservation
techniques and 16 cultural conservationists to date.
Subject: E*Ex EU Parliament VP In Custody Over Corruption
Return to Table of contents
The Greek member of the European Parliament accused of taking bribes from
Qatar was in court on Thursday for a pretrial hearing.
Eva Kaili is among four people charged with corruption, and money laundering.
Alex Cadier reports from Brussels
<
[CLIP]
Slug:
Subject: E*Spain Scotland Pass Gender SelfDetermination Bills
Return to Table of contents
Lawmakers in Spain and Scotland have passed gender self-determination bills
allowing citizens over 16 to change their registered gender (性別) without
medical supervision.
Spain’s lower house of Parliament approved a law on Thursday that requires
children ages 12 and 13 to have a judge’s authorization to make the change
and those between 14 and 16 have to be accompanied by their parents.
The bill adopted by the Scottish Parliament makes Scotland the first part of
the U.K. to endorse allowing people to transition by self-declaration.
The new rules require applicants to have lived full-time in their declared
identity for three months, or six months if they are ages 16-17.
Subject: C*OUTRO
Return to Table of contents
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 147-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
14,381 on turnover of 15.2-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex staged a mild technical rebound on Wednesday from the previous
session, but turnover remained moderate as investors opted to stay on the
sidelines amid lingering concerns over the global economic slowdown..
Buying largely focused on old economy stocks, while the bellwether
electronics sector saw its gains limited by investor worries over on-going
inventory adjustments affecting the global tech sector.
MOHW Could Ease Molnupiravir Distribution Regualtions
Health Minister Hsueh Rui-yuan says his office is considering expanding the
distribution and use of the coronavirus oral antiviral agent molnupiravir.
Speaking a hearing of the Legislative Social Welfare and Environmental
Hygiene Committee, the minister said prescription restrictions could be
eased, more medical personnel now have a better understanding of the usage of
the drug.
The statement comes after the Taiwan Medical Association complained that the
procedure for prescribing and obtaining (獲得) molnupiravir is overly
troublesome and as a result, some doctors are choosing not to prescribe it.
UNSC Adopts First Myanmar Resolution
The United Nations Security Council has passed a resolution calling for the
immediate end to violence in Myanmar.
A military coup (政變) in February last year led to violent crackdowns on
pro-democracy protests and the arrest of the country's leader Aung San Suu
Kyi.
William Denselow reports from UN headquarters in New York.
Russia Announces Plans to Beef Up Military
Russia announced an ambitious plan to beef up its military from 1 million to
1.5 million and create multiple new units.
It's an attempt to bolster the forces that have lost momentum (動力) and many
soldiers in the war in Ukraine.
Russia’s military chief cited NATO’s plans to incorporate Finland and
Sweden as a factor in the buildup.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu declared Wednesday that the country
needs a force of 1.5 million to guarantee Russia’s security.
The Russian military currently has about 1 million soldiers.
That compares with China’s force of 2 million and the U.S. force of 1.4
million.
European Rocket Launch Fails
The launch of a European rocket carrying two Earth observation satellites
failed and ditched (拋棄，丟棄) in the sea less than three minutes after
lift-off from a spaceport in French Guiana on Wednesday.
Arianespace, which provided the launch service, said in a statement that
approximately 2 minutes and 22 seconds after liftoff a decrease in pressure
was observed in the Vega C rocket’s second stage “leading to the premature
end of the mission.”
Arianespace said the launcher was destroyed with “no damage to persons or
properties.”
The launch was meant to take two earth observation satellites made by Airbus
into orbit.
The satellites would have been part of a constellation capable of taking
images of any point of the global with a resolution of 30 centimeters.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
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Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 35-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,205
on turnover of 2.2-billion N-T.
The market shed more than 250-points on Tuesday.
Selling was seen across the main board as investors were spooked by heavy
losses on the Nikkei following an unexpected decision by Japan's central bank
to tighten its monetary policy.
Visiting European Parliament Delegation Calls for EU-Taiwan BIA
Members of a visiting delegation of the European Parliament's international
trade committee are expressing support for the signing of a bilateral
investment agreement between the European Union and Taiwan.
Speaking during a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen at the Presidential
Office, committee vice chair Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou said the E-U
recognizes its trade and investment partnership with Taiwan as a "strategic
relationship with geopolitical implications (影響)."
According to the Greek lawmaker, she also firmly believes that further
bilateral cooperation on global supply chains will be mutually beneficial due
to Taiwan's leading role in semiconductor production.
The 13-member delegation arrived in Taiwan on Sunday for a four-day visit.
Prosecutors Seek to Annul Miaoli Magistrate Election
The Miaoli District Prosecutors' Office filed a lawsuit seeking to nullify
(使無效、取消) the election of county Magistrate-elect Chong Dong-jin.
The move comes amid allegations that Chong's supporters handed out cash
bribes to voters.
According to the prosecutors' office, one of Chong's campaign office
directors allegedly engaged in vote-buying on behalf of the candidate -
handing out cash bribe's of between 1,000 and 2,000 N-T to each voter.
Chong is denying the charges.
Ukraine President to Visit Washington
Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelensky is to visit Washington on Wednesday for
face-to-face meetings with President Biden at the White House.
He's also expected to make a speech before a joint session of Congress.
It will be the first time he's left Ukraine since the war began, as our
Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.
German Nazi Stenographer Senteced for Crimes
A German court has convicted a 97-year-old woman of being an accessory to
murder (謀殺案的同謀) for her role as a secretary to the SS commander of the
Nazis' Stutthof concentration camp during World War II.
The court in northern Germany gave the woman a two-year suspended sentence on
Tuesday.
The defendant was found to have known about and deliberately supported the
killing of more than 10,500 prisoners through her work as a stenographer in
the commander's office between 1943 and 1945.
UN Votes to Keep Peacekeepers to Congo
The Security Council has voted unanimously to extend the U.N. peacekeeping
mission in Congo with an eye to its eventual exit.
It also voted to lift a notification requirement on some government arms
purchases which Congo’s foreign minister recently called unjustified.
The separate resolutions were approved amid worsening security in Congo’s
mineral-rich east, which has seen an upsurge in violence and civilian
killings that has uprooted tens of thousands of people.
The resolution extends (延伸) the U.N. force until Dec. 20, 2023.
It strongly condemns all domestic and foreign armed groups operating in the
country and demands that they immediately stop all violence and exploitation
of Congo's resources.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 22-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
14,410 on turnover of 2.4-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Monday, as selling was sparked by losses on Wall
Street at the end of last week amid rising concerns over a possible recession
due to the current rate hike cycle by the U-S Federal Reserve.
Large cap stocks in the electronics, old economy, petrochemical and steel
sectors were the targets of the sell-off, but the biotech sector bucked the
downward trend, as investors sitting on ample (充足) funds rushed to park
their money there during the trading day.
MAC Investigating Possible Illegal TikTok Activities in Taiwan
The Mainland Affairs Council says it is investigating possible illegal
activities by TikTok in Taiwan.
According to the council, it launched the investigation after Cabinet
spokesman Luo Bing-cheng told delegates at an interministerial meeting in
Taipei that the Chinese social media application posed (構成) a cybersecurity
threat to Taiwan.
The council says it has also submitted information TikTok's activities that
could be im violation of the Criminal Code to prosecutors for further
investigation.
Finance Minister Su Jien-rong says his office will issue a report on its
investigation within three months, but to his knowledge TikTok has no
business or taxation registration in Taiwan.
Taiwan Lantern Festival to Showcase Giant Rabbit
The Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism has unveiled some of
the highlights of February's Taiwan Lantern Festival.
It will the first time in 23-years that Taipei will have hosted the event.
According to city tourism officials, the themed of the event will be "Light
up the Future."
A total of 16 installations will be set up in Taipei's central, east and
Xinyi districts.
One of the main attractions (景點) will be a large rabbit lantern located on
roof of one of the exits of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Station.
The 2023 Taiwan Lantern Festival will be taking place in Taipei from February
5 through 19.
Nigeria 20 Die of Suspected Cholera Outbreak
At least twenty people have lost their lives to suspected cholera outbreak in
Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State, Southern Nigeria.
Ten villages in the local Government Area have reportedly been affected since
Thursday.
Ajeck Mangut reports from Abuja.
Russia: Space Capsule Leak Doesn't Require Evacuation
Russia’s space corporation Roscosmos says a coolant (冷卻液) leak from a
Russian space capsule attached to the International Space Station doesn’t
require evacuation of the crew.
But the space agency is keeping open the possibility of launching a
replacement capsule, if needed.
Roscosmos said Monday that a panel of experts will determine later this month
whether the Soyuz MS-22 capsule can be safely used by the crew for a planned
return to Earth or if it should be discarded and replaced.
Roscosmos says the next Soyuz is scheduled for a March launch but could be
expedited, if necessary.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 50-points this morning from Friday's close, at 14,478
on turnover of 2.5-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex fell by just over 200-points on Friday, after joining other
regional markets and followed Wall Street lower as plans by the U-S Fed for
more interest rate hikes rattled (使…不安) investor sentiment.
Incumbent KMT Chiayi Mayor Wins Reelection
Incumbent Chiayi City K-M-T Mayor Huang Min-hui has won re-election in
delayed election.
Huang beat her main rival Lee Chun-yi, of the D-P-P by nearly 30-percentage
points.
Huang declared victory just 75 minutes after the polls closed.
According to the Central Election Commission, Huang finished with 63.8-per
cent of the total votes, to Lee's 35-per cent.
Three other independent candidates combined (合計的) for the remaining
1.2-per cent of the total votes cast in the election.
The election was delayed three weeks because of the death independent Huang
Shao-cong, who died of a heart attack on November 2.
Huang's victory means the K-M-T keep control of 14 of Taiwan's 22 cities and
counties.
Lunar New Year TRA Ticket Sales to Begin Midnight Wednesday
The Taiwan Railways Administration says ticket reservations for the Lunar New
Year holiday will begin this week.
Bookings for tickets on the Eastern Trunk Line will open at midnight
Wednesday, while reservations for the Western Trunk Line will be available
from midnight on Thursday.
According to the rail network operator, additional services will be added to
the regular schedule from January 18 through 30.
A total of 287 trains are to be added to meet the expected high demand (需求)
over week-long Lunar New Year holiday.
The holiday begins on Friday, January 20.
NKorea Claims Test Satellite Fired
North Korea says it fired a test satellite in an important final-stage test
for the development of its first spy satellite.
The North’s state media says today the test was done to assess ((評估) the
satellite's photography and data transmission systems.
It also released black-and-white photos showing Seoul and another South
Korean city as seen from space in an apparent attempt to show the North is
pushing to monitor its rival with its advancing technologies.
A security analyst said the images weren't so impressive for military
reconnaissance but that improvements in the North's capability were
expected.
US COVID Hospitalization Rates Rising
The White House COVID coordinator says there's been a substantial (重大的)
increase in cases and hospitalizations since Thanksgiving.
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports.
UN Food Program Director to Step Down
The executive director of the United Nations World Food Program says he will
step down at the end of a six-year term heading the world’s largest
humanitarian organization.
David Beasley served one term as South Carolina’s governor from 1995 to
1999.
He was appointed to the U.N. post in 2017 by then U.S. President Donald
Trump.
Beasley term was extended (延長) under the Biden administration for an extra
year.
The World Food Program won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for fighting hunger.
Beasley says the process to select his successor has already begun.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 180-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
14,554 on turnover of 4.2-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex recovered most of its early losses to close marginally lower on
Thursday, as investor interest in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
rebounded from an initial downturn after going ex-dividend.
However, many large cap tech stocks remained weak as investors digested
comments by U-S Fed Chair Jerome Powell overnight after America's central
bank raised its key interest rates by an additional 50 basis points.
Taipei 101 NY Show to Feature 16,000 Fireworks
The Taipei Financial Center Corporation says this year's New Year's eve event
at the Taipei 101 will feature 16,000 fireworks being set off over the course
of five minutes.
While there will also be simultaneous light displays on all four sides of the
building to mark the beginning of the New Year.
According to the Taipei 101 owner, it expect some 1-million people to attend
the event.
Taipei 101 Chairman Zhang Hsueh-shun says the show will also feature a
variety of patterns, including peace pigeons, smiley faces and the tree of
life, designed to convey (傳達, 表達) the theme of the show -- "looking after
the world and shining dreams."
Zhang says the New Year fireworks display will cost 50-million N-T and has
been paid for by sponsorship from the Tourism Bureau, the Taiwan Stock
Exchange, Chunghwa Telecom, C-T-B-C Bank and Audi.
Malaysia Landslide Leaves Missing
A Malaysia fire department official says some 50 people are feared buried
after a landslide hit a campsite outside Kuala Lumpur early today.
Local media cited police as saying initial information indicated that some
100 people may have been at the campsite in Batang Kali, around 40 kilometers
north of Kuala Lumpur, when the incident occurred.
A fire department official told The Associated Press that rescuers are
searching for an estimated (估計的) 50 missing people.
He provided no further details.
Russia Warns US Defense Systems in Ukraine Could be Targeted
Russia has warned that US defense systems in Ukraine could be targeted for
attacks.
AP's Lisa Dwyer reports.
Peru Ousted President to Remain in Custody
A Peruvian judge has ordered ousted President Pedro Castillo to remain in
custody for 18 months, approving a request from authorities for time to build
their rebellion case against him.
The ruling Thursday came a day after the government declared a state of
emergency as it struggles to calm violent protests.
The protests erupted after Castillo was voted out of power by lawmakers last
week, following his attempt to dissolve (解散) Congress ahead of an
impeachment vote.
Castillo and his legal team refused to participate in Thursday’s virtual
hearing, arguing it lacked “minimum guarantees.”
He was represented by a public defender.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 46-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
14,692 on turnover of 2.1-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Wednesday, as investor sentiment rebounded
following the release of better than expected inflation data for November out
of America.
The bellwether electronics sector again served as a driver to the gains on
the broader market on the back of fund inflows (流入) caused by a stronger
New Taiwan dollar - and that pushed up the main board, despite turnover
remaining moderate.
NSTC to Fund Fusion Nuclear Research
The National Science and Technology Council says it plans to fund research
into key fusion nuclear technologies, following the announcement of a
significant breakthrough in the field by researchers in the U-S.
According to the council it will provide grants (補助金) for research teams
in the fields of theoretical and experimental studies about laser-plasma
interactions and magnetically confined high-temperature plasmas.
Both of those studies are essential to creating conditions required for
nuclear fusion.
The announcement comes after the U-S Secretary of Energy said Wednesday that
a "milestone achievement" in producing a nuclear fusion reaction that
resulted in a net energy gain has been made at the Lawrence Livermore
National Laboratory in California.
MOF Expected to Adopt 15% Minimum Corporate Tax in 2024 at Earliest
The Ministry of Finance says it expects to adopt a 15-per cent minimum
multi-national corporation tax rate on January 1 of 2024 at the earliest.
The move comes after European Union member states reached agreement on the
minimum tax rate earlier this week.
According to the ministry, it is currently studying the possibility of
raising the local minimum business tax rate from the current 12 to 15-per
cent.
The change requires no revision of existing laws - meaning the Cabinet can
announce and implement (實施) the change without submitting the proposal to
the Legislature for review.
UN Blocks Myanmar Junta Taking Seat at UN
Two well-informed U.N. diplomats say a key U.N. committee has again blocked
Myanmar’s military junta from taking the country’s seat at the United
Nations.
According to the Associated Press, the diplomats say the General Assembly’s
credentials committee met this week and deferred action on the junta’s
request.
The decision means that the Myanmar diplomat who was serving as the country's
ambassador at the United Nations when the military ousted civilian leader
Aung San Suu Kyi nearly two years ago will remain on the job.
The director of the London-based Myanmar Accountability Project says the
deferral (延期) “has great diplomatic and symbolic significance, at a time
when the illegal coup leaders are attempting to gain international
recognition.”
TikTok Possibly Boosting Posts About Suicide
TikTok may be boosting posts about eating disorders and suicide.
AP's Lisa Dwyer reports.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 34-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,557
on turnover of 2.5-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Tuesday despite a rally on Wall Street overnight,
as investors opted to shift their attention back to the local export-oriented
economy.
The bellwether electronics sector remained concerned by worries over
inventory adjustments (調整) in the global market due to rising inflation and
rate hikes.
And investors were also spooked following news that bicycle manufacturer
Giant has asked its suppliers for payment postponement due to weakening
global demand.
Cabinet to Approve Bill Barring Ex-Convicts from Public Office
The Cabinet is set to approve a draft bill that seeks to ban individuals
convicted of involvement in organized crime, money laundering, drug-related
offenses, and illegal possession of guns or knives from running for public
office.
The move comes after Premier Su Tseng-chang announced the Cabinet would
introduce a draft amendment to the Civil Servants Election and Recall Act in
order to meet public expectations of "integrity" (廉正) among public
officials.
Data from the Anti-corruption and Whistleblower Protection Association from
August showed that of the 885 incumbent city and county councilors prior to
the recent local elections, 136 had criminal records.
Yushan Likely to See First Snow this Winter at Weekend
And,
The Central Weather Bureau says Yushan could see the first snowfall of this
winter this weekend, when a cold wave is forecast (預報) to send temperatures
down to 10 degrees or lower.
This winter's first snowfall was recorded on Xueshan earlier this week.
According to the weather bureau's forecast center, snow is most likely late
Saturday or early Sunday at altitudes of 3,000-meters and above.
Snow could also fall in mountainous areas of northern Taiwan at altitudes of
around 2,000-meters and above.
US Respect for Marriage Bill Signed
US President Joe Biden has now signed the respect for marriage act into
federal law.
The act provides greater nationwide protections for same-sex couples.
Chris Jones has more from Washington DC.
Ukraine President Urges NZ to Help on Environment Issues
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged New Zealand to take a
leading role in focusing on the environmental destruction his country is
suffering as a result of Russia’s invasion.
Zelenskyy delivered his message via video link to lawmakers who packed the
debating chamber today.
He said some of the environmental effects of the war included poisoned
groundwater, ravaged (毀壞) forests, flooded coal mines and huge areas of
Ukraine that remain contaminated from unexploded mines.
He is pushing for a 10-point peace plan that, as well as environmental
protection, includes items such as nuclear safety and justice.
New Zealand announced it was providing another $2 million US dollars in
humanitarian aid through the International Committee of the Red Cross, adding
to the $5 million it had already provided.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 5-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,617
on turnover of 2-billion N-T.
The market came under heavy pressure on Monday as investor sentiment
continued to be overshadowed by (使（某事物）令人不快或減少樂趣) concerns
about the U-S Federal Reserve's rate hike cycle ahead of a two-day
policymaking meeting.
And turnover for the session stood at 151-billion N-T -- which is the lowest
level so far this year.
China's Beer and Liquor Imports Ban to Cost Taiwan Less than NT$1 billion
Finance Minister Su Jien-rong says China's suspension of the imports of some
shipments of beer and liquor from Taiwan is not expected to cost exporters
more than 1-billion N-T.
The ban on beer and liquor has affected several of Taiwan's leading suppliers
(供應商) including the Taiwan Tobacco & Liquor Corporation, King Car Food
Industrial and Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor.
China has said the shipment ban is related to a new customs registration
system which to effect on January 1 of this year.
Economics Minister Wang Mei-hua says although many countries have been
critical of the new Chinese customs registration system, Beijing has been
targeting Taiwanese exporters before those of other countries.
Kaohsiung Mayor Meets with Tokyo Governor in Japan
And,
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai has met with Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike in Japan
Chen is leading a delegation of city officials from the Department of
Administrative and International Affairs and Marine Bureau and arrived in
Japan on Sunday for a three-day visit.
According to the Kaohsiung City Government, Chen and Koike exchanged views on
the coronavirus pandemic and other issues of mutual interest, including smart
cities, energy saving and carbon reduction.
It is Chen's first overseas trip since taking office in 2020.
FTX Founder Arrested in Bahamas
Police in the Bahamas have arrested Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of the
bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX.
The arrest came at the request of (按照…的要求) US authorities.
US Correspondent Ira Spitzer reports.
Intl Tribunal Asked by Island States for Opinion on Climate Change
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea says that small island
states have asked it to provide an opinion on what impact a key U.N. treaty
governing maritime activities has on efforts to curb climate change.
The Hamburg-based U.N. tribunal says it received a request from Antigua and
Barbuda and Tuvalu to render an advisory opinion on the climate obligations
(義務) arising to parties from the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The tribunal said it has added the request to its list of cases.
It isn’t clear whether or when an advisory opinion could eventually be
issued.
But if the tribunal does provide the treaty’s 168 parties with legal
guidance on the issue of climate change it could trigger further cases.
Mexico US Officials to Discuss Trade Issues
Mexico's foreign secretary says he'll travel this week to Washington, D.C.,
in an effort to resolve a dispute over imports of genetically modified U.S.
corn.
The trip planned for Friday comes before a scheduled visit next month to
Mexico City by U.S. President Joe Biden.
Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard says he and other Mexican officials will be
seeking (尋求、試圖) points of agreement with Washington on the corn, and on
other issues.
Mexico plans to ban imports of genetically modified corn for human
consumption and perhaps eventually for animal feed.
Biden and the leaders of Mexico and Canada are to meet Jan. 9 in Mexico City.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 46-points this morning from Friday's close, at 14,658
on turnover of 1.5-billion N-T.
The market closed higher on a technical rebound Friday after Wall Street
rallied overnight and those gains were driven largely by semiconductor
heavyweights, but buying was also seen in the shipping and biotech sectors.
However investor sentiment remained cautious due to concerns over a recession
(經濟衰退) in the United States.
Government to Assist Companies Affected by Partial China Import Ban
The Ministry of Economic Affairs says it will use sales promotions, financing
and professional training programs to help companies affected by China's
decision to suspend imports of more products from Taiwan.
The statement comes after Beijing announced bans last week on over 100
Taiwanese companies selling fishery products, as well as alcoholic and
non-alcoholic beverages.
Beijing claims that have all failed to submit (提交) or incorrectly filled in
documents needed to comply with new customs registration rules.
Deputy Economic Minister C-C Chen says his office is planning to use programs
such as the Bureau of Foreign Trade's Taiwan Global Food Initiative to help
firms affected by the ban.
That program was launched in August.
Japanese LDP's Senior Member Supports Taiwan's CPTPP Bid
A visiting senior member of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party says he
fully supports Taiwan's bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive
Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
However, Koichi Hagiuda is raising concerns over Taiwan's partial ban on some
Japanese food imports, calling for the removal of those bans as soon as
possible.
Although lauding Taiwan for partially lifting a decade-long ban on food
imports from areas affected by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster earlier
this year, he also says Taiwan's government needs to fully remove the ban
"based on (以…為根據) science."
Hagiuda is the first policy chief of the L-D-P to visit Taiwan in nearly 20
years.
Zambia Ethiopian Nationals Found Dead
Zambian police say the bodies of 27 men believed to be Ethiopian nationals
have been discovered in Zambia’s capital city, Lusaka.
Officers say investigations indicate the bodies found Sunday were “all males
aged between 20 and 38, were dumped by unknown people.”
The police say one man was still alive and was rushed to a hospital for
treatment.
They say the bodies have been taken for formal identification and postmortems
(驗屍), while police and other security services are investigating.
China Expands Hospital Support
China is expanding its medical facilities in rural areas, amid concerns from
international health experts the country could face a surge in Covid-19 cases
after scaling back (縮減、減少) its strict virus rules.
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
*Gaza Ancient Tombs Discovered
Hamas authorities in Gaza have announced the discovery of over 60 tombs in an
ancient burial site dating back to the Roman era.
Work crews have been excavating (挖掘) the site since it was discovered last
January during preparations for an Egyptian-funded housing project.
Officials say a total of 63 graves have been identified.
They say the ministry is working with a team of French experts, and that a
set of bones and artifacts from one tomb was dated back to the second
century.
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Premier Accepts Interior Minister's Resignation
DPP Announces Timeline for Chair Election
Putin talks about using nuclear weapons
Japan Q3 economy shrunk less than first thought but outlook murky
*United Nations' NGO Accreditations
Two-Week Reservist Program to be Expanded Next Year
Nursing Association Head Honored in Ireland
Trump Org Guilty of Tax Fraud
Indonesia’s Parliament unanimously voted to ban sex outside of marriage
Hungary Cancels Fuel Price Cap
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 25-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
14,955 on turnover of 2.8-billion N-T.
The market closed relatively flat on Monday after tech stocks gave up early
gains following a downturn on Wall Street at the end of last week.
Rotational buying remained active, helping to give some momentum to select
old economy stocks in the transportation and commodities (商品、貨物)
sectors.
However, selling was noticeable in the last hour of the trading day as
investors opted to pocket earlier gains in semiconductor heavyweights.
Deputy Trade Rep. Cites Non-Tariff Taiwan-US Trade Deal Possible in 2023
Deputy trade representative Yang Zhen-ni says the government is hoping to
sign a bilateral trade agreement with the United States by the end of next
year.
However, Yang is stressing that the deal will not cover the core
(核心的，主要的) issue of tariff reduction.
Speaking at a legislative hearing, Yang said her office is seeking to have a
bilateral trade pact signed by the time the APEC meeting is held in the U-S
in November 2023.
According to Yang, the agreement will not include tariff reduction, as the
U-S has not passed any legislation to authorize that, but it will include
sections related to customs, agriculture, digital trade, and labor issues,
climate change and state-owned enterprises.
Chiang Seeking to Open Taipei Dome Within a Year
Taipei mayor-elect Chiang Wan-an says he plans to fulfill (實現) his policy
promise and open the Taipei Dome within a year.
Speaking an administration transition meeting at Taipei City Hall, Chiang
said that he will negotiate with the central government to ensure the safety
and engineering quality of the multi-purpose sports and recreational center.
According to Chiang, his team will try to begin operations at the Taipei Dome
within a year, as the central government has already finished the fire safety
review.
Chiang went on to say that if trial operations start in June next year, the
grand opening could be held in September.
Russia Claims Air Bases Hit
The Kremlin claims Ukraine has attacked Russian air bases, and it has
responded with a barrage of missiles.
AP's Lisa Dwyer reports.
Mexico President Changes Maya Train Plans
Mexico's Maya Train tourist project will now include a 78 kilometer stretch
of elevated (升高的) trackway through the jungle.
The project has faced opposition from environmentalists who say the train
will crush or contaminate the network of caves and sinkhole lakes around the
resorts of Tulum and Playa del Carmen.
But the president now says two-thirds of the line will be elevated on
thousands of 25 meter pilings sunk into the soil and avoiding the caves,
supporting pre-fabricate elevated sections 2.5 meters above the ground.
The latest change also raised doubts about whether such an elevated trackway
can be completed as the president has promised within one year.
The 1,500-kilomete Maya Train line is meant to run in a rough loop around the
Yucatan Peninsula, connecting beach resorts and archaeological sites.
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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 1-point this morning from Friday's close, at 14,972 on
turnover of 2.5-billion N-T.
The market closed the trading day lower on Friday after fluctuating (波動的)
in consolidation mode ahead of the release of the U-S job data
Semiconductor heavyweights came under pressure during the session, but Hon
Hai lent some support to the broader market.
Tsai Meets with Senior DPP Officials to Talk "Way Ahead"
President Tsai Ing-wen has held talks with senior government and D-P-P
officials to discuss the party's losses in the local elections and plans for
a possible Cabinet reshuffle.
According to the Presidential Office, Tsai met with Vice President William
Lai, Premier Su Chang-tseng, National Security Council Secretary-General
Wellington Koo, D-P-P legislative caucus whip Ker Chien-ming and acting party
chair Chen Chi-mai.
A Presidential Office spokesperson says the talks focused on in-depth
discussions on both the domestic (國內的) and international political and
economic situations and a review of the Cabinet as well as possible changes
in government policy.
The spokesperson says Tsai is also seeking to step-up communications between
the government and opposition parties in areas related to national security.
Ironman and His 'Lucky Cap' Visit Changhua Temple
And,
Norwegian ironman Gustav Iden has revisited the Shunze Temple in Changhua
County, where he thanked the deity there for bringing him good luck since
winning a breakthrough world championship in 2019.
Speaking at the event, the Norwegian athlete said "coming to Taiwan is always
something special" and he's happy that the hat has created a strong bond
((感情的)聯結) between him and Taiwan.
Iden found the cap on the ground in Japan before an Tokyo Olympic test event
in early 2019 and then wore it when he won an Ironman World Championship in
Nice in September of that same year.
That set off a craze here in Taiwan for the "lucky" baseball cap from the
temple.
Iden has since worn the cap in 10 races - all of which he has won.
China Eases COVID19 Rules
China is relaxing its strict COVID-19 policies and taking steps to reopen the
economy.
The country’s health authorities say that’s a response to the virus
becoming less dangerous and vaccination rates increasing. But it’s also
being seen as a concession (讓步) to mounting public protests against the
rules.
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
Indonesia Volcano Erupts
Indonesia’s highest volcano on its most densely populated island has
released gas clouds and rivers of lava in its latest eruption.
Monsoon rains eroded and finally collapsed the lava dome atop (在頂上) Mount
Semeru, causing the eruption Sunday.
Columns of ash were blasted nearly 1,500 meters into the sky.
Several hundred residents fled to temporary shelters or left for other safe
areas.
Several villages were blanketed with falling ash, blocking out the sun, but
no casualties have been reported.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 79.6-points this morning from yesterday's close, at14,933 on turnover of $3.7-billion N-T.The market once again ended the trading day in positive territory onThursday, as investors were encouraged by a rally on Wall Street overnightafter the head of the U-S Federal Reserve hinted at an easing in the pace ofinterest rate hikes to tame inflation.COA Cites Data Showing Japan Now Surpasses China as Top Taiwan Fruit ImporterThe Council of Agriculture says Japan has overtaken (超車、超過) China tobecome the largest importer of fruit from Taiwan this year.According to the council, Japan took the number one spot after aJapanese-foodstuffs trading company pledged to purchase at least 5,100 tonnesof fruit from Taiwan.That deal was signed at a ceremony in Tokyo.Wismettac Foods is now promising to purchase at least 3,500 tonnes ofpineapples, 1,500 tonnes of bananas and 100 tonnes of frozen pineapplesannually.The company says it also hopes to purchase seafood from Taiwan in the future.The signing of that fruit deal came a day after Japanese sushi chain, KuraSushi, signed an agreement with the Council of Agriculture to import 50,000tonnes of grouper from Taiwan next year.Biden Macron United Against Russia at WH French President Emanuel Macron and US President Joe Biden have praised(表揚、稱讚) the strong alliance between their two countries after a meetingat the White House.Kate Fisher reports<[CLIP]Slug:>Canada Man Charged with Indigenous Women Deaths Police in Canada allege a man previously charged with murdering an Indigenouswoman also killed three other women — two also confirmed to be Indigenousand one believed to be.Jeremy Skibicki was charged last May after the remains of Rebecca Contoiswere found near an apartment building.Skibicki is now charged with first-degree murder in three other deaths in thespring.Police say three of the four victims were Indigenous.The fourth victim has not been identified but police say it’s believed shewas also Indigenous.Spain Gov Pledges Funds for Donana Wetlands Spain’s government has pledged to invest 350 million euros in the country'sDonana wetlands.Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the pledge (承諾) on Thursdaywhen he visited the Donana National Park.Ecologists have been calling for more action to help the UNESCO worldheritage site that experts say is dying due to the misuse of water andclimate change.A European Union court ruled last year that Spanish authorities had failed intheir duty to protect the wetlands that are a stopover spot for millions ofbirds migrating from Africa to northern Europe.The World Wildlife Fund applauded the investment but demanded more fromregional authorities to control the illegal extraction of water.That was the I.C.R.T. news,Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploadedevery day in the afternoon.Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 180-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,060 on turnover of $5.1-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex gained ground to close above 14,800 point mark on Wednesday as investors chose to ignore a lackluster performance on Wall Street overnight.
The weighted index ended the day up 169-points at 14,879 - and that was the market's highest close since September 13.
The high closing figure came as foreign institutional investors returned to the local main board, while investor interest focused on I-C design heavyweights, as well as select old economy and financial stocks during the trading day.
Electric Bike Owners Now Required to Register Vehicles and get License Plates
Owners of new electric bicycles are now required to register their vehicles, obtain a license plate and buy insurance.
The move comes as revisions to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act take effect from today.
Under those revisions, e-bikes are now formally described as being "mini electric two-wheel vehicles" - meaning they cannot be operated without a license plate.
Owners of new e-bikes will have to formally register their vehicle and purchase a minimum of three years of compulsory (強制性的) automobile liability insurance.
The news rules also state that only people aged 14 or older can ride an e-bike, and they must wear a helmet and ride at a speed of no more than 25-kilometers-an-hour.
E-bike owners are also banned from carrying passengers, modifying their vehicles, or riding them on sidewalks or regular bike lanes.
Afghanistan Bomb Attack at Religious School A Taliban official says that at least 10 students were killed when a bomb blast hit a religious school in northern Afghanistan.
AP correspondent Charles de Ledesma reports.
EU Wants UN Investigation into Russian War Crimes The European Union wants to set up a U.N.-backed specialized (專門) court to investigate possible war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday the EU will work with international partners to get “the broadest international support possible” for the tribunal while supporting the International Criminal Court.
Investigations of military crimes committed during the war in Ukraine are underway around Europe, and the Hague-based International Criminal Court has already launched a probe (調查).
Von der Leyen added that the EU wants to make Russia pay for the destruction it caused in neighboring Ukraine by using Russian assets frozen under sanctions.
She estimated the damage to Ukraine at $617 billion US dollars.
EU Warns Musk to Beef Up Twitter Protections A top European Union official has warned Elon Musk that Twitter needs to beef up (加強) to protect users from hate speech, misinformation and other harmful content to avoid violating new rules.
The EU's commissioner for digital policy told Musk on Wednesday that the social media platform will have to significantly increase efforts to comply (遵守) with the rules that threaten big fines or even a ban in the 27-nation bloc if tech giants don’t comply.
The two held a video call to discuss Twitter’s preparedness for the rules.
The commissioner says Musk told him that the new EU rules were “a sensible approach to implement on a worldwide basis.”
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 31-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,678 on turnover of 2.9-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Tuesday in a volatile (易變的) trading session, as investors were closely watching the situation in China.
The market fluctuated by almost 300 points during the trading day.
Semiconductor stocks led an initial downturn, but the local main board made a sharp rebound after investors opted to use temporary declines in the share prices to increase their holdings.
NHI Copayment Plan Could be Delayed Health Minister Xue Rui-yuan says plans to implement (實施) an increase in National Health Insurance copayments could be delayed depending on how the island's economy performs in the coming months.
The plan is currently slated to be introduced sometime in the first quarter of next year.
However, the health minister says an exact timeframe has not yet been decided, as the domestic coronavirus situation and how fast the island's economy can recover from the pandemic could affect the finalizing of an implementation date.
Xue says his office will be making further assessments of the overall situation in the coming weeks.
Central Bank Head Cits Weak NT$ as Contributing to Inflation Central Bank Governor Yang Jin-long says the New Taiwan dollar will likely depreciate by around 6-per cent against the U-S dollar this year, driving up the price of imports and adding up to 0.3 percentage points to the consumer price index.
According to Yang several factors have contributed to (成為因素) rising inflation in Taiwan over the last two years.
They include coronavirus-era supply chain bottlenecks, the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on food and energy prices, and Taiwan's vulnerability as a small economy to price fluctuations on international markets.
While the other major factor is imported inflation, which has been driven up by both the rising costs of imported materials and products and by the depreciation of the New Taiwan dollar.
US Senate Passes SameSex Marriage Bill The U.S. Senate has passed a landmark (地標性的) bill protecting same-sex and interracial marriage across the country - and it did it with the support of both Democrats and Republicans.
Toni Waterman has more.
Finland Calls for Weapons for Ukraine in NZ and Australia Finland’s leader says it must give more weapons and support to Ukraine to ensure it wins its war against Russia.
Prime Minister Sanna Marin made the comments today in Auckland as she embarked on the first-ever visit by a Finnish leader to New Zealand and Australia.
Among the aims of the visit are improving diplomatic relations and trade ties.
Since the war began, both Finland and Sweden have abandoned their longstanding policies of military nonalignment and applied to join NATO.
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Government Stresses the 'Close Monitoring' of China Protests Children Aged from 5 to 11 Soon Allowed to Get Coronavirus Booster Shot *U.K.: golden era with China is over Australia calling for more protection for Great Barrier Reef Indonesia's Aceh Province saw polio outbreak
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 141-points this morning from Friday's close, at 14,636 on turnover of 3.3-billion N-T.
The market closed flat on Friday, as it moved in a narrow range as Wall Street was closed for Thanksgiving and didn't provide any direction for local investors, who were worried about a technical pullback after recent solid gains.
Many foreign institutional investors were also absent from the market due to the U-S holiday.
DPP Vows to Engage in Introspection The D-P-P says its poor showing in the local government elections is indicative (表示 … 的) of public opinion and the party will now seek "self-reflection."
According to D-P-P Secretary-General Lin Hsi-yao, the party will squarely face the reasons for its setback at the polls, after it managed to secure only five of the 21 city and county leadership seats.
The K-M-T secured 13 of the 21 seats up for grabs, while the D-P-P ended with two less seats than it had going into the local elections.
The D-P-P's secretary-general says he believes the internal decision-making teams that shape major party policies should be held responsible, as the loss reflects public opinion of its performance.
And Lin also says the D-P-P's chances of recovery will depend on how it acts going forward into two legislative by-elections and one mayoral election that will be taking place soon.
Arrivals Numbers Hit Nearly 100,000 in October And,
The Tourism Bureau says nearly 100,000 tourists came to Taiwan in October, after the government lifted quarantine regulations.
Data shows that a total of 93,206 people arrived in Taiwan in that month - and that's an increase of 560-per cent compared with October of last year.
According to the Tourism Bureau, Taiwan saw the largest number of visitors based on the growth rate of other major regional tourist markets in October, and was followed by Japan.
Of those arriving in Taiwan, 98.57-per cent came by air, with 90.49-per cent of that total landing at Taoyuan International Airport.
The Tourism Bureau says most of the tourists stayed for between 8 and 15 nights.
Cameroon Landslide Leaves Dead and Missing Authorities say at least 14 people are dead in Cameroon's capital after a landslide at a funeral.
Dozens of others remained missing as rescue crews continued digging through the rubble (瓦礫) with flashlights.
The local governent says that the search for survivors in the Damas neighborhood of Yaounde would continue.
About a dozen others injured in the landslide are being treated at local hospitals.
US Officials Criticize China COVID19 Policy US health officials have suggested that China's approach ( 方法，方式) to COVID-19 isn't realistic.
This comes after widespread protests across China against the government's tough covid-19 containment measures.
Jagruti Dave reports from Washington.
Yemen Signs Economic Aid Deal with Arab Monetary Fund State media says Yemen's internationally recognized government has signed an economic aid deal worth $1 billion with the Arab Monetary Fund.
A state news agency said the country's Saudi-backed administration signed the deal on Sunday to push through wide-ranging economic reforms.
Yemen's economy has been decimated by a civil war that has pitted (使…競爭) Houthi rebels against the government that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates back.
The Arab Monetary Fund is based in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi and operates as a sub-organization of the 22-member Arab League.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 19-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,765, on turnover of $1.88-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex gained ground on Thursday, as most other regional markets closed the day higher.
However, investor optimism about the U-S Federal Reserve holding back on aggressive interest rate hikes was countered by uncertainty over coronavirus lockdowns in China.
Three More Private High Schools Placed on MOE 'Watch List' The Ministry of Education has placed three more private high schools on its "watch list."
The three schools include the Hong Ren Catholic Girls' High School in Chiayi City, the Yu Min Vocational School in Miaoli County and Yu-Ren Senior High School in Taitung.
According to the education ministry, they were added the list because their "financial condition has markedly declined to the extent that the school cannot pay off its debt, or that financial problems has seriously impacted the running of the school."
Schools place on the watch list are alloted (分配的) a two-year observation period to solve their problems.
If they fail to properly address the issues, education authories can order their closure at the end of the period.
Venezuela and Opposition to Resume Negotiations The government of Venezuela and its opposition say they will resume over the weekend long-stalled negotiations meant to find a common path out of their country’s complex crisis.
The announcement Thursday comes two weeks after delegates from both parties met to address the Venezuelan crisis, promoted by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Norwegian diplomats will guide the negotiations.
The talks formally began in September 2021 in Mexico but were suspended the following month when President Nicolas Maduro ordered his delegation to withdraw in protest of the extradition to the United States of a close ally.
UK Businesses Urge Gov Not to Scrap EU Laws UK businesses and unions are urging the government not to scrap a range of European Union laws.
In a joint letter, several influential groups called on ministers to withdraw (撤) its Retained EU Law bill, warning it would put vital protections at risk.
The legislation would see most EU laws expire by the end of 2023.
The government says it is committed to 'taking full advantage of the benefits of Brexit'.
Sally Patterson has more in London.
Egypt Announces Release of Political Activists Egyptian authorities have announced the release of 30 political activists from jail.
The announcement late on Thursday marks the latest in a series of mass releases from detention amid intensifying international scrutiny over Egypt's human rights record.
There was no word on the identities of the activists or how many had already been freed.
Since 2013, Egypt has cracked down on dissidents (持不同政見者) and critics, jailing thousands, virtually banning protests and monitoring social media.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 41-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,650 on turnover of $2.7-billion N-T.
The market moved higher on Wednesday on the back of investor interest sparked by gains on Wall Street overnight amid easing concerns over aggressive (積極強硬的) U-S Federal Reserve rate hikes.
The bellwether electronics sector continued to gain ground, but still came off early highs, while buying rotated to financial and select old economy stocks throughout much of the trading day.
Single-Use Plastic Cups to be Banned in Taipei from Next Month The Taipei Department of Environmental Protection is reminding residents that beverage shops in the city will be prohibited from providing single-use plastic drinking cups from December 1.
The department says the move is in line with international trends (趨勢) and the city government's implementation of plastic reduction policies.
According to city hall, the ban includes eco-friendly cups made of biodegradable plastic materials.
The Taipei City Government is also planning to introduce a new system for reusable cups on January 1st.
The city's environmental protection office says the new regulations will result in a 900-ton reduction in plastics waste every year.
Ukraine President Addresses UN President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged members of the United Nations to do more to protect civilians in Ukraine.
The latest escalation (（戰爭）逐步升級) of missile strikes by Russia has caused power outages across much of Ukraine and half of neighboring Moldova.
William Denselow reports from UN headquarters in New York.
EU: Kosovo and Serbia Reach Deal on Licence Plates The European Union’s top diplomat says Kosovo and Serbia have reached a deal on a dispute over vehicle number plates, defusing rising tension between the two Western Balkan neighbors.
The EU’s high representative, Josep Borrell, posted in his social media page that Kosovo’s and Serbia’s negotiators “have agreed to avoid further escalation and to fully concentrate on the proposal on normalization (正常化) of their relations.”
Earlier this week Borrell had failed to convince the two countries' leaders to do that, raising concerns in Brussels.
The EU-backed Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, which is aimed at normalizing relations between the former foes in the Western Balkans, has been at a virtual standstill for years.
WCup Germany Protests Gov Clampdown on One Love Armband Germany’s players covered their mouths for the team photo before their opening World Cup match to protest against FIFA following the governing body’s clampdown on the “One Love” armband.
Germany coach Hansi Flick says it was a sign from the team "that FIFA is muzzling us.”
The team lined up in the traditional formation before the game against Japan and all 11 players covered their mouths with their right hands.
The gesture was a response to FIFA’s warning that players would be penalized (受到懲罰) if they wore the colorful armbands that stand as a symbol for inclusion and diversity.
Qatar has been under scrutiny for its human rights record and laws criminalizing homosexuality.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 53-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,596 on turnover of $2.76-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex bounced back from early losses on Tuesday, but market sentiment remained cautious, as many investors opted to stay on the sidelines, awaiting the release of the minutes of the U-S Federal Reserve's last policymaking meeting.
The bellwether electronics sector led the rebound, with large-cap semiconductor stocks in focus, while buying was also seen in financial and old economy stocks, particularly those in the petrochemical (石油化的) sector.
Japanese Firm Become First Foreign Company to Receive Travel Subsidies Japan-based Hiraiwa Construction has become the first foreign company to receive travel subsidies following the opening of Taiwan's border to quarantine free arrivals in mid-October.
The Tourism Bureau says the subsidies were issued after the company chose Taiwan as the incentive travel destination for its employees this year.
According to the bureau, Hiraiwa Construction kicked off this year's employee incentive (獎勵) travel on November 11 and is expected to bring about four groups with a total of about 100 employees to Taiwan before December 2.
Each group will receive 30,000 N-T in subsidies for tourism activities in Taiwan.
The subsidies have been issued under the Tourism Bureau's guidelines for foreign companies that bring in at least 100 employees to Taiwan stays of at least three days and two nights.
Palestinian Youth Killed in West Bank Raid The Palestinian Health Ministry says Israeli forces shot and killed a 16-year-old Palestinian during a nighttime raid in the occupied West Bank.
It says Ahmed Shehada was killed by an Israeli bullet early today and four others were injured.
The Israeli military had no immediate comment.
A wave of Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the West Bank and east Jerusalem has killed more than 130 Palestinians this year, making 2022 the deadliest since 2006.
US Supreme Court Refuses to Block Trump Tax Returns The US Supreme Court has refused a request from former president Donald Trump to block (阻止) the release of his tax returns.
It ends a three-year legal fight by Trump to prevent a House of Representative committee from reviewing his returns.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
Germany Celtic Gold Coins Stolen from Museum Ancient gold coins dating back to around 100 B.C. has been stolen from a museum in southern Germany.
Bavarian state police said the coins were stolen early Tuesday from the Celtic and Roman Museum, 60 kilometers north of Munich.
The 483 coins were discovered in 1999 during excavations (發掘、) of an ancient settlement and are considered the biggest trove of Celtic gold found in the 20th century.
The German news agency dpa reported that authorities estimate the value of the coins, which together weighed about 4 kilograms, at several million dollars.
Police are appealing for witnesses who might have seen suspicious individuals near the museum.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 45-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,404 on turnover of 2.6-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Monday, amid a downturn in large cap semiconductor stocks on the back of fears of a pullback after recent gains, although the losses were limited by rebounds (彈回) in non-tech sectors.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing lost 1.03-per cent and that dragged down the electronics sector by 0.77-per cent, while the semiconductor sub-index ended the trading day down 0.96-per cent.
Morris Chang Confirms that TSMC is set to Rollout 3nm Chips in US Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing founder Morris Chang has confirmed that his company will expand its investment in the U-S state of Arizona to produce chips made using the advanced 3-nanometer process.
Chang's comments are the first confirmation of the next phase (階段) of the chipmaker's expansion plans following the current 12-billion U-S dollar plan to build a complex in Arizona.
Production at the facility is scheduled to begin in 2024 using the 5-nanometer process.
According to Chang, members of the U-S Congress and President Joe Biden have been invited to a ceremony on December 6 marking the installation of the first batch of production equipment at the Arizona plant.
'King of Protests' Ke Tsi-hai Dead of Natural Causes The Shilin District Prosecutors' Office says a forensic examination (法醫檢驗) has found that Ke Si-hai died of natural causes.
Ke, who was dubbed the "King of Protests" for his frequent placard protests in the late 1990s and early 2000s, was found dead in a van on Yangmingshan National Park in Taipei on Monday.
He was 66.
Prosecutors says his body has been sent back to members of his family who accepted the conclusion that Ke died of natural causes.
Ke was an activist who was notorious for showing up at the scene of news events with protest placards and appearing behind people speaking on camera in TV news reports.
China Locks Down Guangzhou The southern Chinese metropolis of Guangzhou has locked down its largest district as it tries to tamp down a major COVID-19 outbreak, suspending public transit and requiring residents to present a negative test if they want to leave their homes.
The outbreak is testing China’s attempt to bring a more targeted approach to its zero-COVID policies while facing multiple outbreaks.
China is the only major country in the world still trying to curb virus transmissions (傳播) through strict lockdown measures and mass testing.
In Beijing, the capital reported two more COVID-19-related deaths. On Sunday, the city reported China's first COVID-19 death in over six months.
US VP to Fly to Palawan U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is set to fly to a western Philippine island province at the edge of the South China Sea to amplify (發揮，展示) America’s support to its treaty ally and underline U.S. interest in freedom of navigation in the disputed waters.
Her visit comes as a new confrontation erupted in the contested waterway ahead of her visit… when the Philippine navy alleged a Chinese coast guard vessel had forcibly seized Chinese rocket debris as Filipino sailors were towing it to their island.
Harris is to visit a small fishing community in Palawan and board a coast guard patrol ship.
She will also speak about the importance of international law, freedom of navigation and unimpeded commerce in the South China Sea.
Carp-e- dine'em A roasted carp meal is helping scientists determine how long people have been using fire to cook their food.
The new study, published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, is based on material from a watery site on the shores of an ancient lake in Israel.
Jackie Quinn reports.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 9-points this morning from Friday's close, at 14,514 on turnover of 2.5-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly lower on Friday after giving up early gains, as investors locked in profits from recent sessions amid eased concerns over the U-S Federal Reserve's rate hike cycle policy.
Major Parties Make Push Ahead of Local Elections The heads of Taiwan's three major political parties are continuing to stump (拉票) for their respective city and country government candidates with a week to go until voters head to the polls.
President Tsai Ing-wen has been rallying for support for the party's Taipei mayoral candidate, Chen Shih-chung.
K-M-T Chairman Eric Chu attended a rally in New Taipei's Xinzhuang District for incumbent Mayor Hou Yu-ih, who is seeking re-election.
While Taiwan People's Party Chairman Ko Wen-je attended a rally in Taipei Sunday evening, to call on voters there to cast their ballots for former Deputy Mayor Vivian Huang.
CTBC Brothers Celebrate Taiwan Series Win with Parade in Taichung The C-T-B-C Brothers have held a Chinese Professional Baseball League Taiwan Series victory parade in Taichung.
The team's motorcade wound its way from city hall to the Taichung Intercontinental Stadium and members of the winning squad waved to fans from an open-top red double decker bus.
Some 10,000 fans gathered along the route (路線) to cheer the team and wave banners.
The Brothers won the Taiwan Series on November 9 in front of 20,000 fans in Taichung after completing a four-game sweep of the Rakuten Monkeys by wining 3-2 in Game 4.
It was the second consecutive season that the Brothers have brought home the championship trophy.
G7 Foreign Ministers Condemn NKorea ICBM Launch G7 foreign Ministers have issued a statement condemning North Korea's launch last Friday of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
The Group of 7 which includes the United States described the act as another blatant (明目張膽的) violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
Our US Correspondent Jagruti Dave reports.
HK Leader Positive for COVID19 The Hong Kong government says leader John Lee tested positive for COVID-19 after returning from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Thailand.
The government said Lee had negative test results throughout his four-day stay in Bangkok but his test upon his arrival at Hong Kong’s airport on Sunday night was positive.
Lee is now in isolation and will work from home.
During his trip, Lee met various leaders including Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
In some close-door sessions, seating arrangements had him next to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Canada Expands Haiti Economic Sanctions Canada has expanded its economic sanctions freezing the Canadian assets of Haitian political elites to now include former president Michel Martelly and two former prime ministers.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly accused the trio this weekend of helping gangs undermine (破壞) Haiti’s current government and called on international partners to follow Canada’s lead.
She made the announcement at a two-day summit in Tunisia.
Haitian Foreign Affairs Minister Jean Victor Geneus said the new sanctions put real consequences (後果) on those causing a “nightmare” in his country.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 49-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,584 on turnover of $3.2-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex followed other regional markets and ended marginally (少量地) lower on Thursday.
Market watchers say investors were spooked by a decline in Wall Street overnight amid concerns the U-S Federal Reserve might not ease up on its aggressive interest rate hike cycle aimed at curbing inflation.
MOFA to Add Three More Countries to Scholarship Program for European Students The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it's adding three more European countries to the current Taiwan-Europe Connectivity Scholarship program for the 2023 school year.
According to the ministry's Department of European Affairs, the addition of three more countries is due to the quota for the scholarship program having not been completely filled over the past two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Department head Vincent Yao says the foreign ministry will be opening up 700 available slots to students from 29 European countries next year, by adding Iceland, Croatia, and Norway to the countries whose students are eligible (有資格的) for the program.
Most opportunities for the scholarship program will go to students from the U-K, France, and Germany.
However, slots are also being reserved for students from the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Lithuania.
SKorea: NKorea Fired Ballistic Missiles South Korea says North Korea has fired a ballistic missile toward its eastern waters.
The South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff says the launch was made today, but gave no further details.
The launch came a day after North Korea resumed its ballistic weapons tests and threatened fiercer (更激烈的) moves.
Subject: E*US Pelosi to Step Down as House Speaker U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced she will step down as Democratic leader, but stay on to represent her San Francisco district in Congress.
She made the announcement as the Republican party took enough seats to gain control of the House after the midterm elections.
Caroline Malone reports from Washington.
Bill Gates Announces Funding for Africa Bill Gates, on a visit to Kenya, has announced his foundation will spend $7 billion to improve health, gender equality and farming in Africa.
The new pledge will be spent over the next four years and is in addition to existing Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funding to strengthen health systems across the continent.
Gates said in a statement that Africa’s young people have the talent and opportunity to accelerate (加速) progress and help solve the world’s most pressing problems.
The new funding comes as countries in East Africa and the Horn of Africa face the worst drought in decades.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 47-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,489 on turnover of 3-billion N-T.
The market closed little changed on Wednesday, after coming off major gains the previous session, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing continued to lend major support to the local broader market throughout the session.
Although the recent rebound on the broader market was capped during the trading day, investor sentiment has still improved amid eased concerns over the U-S Federal Reserve rate hike cycle in the wake of moderating inflation data.
Cabinet to Discuss Raise in Tax Breaks for Local Chipmakers The Cabinet will discuss a proposal later today to raise the income tax break for eligible (有資格的) local tech companies to 25-per cent in order to better benefit large semiconductor manufacturers.
The proposal has been drafted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
It seeks to add article 10-2 to the Statute for Industrial Innovation stipulating the proposed increase tax break, in addition to a 5-per cent income tax relief for the tech companies whose equipment investment reaches a predetermined level.
Sources are being cited as saying the proposed amendment is aimed at encouraging leading semiconductor companies to step up their research and development into advanced manufacturing processes.
Civic Groups Call for Support for Lowering Voting and Candidacy Age And,
A coalition of civic groups is calling for voters to support the referendum being held in tandem with (與、同時) the local elections to lower both the voting age and the age of candidacy to 18.
The referendum needs at least 9.65-million voters to cast their ballots in favor of the referendum to pass and that figure represents 50-percent of the total number of eligible voters nationwide.
And the call comes as recent reports have been saying support for the referendum currently stands at less than the 50-per cent threshold needed for it to pass.
US Republicans Take House by Slim Margin From the US…..
Republicans have won a slim (非常小的) majority in the U.S. House.
AP correspondent Lisa Dwyer reports.
Japan Marks Trade Deficit Japan marked a trade deficit for the 15th month in a row in October as both imports and exports reached record highs.
It comes as the costs of energy and food soar and the yen stumbles (失足、受挫).
The deficit at $15 billion, is the highest for the month of October, since comparable data started being compiled in 1979.
The data released today showed the huge deficit came despite solid growth in exports, which rose 25.3% last month.
The Finance Ministry says vehicles, medical products and electrical machinery boosted exports.
Brazil President-elect Promises to Fight Deforestation Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is promising to combat deforestation when he assumes office on Jan. 1.
Da Silva, who defeated President Jair Bolsonaro in last month's presidential election, is participating at the U.N. climate summit in Egypt known as COP27.
In two public appearances on Wednesday, da Silva said his administration would make combating deforestation a priority (優先、主要的).
He also said he would suggest to U.N. officials that the climate summit in 2025 be held in the Amazon.
Bolsonaro pushed economic development in the Amazon.
Da Silva has several meetings planned with ministers from various countries over the next days.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 91-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,637 on turnover of 6.2-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Tuesday as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing saw its share price soared (驟升) by 7.8-percent on news that Berkshire Hathaway had taken a stake in the company.
The electronics sector drove the broader market higher, as old economy and financial stocks seemed marginalized after a recent rebound.
Magnitude 4.5 Earthquake Rattles Southeast There have been no immediate reports of damage or injuries following this morning's magnitude 4.5 earthquake that rattled (搖晃) the southeast.
That quake struck at 9:09 and was centered some 34-kilometers north of Taitung County Hall, at a depth of 14-kilometers.
The quake was felt strongest in Taitung's Chishang, Luye, Donghe and Beinan townships, as well in parts of northestern Kaohsiung - where it measured 3 on the Central Weather Bureau's intensity scale.
The quake also measured an intensity of 2 in parts of Hualien County.
Nauru's Visiting President Touts Cooperation on Economic Recovery Nauru's visiting Nauru President Russ Kun says his country is looking forward to building cooperation with Taiwan in the area of economic development, as it seeks to recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Kun made the statement shortly after President Tsai Ing-wen welcomed him and his delegation with military honors at the Presidential Office.
Speaking during a meeting with Tsai, Kun said Nauru is keen to develop its transportation and shipping services, which would be "a conduit (管道) to successful trade and honest economic benefits."
Kun and a 20-member delegation arrived in Taiwan on Monday for a six-day state visit.
The delegation includes includes the country's justice minister, foreign minister, and deputy interior minister.
US Biden Calls Emergency Meeting of G7 and NATO Leaders US President Joe Biden called an “emergency” meeting of G7 and NATO leaders in Indonesia this morning for consultations after an allegedly “Russian-made” missile killed two people in the eastern part of Poland, near the Ukraine border.
Biden, who was awakened overnight by staff with the news of the missile explosion, called Polish President Andrzej Duda early today, promising “full U.S support for and assistance with Poland’s investigation,” and “reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to NATO.”
A statement from the Polish Foreign Ministry identified the missile as being made in Russia.
But Duda was more cautious about its origin, saying that officials did not know for sure who fired it or where it was made.
He said it was “most probably” Russian-made, but that is being still verified.
If confirmed, it would be the first time since the invasion of Ukraine that a Russian weapon came down on a NATO country.
The foundation of the NATO alliance is the principle that an attack against one member is an attack on them all.
US Judge Orders Halt to Asylum Restrictions From the US…..
A judge has ordered a halt to Trump-era asylum restrictions at border.
Lisa Dwyer has the details…..
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 150-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,325 on turnover of 6.2-billion N-T.
The market extended momentum from its previous session on Monday to close above the 14,100-point mark, as investor interest got a boost on the back of reduced concerns over the U-S Fed's rate hike cycle in the wake of moderating inflation for October.
The local bellwether electronics led the rise, after Wall Street moved higher last Friday, while buying also rotated to large-cap old economy stocks to lend strong support to the broader market during the trading day.
Government to Raise Weekly Arrivals Cap to 200,000 from December The Central Epidemic Command Center says the government will raise the weekly cap on arriving visitors from abroad from the current 150,000 to 200,000 from December 1.
The move comes as the number of domestic coronavirus cases has been registering a decline for five consecutive weeks.
According to center head Victor Wang, his office opted to expand the weekly capacity of inbound (入境) travelers in anticipation of increasing demand, driven by the gradual easing of border restrictions both here in Taiwan and many other countries.
Wang says the government also expects to see an increased need for travel with the approach of the Christmas and year-end holiday season as well as the Lunar New Year.
Ceremony Held in Ukraine to Honor Killed Taiwanese Soldier The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says a farewell ceremony in honor of a Taiwanese man killed earlier this month fighting for Ukraine has been held at a church in the city of Lviv.
Tseng Sheng-guang flew to Ukraine in June to join the International Legion of Ukraine's territorial defense forces and was confirmed to have been killed in fighting near Luhansk on November 2.
The ministry says hundreds of people turned out at the ceremony, which took place at the Garrison Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
The attendees included Tseng's mother, wife and sister, who are being accompanied by foreign ministry personnel while in the Ukraine.
Israel Condemns US Probe into Journalist Killing Israel's Defense Minister says the United States government has started an investigation into the fatal shooting of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
Israel is condemning the probe as a “grave (嚴重的) mistake” and vowing not to cooperate.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz made the statement on Twitter Monday, saying Israel has made it clear to the U.S. “that we won’t cooperate with any external investigation.”
Palestinian officials, Abu Akleh’s family and Al Jazeera accuse Israel of intentionally targeting and killing the 51-year-old journalist, a claim Israel denies.
Bezos Promises to Give Away Most of Wealth Jeff Bezos, founder of online retail giant Amazon says he plans to give away most of his $124 billion fortune during his lifetime.
He's been criticised in the past for not promising to donate his wealth (財富) to charitable causes.
Our US correspondent Kate Fisher reports
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 73-points this morning from Friday's close, at 14,080 on turnover of 5.1-billion N-T.
The market gained over 500-points on Friday, to close the session above the 14,000-point mark, as global indices rebounded after inflation in America eased more than had been expected.
Market capitalization on the Tai-Ex surged almost 7.5-per cent over the past week to top 43-trillion N-T driven by strong buying, amid a decline in investor concerns that the U-S Fed will continue its aggressive (積極的) interest rate hikes.
The weighted index gained 980.85 points, or 7.53-per cent, last week.
DPP Lawmaker Calls for Support of Voting Age Referendum D-P-P lawmaker Hong Shen-han is calling for voters to support the up-coming national referendum to lower the voting age to 18.
Hong is describing the referendum as "a matter of equity (公平) and keeping up with the times."
The referendum on whether to ratify a Constitutional amendment to drop the voting age from 20 to 18 will be held alongside the local government elections on November 26.
The main political parties have all voiced their support for the proposal.
However, several civic groups have been warning there is a chance that it could fail, as it requires around 9.65-million votes in its favor to pass.
Ghost Hawks Approach Carmelo Anthony And,
Tainan T-S-G Ghost Hawks head coach Liu Meng-zhu says the team has approached N-B-A free agent Carmelo Anthony to play in the T-1 League.
According to Liu, the team has opened talks with representatives of the former L-A Laker's power forward.
The Ghost Hawks head coach says Taiwan Steel Group Chairman Hsieh Yu-min has been enthusiastically trying to make a deal happen for the sake of the team and the future of Taiwanese basketball in the international market.
Anthony is a 10-time N-B-A all-star and is a free agent (自由球員) after being released by the Lakers at the end of the 2021-2022 season.
U-S North Korea, and Japan The U.S., Japan and South Korea have vowed a unified response to North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile program.
This arose after a meeting on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in Cambodia.
Karen Chammas reports.
Twitter-Musk Twitter’s new owner Elon Musk is further gutting the teams that battle misinformation on the social media platform as outsourced moderators learned over the weekend they were out of a job.
Twitter and other big social media firms have relied heavily on contractors to track hate and other harmful content.
But many of those content watchdogs have now headed out the door, first when Twitter fired much of its full-time workforce by email on Nov. 4 and now as it moves to eliminate an untold number of contract jobs.
Twitter hasn't said how many contract workers it cut. The company gutted (損毀內部裝置) its communications department and hasn't responded to media requests for information since Musk took over.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 375-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 13,879 on turnover of $10.1-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Thursday after moved sharply higher the session earlier, as investors opted to step back following a decline on Wall Street overnight in the wake of America's indecisive mid-term elections.
The bellwether electronics sector led the downturn throughout the session amid lingering concerns over the U-S Federal Reserve's hawkish rate hike cycle and ahead of the release of America's October inflation data.
Nauru's Newly Elected President to Visit Taiwan Next Week The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Nauru's newly elcted President Russ Joseph Kun will visit Taiwan next week.
Kun will be heading a 20-member delegation of cabinet ministers and other officials for a six-day state visit.
The delegation includes the country's justice minister, foreign minister, and deputy interior minister.
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou says Kun and other members of his delegation will be holding talks with President Tsai Ing-wen, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu and other senior government officials.
According to Ou, the talks will focus on bilateral cooperation projects and topics of mutual interest.
It will be Kun's first visit to Taiwan since assuming (就任) the presidency in late September.
Kuai Kuai Launches Grouper-Flavored Ricepuffs Local snackmaker Kuai Kuai has teamed up with the Pingtung County government to release a new grouper-flavored version of its popular ricepuffs.
The move is the latest effort to boost domestic sales of the fish after China banned imports in June.
China announced the suspension of grouper imports from Taiwan in June, citing prohibited chemicals and excessive (過多的) levels of a banned antibiotic in imports of the fish since last December.
The Pingtung County government is praising the snackmaker for "breaking with tradition" to "bring grouper to the masses" and also lauding its support for the island's aquaculture industry.
UN Resolution Accuses Taliban of Violating Human Rights The U.N. General Assembly has adopted a resolution accusing the Taliban of violating the human rights of Afghan women and girls.
It also says the Taliban have failed to establish a representative government and plunged the country into “dire (急迫的、悲慘的) economic, humanitarian and social conditions.”
The resolution also points to persistent violence in the country since the Taliban takeover 15 months ago and the presence of terrorist groups such as al-Qaida and the Islamic State.
Germany facilitated the resolution and had hoped the 193-member assembly would approve it by consensus.
But a vote was requested and it was adopted 116-0, with 10 countries abstaining — Russia, China, Belarus, Burundi, North Korea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Nicaragua, Pakistan and Zimbabwe.
Twitter Sees Rise in Racial Slurs Since Musk Takeover A report finds that Tweets with racial slurs (種族污辱) have soared since Elon Musk took over Twitter.
AP correspondent Norman Hall reports.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 82-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 13,556 on turnover of 3.8-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply higher on Wednesday as strong investor interest pushed up Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by more than 4.5-per cent amid liquidity-driven buying.
The semiconductor sector also got a boost from solid gains enjoyed by their counterparts on Wall Street overnight as concerns ease over the possibility of more aggressive rate hikes by the U-S Federal Reserve.
Biden to Discuss Cross-Strait Stability at US-ASEAN Summit A senior White House official says U-S President Joe Biden will emphasize (強調) the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait at a meeting with leaders of ASEAN countries this weekend.
Biden will be traveling to Phnom Penh for the annual US-ASEAN summit and the East Asia Summit this weekend, before continuing on to Bali, Indonesia for the G20 leaders' summit next week.
According to the U-S official, Biden will highlight Washington's "enduring commitment to the rules-based international order, including in the South China Sea," and talk about the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait at both summits.
Amnesty International Slams Plans to Fine Coronavirus-Positive Voters Amnesty International's Taiwan office is slamming plans to fine coronavirus patients who break their mandatory quarantine to vote in the upcoming local government elections.
According to office secretary-general Qiu Yi-ling, prohibiting coronavirus-positive voters from casting ballots is a violation of legally protected political rights.
The statement comes after the Central Epidemic Command Center said patients who break quarantine to vote will face a fine of up to 2-million N-T.
However, Amnesty International Taiwan says current laws cannot justify the government decision's to prohibit an estimated 300,000 people from exercising (應用) their voting rights.
US Biden on Midterm Results US President Joe Biden says US Democrats are breathing a "sigh of relief" after not suffering massive losses in America's mid-term elections.
But the race for the House of Representatives and the Senate remain evenly poised (平衡的), despite the Republicans failure to mobilize the tidal wave of voter support they were promising.
From Washington, Simon Marks reports.
Cuba US Meeting on Consular Services Cuban and US State Department officials have met in Havana to discuss the expansion of consular and visa services on the island.
Cuba issued a brief statement confirming the meeting took place Wednesday.
The U.S. Embassy closed in 2017 following a series of health incidents.
While a full reopening has yet to be announced, U.S. officials have said visa processing would resume (恢復) in January.
A State Department official who spoke on condition of anonymity told The Associated Press that Washington's delegation also discussed concerns about human rights in Cuba.
The official said the US "urged the Cuban government to unconditionally release all political prisoners.”
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 62-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 13,410 on turnover of 2.8-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Tuesday for a second consecutive session, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing continued its momentum in the wake of a further upturn by semiconductor stocks on Wall Street overnight.
Buying was also seen among old economy stocks, in particular in the transportation sector, but many investors still opted to stay on the sidelines ahead of the release of U-S inflation data for October later this week.
Chung Shan Hospital Executives Indicted in Fake Chinese Checkups Case The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted former and current executives of the Chung Shan Hospital for allegedly facilitating fake high-end health checkups used by Chinese nationals to enter Taiwan.
Those indicted include former hospital presidents Lee Wei-cheng and Hsieh Shi-ming, as well as current hospital vice president Lee Shi-ming.
Three other travel agency operators have also been indicted (被起訴) for working with the hospital to forge health checkup receipts for Chinese nationals to facilitate entry applications to Taiwan between 2016 and 2020.
According to the prosecutors' office, the defendants earned 17-million N-T from the fake checkups that helped 24,600 Chinese national come to Taiwan during the four-year period.
Family of Taiwanese Man Killed in Ukraine Leaves to Bring Him Home
And, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says relatives of a Taiwanese man killed fighting in Ukraine are heading to the country to identify his body and deal with related matters.
According to ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou, officials issued the family members with the necessary travel documents and helped them book a flight to Eastern Europe in order to help members of Tseng Sheng-guang's family reach Ukraine as soon as possible,
Ou also says that foreign ministry personnel in Ukraine will be assisting the family complete the necessary procedures (程序) in as quicker time as possible.
Tseng flew to Ukraine in June to join the International Legion of Ukraine's territorial defense forces and was confirmed to have been killed in fighting near near Luhansk on Novmber 2.
US Midterm: Exit Polls Show Inflation Top Issue Polls are starting to close in the US Midterm elections, with exit polls showing inflation and abortion (墮胎) are the top issues for voters.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
NASA Postpones Moon Rocket Launch NASA is again postponing the launch of its new moon rocket because of a storm threatening the Florida coast.
Fuel leaks have kept the rocket grounded since August.
Then Hurricane Ian forced the rocket back to the hangar at Kennedy Space Center.
NASA was aiming to launch the test flight early next Monday.
But the space agency said Tuesday said it was moving the next attempt to at least next Wednesday because of Tropical Storm Nicole, which could hit Florida's Atlantic coastline as a hurricane.
The rocket will send an empty crew capsule (太空艙) around the moon and back in a flight test before astronauts climb aboard in a couple years.
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Subject: E*Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 51-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 13,274 on turnover of 2.7-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Monday as investor sentiment got a boost from a rise on Wall Street at the end of last week on the back of reduced concerns over future interest rate hikes by the U-S Federal Reserve.
The bellwether electronics sector led the upturn, while investor interest also spread to old economy and financial sector stocks to push the market over the 13,200-point mark by the close of the trading day.
St. Kitts and Nevis PM in Taiwan The Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis is visiting this this week for talks with senior government officials.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this talks will be focuing on bilateral cooperation projects.
Terrance Drew will be meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen, Premier Su Tseng-chang and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.
Drew will also be visiting the Mainland Affairs Council, the Environmental Protection Administration and the National Health Insurance Administration during his four-day trip.
Speaking at Taoyuan International Airport on his arriva, Drew decribed Taiwan and St. Kitts as being "friends and partners in international development" and said his visit aims to "strengthen the bonds (團結在一起) of friendship between the two allies."
CECC to Receive Shipment of Moderna Updated Coronavirus Vaccine The Central Epidemic Command Center says it will take delivery of a shipment of 600,000 doses of Moderna's second-generation coronavirus vaccine tomorrow.
The vaccine targets the original (原本) virus and the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.
According to epidemic command center head Victor Wang, new vaccine's rollout is likely to start on November 18 and the doses will be made available as a booster for people aged 12 years are older.
Wang says the government has so far only ordered 600,000 doses of the new Moderna vaccine, and he's not saying whether more doses will be ordered in the future.
American Aid Worker Shot Dead in Iraq Two police officials say assailants shot dead an American aid worker in Baghdad.
The man was shot as he drove through the capital's central Karrada district on the east bank of the Tigris River but the reason for the killing was not immediately clear.
No one immediately claimed (認領) responsibility for the killing.
U.S. Embassy officials when contacted by The Associated Press said they had only just heard about the shooting and had no information.
Two security officials confirmed a U.S. citizen who worked for an international aid organization had been killed without giving his name.
Greece Exxon Mobil Set for Gas Prospecting Project Greece's prime minister says U.S. energy giant Exxon Mobil is poised to start a delayed gas prospecting project off southwestern Greece.
The move comes amid tensions over offshore rights between Greece and Turkey and as Europe seeks alternative energy sources due to the war in Ukraine.
The exploration project has been heavily criticized by environmental groups, which argue that the deep-sea prospecting would have unbearable (不堪忍受) consequences to endangered Mediterranean whales and dolphins.
Critics also highlight the potential risk of spills, and say the project, if successful, would increase Greece use of fossil fuels amid the planet climate change crisis.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 83-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 13,109 on turnover of $3.5-billion N-T.
Traffic jams have eased on number 1 freeway Traffic jams have eased on the southbound lanes from Wu-du to Xi-zhi, in New Taipei, on number one freeway as both lanes finally opened at 3:30 AM today.
Highway officials say while serious congestion still appeared at around 7 AM, the situation has since improved a great deal.
The real-time freeway map online is flashing green for the section right now.
The road was blocked by tens of thousands tons of fallen rocks last Tuesday and Wednesday as the embankment collapsed due to torrential rain, forcing officials to close the entire section on Thursday.
But the closure caused huge traffic jams in Keelung city and the Xi-zhi District as drivers tried to get onto alternative road.
Officials opened one lane of the section on Friday, but congestion persisted (續) through the weekend.
Transport Minister Wang Guo-cai says it'll take 6 months to shore up the slope along the freeway, but it won't affect traffic.
(JL)
Pakistan Khan Says Protest March to Resume Tuesday Pakistan's former prime minister says a protest march (遊行) towards the capital will resume on Tuesday, despite his being wounded by gunfire last Thursday.
AP correspondent Naomi Schanen reports.
Mexico Fireworks Explosion Leaves Injured Officials in Mexico say a fireworks explosion at a Day of the Dead celebration injured 17 people.
The accident occurred Saturday in the township of Huejutla in Mexico's Gulf coast region.
The municipal government says residents of the village of Tehuetlan were celebrating the end of a regional (地區性) holiday when a pile of fireworks was set alight and exploded, showering the surrounding crowd in sparks and explosions.
The township says two pregnant women and three children were among the injured.
One of the girls suffered second-degree burns.
Migrant Ship Still in Italy Port The captain of a charity-operated migrant rescue ship has refused Italian orders to leave a Sicilian port after authorities refused to let 35 migrants disembark.
Italy’s new far-right-led government is targeting foreign-flagged rescue ships.
The Humanity 1 was ordered to vacate (空出、離開) the port of Catania on Sunday after disembarking 144 rescued migrants.
They included women with children, more than 100 unaccompanied minors and people with medical emergencies.
The German charity that operates the vessel said the captain refused “until all survivors rescued from distress at sea have been disembarked.”
Another ship with 572 rescued migrants arrived at the port for the same vetting process, but two other ships carrying hundreds are still at sea.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 45-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 12,942on turnover of $2.83-billion N-T.
Taiwan to further ease border rules for China, Hong Kong, Macau residents The Mainland Affairs Council says Taiwan will further relax its entry restrictions on Chinese students and Hong Kong and Macau residents with effect from Nov. 7-th, as part of its gradual lifting of its COVID-19 control measures.
The council says starting Nov.7-th, Chinese students will again be allowed to enter Taiwan for short-term study and exchange program.
Meanwhile, people from Hong Kong and Macau will be allowed entry for work in office-based positions and for participation in religious activities.
The MAC says Taiwan will also reopen its borders to tour groups of five to 40 people from Hong Kong and Macau, for visits of up to 15 days.
Currently, only Chinese students in undergraduate or graduate programs in Taiwan are allowed into the country, while Hong Kong and Macau residents can obtain entry permits only to visit relatives or attend family funerals.
IEA Warns EU of Energy Shortages The International Energy Agency has warned that Europe could run low on gas in the next year.
The agency warned that unless drastic (劇烈的) measures are taken, the continent could see shortages (短缺) as early as summer 2023.
Our correspondent Alex Cadier reports from Brussels.
Australia Offers Million for Indian National Whereabouts Australian police have offered a 1 million Australian dollar reward for information on the whereabouts of an Indian national who is suspected of murdering a woman on a tropical beach four years ago before returning to his homeland.
Police say Queensland state officers who speak Hindi and Punjabi are waiting in Cairns to be contacted (聯繫) from India via WhatsApp or online about where 38-year-old Rajwinder Singh can be found.
Singh was a nurse working at Innisfail, south of Cairns, when the body of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley was found on a beach north of Cairns in October 2018.
Singh flew home to India the day after Cordingley’s body was found and police believe he remains there.
NATO Urges Turkey to Allow Finland Sweden to Join NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is urging Turkey to set aside its reservations over Finland and Sweden joining the military alliance.
He insisted on Thursday that the two Nordic countries have fulfilled their security commitments to Ankara.
Finland and Sweden applied for NATO membership in the months after Russia invaded Ukraine, abandoning their longstanding policies of military nonalignment.
Turkey has threatened to block the process unless the Nordic neighbors meet its demands to crack down on individuals the Turkish government considers terrorists.
Turkey's foreign minister says his government wants to see more concrete steps from the candidate countries.
All 30 NATO member countries must ratify (批准) Finland and Sweden's accession.
Only Turkey and Hungary haven't yet done so.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 115-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 12,986 on turnover of $2.93-billion N-T.
2.3 million households set to benefit from hiked tax ceiling The Ministry of Finance has announced that it is raising Taiwan's basic living expense tax deduction for 2022.
The deduction is now $196-thousand NT.
Taiwan's 2017 Taxpayer Rights Protection Act stipulates that individuals should not be taxed on the amount they need to cover basic expenses, which is set at 60 percent of the median per capita disposable income (可支配所得) from the preceding year.
The MOF estimated that 2.3 million households will benefit from the tax-deductible allowance for basic living expenses, saving over $1.5 billion NT, when they file an income tax return in May next year.
Leopard cat Lulu confirmed as having given birth to 2 new cubs Researchers have confirmed that a young adult leopard cat named Lulu has given birth to two new cubs after recent images showed them in Nantou County.
The Endemic Species Research Institute says images of the leopard cat family were taken on October 12th by motion-activated cameras installed by the institute.
The images showed Lulu with the two young cubs in a mountainous area of Nantou's Xinyi Township.
It was the first time the three leopard cats were filmed together since Lulu was electronically tagged and released into the wild in February 2019 in Xinyi Township, one of the native leopard cats' original habitats where the institute operates a rehabilitation center.
NKorea Fires Missiles North Korea has fired at least three missiles including a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile, after firing more than 20 missiles yesterday.
The Japanese government initially said at least one of the missiles flew over its northern territory, but later revised its assessment, saying there were no overflies (飛過. vi. 飛越上空). The government did issue evacuation alerts and temporarily halted trains as a result.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the North firing a missile it presumed as an ICBM from an area near its capital Pyongyang around 7:40 a.m.
Then two short-range missiles were fired from the nearby city of Kacheon that flew toward its eastern waters.
UK Food Prices Surge Food prices in the UK are surging (快速上漲) at their fastest rate on record.
The figures, published by the British Retail Consortium (財團), deal another blow to the public who are already facing increased energy costs.
Laura Makin-Isherwood has more.
US Seeks to Oust Iran from UN Gender Equality Body The United States says it will seek to oust Iran from the U.N.’s premiere global body fighting for gender equality.
Vice-President Kamala Harris made the announcement of the U.S. intention to work with other countries to remove Iran from the Commission on the Status of Women on Wednesday.
She said Iran is “unfit” to serve on the commission and its presence “discredits the integrity (正直、廉正)” of its work.
The US accused Iran of systematic violation of the rights of women and girls, pointing out as proof its ongoing brutal crackdown on peaceful demonstrators who took to the streets in September after the death of a 22-year-old woman taken into custody by the morality police.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 4-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 13,033 on turnover of $2.1-billion N-T.
Chinese panda experts arrive to examine Taipei Zoo's Tuan Tuan Two panda experts from China have arrived at Taipei Zoo to examine the health of an 18-year-old male giant panda, Tuan Tuan, diagnosed with a brain lesion in September.
The Taipei Zoo says the Chinese veterinarians from the Wolong National Nature Reserve in China's Sichuan Province went directly to examine Tuan Tuan after arriving at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Tuesday evening.
The Zoo says the experts will explain the results of their examination of Tuan Tuan at a 2 p.m. press conference today.
The zoo said a recent MRI scan showed that a lesion on Tuan Tuan's brain had grown and was also exerting (施加) pressure on other parts of the panda's brain.
Award-winning actress Ma Chi-chin dies at 80 Veteran screen performer Ma Chi-chin has died at the age of 80.
Those close to her say she passed peacefully and her family was with her.
Ma had a storied (歷史上有名的) career following her on-screen debut in 1959, winning Best Leading Actress at the 20th Golden Bell Award in 1985 for her performance in "Last Night Stars."
Semi-retired in recent years, Ma's last film appearance was in 2006's "Silk," where she played the mother of "Dune" star Chang Chen.
More recently, the veteran actress made a cameo in the TV series "The Love Song" in 2016.
NKorea Fires Missiles North Korea fired three short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea, prompting South Korea to issue an air raid alert on its eastern island.
The launches came hours after North Korea issued a veiled (不明言的) threat to use nuclear weapons to get the U.S. and South Korea to “pay the most horrible price in history”.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said one of the missiles landed in the international waters 26 kilometers south of the Koreas’ eastern sea border and 167 kilometers northwest of South Korea’s Ulleung island.
It said it has issued the air raid alert on the Ulleung island.
Brazil Bolsonaro Speaks After Election Defeat Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro has finally addressed the country nearly two days after losing a presidential runoff race to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Bolsonaro didn't say that he would contest (爭辯) the election but also didn't acknowledge he was defeated.
William Denselow reports from Rio de Janeiro.
Canada Plans to Increase Immigrant Numbers Canada has unveiled plans for a big increase in the number of immigrants entering the country, as it seeks to address a critical labor shortage.
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser revealed the new plan which puts a heavy emphasis on admitting more permanent residents with needed work skills and experience.
The new plan envisions (想象、預想.) a flood of new arrivals that will see 465-thousand people come in from outside the country in 2023.
And that will rise to 500-thousand in 2025.
By comparison, the immigration department says 405,000 permanent residents were admitted last year.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 4-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 13,033 on turnover of $2.1-billion N-T.
Chinese panda experts arrive to examine Taipei Zoo's Tuan Tuan Two panda experts from China have arrived at Taipei Zoo to examine the health of an 18-year-old male giant panda, Tuan Tuan, diagnosed with a brain lesion in September.
The Taipei Zoo says the Chinese veterinarians from the Wolong National Nature Reserve in China's Sichuan Province went directly to examine Tuan Tuan after arriving at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Tuesday evening.
The Zoo says the experts will explain the results of their examination of Tuan Tuan at a 2 p.m. press conference today.
The zoo said a recent MRI scan showed that a lesion on Tuan Tuan's brain had grown and was also exerting (施加) pressure on other parts of the panda's brain.
Award-winning actress Ma Chi-chin dies at 80 Veteran screen performer Ma Chi-chin has died at the age of 80.
Those close to her say she passed peacefully and her family was with her.
Ma had a storied (歷史上有名的) career following her on-screen debut in 1959, winning Best Leading Actress at the 20th Golden Bell Award in 1985 for her performance in "Last Night Stars."
Semi-retired in recent years, Ma's last film appearance was in 2006's "Silk," where she played the mother of "Dune" star Chang Chen.
More recently, the veteran actress made a cameo in the TV series "The Love Song" in 2016.
NKorea Fires Missiles North Korea fired three short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea, prompting South Korea to issue an air raid alert on its eastern island.
The launches came hours after North Korea issued a veiled (不明言的) threat to use nuclear weapons to get the U.S. and South Korea to “pay the most horrible price in history”.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said one of the missiles landed in the international waters 26 kilometers south of the Koreas’ eastern sea border and 167 kilometers northwest of South Korea’s Ulleung island.
It said it has issued the air raid alert on the Ulleung island.
Brazil Bolsonaro Speaks After Election Defeat Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro has finally addressed the country nearly two days after losing a presidential runoff race to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Bolsonaro didn't say that he would contest (爭辯) the election but also didn't acknowledge he was defeated.
William Denselow reports from Rio de Janeiro.
Canada Plans to Increase Immigrant Numbers Canada has unveiled plans for a big increase in the number of immigrants entering the country, as it seeks to address a critical labor shortage.
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser revealed the new plan which puts a heavy emphasis on admitting more permanent residents with needed work skills and experience.
The new plan envisions (想象、預想.) a flood of new arrivals that will see 465-thousand people come in from outside the country in 2023.
And that will rise to 500-thousand in 2025.
By comparison, the immigration department says 405,000 permanent residents were admitted last year.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 17-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 12,933 on turnover of 2.4-billion N-T.
12 Crew Members Missing from Panama-flagged Freighter A Panama-flagged cement freighter has sunk off the coast of Changhua, and 12 crew members are reported missing.
The freighter experienced engine failure east of the Changhua Offshore Wind Farm in the afternoon yesterday.
Its 17 Indonesian crew members abandoned the ship before it sank later that evening.
No oil leak was reported.
The Maritime and Port Bureau says five crewmen have been located, while the Coast Guard has dispatched (派出) ships to search and rescue the remaining 12 missing people.
Taiwan's fertility rate to fall to world's lowest by 2035: NDC The National Development Council is forecasting that Taiwan is set to replace South Korea as the country with the world's lowest fertility rate in the next decade.
The NDC predicts that the average number of children women have during their childbearing (生育) years could fall to a historic low of 0.8 in 2022, and reach 1.12 by 2035.
That's lower than the 1.18 forecast in South Korea.
In addition, the NDC indicates although the share of the population in Taiwan aged 15 to 64 is still at its peak, it is set to decline rapidly.
As the median age of the population rises, the low birth rate will cause a decline in the ratio of the working-age population, leading to a shortage of workers, while increasing the burden on the younger generations who support the dependent population.
India Arrests 9 After Bridge Collapse Police in western India have arrested nine people as they investigate the collapse of a newly repaired 143-year-old suspension bridge.
The collapse Sunday evening in Gujarat state plunged hundreds of people into a river, killing at least 134.
Security video showed hundreds of people clinging (緊緊抱著) to the broken structure and trying to make their way to safety.
The pedestrian bridge had reopened just four days earlier after more than six months of repairs.
Officials said it was overloaded with people drawn to the attraction during the Hindu festival season.
US Pelosi Husband Attacker Charged Federal prosecutors have charged the man accused of attacking the husband of US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi with a hammer at the couple's San Francisco home.
The attack sent Paul Pelosi to the hospital with a fractured skull (顱骨骨折) although he expected to recover.
Ira Spitzer reports from San Francisco.
China Module Docks at Space Station China’s third and final module docked with its its permanent space station.
Mengtian was blasted into space on Monday from a launch center on the southern island province of Hainan aboard a Long March-5B Y4 carrier rocket.
Mengtian is the second laboratory module for the space station, connecting to a core (核心) module where the crew lives and works.
The module is currently populated by two male and one female astronauts.
Monday's launch is uncrewed.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 17-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 12,933 on turnover of 2.4-billion N-T.
12 Crew Members Missing from Panama-flagged Freighter A Panama-flagged cement freighter has sunk off the coast of Changhua, and 12 crew members are reported missing.
The freighter experienced engine failure east of the Changhua Offshore Wind Farm in the afternoon yesterday.
Its 17 Indonesian crew members abandoned the ship before it sank later that evening.
No oil leak was reported.
The Maritime and Port Bureau says five crewmen have been located, while the Coast Guard has dispatched (派出) ships to search and rescue the remaining 12 missing people.
Taiwan's fertility rate to fall to world's lowest by 2035: NDC The National Development Council is forecasting that Taiwan is set to replace South Korea as the country with the world's lowest fertility rate in the next decade.
The NDC predicts that the average number of children women have during their childbearing (生育) years could fall to a historic low of 0.8 in 2022, and reach 1.12 by 2035.
That's lower than the 1.18 forecast in South Korea.
In addition, the NDC indicates although the share of the population in Taiwan aged 15 to 64 is still at its peak, it is set to decline rapidly.
As the median age of the population rises, the low birth rate will cause a decline in the ratio of the working-age population, leading to a shortage of workers, while increasing the burden on the younger generations who support the dependent population.
India Arrests 9 After Bridge Collapse Police in western India have arrested nine people as they investigate the collapse of a newly repaired 143-year-old suspension bridge.
The collapse Sunday evening in Gujarat state plunged hundreds of people into a river, killing at least 134.
Security video showed hundreds of people clinging (緊緊抱著) to the broken structure and trying to make their way to safety.
The pedestrian bridge had reopened just four days earlier after more than six months of repairs.
Officials said it was overloaded with people drawn to the attraction during the Hindu festival season.
US Pelosi Husband Attacker Charged Federal prosecutors have charged the man accused of attacking the husband of US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi with a hammer at the couple's San Francisco home.
The attack sent Paul Pelosi to the hospital with a fractured skull (顱骨骨折) although he expected to recover.
Ira Spitzer reports from San Francisco.
China Module Docks at Space Station China’s third and final module docked with its its permanent space station.
Mengtian was blasted into space on Monday from a launch center on the southern island province of Hainan aboard a Long March-5B Y4 carrier rocket.
Mengtian is the second laboratory module for the space station, connecting to a core (核心) module where the crew lives and works.
The module is currently populated by two male and one female astronauts.
Monday's launch is uncrewed.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 74-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 12,862 on turnover of $2.5-billion N-T.
Asian shares opened with some gains today, after a rally on Wall Street Friday last week, as investors await interest rate decisions from central banks, including the Federal Reserve.
(NS)
Number of SMEs in Taiwan hits new high in 2021: MOEA The Ministry of Economic Affairs has issued a white paper reporting that the number of small- and medium-sized enterprises in Taiwan hit a new high in 2021.
That's up more than 3 percent from a year earlier.
According to the MOEA, the number of firms with paid-in capital of no more than $100 million NT or fewer than 200 regular employees totaled 1.5 million in 2021.
SMEs also accounted for nearly 99-percent of Taiwan's total 1.6 million enterprises in 2021.
Around 80 percent of SMEs were in the service sector, with 46 percent in the wholesale or retail businesses.
Meanwhile, manufacturing, wholesale/retail, and construction were the top three employers among SMEs.
The MOEA said the government was determined to provide assistance, including financing, technology research and development, courses for business start-ups, and export promotions to SMEs while encouraging them to attain (至少) net-zero emissions and digital transformation goals.
India Bridge Collapse Death Toll Rises Local media say at least 60 people have died and many are feared injured after a cable bridge collapsed into a river in the western Indian state of Gujarat on Sunday evening.
The Gujarat state minister says 60 people have died so far and 17 people were admitted to hospitals.
Local media reports said over a hundred people plunged into the Machchu river when the bridge in the state’s Morbi district collapsed.
The 19th-century, colonial-era bridge had reopened four days ago after renovation (裝修).
Officials said the bridge gave way because it could not handle the number of people on it.
US Biden Congratulates Brazil's LuladaSilva US President Joe Biden has congratulated Brazil's former left wing leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva after he narrowly beat the incumbent (現任) president Jair Bolsonaro in the country's election.
Jagruti Dave has more from Washington.
NMacedonia Pushes Back Migrants from Greece Police in North Macedonia say nearly 400 migrants have been prevented from entering illegally into the country from neighboring Greece in the past four days during a joint operation led by the European Union’s law enforcement agency.
Police said in a statement that a total of 389 migrants, most of them from Syria and Afghanistan, were pushed back to Greece from Oct. 25 to Oct. 29, after having been spotted (看見、認出 ) in the border area between the countries.
North Macedonia’s interior minister said during the first nine months of 2022, attempts to cross illegally from Greece increased by 7% compared to the same period last year.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 74-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 12,862 on turnover of $2.5-billion N-T.
Asian shares opened with some gains today, after a rally on Wall Street Friday last week, as investors await interest rate decisions from central banks, including the Federal Reserve.
(NS)
Number of SMEs in Taiwan hits new high in 2021: MOEA The Ministry of Economic Affairs has issued a white paper reporting that the number of small- and medium-sized enterprises in Taiwan hit a new high in 2021.
That's up more than 3 percent from a year earlier.
According to the MOEA, the number of firms with paid-in capital of no more than $100 million NT or fewer than 200 regular employees totaled 1.5 million in 2021.
SMEs also accounted for nearly 99-percent of Taiwan's total 1.6 million enterprises in 2021.
Around 80 percent of SMEs were in the service sector, with 46 percent in the wholesale or retail businesses.
Meanwhile, manufacturing, wholesale/retail, and construction were the top three employers among SMEs.
The MOEA said the government was determined to provide assistance, including financing, technology research and development, courses for business start-ups, and export promotions to SMEs while encouraging them to attain (至少) net-zero emissions and digital transformation goals.
India Bridge Collapse Death Toll Rises Local media say at least 60 people have died and many are feared injured after a cable bridge collapsed into a river in the western Indian state of Gujarat on Sunday evening.
The Gujarat state minister says 60 people have died so far and 17 people were admitted to hospitals.
Local media reports said over a hundred people plunged into the Machchu river when the bridge in the state’s Morbi district collapsed.
The 19th-century, colonial-era bridge had reopened four days ago after renovation (裝修).
Officials said the bridge gave way because it could not handle the number of people on it.
US Biden Congratulates Brazil's LuladaSilva US President Joe Biden has congratulated Brazil's former left wing leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva after he narrowly beat the incumbent (現任) president Jair Bolsonaro in the country's election.
Jagruti Dave has more from Washington.
NMacedonia Pushes Back Migrants from Greece Police in North Macedonia say nearly 400 migrants have been prevented from entering illegally into the country from neighboring Greece in the past four days during a joint operation led by the European Union’s law enforcement agency.
Police said in a statement that a total of 389 migrants, most of them from Syria and Afghanistan, were pushed back to Greece from Oct. 25 to Oct. 29, after having been spotted (看見、認出 ) in the border area between the countries.
North Macedonia’s interior minister said during the first nine months of 2022, attempts to cross illegally from Greece increased by 7% compared to the same period last year.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 52-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 12,874, on turnover of $2.1-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Thursday, to edge closer to a return to the 13,000 point mark, as investors awaited an update on the U-S economy.
Government Plans to Review Online News Revenue Proposals Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey Tang says the government is set to review proposals for the distribution of revenue for news content published on digital platforms.
According to Tang, her office will be meeting with representatives from local news media outlets and international digital platforms to discuss the issue in the coming weeks.
The statement comes as media outlets and lawmakers have been pushing the government to introduce legislation aimed at ensuring that news media companies receive payment for content published online.
Tang says the planned talks will be focusing on issues related to how much digital platforms should pay in compensation (賠償) for the revenue losses.
The Ministry of Culture is currently looking into how much revenue local broadcast news outlets have lost due to their content having been published on online platforms.
Moscow Accuses Kiev of Making Bio Weapons Russia has accused Ukraine and the United States of operating a biological weapons program.
At a United Nations Security Council meeting Washington's representative firmly (斷然、堅決的) rejected the accusations as an attempt to justify its war in Ukraine.
UN members also met to discuss nuclear issues in Ukraine including allegations that Kiev is developing dirty bombs.
William Denselow reports from UN headquarters in New York.
US Blinken on Haiti Crisis Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the U.S. and Canada will work together to “cut the insecurity knot” that has allowed gangs to create a humanitarian crisis in Haiti.
But neither Blinken nor Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly committed (承諾) their country to leading a military force to the Caribbean nation.
Blinken told a news conference in Ottawa during his first visit to Canada, that the issue is a "work in progress"
Blinken said Canada and the U.S. agree that “more likely needs to be done” to support the Haitian national police to restore their grip on security.
IMF Announces Loan Agreement with Egypt The International Monetary Fund has reached a deal with the Egyptian government that paves the way for the country to access a $3 billion loan.
IMF officials on Thursday announced a staff agreement between the Egyptian government and IMF leaders.
The 46-month deal includes a series of agreed-upon economic policies that Egypt would implement that would, in turn, allow it to access a loan of around $3 billion.
In the hours before the announcement, Egypt’s central bank announced a series of key rate increases.
The Egyptian economy has been hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine, events that have disrupted (打亂了) global markets and hiked oil and food prices worldwide.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 52-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 12,874, on turnover of $2.1-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Thursday, to edge closer to a return to the 13,000 point mark, as investors awaited an update on the U-S economy.
Government Plans to Review Online News Revenue Proposals Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey Tang says the government is set to review proposals for the distribution of revenue for news content published on digital platforms.
According to Tang, her office will be meeting with representatives from local news media outlets and international digital platforms to discuss the issue in the coming weeks.
The statement comes as media outlets and lawmakers have been pushing the government to introduce legislation aimed at ensuring that news media companies receive payment for content published online.
Tang says the planned talks will be focusing on issues related to how much digital platforms should pay in compensation (賠償) for the revenue losses.
The Ministry of Culture is currently looking into how much revenue local broadcast news outlets have lost due to their content having been published on online platforms.
Moscow Accuses Kiev of Making Bio Weapons Russia has accused Ukraine and the United States of operating a biological weapons program.
At a United Nations Security Council meeting Washington's representative firmly (斷然、堅決的) rejected the accusations as an attempt to justify its war in Ukraine.
UN members also met to discuss nuclear issues in Ukraine including allegations that Kiev is developing dirty bombs.
William Denselow reports from UN headquarters in New York.
US Blinken on Haiti Crisis Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the U.S. and Canada will work together to “cut the insecurity knot” that has allowed gangs to create a humanitarian crisis in Haiti.
But neither Blinken nor Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly committed (承諾) their country to leading a military force to the Caribbean nation.
Blinken told a news conference in Ottawa during his first visit to Canada, that the issue is a "work in progress"
Blinken said Canada and the U.S. agree that “more likely needs to be done” to support the Haitian national police to restore their grip on security.
IMF Announces Loan Agreement with Egypt The International Monetary Fund has reached a deal with the Egyptian government that paves the way for the country to access a $3 billion loan.
IMF officials on Thursday announced a staff agreement between the Egyptian government and IMF leaders.
The 46-month deal includes a series of agreed-upon economic policies that Egypt would implement that would, in turn, allow it to access a loan of around $3 billion.
In the hours before the announcement, Egypt’s central bank announced a series of key rate increases.
The Egyptian economy has been hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine, events that have disrupted (打亂了) global markets and hiked oil and food prices worldwide.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 79-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 12,808 on turnover of $2.5-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex closed in positive territory on Wednesday, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing staged a technical rebound and other tech stocks also made gains following a rally on Wall Street overnight.
Market watchers say bargain hunters also opted to pick up some financial and old economy stocks, which helped to prop up the broader market.
However, investor sentiment remained cautious amid lingering concerns over a possible further aggressive rate hikes by the U-S Federal Reserve.
Kinmen Bridge to Open to Traffic Sunday Transport Minister Wang Kuo-tsai says the Kinmen Bridge will open to traffic this Sunday.
A final inspection was carried out Monday and the Kinmen County Government was informed about its findings on Tuesday.
The Freeway Bureau says the inspection covered areas such as road drainage (引流), traffic engineering, traffic control systems, and lighting.
And according to the transport minister, all relevant requested improvements will be completed by tomorrow.
The 4.8-kilometer Kinmen Bridge is Taiwan's first cross-sea bridge and runs west to east from Hou-Tou in Lie-Yu Township to Ci-Hu in Jin-Ning Township.
France Macron Vows Pension Reform French President Emmanuel Macron is vowing to implement (實施) a pension reform that would eventually raise the retirement age by three years to 65 and make younger generations work longer.
In an interview, Macron said the changes will start being applied next year and the minimum retirement age to get full pension will be gradually increased from 62 now to 65 by 2031.
Yet he says he is “open” to discussion with workers' union the retirement age and making potential amendments to the proposals.
A proposed pension overhaul sparked nationwide strikes and protests at the end of 2019 during Macron’s first term.
Macron was reelected for a second term in April.
Gambia Lawmakers Call for Compensation for Child Deaths Caused by Cough Syrup
Gambian lawmakers are calling for compensation (賠償) for the families of 70 children who authorities believe may have died after taking a contaminated cough syrup imported from India.
The special legislative session on Wednesday comes several weeks after the World Health Organization issued an alarm about four cold and cough syrups that were sold in Gambia. Authorities began investigating back in August after a number of children died from acute kidney injuries.
The WHO says the cases “have been potentially linked” to medicine made by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited in India.
Gambia's Select Committee on Health, said if a link is confirmed “Gambia must sue.”
US Woman Sues Over Homeless Feeding Ban
From the US….
A woman is suing over a ban (禁止) against feeding homeless people in parks.
Lisa Dwyer has that story.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 79-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 12,808 on turnover of $2.5-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex closed in positive territory on Wednesday, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing staged a technical rebound and other tech stocks also made gains following a rally on Wall Street overnight.
Market watchers say bargain hunters also opted to pick up some financial and old economy stocks, which helped to prop up the broader market.
However, investor sentiment remained cautious amid lingering concerns over a possible further aggressive rate hikes by the U-S Federal Reserve.
Kinmen Bridge to Open to Traffic Sunday Transport Minister Wang Kuo-tsai says the Kinmen Bridge will open to traffic this Sunday.
A final inspection was carried out Monday and the Kinmen County Government was informed about its findings on Tuesday.
The Freeway Bureau says the inspection covered areas such as road drainage (引流), traffic engineering, traffic control systems, and lighting.
And according to the transport minister, all relevant requested improvements will be completed by tomorrow.
The 4.8-kilometer Kinmen Bridge is Taiwan's first cross-sea bridge and runs west to east from Hou-Tou in Lie-Yu Township to Ci-Hu in Jin-Ning Township.
France Macron Vows Pension Reform French President Emmanuel Macron is vowing to implement (實施) a pension reform that would eventually raise the retirement age by three years to 65 and make younger generations work longer.
In an interview, Macron said the changes will start being applied next year and the minimum retirement age to get full pension will be gradually increased from 62 now to 65 by 2031.
Yet he says he is “open” to discussion with workers' union the retirement age and making potential amendments to the proposals.
A proposed pension overhaul sparked nationwide strikes and protests at the end of 2019 during Macron’s first term.
Macron was reelected for a second term in April.
Gambia Lawmakers Call for Compensation for Child Deaths Caused by Cough Syrup
Gambian lawmakers are calling for compensation (賠償) for the families of 70 children who authorities believe may have died after taking a contaminated cough syrup imported from India.
The special legislative session on Wednesday comes several weeks after the World Health Organization issued an alarm about four cold and cough syrups that were sold in Gambia. Authorities began investigating back in August after a number of children died from acute kidney injuries.
The WHO says the cases “have been potentially linked” to medicine made by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited in India.
Gambia's Select Committee on Health, said if a link is confirmed “Gambia must sue.”
US Woman Sues Over Homeless Feeding Ban
From the US….
A woman is suing over a ban (禁止) against feeding homeless people in parks.
Lisa Dwyer has that story.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
MOFA Welcomes New UK PM Rishi Sunak Taiwan Delegation Eyeing Tech Cooperation with Latvia and Lithuania Italy-Politics Brittany Griner's prison sentence Chlorox recall Pine-Sol products
MOFA Welcomes New UK PM Rishi Sunak Taiwan Delegation Eyeing Tech Cooperation with Latvia and Lithuania Italy-Politics Brittany Griner's prison sentence Chlorox recall Pine-Sol products
Tai-Ex Opening Vice President to Visit Palau to Boost Two-Way Travel Man Ordered to Pay Damages for Paint Attack on Denise Ho China Huawei Britain Politics Russia Ukraine Dirty Bomb Leslie Jordan
Tai-Ex Opening Vice President to Visit Palau to Boost Two-Way Travel Man Ordered to Pay Damages for Paint Attack on Denise Ho China Huawei Britain Politics Russia Ukraine Dirty Bomb Leslie Jordan
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 15-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 12,931 on turnover of $1.9-billion NT.
The Tai-Ex followed other regional markets and lost ground on Thursday, after Wall Street fell, reversing course after two days of gains.
CEC Defends Voting Ban on People in Coronavirus Quarantine The Central Election Commission is defending its decision not to allow people with the coronavirus and their close contacts from casting ballots in next month's local elections.
Speaking at a legislative hearing, commission chairman Lee Jin-yong said the bans are not unconstitutional, as restrictions on the movement of positive cases and their contacts are in accordance with the Communicable Disease Control Act.
According to Lee, the Council of Grand Justices has previously ruled that such restrictions do not violate the Constitution.
The statements comes as lawmakers have been debating whether the ban infringes (侵權) on voter's rights and contravenes Article 23 of the Constitution on protecting individual's rights and freedoms.
US Military Has Proof of Iranian Forces in Crimea
The U.S. military says it has proof that Iranian forces are on the ground in Crimea, supporting the Russian military attacks against Ukrainian targets.
AP correspondent Jackie Quinn reports.
Chad Protesters Clash With Security Forces Chadian security forces have opened fire on anti-government demonstrators in the country’s two largest cities killing at least 60 people.
Authorities imposed a curfew after Thursday’s violence, which came amid protests in the central African nation against interim leader Mahamat Idriss Deby’s two-year extension of power.
France, the African Union and others swiftly condemned (譴責) the security crackdown on the demonstrators.
A Chadian government spokesperson says 30 people were dead in the capital.
Organizers of the march, though, placed the toll higher, at 40, with many wounded by bullets as well.
There was no independent corroboration of the figures given by the two sides..
Another 32 protesters were killed in Chad’s second-largest city, Moundou, according to an official in the city’s morgue.
WHO Investigating Complaints Against Syrian Office Staffers at the World Health Organization’s Syrian office have alleged that their boss mismanaged millions of dollars, plied government officials with gifts, and acted frivolously as COVID-19 swept the country.
More than 100 confidential documents, messages and other materials obtained by The Associated Press show WHO officials told investigators that the agency’s Syria representative engaged in abusive behavior, and consistently (一貫的) misspent taxpayer funds.
Some of the allegations include the representative throwing a party that cost more than $10-thousand US dollars of WHO funds, mostly to honor her own achievements, as well as hiring underqualified relatives of government officials, and meeting with Russian military officials, which would violate the W-H-O's neutrality as a UN organization.
Complaints from at least a dozen personnel have triggered one of the biggest internal WHO probes in years, at times involving more than 20 investigators.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 64-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 12,913 on turnover of $4.2-billion N-T.
The market lost ground to fall below the 13,000-point mark on Wednesday on the back of futures-led selling throughout the session despite a rise on Wall Street overnight.
The decline came as foreign institutional investors opted to once again to dump Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing shares in the spot market in a bid to profit in futures trading.
T-S-M-C's share price fell below 400 N-T, after losing 2.83-per cent to drop to 395.5 N-T during the trading day.
27 Undocumented Migrant Workers and 3 Employers Arrested in Hsinchu The National Immigration Agency says 27 undocumented migrant workers have been detained in Hsinchu County as they were about to leave their homes to go to work.
According to the agency, they were living in rented units in small secluded (僻靜) alleys in the county's Zhubei City and Hukou Township, and they were hiring private vehicles to take them to work.
Along with detaining the undocumented migrant workers, three of their employers have also been arrested.
The immigration agency says the undocumented migrants were illegally employed at construction sites, and the employers are facing charges of violating the Employment Service Act.
Arrangements are currently being made to deport the 27 undocumented migrant workers.
Gov and Enterprises Celebrate Sanitation Workers Several local governments and businesses celebrated their sanitation workers yesterday.
New Taipei held a ceremony yesterday and thanked its 5-thousand sanitation staff, with New Taipei Mayor Hou You-yi personally awarding over 100 workers for excellence on the job.
The Changhua County government also expressed gratitude for its cleaning crews, and held a competition for sanitation-related (與衛生有關的) designs, such as remote-controlled trash compactors, and creating fertilizer from garden waste.
(NS)
Ukraine Accuses Iran of Violating UN Ban Ukraine is accusing Iran of violating a U.N. Security Council ban on the transfer of drones capable of flying 300 kilometers.
Ukraine’s U.N. Ambassador invited U.N. experts to visit the country to inspect Iranian-origin drones being used by Russia against civilian targets.
Russia and Iran denied Wednesday that the drones are Iranian.
The UN reportedly held a closed council meeting yesterday, requested by Britain, France, and the United States on Iran's sale of drones to Russia.
Russia is believed to have sent waves of Iranian-made Shahed drones into Ukraine to strike at power plants, residential buildings and other infrastructure (公共建設) in Kyiv and other cities.
US Trump Knowledge of Capitol Riot Claims From the US…..
A judge says Trump knew his voter fraud claims were false.
AP correspondent Lisa Dwyer reports.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 28-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 13,096 on turnover of 2.5-billion N-T.
The market staged a technical rebound on Tuesday to close above the 13,100 point mark, as investors were encouraged by a rally on Wall Street overnight.
Buying was seen almost across the board, led by contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and the bellwether electronics sector as a whole, as tech stocks on U-S markets made a significant (明顯的) bounce-back.
Premier Tests Positive for Coronavirus Premier Su Tseng-chang has tested positive for the coronavirus.
According to the Cabinet spokesman Luo Bing-cheng, the Premier tested positive after feeling ill while at the Legislative Yuan.
He is now at home and will quarantine for seven days and is only showing mild symptoms of the disease.
The Cabinet spokesman says Su will be conducting (進行) any subsequent responsibilities virtually.
The Presidential Office says Su last met with President Tsai Ing-wen on October 15 at the Central Epidemic Command Center - and Tsai remains in good health.
King Mswati III of Eswatini to Visit Taiwan for 18th time The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says King Mswati III of Eswatini will visit Taiwan later this week.
It will be his 18th trip to the island, but his first since the beginnig of the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the foreign ministry, King Mswati III will arrive in Taiwan tomorrow.
He will be welcomed by President Tsai Ing-wen with a military salute (軍禮) before holding talks at the Presidential Building and meeting with Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.
The delegation will also meet with officials from the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
The foreign ministry has not said how long the king and his delegation will stay in Taiwan.
NKorea Fires Artillery Near SKorea Sea Boundaries North Korea fired artillery shells near its sea boundaries with South Korea late Tuesday, a day after the South began annual military drills.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff says today that North Korea fired about 100 shells off its west coast and 150 rounds off its east coast.
It said the South Korean military broadcast (播放) messages several times asking North Korea to stop the firing, but there were no reports of violence between the rivals.
An unidentified spokesperson for the North Korean People’s Army’s General Staff issued a statement describing the latest artillery firings as a response to South Korea’s own artillery training that it claimed took place earlier Tuesday in an eastern border region.
Seoul didn’t immediately confirm it had conducted any artillery drill near the border on Tuesday.
US Biden Promises Abortion into Law if Dems Keep Congress' U.S. President Joe Biden is promising to put the right to an abortion into law if the Democrats keep control of Congress.
It comes three weeks before Americans head to the polls in the midterm elections..which could shift (轉移) the balance of power in Washington.
U.S. correspondent Gabrielle Fahmy reports.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 109-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 13,075 on turnover of 3.4-billion N-T.
The market lost ground on Monday as investors opted to move to the sell side following heavy loses on Wall Street at the end of last week on renewed fears of a further aggressive rate hike by the U-S Federal Reserve.
The bellwether electronics sector led the downturn, as government-led funds are believed to have stepped in, picking up large-cap non-tech stocks in the petrochemical and financial sectors to limit losses by the end of the session.
Cabinet Setting Out Tougher Rules Restricting Use of China Tech The Cabinet is reportedly working on a series of regulations aimed at tighten protocols restricting the use of China-made tech by government agencies.
Reports say the equipment being targeted by the regulations includes China-made telecom hardware and software as well as digital billboards and video display systems used by state-owned and affiliated (附屬) agencies.
The move is being backed by the Ministry of Digital Affairs.
According to the ministry, the stepped-up restrictions will be based on amendments to current laws that already limit the use of products by government agencies that pose a threat to national information security.
CEOC Reports 414 Cases of Damage as Rain Battered Island The Central Emergency Operation Center says 414 cases of damage to public infrastructure and private property have been reported since Tropical Storm Nesat moved away from Taiwan on Monday.
The incidents included damage to roads and infrastructure facilities.
A total 243 were reported in Taipei and 126 cases reported in New Taipei cities.
The center has now lowered disaster level to Level 2 as the rains are now easing (緩和).
However, the Central Weather Bureau is warning that chances of extremely heavy rain or heavy rain remain high in regions north of Taoyuan and in the northeast into today.
US House panel: Trump's bills to Secret Service 'exorbitant' Documents released by House committee shows Donald Trump's private companies charged (收費) high rates for the Secret Service to stay at Trump properties during his presidency.
The AP's Ed Donahue reports.
UN Chief Calls for End of Hostilities in Tigray The United Nations chief is demanding an immediate end to hostilities in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region and withdrawal of Eritrean forces fighting alongside the government.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters Monday that “violence and destruction have reached alarming levels” and “civilians are paying a horrific price.”
He warned that “the situation in Ethiopia is spiraling (不斷上升) out of control" and stressed that “there is no military solution” to the nearly two-year conflict between Tigrayan forces and the federal government.
Guterres called for an urgent resumption of talks between the two sides and said the U.N. will support African Union efforts.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 139-points this morning from Friday's close, at 12,988 on turnover of 2.7-billion N-T.
The market closed up over 300-points on Friday, as it followed other global indexes and gained ground after Wall Street rebounded from a slump caused by higher-than-forecast inflation numbers.
Government Reaffirms Sovereignty in response to Xi Speech The Presidential Office is reiterating that it represents a "sovereign (統一) and democratic country."
The statement comes in response to comments by Xi Jinping in a major speech at the opening of the 20th congress of the Communist Party of China.
Xi said Beijing will continue to strive for peaceful "reunification" with Taiwan, but will never promise to renounce the use of force and the "one country, two systems" model remains "the best means" of achieving "reunification."
The Presidential Office says President Tsai Ing-wen's national security team is closely monitoring the Party Congress and stressed that mainstream public opinion here in Taiwan has clearly rejected the "one country, two systems" idea.
CEOC Reports 268 Incidents as Rain Batter Island The Central Emergency Operation Center reported a total of 268 incidents, mostly concerning flooding and roadside trees, as the periphery of Tropical Storm Nesat batter (重擊) the island with heavy rains on Sunday.
According to the center, 208 of those incidents were reported in the north and in Yilan.
The Ministry of Transport says landslides required the closure of sections of the Northern Cross-Island Highway, the Central Cross-Island Highway and the Southern Cross-Island Highway.
While the Council of Agriculture issued mud and landslide warnings for 69 areas in Taipei, New Taipei City, Yilan, Taoyuan, and Hsinchu and Hualien counties.
Salvadoran Judge Orders Arrest for Dutch Journalists Killings A Salvadoran judge has ordered the provisional arrest of several retired high-ranking members of the armed forces accused of having participated in the killings of four Dutch journalists in 1982.
According to the Associated Press, those facing arrest orders include a former a defense minister and former director of the now-defunct treasury police.
The killings took place during the height of El Salvador's civil war between the government and rebel guerrillas.
The Dutch TV journalists had linked up with leftist rebels and planned to spend several days behind rebel lines reporting.
But Salvadoran soldiers armed with assault rifles and machine guns ambushed (伏擊) them and the guerrillas.
In March, relatives of the victims, and representatives of the Dutch government and the European Union demanded that El Salvador bring to justice those responsible for the murders.
Gates Foundation Pledges 1.2Billion to Eradicate Polio The Gates Foundation wants to end polio worldwide.
AP correspondent Shelley Adler reports.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 213-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 13,024 on turnover of $3.9-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex came under heavy pressure on Thursday - to close at its lowest level in two years.
Market watchers say investors opted to cut their holdings ahead of the release of September's U-S consumer price index amid lingering concerns over the Federal Reserve hawkish rate hike cycle.
While investor sentiment also remained cautious about the tech sector ahead of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing's investor conference - that opened after the market closed.
TPP Lawmaker's Master's Degree Revoked The De-Ming University of Science and Technology has revoked a master's degree conferred on Taiwan People's Party lawmaker Tsai Bi-ru for improper citations.
According to the university, the thesis violated (違反) academic ethics.
Tsai received the degree from a part-time master's program at the university's Management Information System Department in 2019.
The moves comes after former Taoyuan City councilor Wang Hao-yu claimed in mid-August that he had notified the university that there were improper citations in Tsai's master's thesis.
The university said it received an anonymous report that Tsai's thesis was extremely similar to an article published by one other person and immediately formed a seven-member committee to conduct a review.
Four review meetings were held and the committee determined there was a violation of academic ethics in Tsai's thesis and recommended Tsai's master's degree be revoked.
Tsai says she respects the decision, but is accusing the committee of failing to provide sufficient explanations on how she had violated academic ethics.
US Jan 6th Committee Votes to Subpoena Trump The committee investigating the Jan 6th attack on the US Capitol has voted to subpoena former president Donald Trump.
The committee says it has enough evidence to push for criminal charges, against multiple individuals, relating to the attempts to overturn (翻轉) the 2020 presidential election.
Nick Harper reports from Washington.
UN Guterres Letter to Financial Leaders The United Nations chief has sent a letter to finance ministers and central bankers from the world's 20 leading economies.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in Thursday's letter that the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of the war in Ukraine and escalating climate emergencies ``are wreaking havoc on economies across the globe.''
Guterres urged financial leaders to change course and steer a global economic recovery that includes developing countries that have been hardest hit by these events, along with the rising cost of living, tightening financial conditions, and unsustainable (不可持續的) debt burdens.
The letter comes ahead of next month's Group of 20 summit in the Indonesian resort of Bali.
Guterres says the U.N. system and its partners have proposed a stimulus'',
which calls fora massive increase in public sector commitments towards
development, humanitarian and climate mitigation and adaptation by just 2% of
global GDP''.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 27-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 13,108 on turnover of 2.5-billion N-T.
The market closed slightly lower on Wednesday as government-led funds were believed to have intervened ( 介入、調解) to lend support to the local main board amid ongoing global volatility.
However, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing still saw its share price fall below 400 N-T for the first time in more than two years.
MND Vows 'No More Teslas' Following Musk China Comments Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng says the military will not purchase any more Teslas following comments by Elon Musk last week that the island become a Chinese special administrative zone.
Speaking at a legislative hearing, Chiu told lawmakers that the military currently owns seven Tesla Model 3s and 12 other electric vehicles, which were acquired from local carmaker Luxgen brand e-cars for environmental reasons.
Chiu said if the decision to purchase the Teslas is causing concern, the defense ministry will not buy anymore of those cars.
Deputy Chief of Staff of Logistics Major General Hsu Jin-teng has said all the Teslas used by the military had their eight cameras disabled (使無效使失去能力,) for security reasons.
WBSC Under 23 Baseball World Cup to Begin at Tianmu Stadium And,
The opening ceremony of the W-B-S-C Under 23 Baseball World Cup takes place this evening at the Tianmu Stadium in Taipei.
The ceremony begins at 5:45PM and will be followed by the opening game at 6:30 -- when Taiwan meet Colombia.
Twelve teams are participating in the Under 23 Baseball World Cup - which begins with a two group round-robin stage and the top three teams from each group advance to the next round.
Taiwan is in Group A with Colombia, Germany, Japan , South Africa, and defending champion Venezuela.
Group B consists of Australia, Cuba, South Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands and Puerto Rico.
Games will be played at the Tianmu Stadium in Taipei, the Taichung Intercontinental Stadium and at the Dou-Liou Stadium in Yunlin County.
NKorea on Missile Tests
North Korea says leader Kim Jong Un has supervised tests of long-range cruise
missiles, which he described as a successful demonstration of his military's
expanding nuclear strike capabilities and readiness for actual war.
The comments were carried in state media today.
North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said the two missiles during Wednesday's tests flew for nearly three hours above its western seas, and showed that they can hit targets 2,000 kilometers away.
Kim after the tests praised (稱讚) the readiness of his nuclear combat forces, which he said were fully prepared for ``actual war to bring enemies under their control at a blow''
The tests on Wednesday extended a record number of weapons demonstrations this year by North Korea.
South Korean officials say Kim may also conduct a nuclear test in the coming weeks or months.
UN Passes Resolution Condemning Russian Annexation Members of the United Nations General Assembly have overwhelmingly (壓倒性地) passed a resolution condemning Russia's annexation of four Ukrainian territories.
The vote comes after Russia vetoed a similar resolution at the UN Security Council late last month.
William Denselow reports from UN headquarters in New York.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 29-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 13,077 on turnover of 3-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex tumbled to its lowest close in two years on Tuesday as investors scrambled to dump large cap electronics stocks on the back of heavy losses seen in the tech sector on Wall Street overnight.
Market watchers say investors were once again concerned about possible further rate hikes by the U-S Federal Reserve.
While the announcement last week by the U-S Department of Commerce that it would expand restrictions (限制) on exports of I-C and related production equipment also placed downward pressure on the local tech sector.
20 Tour Groups Scheduled to Arrive in Taiwan Tomorrow The Tourism Bureau says 20 tour groups will be arriving in Taiwan tomorrow, the day the government lifts all coronavirus quarantine border restrictions.
According to the bureau the tour groups are from Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia.
They have a combined total of 244 tourists.
Central Epidemic Command Center head Victor Wang says the government has no plans to reverse (撤銷) its coronavirus policies, despite concerns that the current domestic outbreak is "still at a plateau."
Taiwan Lantern Festival to Return to Taipei The Taiwan Lantern Festival is returning to Taipei for the first time in 23 years next year.
The Tourism Bureau says it believes the festival will be one of the first major events held in the capital after mandatory quarantine regulations are lifted for arrivals and the island welcomes back tourists.
According to the Taipei Department of Information and Tourism, the festival will be taking place from February 5th through 19th and is expected to be the biggest in the event's more than 30-year history.
City officials say it will have four exhibition areas, one central installation (裝置物) and six other major installations as part of a 300-lantern collection covering 168 hectares.
Russia Launches New Attacks on Ukraine Russian forces have carpeted Ukraine with a fresh barrage of missiles and munition-carrying drones.
The bombardment came a day after strikes across the country killed at least 19 people and knocked out power across the country.
The U.N. human rights office says the ``particularly shocking'' attacks could amount to (相當於) war crimes.
The leaders of the Group of Seven industrial powers also condemned the attacks and said they would ``stand firmly with Ukraine for as long as it takes.''
Their pledge defied Russian warnings that Western assistance would prolong the war and the pain of Ukraine's people.
Russia launched the attacks in retaliation for a weekend explosion that damaged a bridge linking Russia to the Crimean Peninsula.
Dame Angela Lansbury Obit Dame Angela Lansbury — star of the US TV crime series 'Murder, She Wrote' — has died at the age of 96.
Jody Jacobs looks back at her career.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 308-points this morning from Friday's close, at 13,394 on turnover of 5.2-billion N-T.
The market tumbled almost 190-points last Friday as investor sentiment turned cautious prior to the release of U-S September jobs data and concerns that Federal Reserve will continue to implement (實施) its rate hike cycle policy.
Selling focused on large-cap tech stocks on the local main board, in particular in the semiconductor industry amid fears over an increase in fund flight caused by a stronger U-S dollar.
Tsai Urges Respect for Taiwan's Sovereignty in National Day address President Tsai Ing-wen says military confrontation in the Taiwan Strait is "absolutely not an option" and is calling on Beijing to respect the island's sovereignty.
Speaking outside the Presidential Building as she market National Day, Tsai said Beijing should not make any misjudgment (誤判) on account of Taiwan's vigorous democratic system," nor should it attempt to "exploit (利用) the competition between our political parties."
According to Tsai, such actions will not benefit cross-strait relations and will only push the two sides further apart.
Tsai went on to stress that "armed confrontation is absolutely not an option for our two sides."
National Day Fireworks Display in Chiayi Attracts 250,000 And,
Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Zhang-liang some 250,000 people saw last night's National Day fireworks display.
The fireworks display was held at the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum - where some 53,000 people gathered to see the show - while some 200,000 others watched it from surrounding (周圍) areas.
According to the county government, the 25,000 fireworks were set off, while attendees also got to see 360-degree water dance featuring a light sculpture projection together with a sound and light show.
Six-hundred drones were also used to used to light-up what the Chiayi County's Tourism Bureau is calling the largest R-O-C flag to have ever been displayed at the event.
UN States Ｍeet on Russia Annexation of Ukraine Territories An emergency session is being held at the United Nations General Assembly to debate what a number of countries say is Russia's illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories.
William Denselow has more from UN headquarters in New York.
Philippines Rights Activsits Call for Release of Opposition Senator Human rights activists have pressed their call for the immediate release of a former Philippine opposition senator after she was taken hostage in a rampage by three Muslim militants in a failed attempt to escape from a maximum-security jail.
Police killed three militants linked to the Islamic State group behind Sunday's rampage in which a police officer was stabbed and former Sen. Leila de Lima briefly held hostage.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International on Monday expressed deep alarm over the jail violence in the national police headquarters.
De Lima has been detained since 2017 on drug charges she says were fabricated (捏造的) by former President Rodrigo Duterte and his officials in an attempt to muzzle her criticism of his deadly crackdown on illegal drugs.
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TaiEx opening down International Student '0+7' Policy Set for October 13 Airport Travelers to See Discounted Fares on MRT Lines Fired police sergeant attacks Thai day care center, kills 36 Biden announces sweeping softening of US marijuana laws
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 64-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 13,865 on turnover of 2.1-billion N-T.
The market extended gains from a session earlier on Wednesday, rising more than 200 points, as investors took cues from another surge on Wall Street overnight.
Buying focused on top stocks in terms of market capitalization, in particular those in the bellwether electronics sector, which pushed up share prices across the board, as sentiment improved amid eased fears over aggressive U-S Federal Reserve rate hikes.
Over 50,000 New Coronavirus Cases Reported for the First Time Since June The Central Epidemic Command Center is reporting 54,874 new domestic coronavirus infections.
That's the first time the daily number has exceeded (超過) 50,000 since late June.
The daily tally has now risen week-on-week for 10 consecutive days.
Epidemic command center head Victor Wang says the increase shows that the current wave of infections is peaking and could rise further.
However, Wang is insisting the rise in new cases will not affect the government's plans to lift mandatory quarantine for arriving travelers from next Thursday.
Three Allies Call for Taiwan's Inclusion in ICAO The representatives of three of Taiwan's allies are calling for the island's participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Representatives from Belize, Eswatini and Tuvalu spoke up in support of Taiwan during a plenary (全體出席的) session of agency's triennial assembly, which is on-going in Montreal.
Belize's representative called for Taiwan to "be given the opportunity to have meaningful participation" - arguing that "no country should be left behind."
Eswatini's representative told delegates that his country believes that "all international civil aviation stakeholders that administer any political airspace should be part of such an organization."
While Tuvalu's representative said his country fully supports "the full inclusion of all nations in assemblies as we need to advocate a joint community for the betterment of our world."
US Russia China Faceoff Over NKorea North Korea has launched another ballistic missile just days after sending one over Japan for the first time in five years.
It came as members of the United Nations Security Council clashed over North Korea's recent military activity.
The UN Secretary-General has called this week's missile launch reckless (魯莽) and a violation of UN resolutions.
William Denselow has more from UN headquarters in New York.
Nobel Prize Chemistry Announced
This year's Nobel Prize in chemistry has been awarded to Americans Carolyn R.
Bertozzi and K. Barry Sharpless, and Danish scientist Morten Meldal for
developing a way of snapping molecules together that can be used to
design better medicines.
They were cited for their work on click chemistry, which has been used to make cancer drugs, map DNA and create materials that are tailored (量身定制) to a specific purpose.
A week of Nobel Prize announcements kicked off Monday, and will continue today with literature.
The 2022 Nobel Peace Prize will be announced Friday and the economics award on Monday.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 151-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 13,727 on turnover of $4-billion N-T.
The market made a strong comeback on Tuesday, as a rally on Wall Street overnight and expectations the U-S Federal Reserve will ease the pace of its rate hike cycle both sparked heated buying.
Investors rushed to pick up large-cap tech stocks with a focus on semiconductors, which drove the local board higher throughout the session.
Indonesians Stuck on Cargo Ship in Kaohsiung to Allowed to Disembark The Maritime and Port Bureau says eight Indonesian crewmen on a cargo ship that has been docked in Kaohsiung Port since February will be allowed to leave the vessel once a relief crew arrives in Taiwan.
According to the bureau, nine Burmese sailors will relieve (換班) the Indonesian crewmen, who have been stuck on the vessel for over seven months.
The Ministry of Transport says the Burmese nationals are currently having their visas processed by Taiwan's representative office in Myanmar and are expected to arrive in Taiwan soon.
However, the ministry has not given an approximate date for their arrival.
The Indonesian crewmen have been on the Togo-registered "Jian Ye" since it was towed into Kaohsiung Port in February after the vessel lost power near Taiwan's territorial waters.
Passport Applications Surge The Bureau of Consular Affairs says the number of passport applications and renewals has soared (飆升) since the government announced that quarantine regulations for arrivals would be lifted on October 13.
According to the bureau, prior to the coronavirus pandemic, it processed an average of 1.7 million passport applications per year.
However, that number has fallen to 300,000 a year - with the lowest number of applications and renewals being 233,000 reported in 2021.
The bureau says it processed 386,000 passport applications as of September 30 his year and there's been an average of around 3,000 applications per day.
And the bureau has been seeing an average of 5,300 applications over the past week.
Estonia PM on Moscow's Nuclear Threat Estonia's prime minister says the West mustn't give in to Moscow's nuclear threats or premature (過早的) peace proposals but stand firmly in support of Ukraine as the invaded country fights to rid its occupied territories of Russian soldiers.
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas told The Associated Press in an interview that
very dangerous'' calls for negotiations and peace in Ukraine have come fromvery prominent people.''
She didn't specify anyone by name, but her comments followed Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeting a contentious proposal for ending the war.
Kallas says Russian President Vladimir Putin's threats to defend Russian territory ``with any means at our disposal'' must be taken seriously but not lead to attempts at appeasement.
SKorea Missile Malfunctions During Drill South Korea says one of its missiles malfunctioned (故障) and fell during a drill.
AP correspondent Norman Hall reports.
Bangladesh Power Out A failure in Bangladesh's power grid plunged much of the country into a blackout.
The state-run Bangladesh Power Development Board said power transmission (輸電系統) had failed in the eastern part of the country, cutting electricity in Dhaka and other big cities.
Officials said restoring power could take hours.
Bangladesh has seen several power shortages since the government suspended operations of all diesel-run power plants to reduce costs for imports as prices have soared.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 146-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 13,447 on turnover of 4.-billion N-T.
The market extended losses from Friday's session on Monday, losing more than 120 points as investor concerns continued over the U-S Federal Reserve's rate hike cycle.
The slump also came despite the Financial Supervisory Commission announcing measures at the end of last week to tighten short-selling rules amid global market volatility (易變).
German Lawmaker Lauds Taiwan's Democratic Development The visiting chairman of the German-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group says Taiwan should be proud of its democratic development.
Klaus-Peter Willsch made the statement during a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen at the Presidential Office.
The German lawmaker also lauded (讚美) Taiwan for playing a major role in the world's semiconductor industry - saying "the world's industries will face serious problems without Taiwan's semiconductors."
Willsch is heading a seven-member delegaiton to Taiwan consisting of lawmakers from six different political parties on a five-day visit.
The delegation will also be meeting with lawmakers and visit the Tainan Science Park for talks on trade and investment, high-tech industry, and supply-chain security.
National Day Fireworks Display to Feature 25,000 Fireworks Chiayi County Tourism Bureau Director-General Hsu You-ren says this year's National Day fireworks at the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum will feature 25,000 fireworks.
According to Hsu, in addition to the fireworks the event will feature a 360-degree water dance featuring a light sculpture projection together with a sound and light show during the 45-minute performance.
Hsu says the audience will also be entertained by drone acrobatics with musical accompaniment from Taipei Sinfonietta & Philharmonic Orchestra.
Some 12,000 free parking spaces are being made available near the museum, as county government officials are expecting a large turnout (到場人數).
NKorea Launches Missile Over Japan North Korea has reportedly fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan.
The Japanese prime minister's office said at least one missile fired from North Korea flew over Japan and was believed to have landed into the Pacific Ocean.
Officials say the missile landed in waters outside the country's exclusive economic zone after a 22-minute flight.
Japanese authorities issued a ``J-alert'' to residents in northeaster regions to evacuate to buildings nearby, the first such alert since 2017.
Trains were temporarily suspended in Japan's Hokkaido and Aomori regions before their operations were resumed after a government notice that the North Korean missile appeared to have landed into the Pacific.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida strongly condemned the launch, calling it a "reckless (魯莽) act".
South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol has called a National Security Council meeting to discuss the launch and says the North's ``reckless nuclear provocations'' would meet the stern response of the South and the broader international community.
Swedish Geneticist Wins Nobel for Physiology A Swedish geneticist has won the Nobel Prize for medicine.
Svante Paabo pioneered (首創) the use of ancient DNA to unlock secrets about human evolution.
Jody Jacobs has more from New York.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 65-points this morning from Friday's close, at 13,359 on turnover of 2.5-billion N-T.
The market fell by over 100-points on Friday, as other regional indexes sank again after German inflation spiked higher, Britain's Prime Minister Liz Truss defended a tax-cut plan that rattled investors and data showed that Chinese manufacturing has weakened.
More than 141,000 Free Flu Shots Administered on First Day of Rollout The Centers for Disease Control says more than 141,000 people received a flu shot on Saturday, when the government launched this year's free vaccination program.
That figure was a 14-per cent increase from last year.
C-D-C Deputy Director-General Zhuang Ren-xiang is attributing the higher number to there being less conflict with the administration of coronavirus vaccines.
People being vaccinated against the coronavirus at this time last year were advised (建議) to wait at least seven days before getting a seasonal flu shot.
However, the C-D-C this year has said that flu shots can be given at the same time as other vaccines, including coronavirus vaccines, but not on the same limb.
Mercury to Drop in North this Week The Central Weather Bureau says a seasonal northeasterly wind system is expected to begin affecting (影響) the north from Wednesday - when daytime temperatures are expected to drop by between 7 and 8 degrees.
According to the weather bureau, the mercury in northern Taiwan is forecast to range from between 25 and 26 degrees - and that'll be a marked decline from the daytime highs of 34 to 35 degrees seen over the past week.
The seasonal northeasterly wind is also expected to bring brief showers to areas north of Taoyuan as well as to northeastern Taiwan, while sporadic rainfall is forecast for Hualien and Taitung from Wednesday.
Those weather conditions will last into the weekend.
Haiti Sees Cholera Outbreak Haiti's government says at least eight people have died from cholera for the first time in three years.
The cases are raising concerns about another potential catastrophic epidemic like the one that broke out a decade ago and killed nearly 10,000 people.
The cases were reported in a community in southern Port-au-Prince and in a seaside slum (貧民窟) where thousands of people live in cramped, unsanitary conditions.
The deaths announced Sunday come as a lack of fuel and ongoing protests shut down the availability of basic services across Haiti, including medical care and clean water, which is key to helping fight cholera and keep patients alive.
Brazil Presidential Candidates Head into Runoff Vote Brazil's top two presidential candidates will face each other in a runoff vote after neither got enough support to win outright.
With 98.8% of the votes tallied on Sunday's election, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had 48% support.
Incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro had 43.6% support.
Brazil's election authority said the result made a second round vote between the two candidates a mathematical certainty (必然的事).
Nine other candidates were also competing.
King Charles Not to Attend Climate Summit
King Charles III has decided not to attend (參加) the international climate change summit in Egypt next month.
AP correspondent Zerya Shakely reports.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 125-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 13,410 on turnover of $3.1-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Thursday following a rise on Wall Street overnight on the back moves by the Britain's central bank to forcefully to stop a budding financial crisis.
CECC Receives 4th Shipment of Second-Generation Moderna Coronavirus Vaccine The Central Epidemic Command Center has taken delivery of the fourth shipment of Moderna's second-generation coronavirus vaccine.
Command center head Victor Wang says the 605,000 doses will be part of a new rollout plan scheduled for October 3, when it the second-generation coronavirus vaccine will be made available to more people.
From next Monday, the booster vaccine will also be available to frontline medical workers, airport personnel and flight crews, everyone aged between 50 and 64, as well as those 18 and above who need to travel abroad (國外) for work or diplomatic reasons.
EPA to Ban PVC in E-Commerce Packaging Next July The Environmental Protection Administration says online retailers will be banned from using packaging materials containing P-V-C from July of next year.
The ban comes amid a rise in environmental concerns over the surge (上升) in online shopping packaging waste.
According to the E-P-A, materials containing P-V-C will be banned in packaging for e-retail businesses, and all packaging materials must contain a certain amount of recycled paper or recycled materials beginning July 1, 2023.
The E-P-A says online shopping sales produced over 3,000 metric tons of plastic packaging waste and 54-thousand metric tons of paper packaging waste.
All those sales and packaging emitted a total of 78-thousand metric tons of carbon dioxide.
UK PM Defends Cutting Taxes The UK Prime Minister Liz Truss has defended (辯護) her government's decision to cut taxes - saying Ministers took action at a difficult time.
Laura Makin-Isherwood reports from London.
Nigeria Presidential Candidates Sign Peace Accord Presidential candidates in Nigeria have signed an accord (協議) committing to a peaceful campaign for the 2023 election.
Nearly all of the 18 candidates for president signed the pact at an event in Abuja, the nation's capital, on Thursday.
Similar peace accords have been struck in every general election cycle since 2015.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is due to leave office in May after completing his second term and has promised peaceful voting to elect his successor.
UK Reveals First King Charles Coins Meanwhile….
Britain's Royal Mint has unveiled the first coins to feature (使…成為主要的特征) the portrait of King Charles III.
Britons will begin to see Charles' image in their change from around December, as 50-pence coins depicting him gradually enter circulation.
The Royal Mint says the new monarch's effigy was created by British sculptor Martin Jennings and has been personally approved by Charles.
In keeping with a centuries-old tradition, the king's portrait faces to the left, the opposite direction to his mother's, Queen Elizabeth II.
A separate memorial 5-pound coin remembering the life and legacy of Elizabeth will be released Monday.
Charles ascended to the throne Sept. 8 upon the death of his mother, Britain's longest-reigning monarch.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 125-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 13,410 on turnover of $3.1-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Thursday following a rise on Wall Street overnight on the back moves by the Britain's central bank to forcefully to stop a budding financial crisis.
CECC Receives 4th Shipment of Second-Generation Moderna Coronavirus Vaccine The Central Epidemic Command Center has taken delivery of the fourth shipment of Moderna's second-generation coronavirus vaccine.
Command center head Victor Wang says the 605,000 doses will be part of a new rollout plan scheduled for October 3, when it the second-generation coronavirus vaccine will be made available to more people.
From next Monday, the booster vaccine will also be available to frontline medical workers, airport personnel and flight crews, everyone aged between 50 and 64, as well as those 18 and above who need to travel abroad (國外) for work or diplomatic reasons.
EPA to Ban PVC in E-Commerce Packaging Next July The Environmental Protection Administration says online retailers will be banned from using packaging materials containing P-V-C from July of next year.
The ban comes amid a rise in environmental concerns over the surge (上升) in online shopping packaging waste.
According to the E-P-A, materials containing P-V-C will be banned in packaging for e-retail businesses, and all packaging materials must contain a certain amount of recycled paper or recycled materials beginning July 1, 2023.
The E-P-A says online shopping sales produced over 3,000 metric tons of plastic packaging waste and 54-thousand metric tons of paper packaging waste.
All those sales and packaging emitted a total of 78-thousand metric tons of carbon dioxide.
UK PM Defends Cutting Taxes The UK Prime Minister Liz Truss has defended (辯護) her government's decision to cut taxes - saying Ministers took action at a difficult time.
Laura Makin-Isherwood reports from London.
Nigeria Presidential Candidates Sign Peace Accord Presidential candidates in Nigeria have signed an accord (協議) committing to a peaceful campaign for the 2023 election.
Nearly all of the 18 candidates for president signed the pact at an event in Abuja, the nation's capital, on Thursday.
Similar peace accords have been struck in every general election cycle since 2015.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is due to leave office in May after completing his second term and has promised peaceful voting to elect his successor.
UK Reveals First King Charles Coins Meanwhile….
Britain's Royal Mint has unveiled the first coins to feature (使…成為主要的特征) the portrait of King Charles III.
Britons will begin to see Charles' image in their change from around December, as 50-pence coins depicting him gradually enter circulation.
The Royal Mint says the new monarch's effigy was created by British sculptor Martin Jennings and has been personally approved by Charles.
In keeping with a centuries-old tradition, the king's portrait faces to the left, the opposite direction to his mother's, Queen Elizabeth II.
A separate memorial 5-pound coin remembering the life and legacy of Elizabeth will be released Monday.
Charles ascended to the throne Sept. 8 upon the death of his mother, Britain's longest-reigning monarch.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 84-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 13,550 on turnover of 3.2-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex joined other regional markets and lost ground on Wednesday, following a wobbly session on Wall Street overnight, as markets churned over the prospect of a possible recession.
US Speaks Up for Taiwan's Participation at ICAO Assembly The U-S Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg is calling for Taiwan's inclusion (包括、加入) in the International Civil Aviation Organization on the opening day of the agency's assembly in Montreal,
According to Buttigieg, the U-S believes "all of international civil aviation's most important stakeholders, particularly those who would administer critical aerospace, like Taiwan, should have the opportunity to participate meaningfully.
Germany's Ministry for Digital and Transport, Stefan Schnorr, also called on the global aviation body to include all parties involved - saying it should "include those that are not members."
However, he did not mention Taiwan by name.
Civil Aeronautics Administration Director-General Lin Jun-liang is heading a delegation to Montreal this week, to promote Taiwan's inclusion in the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Inbound Visitors can Travel if Tour Group Members Contract Coronavirus The Central Epidemic Command Center says members of inbound tour groups will be allowed to continue traveling in Taiwan, even if other members of their group test positive for the coronavirus during their trip.
However, they will need to take a rapid test and obtain (獲得) a negative result every two days.
The statement comes as the ban on inbound and outbound tour groups as well as for mandatory quarantine for arriving visitors is set to be lifted as part of a new "0+7" policy on October 13.
The "0+7" policy will replace the current "3+4" policy - but all arrivals must observe seven days of self-conducted epidemic prevention measures, and will be allowed to outside if a test taken within the past two days returned a negative result.
Iran Drone Bombing Leaves Dead and Wounded An Iranian drone bombing campaign targeting the bases of an Iranian-Kurdish opposition group in northern Iraq has killed at least nine people and wounded 32 others.
The Kurdish Regional Government's Health Ministry said the strikes Wednesday came as demonstrations continued to engulf (吞噬) the Islamic Republic after the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman who was detained by the Iranian morality police.
Local officials say Iran's attacks targeted Koya, some 65 kilometers east of Irbil.
Iraq's Foreign Ministry and the Kurdistan Regional Government have condemned the strikes.
Hurricane Ian Makes Landfall in Florida Florida's governor Ron De Santis is warning that "nasty" days are ahead as Hurricane Ian makes landfall in the US state.
Forecasters said cities at the heart of the storm were facing extremely (極其) dangerous winds and rains, as officials warned it was too late to evacuate in some places.
Our US correspondent Kate Fisher reports
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 84-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 13,550 on turnover of 3.2-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex joined other regional markets and lost ground on Wednesday, following a wobbly session on Wall Street overnight, as markets churned over the prospect of a possible recession.
US Speaks Up for Taiwan's Participation at ICAO Assembly The U-S Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg is calling for Taiwan's inclusion (包括、加入) in the International Civil Aviation Organization on the opening day of the agency's assembly in Montreal,
According to Buttigieg, the U-S believes "all of international civil aviation's most important stakeholders, particularly those who would administer critical aerospace, like Taiwan, should have the opportunity to participate meaningfully.
Germany's Ministry for Digital and Transport, Stefan Schnorr, also called on the global aviation body to include all parties involved - saying it should "include those that are not members."
However, he did not mention Taiwan by name.
Civil Aeronautics Administration Director-General Lin Jun-liang is heading a delegation to Montreal this week, to promote Taiwan's inclusion in the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Inbound Visitors can Travel if Tour Group Members Contract Coronavirus The Central Epidemic Command Center says members of inbound tour groups will be allowed to continue traveling in Taiwan, even if other members of their group test positive for the coronavirus during their trip.
However, they will need to take a rapid test and obtain (獲得) a negative result every two days.
The statement comes as the ban on inbound and outbound tour groups as well as for mandatory quarantine for arriving visitors is set to be lifted as part of a new "0+7" policy on October 13.
The "0+7" policy will replace the current "3+4" policy - but all arrivals must observe seven days of self-conducted epidemic prevention measures, and will be allowed to outside if a test taken within the past two days returned a negative result.
Iran Drone Bombing Leaves Dead and Wounded An Iranian drone bombing campaign targeting the bases of an Iranian-Kurdish opposition group in northern Iraq has killed at least nine people and wounded 32 others.
The Kurdish Regional Government's Health Ministry said the strikes Wednesday came as demonstrations continued to engulf (吞噬) the Islamic Republic after the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman who was detained by the Iranian morality police.
Local officials say Iran's attacks targeted Koya, some 65 kilometers east of Irbil.
Iraq's Foreign Ministry and the Kurdistan Regional Government have condemned the strikes.
Hurricane Ian Makes Landfall in Florida Florida's governor Ron De Santis is warning that "nasty" days are ahead as Hurricane Ian makes landfall in the US state.
Forecasters said cities at the heart of the storm were facing extremely (極其) dangerous winds and rains, as officials warned it was too late to evacuate in some places.
Our US correspondent Kate Fisher reports
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Tai-Ex opening down Premier Expresses Condolences to Families of Coronavirus Victims Tourism Bureau Could Issue Subsidies to Quarantine Hotels Ukraine's president: No talks with Putin if its land annexed Hurricane Ian knocked out power across all of Cuba
Tai-Ex opening down Premier Expresses Condolences to Families of Coronavirus Victims Tourism Bureau Could Issue Subsidies to Quarantine Hotels Ukraine's president: No talks with Putin if its land annexed Hurricane Ian knocked out power across all of Cuba
Weekly Coronavirus Infections Decline by 3% New Taipei Seeking Gold Label Designation for Marathon Security tightens in Tokyo NASA's DART mission successfully slams into an asteroid
Weekly Coronavirus Infections Decline by 3% New Taipei Seeking Gold Label Designation for Marathon Security tightens in Tokyo NASA's DART mission successfully slams into an asteroid
Third Batch of Moderna Next-Gen Vaccine Arrives in Taiwan Government Thanks Marcos for Cross-Strait Peace Appeal AI Educational Center in New Taipei Italian far-right leader strikes moderate tone after vote US Box office reports
Third Batch of Moderna Next-Gen Vaccine Arrives in Taiwan Government Thanks Marcos for Cross-Strait Peace Appeal AI Educational Center in New Taipei Italian far-right leader strikes moderate tone after vote US Box office reports
Taipei MRT Wenhu Line glitches CWB Warning Two Tropical Depressions Could Develop into Tropical Storms *Pompeo to Make Second Trip to Taiwan Next Week Mexico proposed that India and the Vatican lead dialogue to seek a peace treaty between Russia and Ukraine US and S. Korea Joint Military Drills
Taipei MRT Wenhu Line glitches CWB Warning Two Tropical Depressions Could Develop into Tropical Storms *Pompeo to Make Second Trip to Taiwan Next Week Mexico proposed that India and the Vatican lead dialogue to seek a peace treaty between Russia and Ukraine US and S. Korea Joint Military Drills
Novavax Coronavirus Vaccine Shipment Arrives FSC Touts Banks Growing Bilingual Services Putin orders partial military call-up, sparking protests Trump inflated his wealth Federer on GOAT debate in AP Interview: How can you compare?
Novavax Coronavirus Vaccine Shipment Arrives FSC Touts Banks Growing Bilingual Services Putin orders partial military call-up, sparking protests Trump inflated his wealth Federer on GOAT debate in AP Interview: How can you compare?
Magnitude 4.7 Quake Rattles South and Southeast Quake Simulation Our world is in peril': At UN, leaders push for solutions Official: Canada likely to drop vaccine requirement to enter United Airlines grounds 25 planes after missed inspections
Magnitude 4.7 Quake Rattles South and Southeast Quake Simulation Our world is in peril': At UN, leaders push for solutions Official: Canada likely to drop vaccine requirement to enter United Airlines grounds 25 planes after missed inspections
CECC Forecasting Latest Coronavirus Wave to Peak Next Week Number of People Injured in Weekend Earthquakes Rises to 164 Ukraine warns of 'nuclear terrorism' after strike near plant Leaders call for action to address global education Nigeria battles worst floods in years; 300 killed in 2022
CECC Forecasting Latest Coronavirus Wave to Peak Next Week Number of People Injured in Weekend Earthquakes Rises to 164 Ukraine warns of 'nuclear terrorism' after strike near plant Leaders call for action to address global education Nigeria battles worst floods in years; 300 killed in 2022
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 68-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,602 on turnover of $2.6-billion N-T.
The market closed marginally higher on Thursday, after Wall Street posted modest gains overnight.
Pig Carcass Found in Kinmen Tests Positive for African Swine Fever The Council of Agriculture has imposed a one-week ban on the transport of pork products from Kinmen to other parts of Taiwan.
The move comes after a pig carcass that washed up on the outlying island tested positive for African Swine Fever.
According to the Kinmen County government, a Coast Guard patrol found the carcass of a on the shoreline near Jinning Township's Housha Village.
Disease control officials collected samples from the carcass, and then burned and buried it on site.
Tests of those samples by the National Institute for Animal Health showed it had been infected with African Swine Fever.
Animal health officials have been inspecting pig farms located within a 3-kilometer radius of where the carcass was found, but no trace of the disease has been found.
The Kinmen County government says it's not unusual to find pig carcasses among garbage that occasionally washes ashore (上岸) in Kinmen, due to its close proximity to China.
US Judge Rejects DOJ Request to View MaraLago Material A federal Judge has rejected the US Justice Department's request to resume reviewing classified material it seized from former president Donald Trump's Mar a Lago home.
The Florida court also appointed a neutral (中立) third party suggested by Trump's legal team to oversee the process.
US correspondent Ira Spitzer has more.
Haiti Investigates Police Killings Haiti's National Police says it is investigating the recent slaying of three officers that it blames on gang members.
The agency says a gang called ``Ti Makak,'', killed the officers Tuesday in Laboule, a largely gated community just south of Port-au-Prince.
The area is also the site of recent turf wars (地盤爭奪) between gangs that have led to other killings in the area, including two journalists in January and a former senator who worked for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor in August.
Police said Wednesday that they had opened an investigation into the killings of the officers.
Mexico Gov: Train Poses No Threat ot Skeleton Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History says a prehistoric human skeleton found recently in a flooded cave system along the country's Caribbean coast was actually registered by the institute in 2019 and will not be threatened by a nearby tourist train project.
Earlier this week, archaeologist Octavio del Rio said he and fellow diver Peter Broger saw the shattered skull and skeleton partly covered by sediment (沉積物) in a cave.
They reported it to the institute, which had not publicly spoken of the find until its statement Thursday.
The institute says that scientific analysis has still not been carried out on the remains, but that it is 400 meters from the path of the government's Maya Train project and not threatened.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 68-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,602 on turnover of $2.6-billion N-T.
The market closed marginally higher on Thursday, after Wall Street posted modest gains overnight.
Pig Carcass Found in Kinmen Tests Positive for African Swine Fever The Council of Agriculture has imposed a one-week ban on the transport of pork products from Kinmen to other parts of Taiwan.
The move comes after a pig carcass that washed up on the outlying island tested positive for African Swine Fever.
According to the Kinmen County government, a Coast Guard patrol found the carcass of a on the shoreline near Jinning Township's Housha Village.
Disease control officials collected samples from the carcass, and then burned and buried it on site.
Tests of those samples by the National Institute for Animal Health showed it had been infected with African Swine Fever.
Animal health officials have been inspecting pig farms located within a 3-kilometer radius of where the carcass was found, but no trace of the disease has been found.
The Kinmen County government says it's not unusual to find pig carcasses among garbage that occasionally washes ashore (上岸) in Kinmen, due to its close proximity to China.
US Judge Rejects DOJ Request to View MaraLago Material A federal Judge has rejected the US Justice Department's request to resume reviewing classified material it seized from former president Donald Trump's Mar a Lago home.
The Florida court also appointed a neutral (中立) third party suggested by Trump's legal team to oversee the process.
US correspondent Ira Spitzer has more.
Haiti Investigates Police Killings Haiti's National Police says it is investigating the recent slaying of three officers that it blames on gang members.
The agency says a gang called ``Ti Makak,'', killed the officers Tuesday in Laboule, a largely gated community just south of Port-au-Prince.
The area is also the site of recent turf wars (地盤爭奪) between gangs that have led to other killings in the area, including two journalists in January and a former senator who worked for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor in August.
Police said Wednesday that they had opened an investigation into the killings of the officers.
Mexico Gov: Train Poses No Threat ot Skeleton Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History says a prehistoric human skeleton found recently in a flooded cave system along the country's Caribbean coast was actually registered by the institute in 2019 and will not be threatened by a nearby tourist train project.
Earlier this week, archaeologist Octavio del Rio said he and fellow diver Peter Broger saw the shattered skull and skeleton partly covered by sediment (沉積物) in a cave.
They reported it to the institute, which had not publicly spoken of the find until its statement Thursday.
The institute says that scientific analysis has still not been carried out on the remains, but that it is 400 meters from the path of the government's Maya Train project and not threatened.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 11.3-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,647 on turnover of $2.5-billion N-T.
The market lost over 230-points on Wednesday as investors reacted to disappointing inflation data from the U-S that sent the Dow Jones plunging by nearly 1,300 points on Wall Street overnight.
Large cap tech stocks, in particular those in the semiconductor industry, led the decline on the main board, amid expectations the U-S Federal Reserve will adopt (採納) a more aggressive approach on interest rates as it takes steps to fight inflation.
US Senate Committee Passes Taiwan Policy Act The U-S Senate Foreign Relations Committee has passed the Taiwan Policy Act.
Lawmakers voted to pass the bill after about 2-hours of discussions.
The bill is aimed at increasing America's support for Taiwan, both militarily and economically, and it was introduced in June by Senates Bob Menendez and Lindsey Graham.
Speaking after lawmakers voted, Menendez said there were only minor changes to the approved version and those changes were mainly symbolic (象徵性的).
And he's stressing that the substance of Taiwan Policy Act remains unchanged.
CECC Approves Guidelines for Overseas Tour Groups The Central Epidemic Command Center says it has approved a series of guidelines for travel agencies organizing overseas tours.
The statement comes after local media reported that that operating guidelines have been finalized, despite the continuing ban on organizing tour groups for overseas travel.
The guidelines will not be implemented until the current domestic coronavirus outbreak has peaked and the ban on group overseas travel will only be lifted in full accordance with the government's border re-opening plan.
According to center head, Victor Wang, the guidelines for overseas tour groups have been approved "in preparation" for future policy changes, which will be implemented (實施的) at later dates.
SKorea Arrests Woman Wanted in NZ Authorities say a woman has been arrested in South Korea on two murder charges from New Zealand, where the bodies of two long-dead children were found in abandoned (遺棄) suitcases.
Authorities didn't immediately say if the 42-year-old suspect was the victims' mother.
New Zealand police earlier told their South Korean counterparts that the mother might be in South Korea.
South Korean police said they detained the woman after New Zealand requested her extradition.
A court will now review whether she should be extradited.
The bodies were discovered last month after a New Zealand family bought abandoned goods from a storage unit.
Police said the children were between 5 and 10 years old and the suitcases had been in storage at least three or four years.
Macau Begins Negotiations for Casino Licenses The government in Macau is beginning negotiations with casino operators for new licenses in the world’s biggest gambling hub.
But analysts say the process is facing unprecedented (史無前例) complications due to China’s strict COVID-19 restrictions.
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
Czech Gov Unveils Plan to Help Businesses with Energy Costs The Czech government has unveiled a plan to help businesses cope with surging energy costs.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala says the government is ready to use up to $1.2 billion US dollars for the program, which mainly aims to assist (幫助) larger firms with a high consumption of electricity or gas.
The government already announced another plan to cap to cap electricity and gas prices for households, small businesses and the public sector.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 11.3-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,647 on turnover of $2.5-billion N-T.
The market lost over 230-points on Wednesday as investors reacted to disappointing inflation data from the U-S that sent the Dow Jones plunging by nearly 1,300 points on Wall Street overnight.
Large cap tech stocks, in particular those in the semiconductor industry, led the decline on the main board, amid expectations the U-S Federal Reserve will adopt (採納) a more aggressive approach on interest rates as it takes steps to fight inflation.
US Senate Committee Passes Taiwan Policy Act The U-S Senate Foreign Relations Committee has passed the Taiwan Policy Act.
Lawmakers voted to pass the bill after about 2-hours of discussions.
The bill is aimed at increasing America's support for Taiwan, both militarily and economically, and it was introduced in June by Senates Bob Menendez and Lindsey Graham.
Speaking after lawmakers voted, Menendez said there were only minor changes to the approved version and those changes were mainly symbolic (象徵性的).
And he's stressing that the substance of Taiwan Policy Act remains unchanged.
CECC Approves Guidelines for Overseas Tour Groups The Central Epidemic Command Center says it has approved a series of guidelines for travel agencies organizing overseas tours.
The statement comes after local media reported that that operating guidelines have been finalized, despite the continuing ban on organizing tour groups for overseas travel.
The guidelines will not be implemented until the current domestic coronavirus outbreak has peaked and the ban on group overseas travel will only be lifted in full accordance with the government's border re-opening plan.
According to center head, Victor Wang, the guidelines for overseas tour groups have been approved "in preparation" for future policy changes, which will be implemented (實施的) at later dates.
SKorea Arrests Woman Wanted in NZ Authorities say a woman has been arrested in South Korea on two murder charges from New Zealand, where the bodies of two long-dead children were found in abandoned (遺棄) suitcases.
Authorities didn't immediately say if the 42-year-old suspect was the victims' mother.
New Zealand police earlier told their South Korean counterparts that the mother might be in South Korea.
South Korean police said they detained the woman after New Zealand requested her extradition.
A court will now review whether she should be extradited.
The bodies were discovered last month after a New Zealand family bought abandoned goods from a storage unit.
Police said the children were between 5 and 10 years old and the suitcases had been in storage at least three or four years.
Macau Begins Negotiations for Casino Licenses The government in Macau is beginning negotiations with casino operators for new licenses in the world’s biggest gambling hub.
But analysts say the process is facing unprecedented (史無前例) complications due to China’s strict COVID-19 restrictions.
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
Czech Gov Unveils Plan to Help Businesses with Energy Costs The Czech government has unveiled a plan to help businesses cope with surging energy costs.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala says the government is ready to use up to $1.2 billion US dollars for the program, which mainly aims to assist (幫助) larger firms with a high consumption of electricity or gas.
The government already announced another plan to cap to cap electricity and gas prices for households, small businesses and the public sector.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 199-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,695 on turnover of 3.3-billion N-T.
This morning's decline comes after renewed (重新開始的) inflation fears in the U-S triggered the biggest selloff on Wall Street in two years overnight.
The Tai-Ex extended gains from the previous session on Tuesday, but turnover remained thin and the main board also met with stiff technical resistance ahead of the 15,000-point mark.
US Senate Committee Expected to Pass Taiwan Defense Bill The U-S Senate Foreign Relations Committee is expected to pass Taiwan Policy Act of 2022 early tomorrow morning Taiwan time.
The bill is aimed at increasing America's support for Taiwan and was introduced in June by Senates Bob Menendez and Lindsey Graham.
The bill promotes the renaming of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington to the "Taiwan Representative Office" and requires the appointment of the director of the American Institute in Taiwan to be subject to (以……為條件的) the approval of the Senate.
It also calls for the "negotiating" of a bilateral free trade agreement with Taiwan and the use of a Foreign Military Financing Program and other measures "to accelerate the modernization of Taiwan's defense capabilities."
Japan to Relax Entry Rules for ROC Passport Holders Today Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that R-O-C passport holders living in Taiwan will be able to apply online for visas to travel there on business or for family visits or group travel from today.
Under the new rules, Taiwanese nationals will need a Japanese organization, such as a company, school or a private group, to register their personal information and vouch for them in Japan's Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System.
After receiving a "certificate of completion" for registration, people will be able to use the Japan eVisa website to complete the rest of their visa application.
The application can be processed (處理) in around five working days.
Queen Elizabeth Arrives at Buckingham The body of Queen Elizabeth II has arrived at Buckingham palace where thousands of people had gathered (聚集) in the rain to watch the arrival of the UK's longest serving monarch, who died last week at the age of 96.
She will remain at the palace overnight Tuesday before moving to Westminster Abbey on Wednesday, where she will lie in state for four days ahead of her funeral on Monday.
Olly Barratt is at Windsor castle…
Canada Makes Queen Funeral Day Holiday Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Sept. 19 will be a holiday so that federal employees can mourn Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her state funeral.
Trudeau also said he's working with the provinces on a possible public holiday for other workers but Canada's two most populous provinces declined (拒絕) to make it a holiday.
The late queen was the head of state for 45% of Canada's existence and visited the country 22 times as monarch.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 199-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,695 on turnover of 3.3-billion N-T.
This morning's decline comes after renewed (重新開始的) inflation fears in the U-S triggered the biggest selloff on Wall Street in two years overnight.
The Tai-Ex extended gains from the previous session on Tuesday, but turnover remained thin and the main board also met with stiff technical resistance ahead of the 15,000-point mark.
US Senate Committee Expected to Pass Taiwan Defense Bill The U-S Senate Foreign Relations Committee is expected to pass Taiwan Policy Act of 2022 early tomorrow morning Taiwan time.
The bill is aimed at increasing America's support for Taiwan and was introduced in June by Senates Bob Menendez and Lindsey Graham.
The bill promotes the renaming of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington to the "Taiwan Representative Office" and requires the appointment of the director of the American Institute in Taiwan to be subject to (以……為條件的) the approval of the Senate.
It also calls for the "negotiating" of a bilateral free trade agreement with Taiwan and the use of a Foreign Military Financing Program and other measures "to accelerate the modernization of Taiwan's defense capabilities."
Japan to Relax Entry Rules for ROC Passport Holders Today Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that R-O-C passport holders living in Taiwan will be able to apply online for visas to travel there on business or for family visits or group travel from today.
Under the new rules, Taiwanese nationals will need a Japanese organization, such as a company, school or a private group, to register their personal information and vouch for them in Japan's Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System.
After receiving a "certificate of completion" for registration, people will be able to use the Japan eVisa website to complete the rest of their visa application.
The application can be processed (處理) in around five working days.
Queen Elizabeth Arrives at Buckingham The body of Queen Elizabeth II has arrived at Buckingham palace where thousands of people had gathered (聚集) in the rain to watch the arrival of the UK's longest serving monarch, who died last week at the age of 96.
She will remain at the palace overnight Tuesday before moving to Westminster Abbey on Wednesday, where she will lie in state for four days ahead of her funeral on Monday.
Olly Barratt is at Windsor castle…
Canada Makes Queen Funeral Day Holiday Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Sept. 19 will be a holiday so that federal employees can mourn Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her state funeral.
Trudeau also said he's working with the provinces on a possible public holiday for other workers but Canada's two most populous provinces declined (拒絕) to make it a holiday.
The late queen was the head of state for 45% of Canada's existence and visited the country 22 times as monarch.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 88-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,895 on turnover of 2.9-billion N-T.
The market gained more than 200 points on Monday as investor sentiment (情緒) improved on the back of gains on Wall Street at the end of last week.
Those gains were led by large cap tech stocks, in particular semiconductor heavyweights, which moved higher amid eased investor concerns over another rate hike by the U-S Federal Reserve later this month.
Economics Minister Pledges 2.5GW of New Solar Power Capacity Economics Minister Wang Mei-hua says the government will add 2.5-gigawatts of solar power generation capacity (容量) this year.
If the government managed to achieve that goal, it will be the most installed in a single year.
According to Wang, a total of 1.1-gigawatts of solar capacity was installed in the first seven months of this year and it's hoped that 1.4-gigawatts can be installed in the final five months of the year.
Wang says adding new solar power capacity of 2.5-gigawatts this year would top the previous annual high of 1.883-gigawatts in 2021
Data shows that solar power accounted for 2.7-per cent of all electricity produced here in Taiwan in 2021 and 3.3-per cent of all power produced in the first seven months of this year.
Number of Furloughed Workers Falls The Ministry of Labor says the number of furloughed workers fell by 3,020 last week on the back of a tentative (暫定的) recovery in domestic tourism.
According to the ministry, figures show that the number of workers placed on furlough programs stood at 16,872 as of Wednesday of last week and that was down from the 19,892 from the previous week.
While the number of companies implementing (實施) unpaid leave programs fell to 2,605 from 2,990 during the same period.
The decline is being attributed to a slight recovery in domestic tourism, due to the summer vacation, and the easing of concerns over the coronavirus situation.
Kremlin Faces Questions Amid Ukraine Offensive The Kremlin, facing mounting questions about the country's invasion of Ukraine, has sidestepped questions about whether Vladimir Putin has confidence in his defense minister.
Russian officials now say their forces are outnumbered 8 to 1 by the Ukrainian army in some parts of the country and are conceding (承認) that they have lost territory they previously seized there.
In Moscow, there's been growing criticism of the Russian army's performance in Ukraine on state television, and questions raised about Vladimir Putin's decision to invade.
Julia Chapman has more from Kyiv.
ExAfghan Parliament Member Calls on UN to Push for Women's Rights A former member of Afghanistan's parliament is urging the world to label the Taliban a ``gender apartheid'' regime because of its crackdown on human right.
Naheed Farid, a women's rights activist who was the youngest-ever politician elected to parliament in 2010, told a U.N. news conference Monday that as a result of severe (苛刻的) restrictions on women's rights, she is hearing more stories of Afghan women choosing to take their life out of hopelessness and despair.
She expressed hope that world leaders meeting next week for their annual gathering at the U.N. General Assembly would make time to meet and listen to Afghan women living in exile.
Farid accused the Taliban of using women as a ``bargaining chip'' to demand legitimacy, funds, and aid from the international community.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 88-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,895 on turnover of 2.9-billion N-T.
The market gained more than 200 points on Monday as investor sentiment (情緒) improved on the back of gains on Wall Street at the end of last week.
Those gains were led by large cap tech stocks, in particular semiconductor heavyweights, which moved higher amid eased investor concerns over another rate hike by the U-S Federal Reserve later this month.
Economics Minister Pledges 2.5GW of New Solar Power Capacity Economics Minister Wang Mei-hua says the government will add 2.5-gigawatts of solar power generation capacity (容量) this year.
If the government managed to achieve that goal, it will be the most installed in a single year.
According to Wang, a total of 1.1-gigawatts of solar capacity was installed in the first seven months of this year and it's hoped that 1.4-gigawatts can be installed in the final five months of the year.
Wang says adding new solar power capacity of 2.5-gigawatts this year would top the previous annual high of 1.883-gigawatts in 2021
Data shows that solar power accounted for 2.7-per cent of all electricity produced here in Taiwan in 2021 and 3.3-per cent of all power produced in the first seven months of this year.
Number of Furloughed Workers Falls The Ministry of Labor says the number of furloughed workers fell by 3,020 last week on the back of a tentative (暫定的) recovery in domestic tourism.
According to the ministry, figures show that the number of workers placed on furlough programs stood at 16,872 as of Wednesday of last week and that was down from the 19,892 from the previous week.
While the number of companies implementing (實施) unpaid leave programs fell to 2,605 from 2,990 during the same period.
The decline is being attributed to a slight recovery in domestic tourism, due to the summer vacation, and the easing of concerns over the coronavirus situation.
Kremlin Faces Questions Amid Ukraine Offensive The Kremlin, facing mounting questions about the country's invasion of Ukraine, has sidestepped questions about whether Vladimir Putin has confidence in his defense minister.
Russian officials now say their forces are outnumbered 8 to 1 by the Ukrainian army in some parts of the country and are conceding (承認) that they have lost territory they previously seized there.
In Moscow, there's been growing criticism of the Russian army's performance in Ukraine on state television, and questions raised about Vladimir Putin's decision to invade.
Julia Chapman has more from Kyiv.
ExAfghan Parliament Member Calls on UN to Push for Women's Rights A former member of Afghanistan's parliament is urging the world to label the Taliban a ``gender apartheid'' regime because of its crackdown on human right.
Naheed Farid, a women's rights activist who was the youngest-ever politician elected to parliament in 2010, told a U.N. news conference Monday that as a result of severe (苛刻的) restrictions on women's rights, she is hearing more stories of Afghan women choosing to take their life out of hopelessness and despair.
She expressed hope that world leaders meeting next week for their annual gathering at the U.N. General Assembly would make time to meet and listen to Afghan women living in exile.
Farid accused the Taliban of using women as a ``bargaining chip'' to demand legitimacy, funds, and aid from the international community.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 127-points this morning from last Thursday's close, at 14,711 on turnover of 3.5-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Thursday ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday three-day weekend - closing up 173-points as investor optimism got a boost from a rally on Wall Street, as it was on track to break a three-week losing streak.
Typhoon Muifa 10AM The Central Weather Bureau says the periphery of Typhoon Muifa will bring heavy rain to the north and center today, as its passes the island.
New Taipei and Taoyuan could see "extremely heavy rain," while "heavy rainfall" is expected in Taipei, Taichung, Keelung, Yilan, Hsinchu County, Miaoli, and Nantou.
The weather bureau says the storm is not forecast to make landfall here and will be closest to the island today and tomorrow.
Muifa is currently located some 300-kilometers south-southeast of Taipei and is moving in a northerly direction at 7-kilometers-an-hour.
Muifa is forecast to have moved away from Taiwan tomorrow evening at the earliest, as it moves into the East China Sea to threaten (威脅) the Shanghai area.
Tsai Lauds U18 Women's Basketball Team President Tsai-Ing-wen is lauding the performance of Taiwan's Under 18 women's basketball team for its performance at the Asian Youth Women's Basketball Tournament in India.
Writing on her Facebook page, Tsai described the team's performance as "brilliant (傑出的)" -- saying although they failed to beat Australia and Japan, she believes the squad will do better next year at the under 19 Youth Women's World Cup next year.
Tsai went on to say the team is the "pride of Taiwan."
Taiwan finished second in Group B with a 2-1 record, and beat New Zealand 77-67 in the semifinal match.
However, they lost 70-61 to Australia in the semi-final.
US Marks 9/11 Events are taking place across the United States marking the 21st anniversary of the attack on 9/11.
William Denselow has more from New York.
Mexico Fireworks Explosion Leaves Dead and Injured One person is dead and 39 are injured after a stray fireworks explosion at a town festival just west of Mexico City.
The township of Tianguistenco said Sunday the blast occurred late Saturday during an annual village celebration.
The municipal government said at least five people were in serious condition, and seven others were still hospitalized.
The remaining 27 people injured in the blast were treated (治療) and released.
Sweden Election Votes Counting An exit poll projected that Sweden's ruling left-wing Social Democrats have won the most votes in a general election while a right-wing populist party had its best showing yet.
The exit poll published by Swedish public broadcaster SVT projected (預計) that the left had a slight edge over the right, with 176 seats to 173.
The center-left Social Democrats are Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson's party.
There are eight parties running to win seats in Sweden's 349-seat parliament.
The final outcome will only be known once votes are counted.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 127-points this morning from last Thursday's close, at 14,711 on turnover of 3.5-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Thursday ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday three-day weekend - closing up 173-points as investor optimism got a boost from a rally on Wall Street, as it was on track to break a three-week losing streak.
Typhoon Muifa 10AM The Central Weather Bureau says the periphery of Typhoon Muifa will bring heavy rain to the north and center today, as its passes the island.
New Taipei and Taoyuan could see "extremely heavy rain," while "heavy rainfall" is expected in Taipei, Taichung, Keelung, Yilan, Hsinchu County, Miaoli, and Nantou.
The weather bureau says the storm is not forecast to make landfall here and will be closest to the island today and tomorrow.
Muifa is currently located some 300-kilometers south-southeast of Taipei and is moving in a northerly direction at 7-kilometers-an-hour.
Muifa is forecast to have moved away from Taiwan tomorrow evening at the earliest, as it moves into the East China Sea to threaten (威脅) the Shanghai area.
Tsai Lauds U18 Women's Basketball Team President Tsai-Ing-wen is lauding the performance of Taiwan's Under 18 women's basketball team for its performance at the Asian Youth Women's Basketball Tournament in India.
Writing on her Facebook page, Tsai described the team's performance as "brilliant (傑出的)" -- saying although they failed to beat Australia and Japan, she believes the squad will do better next year at the under 19 Youth Women's World Cup next year.
Tsai went on to say the team is the "pride of Taiwan."
Taiwan finished second in Group B with a 2-1 record, and beat New Zealand 77-67 in the semifinal match.
However, they lost 70-61 to Australia in the semi-final.
US Marks 9/11 Events are taking place across the United States marking the 21st anniversary of the attack on 9/11.
William Denselow has more from New York.
Mexico Fireworks Explosion Leaves Dead and Injured One person is dead and 39 are injured after a stray fireworks explosion at a town festival just west of Mexico City.
The township of Tianguistenco said Sunday the blast occurred late Saturday during an annual village celebration.
The municipal government said at least five people were in serious condition, and seven others were still hospitalized.
The remaining 27 people injured in the blast were treated (治療) and released.
Sweden Election Votes Counting An exit poll projected that Sweden's ruling left-wing Social Democrats have won the most votes in a general election while a right-wing populist party had its best showing yet.
The exit poll published by Swedish public broadcaster SVT projected (預計) that the left had a slight edge over the right, with 176 seats to 173.
The center-left Social Democrats are Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson's party.
There are eight parties running to win seats in Sweden's 349-seat parliament.
The final outcome will only be known once votes are counted.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
E*Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 37-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,447 on turnover of 3-billion N-T.
The market tumbled on Wednesday, losing more then 260-points, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing came under heavy pressure amid speculation that its major clients have cut chip orders.
T-S-M-C's losses contributed to about 135-points alone to the decline on the main board.
Another Delegations of US Lawmakers Arrives in Taiwan A delegation of U-S lawmakers has arrived in Taiwan on a previously unannounced trip and is meeting with senior government officials today - including President Tsai Ing-wen.
The eight-member delegation is being led by Representative Stephanie Murphy, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee.
According to the American Institute in Taiwan, the delegation will be staying in Taiwan until tomorrow as part of a larger visit to the Indo-Pacific region.
A-I-T says delegation will be discussing "US-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade and investment, global supply chains and other significant issues of mutual (相互的) interest."
It is the seventh U-S congressional delegation to have visited Taiwan so far this year.
Death Penalty Sought in Police Murder Case The Tainan District Prosecutors' Office says it is seeking the death penalty for a man charged with the killing of two police officers last month.
According the prosecutors' office, it has charged Lin Hsin-wu with aggregate larceny, murder, robbery, and illegal use of firearms and knife.
Prosecutors says Lin showed no sympathy for the two police officers he had stabbed, but instead chose to steal a firearm and two magazines of bullets from one of them, before walking away and leaving them to die.
Office spokesman Hsu Chia-long says Lin admitted the he was aware (知道的) he had killed the police officers during questioning.
Justice Minister Tsai Qing-xiang is voicing his support for the prosecutors' decision to seek the death penalty.
SKorea Proposes Restarting Family Reunions South Korea has proposed a meeting with North Korea to resume reunions of families separated by war.
Seoul's unification minister said Thursday that South Korea hopes that responsible officials of the two Koreas will meet in person as soon as possible for a candid (坦率) discussion.
It's unclear if North Korea would accept the offer because it has already rejected the new South Korean government's offer to provide massive aid in return for denuclearization.
The two Koreas ban millions of people separated since the 1950-53 Korean War from visiting each other.
Reunions were last allowed in 2018.
Canadian Stabbing Suspect Arrested After a 4 day manhunt, Canadian police have arrested the suspect in a series of (一系列) knife attacks over the weekend that left ten people dead.
Most of the victims belonged to an indigenous community.
North American correspondent Ira Spitzer has more
Philippines Ends Outdoor Mask Mandate Philippine officials say President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved a recommendation (擬議) to end the mandatory wearing of masks outdoors across the country.
The interior secretary says Philippines and Myanmar are the last countries in Southeast Asia to ease the compulsory wearing of masks outdoors, though he encouraged the elderly and those with other illnesses to continue masking up in public areas.
The Philippines imposed one of the longest lockdowns in the world, which caused its worst economic recession in decades and deepened poverty, hunger and unemployment.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
E*Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 37-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,447 on turnover of 3-billion N-T.
The market tumbled on Wednesday, losing more then 260-points, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing came under heavy pressure amid speculation that its major clients have cut chip orders.
T-S-M-C's losses contributed to about 135-points alone to the decline on the main board.
Another Delegations of US Lawmakers Arrives in Taiwan A delegation of U-S lawmakers has arrived in Taiwan on a previously unannounced trip and is meeting with senior government officials today - including President Tsai Ing-wen.
The eight-member delegation is being led by Representative Stephanie Murphy, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee.
According to the American Institute in Taiwan, the delegation will be staying in Taiwan until tomorrow as part of a larger visit to the Indo-Pacific region.
A-I-T says delegation will be discussing "US-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade and investment, global supply chains and other significant issues of mutual (相互的) interest."
It is the seventh U-S congressional delegation to have visited Taiwan so far this year.
Death Penalty Sought in Police Murder Case The Tainan District Prosecutors' Office says it is seeking the death penalty for a man charged with the killing of two police officers last month.
According the prosecutors' office, it has charged Lin Hsin-wu with aggregate larceny, murder, robbery, and illegal use of firearms and knife.
Prosecutors says Lin showed no sympathy for the two police officers he had stabbed, but instead chose to steal a firearm and two magazines of bullets from one of them, before walking away and leaving them to die.
Office spokesman Hsu Chia-long says Lin admitted the he was aware (知道的) he had killed the police officers during questioning.
Justice Minister Tsai Qing-xiang is voicing his support for the prosecutors' decision to seek the death penalty.
SKorea Proposes Restarting Family Reunions South Korea has proposed a meeting with North Korea to resume reunions of families separated by war.
Seoul's unification minister said Thursday that South Korea hopes that responsible officials of the two Koreas will meet in person as soon as possible for a candid (坦率) discussion.
It's unclear if North Korea would accept the offer because it has already rejected the new South Korean government's offer to provide massive aid in return for denuclearization.
The two Koreas ban millions of people separated since the 1950-53 Korean War from visiting each other.
Reunions were last allowed in 2018.
Canadian Stabbing Suspect Arrested After a 4 day manhunt, Canadian police have arrested the suspect in a series of (一系列) knife attacks over the weekend that left ten people dead.
Most of the victims belonged to an indigenous community.
North American correspondent Ira Spitzer has more
Philippines Ends Outdoor Mask Mandate Philippine officials say President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved a recommendation (擬議) to end the mandatory wearing of masks outdoors across the country.
The interior secretary says Philippines and Myanmar are the last countries in Southeast Asia to ease the compulsory wearing of masks outdoors, though he encouraged the elderly and those with other illnesses to continue masking up in public areas.
The Philippines imposed one of the longest lockdowns in the world, which caused its worst economic recession in decades and deepened poverty, hunger and unemployment.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 119-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14, 557 on turnover of 2.1-billion N-T.
The market closed marginally higher on Tuesday despite lingering investor concerns over increased fund outflows and a hawkish U-S Federal Reserve continuing to affect market sentiment.
The market breached the five-day moving average of 14,778-points early in the session, but quickly leveled off as investors sought to lock in gains.
MOFA Calls on Countries to Support UN Inclusion The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the government will again be calling on Taiwan's diplomatic allies and like-minded countries to voice their support for the island's inclusion (被包括) in the United Nations system.
The statement comes as the annual U-N General Assembly is set to begin next week in New York.
Foreign ministry Secretary-General Lily Hsu says her office is asking 'friendly nations' to speak up during the upcoming General Assembly and send a letter to U-N Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Hsu says delegation of lawmakers will visit New York to advocate for Taiwan's U-N, while Taiwan's representative office in New York will be holding a series of events promoting inclusion in the U-N system.
Police Detain Suspect in Dismemberment Case Police in New Taipei have detained a suspect wanted in connection with the dismemberment of a man, whose torso (軀幹) and left foot were found in an apartment in the city's Yonghe District.
According to the police, the suspect has confessed to killing his 54-year-old brother on September 1 after being repeatedly asked to lend him money.
Law enforcement authorities say they believe the suspect stabbed his brother to death in his sleep, before dismembering him and later dumping his limbs and head into a garbage truck.
The suspect is expected to be charged with homicide, tampering with and the illegal disposal of a dead body.
UN Security Council Meets to Discuss Zaporizhzhia Concerns
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said recent attacks on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine are unacceptable (不可接受).
William Denselow reports from UN headquarters in New York.
Australia Navy Given Clearance to Visit Solomon Islands Australia says its navy ships have been given clearance to resume visits to the Solomon Islands, which had last week announced a temporary block on all military vessels during a review of its approval processes.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed that military ships from New Zealand and Fiji would also be allowed to visit the South Pacific nation.
But that means military ships from the U.S., Britain and other countries still won't be able to dock (停靠) at a time that many nations are concerned about the Solomon Islands increasing security ties to China.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 119-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14, 557 on turnover of 2.1-billion N-T.
The market closed marginally higher on Tuesday despite lingering investor concerns over increased fund outflows and a hawkish U-S Federal Reserve continuing to affect market sentiment.
The market breached the five-day moving average of 14,778-points early in the session, but quickly leveled off as investors sought to lock in gains.
MOFA Calls on Countries to Support UN Inclusion The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the government will again be calling on Taiwan's diplomatic allies and like-minded countries to voice their support for the island's inclusion (被包括) in the United Nations system.
The statement comes as the annual U-N General Assembly is set to begin next week in New York.
Foreign ministry Secretary-General Lily Hsu says her office is asking 'friendly nations' to speak up during the upcoming General Assembly and send a letter to U-N Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Hsu says delegation of lawmakers will visit New York to advocate for Taiwan's U-N, while Taiwan's representative office in New York will be holding a series of events promoting inclusion in the U-N system.
Police Detain Suspect in Dismemberment Case Police in New Taipei have detained a suspect wanted in connection with the dismemberment of a man, whose torso (軀幹) and left foot were found in an apartment in the city's Yonghe District.
According to the police, the suspect has confessed to killing his 54-year-old brother on September 1 after being repeatedly asked to lend him money.
Law enforcement authorities say they believe the suspect stabbed his brother to death in his sleep, before dismembering him and later dumping his limbs and head into a garbage truck.
The suspect is expected to be charged with homicide, tampering with and the illegal disposal of a dead body.
UN Security Council Meets to Discuss Zaporizhzhia Concerns
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said recent attacks on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine are unacceptable (不可接受).
William Denselow reports from UN headquarters in New York.
Australia Navy Given Clearance to Visit Solomon Islands Australia says its navy ships have been given clearance to resume visits to the Solomon Islands, which had last week announced a temporary block on all military vessels during a review of its approval processes.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed that military ships from New Zealand and Fiji would also be allowed to visit the South Pacific nation.
But that means military ships from the U.S., Britain and other countries still won't be able to dock (停靠) at a time that many nations are concerned about the Solomon Islands increasing security ties to China.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 44-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,705 on turnover of 1.5-billion N-T.
The market closed marginally lower on Monday, as it entered consolidation (合併) mode on the back of lingering investor concerns over a pending rate hike by the U-S Federal Reserve.
And although the main board failed to rebound after it came off a high, large-cap semiconductor stocks showed resilience, preventing the market from falling further.
ACIP Approves Updated Moderna Vaccine as Booster The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has approved the use of Moderna's second-generation coronavirus vaccine as a booster shot for recipients at high risk of infection or severe disease.
The updated vaccine targets both the original virus from 2020 and the Omicron BA.1 subvariant.
According to committee convener (召集人) Lee Bing-ing, experts have agreed to recommend the vaccine for use as a booster for two types of "vulnerable groups."
Those "vulnerable groups" are people aged 65 and abov, adults aged 18 and above with compromised immune systems and for use among people at high risk of infection, such as front-line medical workers and airport and port employees.
CTiTV to Sue Robert Tsao, as UMC Threatens Counter Suit Chung Tien Television has filed a defamation lawsuit against United Microelectronics founder Robert Tsao.
The lawsuit seeks 500-million N-T in damages and comes after Tsao referred to the media group last week as a "bandit station" during a press conference.
Tsao was asked by a Chung Tien reporter whether his description of China's zero-coronavirus policy as "extremely stupid" also applied to Taiwan's former Health Minister Chen Shih-chung, who had maintained a similar policy for much of the pandemic.
Tsao dismissed that question as a "trap" and went on to describe Chung Tien as "bandit station" and refused to answer anymore questions from the reporter.
Tsao says he plans to countersue (反訴) Chung Tien for 5-billion N-T for making false accusations against him.
Canadian Police Continue Hunt for Other Stabbing Suspect Police in Canada say 31-year-old Damien Sanderson, one of the suspects wanted in connection with a series of stabbings in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, has been found dead and that the wounds did not seem to be self-inflicted.
Police say they are still hunting for his brother 30-year-old Myles Sanderson who may have sustained (承受、受到) injuries.
Here's Rhonda Blackmore, commanding officer of the Saskatchewan Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Ten people were stabbed to death on Sunday and 18 others were injured in what's being described as one of Canada's deadliest attacks.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared his condolences yesterday.
Authorities have said some of the victims were targeted and others appeared to have been chosen at random on the James Smith Cree Nation and in the town of Weldon in Saskatchewan province.
They have given no motive for the crimes.
Venezuela Drug Bust The armed forces of Venezuela have carried out what authorities say is the largest marijuana bust of the last 10 years in the South American country.
Officials say members of the armed forces intercepted (截獲) a vessel carrying more than 2-thousand-800 kilos of marijuana, as well as almost 8 kilograms of cocaine, and extra motors.
They say the vessel had departed Colombia and was en route to the island of Martinique.
Twelve men traveling on the boat were arrested. Hernandez says all are Venezuelans.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 44-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,705 on turnover of 1.5-billion N-T.
The market closed marginally lower on Monday, as it entered consolidation (合併) mode on the back of lingering investor concerns over a pending rate hike by the U-S Federal Reserve.
And although the main board failed to rebound after it came off a high, large-cap semiconductor stocks showed resilience, preventing the market from falling further.
ACIP Approves Updated Moderna Vaccine as Booster The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has approved the use of Moderna's second-generation coronavirus vaccine as a booster shot for recipients at high risk of infection or severe disease.
The updated vaccine targets both the original virus from 2020 and the Omicron BA.1 subvariant.
According to committee convener (召集人) Lee Bing-ing, experts have agreed to recommend the vaccine for use as a booster for two types of "vulnerable groups."
Those "vulnerable groups" are people aged 65 and abov, adults aged 18 and above with compromised immune systems and for use among people at high risk of infection, such as front-line medical workers and airport and port employees.
CTiTV to Sue Robert Tsao, as UMC Threatens Counter Suit Chung Tien Television has filed a defamation lawsuit against United Microelectronics founder Robert Tsao.
The lawsuit seeks 500-million N-T in damages and comes after Tsao referred to the media group last week as a "bandit station" during a press conference.
Tsao was asked by a Chung Tien reporter whether his description of China's zero-coronavirus policy as "extremely stupid" also applied to Taiwan's former Health Minister Chen Shih-chung, who had maintained a similar policy for much of the pandemic.
Tsao dismissed that question as a "trap" and went on to describe Chung Tien as "bandit station" and refused to answer anymore questions from the reporter.
Tsao says he plans to countersue (反訴) Chung Tien for 5-billion N-T for making false accusations against him.
Canadian Police Continue Hunt for Other Stabbing Suspect Police in Canada say 31-year-old Damien Sanderson, one of the suspects wanted in connection with a series of stabbings in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, has been found dead and that the wounds did not seem to be self-inflicted.
Police say they are still hunting for his brother 30-year-old Myles Sanderson who may have sustained (承受、受到) injuries.
Here's Rhonda Blackmore, commanding officer of the Saskatchewan Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Ten people were stabbed to death on Sunday and 18 others were injured in what's being described as one of Canada's deadliest attacks.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared his condolences yesterday.
Authorities have said some of the victims were targeted and others appeared to have been chosen at random on the James Smith Cree Nation and in the town of Weldon in Saskatchewan province.
They have given no motive for the crimes.
Venezuela Drug Bust The armed forces of Venezuela have carried out what authorities say is the largest marijuana bust of the last 10 years in the South American country.
Officials say members of the armed forces intercepted (截獲) a vessel carrying more than 2-thousand-800 kilos of marijuana, as well as almost 8 kilograms of cocaine, and extra motors.
They say the vessel had departed Colombia and was en route to the island of Martinique.
Twelve men traveling on the boat were arrested. Hernandez says all are Venezuelans.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 2.9-points this morning from Friday's close, at 14,670 on turnover of $2.9-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan extended (延長) their weakness from a session earlier to fall more than 120 points Friday as market sentiment was hurt by lingering concerns over the potential for ongoing interest rate hikes in the United States.
The bellwether electronics sector led the downturn, with the sell-off focusing on large cap semiconductor stocks, while shipping stocks also came under pressure to push the broader market down further.
Taipei mayor candidate slammed for tone deaf public toilet policy ad A campaign video to promote DPP Taipei mayor candidate Chen Shih-chung's plan to upgrade the city's public toilets sparked controversy was blasted (批評) by critics for making light of sexual harassment.
The video, released on Saturday, features internet celebrity Si-cha-mao using a public toilet and discovering that there is no toilet paper, and shows Chen peeking over the stall and lowering an electronic bidet toilet seat down on a string.
The video is drawing criticism from some, including rival candidates.
KMT nominee Jiang Wan-an called on Chen to apologize for the video, which he said violated the "basic concept" of opposing sexual harassment and voyeurism.
Vivian Huang, running for Taipei Mayor's office as an independent took aim at the content of Chen's policy, which she criticized as "(overly) luxurious and unpractical."
US Mississippi Still Lacks Clean Water The US's Federal Emergency Management Agency says it's too early to say when clean water will be restored Jackson, Mississippi.
Last week flood waters damaged the city's water treatment plant.
As our US correspondent Jagruti Dave reports.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon.
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 11-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,790 on turnover of $2.6-billion N-T.
Taiwan's benchmark stock index plunged 1.94 percent to close below 15,000 points on Thursday after U.S. stocks finished lower overnight for a fourth straight session.
The sell-off took a toll on the bellwether electronics sector, which led the broader market down, losing 2.35 percent.
Contract chipmaker TSMC, the most heavily weighted stock on the local market, led the market downturn, falling 2.87 percent to close at its lowest in nearly one month.
Analysts say the decline reflects recent hawkish (鷹派的) comments by U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell who reiterated the American central bank's commitment to contain inflation by tightening the economy.
Typhoon Hinnamnor Weakens After Sea Warning (10AM Update) The CWB says Typhoon Hinnamnor has weakened, after the bureau issued a sea warning earlier this morning.
The Central Weather Bureau says the storm is currently located 470-km east of Eluanbi, moving north-northwest at a speed of 6 to 11-km per hour.
Hinnamnor currently has a radius of 250-km, and forecasters say the storm may increase in size.
The bureau says if the storm veers (轉向) westward in its path, a land warning may still be issued, but much depends on the the size of the typhoon at that time.
The CWB has also issued an extremely heavy rain advisory for the northern cities of Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, as well as Hsinchu County.
And a heavy rain advisory has been issued for Keelung City, Yilan County and Miaoli County.
The advisories are expected to remain in effect through tonight.
Golden Horse Awards winners named lifetime achievement awards recipients Return to Table of contents
Filmmakers Lai Cheng-ying and Chang Chao-tang will be honored with lifetime achievement awards at the 59th Golden Horse Awards.
The award's Executive Committee made the announcement yesterday, for the event scheduled for Nov. 19-th.
Both filmmakers are masters of their craft with a total of five Golden Horse Awards combined.
The 92-year-old Lai, 92, is one of the pioneers helping Taiwan's movie industry transition (轉變) into shooting in color after being sent to Japan to learn color filming techniques.
He won three Golden Horse Awards for Best Cinematography.
And 78-year-old Chang Chao-tang transitioned from film cinematography to documentary filmmaking and videography education, influencing the likes of Australian-born Hong Kong cinematographer Christopher Doyle and Taiwanese directors Chung Mong-hong and Huang Hsin-yao.
He is also the one of the founders of the biennial Taiwan International Documentary Festival .
US Capitol Riot The House panel investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection (暴亂) is seeking information from former House Speaker Newt Gingrich about his communications with senior advisers to then-President Trump in the days leading up to the 2021 attack on the Capitol.
AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports.
Peru Investigates Transgender Man's Death Prosecutors in Peru have opened an investigation into the death of a Peruvian transgender man who died this month after being detained on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali.
Peru's Public Ministry said Wednesday that the probe by prosecutors who specialize in (專門從事) human rights will include an autopsy on Rodrigo Ventocilla.
That has been demanded by LGBTQ activists amid allegations by the man's family that he was tortured by Indonesian police.
Authorities in Indonesia deny those claims, saying Ventocilla was not abused or mistreated.
They say he died in a hospital Aug. 11 after complaining of stomach pains and showing signs of depression while in detention.
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 114-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,981 on turnover of $4.3-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan moved higher to end above the 15,000-point mark Wednesday as the electronics sector recouped early losses, helping the broader market climb out of its previous doldrums (低迷).
Turnover remained thin, however, as investors remained cautious amid lingering concerns over possible volatility among tech stocks in the U.S., which could be affected by expectations of Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.
Typhoon Hinnamnor (Update 10AM) The CWB Taiwan will see more significant impact from Typhoon Hinnamnor tomorrow and Saturday, when the storm will likely be closest to the island.
The Central Weather Bureau says as of 2am, the storm was located about 520-km east of Taipei and is moving in a southwesterly direction at a speed of 27-km-per-hr.
A strong wind advisory is up for most regions across Taiwan's coastal regions in the north, west and east, due to the influence of the typhoon's outer periphery (周邊).
Forecasters say a sea warning may come tomorrow morning, but the bureau is still monitoring the path of the storm before determining whether a land warning should be issued as well.
Taiwan Expo in Thailand focuses on environmental sustainability Taiwanese and Thai officials are touting (宣傳，讚揚) the potential for greater collaboration between the two countries on the manufacture of electric vehicles and the creation of a "green" economy, during the opening of the annual Taiwan Expo.
The expo is being held in a hybrid format, with the physical site located at Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok.
This year's Taiwan Expo featured "smart" medical services and manufacturing, low-carbon economy, domestic demand and consumption, and culture and tourism, at the 11 pavilions set up at Siam Paragon shopping mall.
The deputy executive director of the Thailand Trade and Economic Office expressed hopes that the expo will open up new possibilities for cooperation between the two sides in the fields of science, industrial development, and environmental sustainability.
UN Report: Uighur Torture Claims "Credible" The United Nations long awaited report into allegations of human rights violations against the Uighur Muslim population in China's northern Xinjiang region has been released.
In it the United Nations says the claims of torture are "credible" (可信的).
William Denselow reports from UN headquarters in New York.
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SKorea Conducts Survey for BTS Miltiary Service Exemption South Korea may conduct a public survey to help determine whether to grant exemptions to mandatory military service to members of the K-pop boyband BTS.
The defense minister told lawmakers he ordered officials to implement (實施) a survey quickly.
He said his ministry will also look into various other factors such as BTS's economic impact, the importance of military service and the overall national interest.
By law, all able-bodied men in South Korea must serve 18-21 months in the military.
But exemptions are granted to certain athletes, musicians and artists.
BTS' oldest member, Jin, faces enlistment in December, when he turns 30.
OUTRO
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Taiwan, Palau sign MOUs on joint criminal investigation and forensics Taiwan and Palau have signed memorandums of understanding to provide mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and forensic assistance between the two countries.
The MOUs were signed virtually by Justice Minister Tsai Ching-hsiang and Palauan Vice President and Minister of Justice J. Uduch Sengebau Senior, who is in quarantine after arriving in Taiwan on Saturday on a five-day visit.
This marks the first time Taiwan has signed an MOU on mutual forensic assistance with another country.
Tsai says the MOU will allow Taiwan to send medical examiners to Palau at the request of the latter to perform autopsies and forensics as well as train medical examiners.
Woman Dies After Being Struck by Train A woman has died after being struck by an out-of-service train in New Taipei.
Police say the 72-year-old woman was grazed by a Taiwan Railways Administration train as it was traveling on an elevated part of the track just past midnight.
They say the woman was found without vital signs, lying next to the tracks with broken bones in her hands and feet.
Officials are looking into the cause of the incident.
(NS)
Gorbachev Dead at 91 Mikhail Gorbachev, the 8th and last leader of the Soviet Union has died in Moscow at the age of 91.
Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks was based in Moscow in the 1990s and interviewed Gorbachev after he left power.
UN Official Warns of Libya Chaos The U.N. political chief is warning that failure to resolve Libya's political crisis and hold delayed elections poses a growing threat in the country.
Rosemary DiCarlo pointed to violent clashes Saturday that killed at least 42 people and injured 159 others according to Libyan authorities.
She told the U.N. Security Council Tuesday that the clashes between armed groups supporting rival claimants to be prime minister involved the indiscriminate use of medium and heavy weapons.
DiCarlo says the violence also displaced 50 families, significantly damaged five health facilities, and affected two detention centers for migrants and refugees, involving a total of 560 people.
Libya has plunged into chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011.
The oil-rich county has for years been split between rival administrations, each backed by rogue militias and foreign governments
OUTRO That was the I.C.R.T. news,
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Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 6.5-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,920 on turnover of $2.3-billion N-T.
Taiwan receives shipment of 600,000 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines The Central Epidemic Command Center says Taiwan took delivery of a shipment of over 600-thousand doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine yesterday.
The shipment will be prioritized for use as booster shots for children aged 12 to 17.
CECC head Victor Wang says the 602,550 Pfizer-BioNTech doses arrived at Taoyuan International Airport on Monday morning, and were transferred to a cold chain logistics center to undergo inspection.
Wang said the new batch of vaccines expires (到期) on March 21, 2023, and will be used primarily as booster shots for children aged 12-17, many of whom received first and second shots of the same brand in the second half of 2021.
Pakistan Flooding Causes Widespread Death and Damage Disaster officials say nearly a half million people in Pakistan are crowded into camps after losing their homes in widespread flooding caused by unprecedented (史無前例的) monsoon rains in recent weeks.
Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority said floods this summer have killed more than 1,136 people and injured 1,636 as well as damaging 1 million homes.
At least 498,000 people in the country are in relief camps after being displaced, and many more displaced are believed to be living with relatives, friends or outside.
The country's climate minister tells The Associated Press that new monsoons were expected in September.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday said the rains so far have been the heaviest Pakistan has seen in three decades.
He says the government would provide housing to all those who lost their homes.
Dutch Soldier Dead After US Shooting One of three Dutch soldiers shot in the US city of Indianapolis over the weekend has died.
The Dutch Defense Ministry said the two other commandos (突擊隊員) are conscious and remain stable in hospital.
US correspondent Kate Fisher reports
Greek Lawmakers Vote to Investigate Wiretaps Greek lawmakers have voted for a parliamentary investigation into the surveillance by the country's secret service of an opposition party leader's phone.
On Monday, 142 lawmakers voted for the parliamentary investigation, easily exceeding (超過) the 120-vote threshold needed.
The scandal broke after revelations that Nikos Androulakis, a European Parliament member, was put under surveillance for three months last year.
At the time he was running for his party's leadership, which he subsequently won.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has denied any prior knowledge of the surveillance, which he said was wrong, and pledged to overhaul the EYP secret service.
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Three Taiwanese from Myanmar Human Trafficking Ring Arrested
The Criminal Investigation Bureau says three people have been detained on connection with a human trafficking ring in Myanmar.
The three were allegedly involved in organ harvesting and sex trafficking.
They were arrested after it was confirmed they were fugitives and are likely members of a telecom extortion ring in Myanmar.
The three Taiwanese nationals were detained after they returned home from Myanmar this past weekend.
One of them was on Taiwan's most wanted list for forgery (偽造罪) and currency counterfeiting, but police have not indicated that that individual was involved in human trafficking operations.
KMT Vice Chair Touts China Trip as 'Helping Taiwanese People'
K-M-T Vice Chairman Andrew Hsia says his recently concluded 17-day trip to China was aimed at looking after the needs of Taiwanese people based in the country.
Speaking after returning to Taiwan, Hsia said used his meetings with Chinese officials to convey (表達) concerns over Beijing's recent military drills in areas surrounding Taiwan.
According to Hsia, he told Chinese officials that the military exercises were of no help to peaceful development, and that the vast majority of people in Taiwan were uneasy, worried, and dissatisfied with the drills.
Hsia says he also exchanged views with them on job scams in Cambodia, cross-strait flights, the reopening of the "mini-three links" and rumors of the termination of the ECFA accords "early harvest" list.
Army Fires Warning Flares at Chinese Drone in Kinmen
The army says it has fired warning flares after a Chinese drone after it was spotted over a small island in Kinmen County.
According to the Kinmen Defense Command, a civilian-operated drone from China appeared over Lieyu Township and troops responded by firing warning flares based on standard operating procedures.
Defense officials say troops refrained from takiing more aggressive (挑釁的) measures, such as shooting the drone down, in order to avoid further escalating cross-strait tensions.
A clip of the drone's flight was posted on Chinese social media platform Weibo and shows it flying close to and filming a military lookout post, including its facilities and soldiers and ship and aircraft identification charts.
The Ministry of National Defense says it is work on a defensive system against drones for installation by 2023 in Kinmen and Matsu.
Serbia opposition, rights groups condemn EuroPride decision
In Serbia, opposition parties and international rights groups have denounced (斥責) a decision by the President to cancel next month's LGBTQ EuroPride events.
President Aleksandar Vucic explained that the Balkan nation could not handle EuroPride because of a political crisis with Serbia's former breakaway province of Kosovo, and economic problems amid Russia's war in Ukraine.
Most of the groups say they would ignore the ban announced Saturday by Vucic and go ahead with the September 12-18 events scheduled in Belgrade.
NASA moon rocket on track for launch despite lightning hits
NASA's new moon rocket is expected to launch later today, despite a series of lightning strikes at the launch pad.
Officials say neither the rocket Artemis 1 nor ground equipment suffered (受到) any damage.
Five lightning strikes hit the 600-foot towers surrounding the rocket at Florida's Kennedy Space Center this past weekend.
The 322-foot rocket is the most powerful ever built by NASA.
It plans to send an empty crew capsule into lunar orbit, 50 years after NASA's Apollo program.
Astronauts could return to the moon in a few years, if this six-week test flight goes well.
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EZ NEWS AUGUST 26, 2022
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 21-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,226 on turnover of $2.2-billion N-T.
The Tai-Ex followed other regional markets and gained ground on Thursday, as investors waited for a highly anticipated speech from the U-S Federal Reserve chair about interest rates.
8 Associates of Cambodia-Based Fraud Ring Figure Arrested Return to Table of contents
Law enforcement officials say eight associates of a Taiwanese national believed to be a senior figure in a Cambodia-based fraud ring have been detained.
According to the Kaohsiung Criminal Investigation Corps, the eight were working for a Taiwanese national who has been identified as the head of a telecoms fraud ring operating out of Phnom Bokor in southern Cambodia.
Corps head Hong Sung-tien says the man reportedly instructed his associates here in Taiwan to find people to work for the ring, offering a reward of 3,000 U-S per person sent to Cambodia.
The eight detained suspects are known to have conned at least six individuals in Taiwan to travel to the Cambodia on the promise of fake jobs.
Police say those six victims paid a ransom (贖金) of 20,000 U-S dollars each to secure their release and have since returned to Taiwan.
Officials say an investigation into this case is ongoing and authorities here in Taiwan are seeking the arrest of more suspects in Cambodia.
CWB: Overcast Skies with Sudden Showers and Gusts Return to Table of contents
Forecasters say rainfall will be more limited today, after torrential downpours and thundershowers yesterday afternoon.
The Central Weather Bureau says most parts of the island are seeing overcast to clear skies today, as the amount of moisture in the air tapers off (逐漸停止).
But mountainous regions and low-lying areas nearby may still see sudden rainfall accompanied by thunder and gusts of wind, particularly in the afternoon.
The CWB is reminding people in those areas to be on the alert for rough weather.
(NS)
WHO: Global Monkeypox Cases Dropping
A World Health Organization report says the number of monkeypox cases reported globally dropped by 21% in the last week, reversing a month-long trend (trend) of rising infections.
AP correspondent Zerya Shakely reports.
NKorea: Border Fever Cases Not Coronavirus
North Korea says the latest fever cases detected in its border region with China were tested to be influenza, not coronavirus infections as initially feared.
The report today by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency came a day after the North said it locked down unspecified areas in Ryanggang province after four people had fevers that were suspected to be COVID-19.
North Korea maintains there have been no confirmed coronavirus cases in the country since Aug. 10, when leader Kim Jong Un declared a widely disputed victory over the virus, just three months after the country acknowledged (承認) an omicron outbreak.
Latvia Brings Down SovietEra Monument
Latvia has taken down the centerpiece of a Soviet-era monument in the capital of Riga.
The nearly 80-meter high concrete obelisk topped by Soviet stars commemorated (紀念) the Red Army's victory over Nazi Germany.
Latvian media broadcast its removal live on Thursday.
The monument was built in 1985 while Latvia was still part of the Soviet Union.
It had stirred controversy since Latvia regained independence in 1991.
Lawmakers voted in May to take it down after Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
OUTRO That was the I.C.R.T. news,
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Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 36-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,105 on turnover of 1.7-billion N-T. The Tai-Ex closed slightly lower on Wednesday after initial gains were wiped out (去除; 消滅) on the back of lingering investor concerns about the U-S Federal Reserve's hawkish outlook on inflation and interest rate hikes.
The bellwether electronics sector gave up early gains amid fears over further volatility in tech stocks on Wall Street, which prompted investors to lock in profits, or move funds to the biotech and select old economy sectors towards the end of the trading day. CECC Expects Omicron Subvariant-Induced Outbreak to Peak Earlier The Central Epidemic Commander Center is forecasting that new coronavirus cases induced by the Omicron BA. 5 subvariant are expected to peak (達到高峰) in mid or late September.
That's some 10 days earlier than had previously been forecast. Epidemic commander center head Victor Wang says Taiwan is continuing to see an upward trend in infections, with Wednesday's daily cases increasing by 15.1-per cent compared with last week. According to Wang, the increase in case numbers is an indication that a peak is close and the number of new infections could start to break 30,000 per day from early next week. TRLU Drops Strike Plans Amid Progress in Pay Talks The Taiwan Railway Labor Union says its members won't be pushing for strike action on public holidays later this year following progress in negotiations with the Taiwan Railways Administration on pay issues. The union had been threatening (威脅) to call a strike on the Mid-Autumn Festival in September and Double Ten Day in October. However, union representatives say it members will be reporting for work on both days after the railways administration agreed to raise the minimum monthly salary for railway employees to 30,000 N-T. The pay raise affects 1,300 employees and was one of the key issues the union hoped would be addressed before it is turned into a state-run corporation in 2024. US WH Announces Student Debt Relief US President Joe Biden has forgiven a part of student debt (學生貸款) for most borrowers in the United States. Caroline Malone reports from Washington. WHO: COVID19 Deaths Worldwide Falling The World Health Organization says the number of coronavirus deaths reported worldwide has fallen by 15% in the last week while new infections dropped by 9%. In its latest weekly assessment of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.N. health agency said there were 5.3 million new cases and more than 14,000 deaths reported last week. WHO said the number of new infections declined in every world region except the Western Pacific. It said the predominant (最普遍的) COVID-19 variant worldwide is omicron subvariant BA.5, which accounts for more than 70% of virus sequences shared with the world's biggest public viral database. That was the I.C.R.T. news, Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon. Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
Tai-Ex opening Yilan County Chief Charged with Corruption Lawmakers Urged to Expedite Law Relaxing Rules on Police Use of Weapons Ukraine fears stepped-up attacks around national holiday Bolsonaro welcomes emperor's heart for Brazil bicentennial
Tai-Ex opening Suspect Arrested in Connection with Police Deaths Tropical Storm Ma'On to Bring Rain to South and East Trump seeks special master to review Mar-a-Lago documents South Korean link suspected to New Zealand suitcase deaths Brazil's da Silva says Bolsonaro taking low road in campaign
Tai-Ex opening NCC Could Change Controversial Digital Law Taoyuan International Airport Lagging Behind Other Top Asian Transit Hubs Polio Viruses Possibly Mutated from Vaccines Serbia warns it will protect Kosovo Serbs if NATO doesn't
Ottawa "Respects" Lawmakers Plans to Visit Taiwan Southern Taiwan Reefs Facing Serious Coral Bleaching Risk NKorea Rejects SKorean Offer US Judge Denies Bail for Rushdie Attacker Brazil Environment Agency Director Removed
Tai-Ex opening KMT Announces New Taipei and Taichung Mayors to Seek Reelection Korean Air Force Aerobatic Team to Refuel in Kaohsiung UN Investigator: Contemporary Slavery Widely Practiced US CDC Announces Shake-up Bulgaria Heroin Bust
Tai-Ex opening NSB Head Pulls Out of NTU Amid Plagiarism Controversy Pilots Union Calls for Easing of Quarantine Rules for Flight Crews Abroad US Warning on Monkeypox Spreading to Pets Palestinian President Expresses No Regret for Munich Athletes Attack
Tai-Ex opening US Senator Praises Taiwan for 'Restraint' Amid Beijing Coercions CECC Confirms First Domestic BA.4 Subvariant Case UN Envoy for Myanmar Visits London Airport to Extend Cap on Daily Passengers
Tai-Ex opening Pfizer-BioNTech Coronavirus Vaccine for Young Children Set to Arrive Tsai Attends Peng Ming-min Memorial Service Palestinian Gunman Wounds 8 in Jerusalem Kenya Elections Japan Economy Ekes Out Growth
Tai-Ex opening Labor Advocate Questions Migrant Worker Wage Hike UN Warning on Ukraine Nuclear Plant HK Population Sees Record Drop Mexico Raises Interbank Interest Rate
Tai-Ex opening KMT Vice Chairman on Controversial Visit to China Ban on New Owners of Formosan Macaques Slated to Take Affect in September Iranian Operative Charged in Bolton Murder Plot NKorea Declares Victory Over COVID19
Tai-Ex opening FDA Plans to Ban Use of Eucalyptus as Raw Material in Food Products Russia Air Base Sees Explosions HK Flights Surge Amid Quarantine Relaxation Brazil Monkey Killings Amid Monkeypox Outbreak
Tai-Ex opening Lithuania Seeking Electric Bus Cooperation with Taiwan SKorea Heavy Rains Leave Dead and Missing US Trump Says FBI Raided MaraLago Greece PM Denies Wiretap Involvement
Tai-Ex opening China Sends 66 Warplanes and 14 Warships Around Taiwan Nanzih Technology Industrial Park Ground Broken US Senate Passes Health Tax Climate Package UK Museum to Return Benin Bronzes
Tai-Ex opening MAC Issues China Travel Advisory in Wake of Activist Arrest Government to Raise Minimum Wage for Migrant Caregivers UN: NKorea Preparing for More Nuclear Tests
Tai-Ex opening MOEA Allays Energy Concerns Mexico Miners Trapped in Northern Mexico US Biden Signs Order to Protect Abortion Rights WHO COVID19 Case Numbers and Deaths Stable
Tai-Ex opening Pelosi Visits LY US DOJ Sues Idaho for Abortion Laws Guatemala Arrests Alleged Migrant Smugglers Cyprus Confirms First Case of Monkeypox
Tai-Ex opening Blinken Calls on China Not to Raise Tension Amid Pelosi Taiwan Visit Chatter Taiwan Advanced to U-12 Baseball World Cup Super Round US Confirms al Qaeda Leader Killed Alibaba Responds to US Announcement of Possible Delisting
Tai-Ex opening Taiwan not Mentioned in Pelosi's Asia Itinerary Low Pressure System to Affect Taiwan from Today Beirut Grain Silo Collapses After Fire NBA Celtics Legend Bill Russel Obit
Tai-Ex opening Motorcycle Deaths Spike nearly 5% Biden Xi Hold Talks French President Welcomes Saudi Crown Prince Argentina Appoints Economic "Super Minister"
Tai-Ex opening Police Arrest of 50 in Cross-Border Charity Scam Ukraine Hits Key Russian Bridge US Offers Prisoner Swap for Griner French President Promises Cooperation with Benin
Four More BA.5 Subvariant Cases Reported in Shipyard Wanan Air Defense Drill Set for South this Afternoon 7.3 earthquake shakes northern Philippines, felt in capital Trump focuses on his new agenda Pope in Canada prays for healing for 'terrible' colonization
DPP Demands NTU Ethics Committee Head Step Down Food and Drink Revenue Soars by 61.7% in June Guatemala's president visits Ukraine, expresses solidarity Tribal leaders, members react to pope's apology on schools
Tai-Ex opening CDC Could Receive Monkeypox Medication and Vaccine in August Four-Day Wanan Air Defense Drills to Start Today US Cali Oak Fire Continues to Burn Albania New President Sworn In
Tai-Ex opening FA Stressing Most Ports Have Facilities for Foreign Fishing Crews Hot Weather to Last Until Weekend EU Moves Closer to More Sanctions on Russia US Texas District Police Chief to be Fired after School Shooting
Tai-Ex opening MOFA Refuses to Confirm Pelosi Visit CECC Relaxes Face Mask Mandate for Bicycle and Scooter Riders Greece Evacuates Residents Amid Wildfire Threat US House Approves Marriage Protection
Tai-Ex opening Tourism Bureau Could Lift Ban on Tours Taiwan finishes World Games with 13 Medals UN Syria Talks Suspended Over Swiss Neutrality US Touts Falling Gas Prices
Tai-Ex opening Contacts in Suspected BA.5 Subvariant Cluster Test Negative Chou Chieh-yu Win's Silver in World Games Pool Competition EU Scorched by Wildfires NMacedonia Bulgaria Leaders Meet
Tai-Ex opening Pingtung to Sets 'Bounty' on Invasive 'Mile-a-Minute Vine' CHK Plans for Increase in New Homes Pakistan Army Officer Abducted and Killed Malawi Elephants Relocated to New National Park
Tai-Ex opening Woman Contracts Hantavirus During Rodent Waste Cleanup US ExCIA Convicted After Classified Info Theft Mexico Migrant Bodies Being Returned SAfrica Mandela Boxing Belt Stolen
Tai-Ex opening CDC Reporting Second Case of Monkeypox Wanan Air Defense Drills Slated for July 25-28 US Trump Tried to Contact Witness Brazil NPO Sounds Warning on Deforestation in Amazon
Tai-Ex opening Cabinet to Pick New CECC Head FDA to Expand Certification Requirements for Imported Meats US Biden Faces Pushback from Shooting Victims' Families Mali Arrests Soldiers Working for Contract Company of UN Mission
Tai-Ex opening Health Minister Accepts DPP Taipei Mayoral Nomination MND Denies Claims Taiwan is Providing Ukraine with Mortar Shells Ukraine Search for Survivors After Russian Rocket Attack Portugal Wildfire Fight Continues Canada Network Failure Paralyzes Mobile and Internet Services
Tai-Ex opening Taiwan reveals genome sequencing of nation's first monkeypox case Cabinet monitoring inflation but insists economy remains strong Russia Warns Kyiv to Accept Moscow's Terms US Chauvin Sentenced for Violating Floyd Civil Rights Uruguay Halts Vaccinations for Under 13
Tai-Ex opening Migrant workers, employers can now access employment documents online UK PM Refuses to Resign Nigeria Families Protest Kidnapping Denmark Plane Evacuated After Fire
Tai-Ex opening Moderna for Children Under 5 Arrives in Taiwan Chicago Shooting Death Toll Rises to 7 UN Peacekeepers Killed by Mali Mine Canada to Throw Out AZ Vaccines
Tai-Ex opening Taiwan's FDA recalls mouthwash, ointments Chicago Parade Shooting Suspect Arrested Iraq Chlorine Gas Leak Injures Hundreds Canada to Compensate First Nations Children and Families
Tai-Ex opening Orchid Island graffiti Songshan Cultural Park extends opening hours to 10 p.m. on trial basis SAfrica Sees Powercuts Across Country Pope Holds Mass with Congolese British Theater Film Director Peter Brook Obit
Tai-Ex opening CIP Launches Joint Trade Pact for Indigenous Entrepreneurs US Swears in Ketanji Brown Jackson as SCOTUS UN Extends Arms Embargo on Armed Groups in Congo UK NZ Leaders to Meet
Tai-Ex opening CECC to Takes Delivery of Novavax Vaccine Shipment Tropical Storm Could Form Today Amnesty Intl: Russian Airstrikes Targeted Ukrainian Theater US Committee Subpoenas ExWH Counsel
Tai-Ex opening First Shipment of Novavax Coronavirus Vaccine to Arrive in Taiwan Soon CWB Expecting 'Normal' Typhoon Season Colombia Prison Fire Leaves Dead and Injured Maxwell Sentenced to 20 Years for Sex Trafficking
Tai-Ex opening MOE Hikes Electricity Rates by 15% for Large Industrial Users More Free Rapid Tests for Children in July UK MPs to vote on overturning Northern Ireland Protocol Toxic gas leak at Jordan port kills 13, injures some 250 UN urges Libya's rivals to agree on elections this week
Tai-Ex opening MOEA to Decide on Electricity Rate Hike Today Guatemala's President Vows to Stick with Taiwan US Pride Parades Continue Amid Fears for Marriage Equality SAfrica Nightclub Deaths Under Investigation
Tai-Ex opening National Police Agency Chief to Retire on June 30 Taipei Drops 20 Places in Economist 'World's Most Livable Cities' Ranking India Sends Team to Afghanistan US to Compensate Havana Syndrome Victims Vatican Releases Canada Trip Itinerary
Tai-Ex opening Orchid Island School Holds Graduation Ceremony for One Student Myanmar Suu Kyi Transferred to Capital C*US Uvalde Police Chief Put on Leave Mexico Blackout Hits Yucatan Peninsula
Tai-Ex opening lower Aftershocks Continue Following Hualien Magnitude 6 Earthquake Local Governments to Receive Children's Pfizer-BioNTech Coronavirus Vaccines Russia warns Lithuania of serious consequences US Congress on gun control
Tai-Ex opening Study Show 30% of Coronavirus Cases are Protected for 500 Days after Aftershocks Possible Following Hualien Magnitude 6 Earthquake UK Rail Strikes to Go Ahead Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Arrives in Cairo
Tai-Ex opening Magnitude 6 Quake Rocks Island Apple Employees Vote to Unionize FINA Bans Transgender Women from Women's Events
Tai-Ex opening Military Officers Attend US-Japan Security Forum in Tokyo US Capitol Riot Hearings Continue France: Islamic Extremists Killed Near Niger Border UN Envoy Warns of Haiti Gang Violence
Tai-Ex opening Arrivals Allowed One Quarantine Location Change Under '3+4' policy Central Bank Highlights Commemorative Polymer Banknotes Brazil Identifying Bodies as Search Continues for Journalist and Expert US FDA Advisors Recommend Authorizing Vaccine for Under 5s
Tai-Ex opening Lithuanian Delegation Discusses Cooperation in Semiconductor and Laser Motorcycles Allowed to Ply Some Sections of Suhua Highway Brazil 2nd Suspect Arrested as Search Continues for Missing Pair US FDA Advisors Back Moderna Vaccine for Older Kids
Tai-Ex opening Lithuanian Delegation Meets with Science Ministry TAITRA Vice Chairman Named as New Envoy to Thailand US Capitol Riot Hearings Continue Congo Accuses Rwanda of Invasion
Tai-Ex opening Health Minister Tests Positive for Coronavirus Man Arrested for Spray Pillar of Shame replica in Taipei US Capitol Riot Committee Considers Indictment Against Trump NATO Works to Resolve Turkey Finland Sweden Standoff
Tai-Ex opening Tour Groups May be Allowed to Travel Overseas in September US House Approves "Red Flag" Bill UN New Security Council Members Elected Nicaragua Authorizes Presence of Russian Troops
Tai-Ex opening CECC Expects Coronavirus Surge to Slow Next Week Transport Minister Touts Round Island HSR Service US Trump to Undergo Questioning Brazil Search for Missing Journalist and Indigenous Official Continues Algeria Suspends Spain Friendship Treaty
Tai-Ex opening CSBC Denies Report on Submarine Technology Leak CWB Warns Rain will Last for Remainder of Week US Woman Pleads Guilty of Leading IS Battalion Hungarian Ambassador Elected UN Gen Assembly President France Hospital Workers Protest
Business Groups Call for Complementary Measures for Wage Hikes Sports Administration Protests Asian Games' Description of Taiwan US Warns Russia on Stolen Ukrainian Grain Cyprus Warns on Turkey Seeking Control of North Dominican Republic Minister Shot Dead in Office Harry and Meghan share photo of Lilibet on first birthday
Tai-Ex opening Health Minister Cites June 10 as Possible Turning Point Date for First-Dose Vaccine Coverage Rate Reaches 90% Russia Warns Ukraine on Western Arms Pakistan Clashes with Militants UK Queen Appears for Platinum Jubilee
Tai-Ex opening MOT Announces Stimulus Package for Tourism Sector Taipei Book Fair Preview Highlights France and Ukraine China Southwest Hit by Two Earthquakes US NY Considers Gun Detectors in Subways Denmark Voters Back Abandoning Optout from EU
MOFA Pledges Additional US$4 million to Ukraine New Look International Driving Permit has 'Taiwan' on Cover Shanghai lockdown lifted Hurricane Agatha kills 10, leaves 20 missing in south Mexico *BTS met US President Joe Biden
Air Force AT-3 Wreckage and pilot's body Found Transitional Justice Commission Disbanded EU countries agree partial oil embargo on Russia France blames ticket fraud for Champions League final chaos Canada to cap the market for handguns with new law
Tai-Ex opening Taipei Schools to Resume In-Person Classes on June 6 Agricultural Damage from May Rains Estimated at Over NT$15 million US Biden Visits Texas to Mourn Shooting Victims Nepal Searching for Downed Passenger Plane Sri Lanka PM Invites Youth Groups to Join Gov
Taiwan remote learning National Police Agency establishes stalking and harassment response teams China and Russia veto new UN sanctions on North Korea New York Court Rules Trump Must Testify Chile apologizes to woman forcibly sterilized for HIV status
MOFA defends itself in Taiwan's exclusion from IPEF Samsung won't displace TSMC Taiwan shares opened up 24 points North Korea launched missiles Haitian boat heading for US ended up in Cuba
Tai-Ex opening up 30 points KMT lawmaker Ye Yu-lan tested positive for COVID Taiwan street view on Google Biden's speech after Texas shooting NKorea Launches Suspected Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
Tai-Ex opening Taiwan not planning to buy vaccine that protects against monkeypox: Chen Jobless rate falls in April, but May figure could rise amid COVID-19 Ukraine: Desna Attack Kills 87 Yemen Drone Crash Kills 3 Argentina President 1st Lady to Pay Fine for Party During Lockdown
Tai-Ex opening Same Sex Marriage Support US Biden on Monkeypox Concerns US NY Shooting German Chancellor Visits Senegal
Tai-Ex opening Saliva Rapid Tests to go on sale at Watsons and Hi-Life Today US Accuses Russia of Withholding Grain Twitter to Roll Out Crisis Misinformation Policy Germany Rare Car Auctioned Off
Tai-Ex opening NGO Solicits Donations of Rapid Test Kits for Orphanages UN Chief Sounds Warning on Global Hunger Shanghai HK Further Ease COVID19 Restrictions Sri Lanka Protesters Remember Civil War Victims
Tai-Ex opening CECC Tightens Coronavirus Hospital Admissions policy Polish Government Welcomes Taiwan Investment NKorea "Fever" Surge Continues US Looks to Address Baby Formula Shortage
Tai-Ex opening Coronavirus Antiviral Drug Eligibility Simplified for Elderly NSB Warns Taiwanese Youtubers on Beijing Payroll North Korea Confirms More "Fever" Cases US VP Leads Delegation to UAE
Tai-Ex opening CECC Eyeing Loosening Isolation Rules for Boosted People City and County Vaccination Incentives NKorea COVID19 Outbreak Continues Spreading US Biden to Visit NY After Mass Shooting
Tai-Ex opening Medigen Stage 3 Clinical Trial Results to be Announced by WHO N. Korea reports 6 deaths after admitting COVID-19 outbreak UNICEF: Ukraine War is "Child Rights Crisis" 1st Milky Way Black Hole Images Captured
Taiwan Pledges US$1.5 million Donation at Second COVID-19 Summit 5,000 households in Zhonghe and Yonghe experienced power outage 2022 Golden Melody Awards to be Held in Kaohsiung North Korea raises alarm after confirming 1st COVID-19 case Efforts to codify Roe versus Wade as federal law failed in Senate
Tai-Ex opening US Official Says Website Change Reflects Rock-Solid US-Taiwan Ties Taiwan Registers New Pineapple Variety with Japanese Fruit Authorities Musk Open to Allowing Trump Back on Twitter El Salvador Woman Sentenced to 30 Years for Obstetric Emergency
Tai-Ex opening down 157-points Easing of Face Mask Mandate and Border Controls Possible in July FM Touts Taiwan's Invitation to Second Virtual Global Coronavirus Summit Rare cases of COVID returning pose questions for Paxlovid Official: 8 Turkish citizens kidnapped from bus in Haiti
Tai-Ex opening CECC Could Downgrade Coronavirus Tsai Lauds 'Superhero' Moms on Mother's Day Ukraine US First Ladies Meet US Senate to Vote on Abortion Rights Egypt IS Claims Suez Canal Attack
Tai-Ex opening Cabinet Approves Plans to Upgrade Environment and Agriculture Agencies UN Pledges Funds for Nigeria Humanitarian Efforts China Collapsed Building Death Toll Rises Guinea to Prosecute Former President and Officials
Tai-Ex opening Keelung Authorities Address Rapid Test Profiteering Claims US SecretaryofState Contracts COVID19 Armenia Protests Against PM Venezuela SAmerican Countries Discuss Energy Cooperation
Tai-Ex opening Opposition Parties Call on Government to Step-Up Coronavirus Testing Tzu Chi University to Sponsor 30 Ukrainian Students and Scholars UN Secretary-General Visits Nigeria US Police Arrest AntiAbortion Activist
Tai-Ex opening Baby Under 1 Becomes Youngest Patient with Severe Coronavirus KMT Deputy Envoy Meets with Blinken US Biden to Tour Missile Factory UK Reports More Channel Crossings El Salvador Criticized for Gang
Tai-Ex opening Government Finalizes New Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Deal Ukrainians being turned back at US-Mexico border under new refugee policy Turkey President Lands in Saudi Arabia Twitter Reports Rise in Revenue
Tai-Ex opening Kaohsiung Shaken by Mag 4 Earthquake HK Actor Death Investigated Canada Census Provides Insight on Transgender Population CAR Allows Use of Cryptocurrency
Tai-Ex opening MND to Add Lessons Russia's Ukraine Invasion to Han Kuang Exercise MOFA Touts WHA Hopes UN Calls for Humanitarian Corridors in Ukraine Turkey Eases More COVID19 Restrictions
Tai-Ex opening No Replacement Found for CTS Head Taipei Senior Citizen Card Could be Used on TRA Trains in Future Russia Hits Rail and Fuel Targets in Ukraine Mexico Court Strikes Down Cellphone Personal Data Registry
Premier Backs '3+4' Proposal to Shorten Home Isolation Taiwan-Belgium Business Meeting to Focus on Semiconductors Emmanuel Macron re-elected President of France Green fences in Shanghai Nicaragua says it is closing OAS offices, expelling staff
Tai-Ex opening WMA Urges WHO to Allow Taiwan's Participation at WHA Changhua Offshore Wind Farm Begins Feeding into National Grid Ukraine Thanks US for Aid Haiti Grounds Private Aircraft After Crash Honduras ExPresident Extradited to US
Tai-Ex opening New Saint Lucia Ambassador Vows to Further Ties Russia Navalny Urges France to Vote Macron US DoJ to Appeal Mask Mandate Overturn East Timor Elections
Tai-Ex opening Home Isolation for Mild Coronavirus Cases to Launch Islandwide Taiwan and US Hold High-Level Virtual Bilateral Trade Talks US Biden on Mask Mandate Yemen Swears in Presidential Council
Tai-Ex opening Government Could Allow Quarantine-Free Entry from July You Si-kun Checking Out Proposed Sites for Legislative Yuan Sri Lanka President Acknowledges Mismanagement US Migrant Crossings Spike
Tai-Ex opening EFDA Approves Moderna Coronavirus Vaccine for 6-11 Year Olds ETunghai University to Accommodate 18 Ukrainian Students EUkraine President Calls on Biden to Visit ETurkey Launches Offensive Against Iraq Kurdish Militants E*Spain Drug Haul
Tai-Ex opening Tsai to End Self-Isolation and Meet Visiting US Delegation US Subway Attacker Held Without Bail SAfrica Flooding and Damage After Rains Caribbean Sea Urchin Deaths Worry Scientists
Tai-Ex opening Details on Government Rapid Test Requisition to be Released Soon A-mei's Remaining Taipei Concerts to go Ahead US New York Shooting Suspect Arrested SAfrica Flooding Leaves Dead and Damage
Tai-Ex opening Health Minister Warning Coronavirus Cases Could Soon Hit 1,000 a Day MOFA Aims to Secure Deal to for San Francisco Office by Year's End Biden Accuses Putin of Genocide Brazil ExPrez Promises Indigenous Rights
Tai-Ex opening 350,000 Courses of Pfizer's Paxlovid to Arrive by June Supreme Court Rejects Appeal in Meihe City Corruption case Austrian Chancellor Meets with Russian President US Biden Cracks Down on GhostGuns
CECC Urging Use of Contact Tracing App Taiwan and Poland to Hold concert for Ukraine Shanghai lockdown update Macron and Le Pen to fight for presidency Queen chats with COVID-19 patients, nurses at UK hospital
Tai-Ex opening CECC Planning to Purchase More Paxlovid Coronavirus Drug Xue-shan Tunnel closed due to accident Israel Shooting Leaves 2 Dead US Ketanji Brown Jackson Confirmed as SCOTUS Puerto Rico Power Outage Continues
Tai-Ex opening CECC Considering Home Quarantine for People with Light Coronavirus Symptoms Tropical Depression East of Philippines Likely to have Limited Effect on UN to Vote on Suspending Russia from Human Rights Council US Fed Signals More Aggressive Steps to Fight Inflation
CECC Warns Domestic Coronavirus Cases Yet to Peak Stable Weather to Continue for Most of this Week Whole of Shanghai entered lockdown Zelenskyy at the UN accuses Russian military of war crimes US Congress on COVID spending bill
Tai-Ex opening Tsai Picks New Supreme Prosecutors Office Head 11 Uniform Invoice Receipts Win NT$10 million Special Prize Ukraine: Russian Forces Withdraw from Chernobyl US Gov to Require Valves on Pipelines WWF: Myanmar Illegal Wildlife Trade Growing
Tai-Ex opening Government Seeking to End Sale of New Gas-Powered Cars and Scooters by 2040 Lawmakers Demand John Peng be Removed from SEF Seat HK Slams UK as British Judges Quit Court Tunisia President Dissolves Parliament
Tai-Ex opening MOEA Postpones Decision on Electricity Rates Taiwan Takes First at 2022 Bakery World Cup in Paris UN Food Chief Warns of Food Catastrophe US FDA Approves BNT Moderna Booster
DPP and KMT Butt Heads Over Timing of Referendum on Lowering the Voting Age Central Bank Warning of Crypto Asset Investment Fraud Involving BTMs Doubts about North Korea's missile test Will Smith apologizes to Chris Rock for Oscars slap
Tai-Ex opening down AEC Experts Return from Fukushima Plant Visit Taiwan and Vatican Officials Plant Trees in Support of Ukraine US Secretary of State on nuclear deal with Iran
Tai-Ex opening Eastern Taiwan Rocked by Tremors Parents Shun Outdoor Activities for Kids During Coronavirus EU Moving to Rein In Tech Firms Ethiopia Gov Announces Truce in Tigray Peru Former Presidnet Banned from Leaving Country
Tai-Ex opening 5.3 Magnitude Quake Rattles Much of Island Badminton Ace Tests Positive for Coronavirus in England Russia UN Resolution Rejected SKorea ExPrez Released from Prison Nigeria ExVP Announces Run for President
Tai-Ex opening Earthquake Latest 10AM Tsai Holds Virtual Talks with Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Ukraine Alleges Russia Blocked Aid Convoy US Hillary Clinton Contracts COVID19 German Parliament Pays Tribute to Nazi Survivor Killed in Russian Shelling
Tai-Ex opening Second-Gen Moderna Vaccines Tsai Reaffirms Government's 250 Net Zero Plans US Expands Travel Bans on Chinese Officials Israel AbuDhabi Egypt Leaders Meet to Discuss Ukraine Apple Services Hit by Outages
Tai-Ex opening CECC Reporting 121 New Coronavirus Cases Whale Shark Dies After Russia Demands Mariupol Lay Down Arms for Safe Passage US to Label Myanmar Military Actions "Genocide"
Tai-Ex opening FDA to Require Artificially Marbled Meat to be Labeled from July 1 Biden, Xi to speak Ukraine Theater Search Continues for Survivors Peru Fujimori Approved for Prison Release
Tai-Ex opening Adjusted Co-Payment Plan for NHI Medical Services Announced HPA Seeking Larger Tobacco Warnings British Nationals Land After Release from Iran Japan Earthquake Death Toll Rises Netflix to Rebroadcast Zelenskyy Series
Tai-Ex opening Tsai Draws Parallels Between Holocaust and War in Ukraine New Round of Coronavirus Booster Shot Reservations Begins Today NKorea Fires Unidentified Projectile Biden to travel to Europe for NATO summit next week NZ Reopens for Some Tourism
Tai-Ex opening Mechanical Malfunction Likely Cause of Mirage Crash CPC Warns of Heavy Loses Due to Crude Oil Price Rise OSCE Warns of Russian Terrorism in Ukraine Mexico US Meet to Discuss Immigration
Tai-Ex opening Several Hundred People Rally in Solidarity with Ukraine in Taipei Five Rescued After Fishing Boat Capsizes US Alleges Russia Asked China for MIlitary Assistance Indonesia Earthquake BAFTA Awards
Taiwan shares open lower US Assistant Secretary of Defense: Taiwan needs to get ready Former KMT Chair Backs Eric Chu Kim seeks to expand launch pad amid worry about ICBM firing Losses on Wall Street as the U.S. stock market continues to swing
Tai-Ex opening Amphetamine haul CWB: Warm Weather Continues with Scattered Showers in East US: Russia May Use Chemical Biological Weapons in Ukraine Indonesia Evacuates Residents on Volcano Slopes
Tai-Ex opening Taoyuan Metro Sees Delays Due to Malfunction US Bans Russian Oil Turkey Women's Day Protests German Court Ruling for AfD
Tai-Ex opening Senior vaccination campaign French Forces Kill alQaida Official US Jury Deliberating Capitol Riot Trial Rio de Janeiro Relaxing Use of Masks
Tai-Ex opening CNFI blackout IAEA: Russia Interfering at Ukraine Nuclear Plant Denmark to Hold EU Defense Referendum Mexico Soccer Brawl
Tai-Ex opening Government Account to Help Ukraine Raises NT$80 million in a Day EPA Approves Revised LNG Terminal Plan US Officer Not Guilty on Breonna Taylor Charges Russia Shelling Ukraine Nuclear Power Station Mexico Weapons Seizure
Power Out Tai-Ex opening Mike Pompeo Arrives in Taiwan UN Demand Russia Halt War in Ukraine Germany Removes List of Coronavirus 'High-Risk' Areas
Tai-Ex opening Biden Delegation Begins Taiwan Visit New Round of Bookings for Coronavirus Booster Shots to Begins Today US Biden Bans Russia from US Airspace US Sanctions SAfrican Men Accused of Aiding IS Pope Grants Paternity Leave for Vatican Workers
Tai-Ex opening Tsai Touts New Stage for Transitional Justice Severn Chinese Military Planes Enter ADIZ Ukraine Hospitals Struggling to Treat Patients Myanmar Suu Kyi Pleads Not Guilty in Corruption Case
Tai-Ex opening Cabinet Approves Tougher Traffic Penalties for Failure to Yield to UN Allocates Funds for Ukraine Humanitarian Aid US Former Officers Convicted in Floyd Rights Case Honduras Supreme Court Denies ExPrez Appeal Against House Arrest
Economic Experts Warn Taiwan Could See Inflation Amid Ukraine Crisis Taichung Considering Tougher Penalties for Child Abuse at Care Centers Russia-Ukraine: What to know as world awaits next moves In dramatic late-night speech, Zelensky tells Ukrainians to brace for war
Yilan County Magistrate Detained in Corruption Probe Bookings for Next Round of Coronavirus Vaccine Booster Begins Today Russia-Ukraine: What to know about Europe's security crisis Hong Kong orders compulsory Covid tests for all its citizens
Premier Touts Moves to Ease Coronavirus Prevention Measures NDC Approves Study on New Light Rail Line (輕軌) for New Taipei Ukraine latest Myanmar seeks to have Rohingya case thrown out of UN court Iran returns donated vaccines because they were made in US
Tai-Ex opening Team Taiwan Takes Part in Beijing Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony Parents of Deceased Air Force Pilot Establish Scholarships US Fears Russia Attack at Anytime Credit Suisse Faces Allegations of Unsavory Clients
Tai-Ex opening European Parliament Adopts Security policies with Taiwan Provisions Taiwan to Send 11 Olympic Athletes to Universiade Brazil Mudslide Death Toll Continues to Rise US: Risk of Russian Invasion Still High
Tai-Ex opening CECC Could Allow Mild Omicron Variant Cases to Isolate at Home HPA Looking to Set Up More Fitness Center for the Elderly Countries Pledge Aid for Haiti PostEarthquake US CDC Considers Easing Guidelines
Tai-Ex opening New Round of Coronavirus Booster Shot Reservations Begins Today 28 Taiwan Nationals Remain in Ukraine Russia Putin Welcomes Dialogue on Ukraine US Sandy Hook Families Agree to Remington Settlement
Tai-Ex opening Natural Gas Supply to Taiwan Secure Despite Ukraine Crisis Medigen Coronavirus Vaccine Receives EUA in Paraguay Canada Invokes Emergencies Act for Protests Britain Reaffirms Sovereignty Over Chagos Islands
Tai-Ex opening New Coronavirus Cases See Classes Suspended at two New Taipei Schools Chinese Plane Didn't Enter Dongsha Island Airspace US Canada Bridge Reopens After Blockade Afghanistan Former President Calls for Asset Unfreeze
Tai-Ex opening Kaohsiung Delays Start of Elementary School Spring Semester Taiwan Ranks as Top 'Full Democracy' in Asia Germany on Iran Nuclear Talks US Purchases COVID19 Antibody Treatment US Files Complaint Against Mexico Over Vaquita
Tai-Ex opening Gov't Welcomes EU Chips Act NCSIST Denies Fraud Reports US Investigates Trump Document Handling El Salvador Releases Woman Imprisoned After Miscarriage
Tai-Ex opening City Proposing Local Rules after Fukushima Food Ban Lifted NT$180 Nillion Proposed for Forward-Looking Infrastructure Plan Phase 4 Israel Attacks Syrian Targets After Rocket Attack US Crytocurrency Laundering Couple Arrested
Tai-Ex opening CECC to Lift Entry Ban on Migrant Workers from 4 Countries NDC Forecasting G-D-P Growth of 4% for 2022 Canada Reminds US Officials to Keep Out of Domestic Affairs US Warns Midterms Could Spark Violence
Tai-Ex opening CECC Confirms that all 14 New Domestic Coronavirus Cases Linked to Existing Tsai Praises Women's National Soccer Team US Officials on Ukraine Invasion Canada Capital Declares State of Emergency Over Protests
Taiwan, U.S. vice presidents briefly interact in Honduras Adult children apply for work permits NKorea Vows to Speed Up Warhead Development US Weighs Stopping Russian Pipeline Amid Ukraine Tensions India Hosts Working Group for Afghanistan Aid
Tai-Ex opening Taiwan gets praise Final Batch of BNT Arrives at Taoyuan Airport Ukraine Talks End With No Breakthrough Tropical Storm Ana Hits Southern Africa UAE Summons Sharers of Intercepted Missile Footage
Tai-Ex opening VP Speaks with US Officials Online Polish Targets Hacked with Pegasus Pfizer Begins Omicron Vaccine Trial Thailand Decriminalizes Marijuana
Taiwan records first imported COVID-19 cases from Palau First batch of Pfizer's COVID-19 pills to reach Taiwan soon US Troops on Heightened Alert Belarus hacktivists target railway in anti-Russia effort Japan to subsidise oil distributors to curb fuel prices
Tai-Ex opening Warning online shopping scams Russia Rejects Accusations of Replacing Ukraine's Government Brussels AntiCOVIDRestrictions Protests Armenia President Resigns
Tai-Ex opening Cabinet Approves Draft Copyright and Trademark Law Amendments 39th Taiwan Resource Center for Chinese Studies Opens in Czech Republic Peru Declares Environmental Emergency Amid Oil Spill US George Floyd Jurors Selected UN Calls for Members to Observe Olympic Truce
Reservation for Moderna Boosters Full Taiwan Lantern Festival Main Displays Unveiled Biden Predicts Russia Will Invade Ukraine First aid flight leaves for Tonga after big volcano eruption Jon Stewart to receive Mark Twain lifetime award for comedy
DPP Lawmaker Touts Japanese 'Taiwan Relations Act' at Security Meeting Lantern Festival to Take Place as Scheduled Russia moves more troops westward amid Ukraine tensions Tonga volcano disaster US mobile carriers agree to delay 5G rollout near airports
Tai-Ex opening Lin Zi-Miao Touts Innocence in Corruption Investigation Asian Baseball Championship Postponed Again US Texas Rabbi Describes Escape from Attacker Sudan Protesters Killed and Wounded Tonga Volcano Causes Oil Spill in Peru
Tai-Ex opening Lawmakers Likely to Pass Revisions to Local Government Act Online Bookings for Coronavirus Vaccines to Reopen Tomorrow FBI Identifies Texas Hostage Suspect Australia Tennis latest
Tai-Ex opening Prosecutors Question Yilan County Magistrate in Corruption Probe NKorea Criticizes US Sanctions Tech Giants Subpoenaed by Jan. 6 Panel Nobel Committee Admonishes Ethiopian PM
Tai-Ex opening Tsai Invited to Honduran President-Elect's Inauguration MOTC Seeking to Name Drunk Drivers Egypt President Urges Sudan Talks US Additional Charges Against Christmas Parade Attacker
Search Continues for Missing F16V Pilot CWB Issues Another Cold Surge Advisory WHO Warning of Omicron Groceries Shortage in U.S.
Tai-Ex opening Taiwan-Canada Talks NKorea Reportedly Fires Ballistic Missile US Fed Vice Chair Quits Amid Scandal Mexico President Contracts COVID19 Again
Tai-Ex opening More Schools Closes Amid Confirmed COVID19 Case US Bronx Fire Leaves 19 Dead Russia US Officials Hold Working Dinner UK Preps for Platinum Jubilee
Tai-Ex opening Snow Pellets Fall on Hehuanshan HK Officials in Quarantine After Party UN Warns of Aid Ending if Supplies Not Allowed into Tigray Sri Lanka Indonesia Sign Oil Terminal Agreement
Tai-Ex opening Taoyuan Steps Up Measures Amid Spreading Airport Cluster HK Gov Faces Calls for Subsidies Amid COVID19 Rules Lebanon Group Scuffles with Peacekeepers Italy Government Mandates Vaccination for 50 and Older
Tai-Ex opening CECC Suggesting Incentives to Speed-Up Vaccinations Tsai Calls for Vigilance Against Spread of Coronavirus SKorea Reports Possible NKorea Missile Launch US CDC on Shortened Isolation Lebanon Currency Hits New Low
Tai-Ex opening DPP Seeking Extra LY Session Taiwan Buying Lithuanian Rum Colombia Rebel Clashes Leave Dead US Prince Andrew Settlement
Tai-Ex opening CECC Reporting Another Potential Hotel Coronavirus Cluster Infection Temperatures to See Up and Downs this Week Sudan PM Resigns US CDC Considers Changes to COVID19 Guidance
Tai-Ex opening Constitutional Enshrinement of Animal Protection Gets Opposition Support Ghislaine Maxwell Found Guilty Russia and Belarus to Hold Joint War Games Next Year Mexico More Cracks Found on Elevated Subway Line
Tai-Ex opening KMT Chairman to visit US in Early 2022 Security Being Stepped-Up at Taoyuan International Airport HK Police Arrest Online Media Company Staff US Judge Refuses to Dismiss Alleged Proud Boys Leaders' Charges Mexico Announces Cruise Ships Allowed to Dock with Infected
Tai-Ex opening DPP's Lin Pledges Not to Run for Mayor of Hsinchu Municipality Kaohsiung DUI Suspect Ordered Detained Lebanon President Calls for End to Gov Deadlock US Trucker Hearing for Resentencing
Tai-Ex opening Government Delivers 10-tons of Aid for Filipino Typhoon Victims EVA Airways Suspends flights from to Shanghai Pudong Desmond Tutu Obit Brazil Broken Dams Threaten Flooding Germany Reaches YearEnd Vaccination Target
CWB Warning Cold Front to Push Mercury Down Next Week FM Defends Losing Diplomatic Allies Eggs to be Stamped with Traceability Code from 2022 Pingtung Breaks Ground on King Boat Cultural Museum SKorea ex-President Park, jailed for corruption, is pardoned The CDC sets shorter COVID-19 isolation rules for health workers
Tai-Ex opening CECC Stepping-Up Quarantine Hotel Coronavirus Prevention Measures CPC Inks Oilfield Deal in Somaliland Putin blames West for tensions, demands security guarantees Wall Street Rallies
Tai-Ex opening KMT Blast DPP Over Budget Bill Committee Bypasses Strongest Cold Air Mass of this Winter to Arrive China Orders Lockdown in XiAn US Approves COVID19 Antiviral Drug Israel Shipwreck with Artifacts Found
Tai-Ex opening Report Cites Safety Violations for Academia Sinica Coronavirus Case DPP and LDP to Hold Trade Talks Omicron Sweeps across US Pandemic again forces delay in plans for next Davos meeting Peng Shuai tells paper she never wrote of being assaulted
Tai-Ex opening Site for Yilan HSR Station Finalized French Delegation Leaves Taiwan US Dem Senator Against Biden's Bill Mexico Pedestrian Bridge Collapse Japanese Billionaire Departs ISS
Tai-Ex opening MAC Tells China Not Interfere in Referendums Hospitality Sector Accounts for Over Half of Furloughed Workers Haiti Kidnapped Missionary Group All Freed UN Guterres Urges Vaccination Progress FB Bans 7 Surveillance Companies
Tai-Ex opening Taiwan Embassy Staff in Nicaragua Given Two Weeks to Leave Cabinet to Review New China Tech Bill Syria Reports Israeli Rocket Attack US Faces Double Surge of COVID19 NZ Honors Mosque Shooting Heroes
Tai-Ex opening Visiting Intel Boss Talks-Up Taiwan Investment Police Nab Suspects in ATM Heist US Passes New COVID19 Death Toll Colombia Investigating Explosions Mali Military Leaves Timbuktu
CECC Extends Level 2 Coronavirus Alert Intel CEO Arrives in Taiwan to talk with TSMC US Secretary of State Blinken visits Indonesia Putin urges guarantees on Ukraine in call with Johnson No Punishment for U.S. Errant Drone Strike
Tai-Ex opening German Parliament Passes Taiwan Resolution to Deepening Ties Vaccinations at Taipei Main Station to be Extended Israel Forces Kill Palestinian During Raid US Tornadoes
Tai-Ex opening EY: China Influence in Nicaragua Severing of Ties Government Pledges to US$1 Million to Support Independent Journalism Mexico Migrant Smuggling Truck Crash US Jussie Smollett Found Guilty Brazil to Require Quarantine for Unvaccinated International Travelers
Tai-Ex opening MOL Could Soon Allow More Migrant Workers to Enter Taiwan Taipei New Year's Eve Countdown Party to Feature All Star Cast HK Makes ContactTracing App Mandatory Canada Announces Diplomatic Boycott of Beijing Olympics
Tai-Ex opening Government Yet to decide on Beijing Winter Olympics Boycott Lawmaker Pass Amendments on Reportable Traffic Offenses Mexico Fireworks Explosion IG Adds Tool Urging Breaks Stellantis Announces AI Software Strategy
Tai-Ex opening List of Those Required to be Fully Vaccinated to be Extended Level 3 Coronavirus Alert' Biggest Yahoo New Story of Year in Taiwan Syria Confirms Israeli Airstrikes US Announces Diplomatic Boycott of Beijing Olympics Scientists Accuse German Newspaper of Fomenting Hostility
Tai-Ex opening US Defense Secretary Warns in Chinese Military Flights Fines to be Issued Following Douliu Drag Racing Event Women activists call for more rights in Afghanistan Sudan Inter-Tribal Clashes Leaves Dozens Dead Gambia President Wins Re-election
PX Mart Branches Could Serve as Vaccination Venues Court Detains Suspect in DPP Lawmaker Hotel Room Attack Mercury Forecast to Drop for Coming Couple of Days GERMANY CLAMPS DOWN ON UNVACCINATED WITH NEW RULES Multiple cases of omicron virus variant detected in NYC IOC Claims Second Call with Peng Shuai
Tai-Ex opening Abe Warns China on Taiwan Invasion //update// HK Tightens International Borders SAfrica New COVID19 Cases Rise Canada Narrows Down Jet Fighter Choices
Tai-Ex opening Health Minister Lays Out Initial Booster Shot Plan Lawmakers Amend Act to Make Seatbelts Mandatory on Long Distance Buses Canada Bans Arrivals from More Countries Due to Omicron CNN Suspends Chris Cuomo France Inducts Josephine Baker into Pantheon
Tai-Ex opening CECC Recommending Coronavirus Booster Shots Lithuanian Lawmakers Tells Tsai that 'We are Here to Express Solidarity Brazil Gold Miners Boats Burned US House Schedules Contempt
Tai-Ex opening Government to Reserve Rooms for High-Risk Countries Visitors due to Omicron Lithuanian Parliamentarians Arrive for Democracy Forum Canada Confirms First Cases of Omicron Variant US Fauci: 2Weeks for Definitive Omicron Information
Tai-Ex opening MOE to Spend NT$20 billion to Improving Digital Learning Taipei 101 to Extend New Year's Eve Fireworks Show Myanmar Earthquake Causes No Major Damage HK Preps to Reopen to China Australia Sends Toops to Solomon Islands Amid Riots
Tai-Ex opening Digital Minister and Washington Envoy to Attend US 'Summit for Democracy' Number of Furloughed Workers Register Decline US Prioritizes Prosecution of Crimes on Commercial Aircraft Haiti Swears in New Cabinet
Taiwan and US Pan Bilateral Science and Tech Meeting MOFA Stresses Respect for Outcome of Honduras' Election Europe Faces More COVID-19 Deaths Bus crashes, catches fire in Bulgaria; at least 45 dead Mixed day on Wall Street with tech stocks falling again
Tai-Ex opening China Warns Taiwan Companies on Independence Annual Taipei-Shanghai Forum to be Held Virtually on December 1 Nicaragua Former Ambassador Wife Alleges Kidnapping US House Subpoenas Stone and Jones Germany Amazon to Cut Plastic Packaging
Tai-Ex opening Store Clerk Killer Detained Local Runner Wins New Taipei Marathon Two Hostages Released After Kidnapping in Haiti Israel Palestinian Group Belgium Protests Ends in Clashes
Tai-Ex opening Taiwan's Office in Lithuania Opens Despite Chinese Protests 4% Wage Hike to Benefit One Million Public Sector Employees: Officials UN Condemns Seizure of US Embassy in Yemen US Rittenhouse Jury Deliberations Continue Israel Charges Defense Minister Housekeeper with Espionage
Tai-Ex opening Hunt for Naval Base Trespasser Ends with Retired Major's Arrest Three Held Incommunicado in Student Information Hacking, Selling Case One Dead, Thousands Evacuated In Canada Flooding U.N. demands that Yemen's Houthi rebels free detained staffers Greeks Hold Peaceful March On Deadly Uprising Anniversary
Tai-Ex opening Navy Holds Ceremony to Mark Progress in Indigenous Submarine Program U.S. FDA Approves Taiwan-Developed Drug to Treat Rare Blood Disease Canada Mudslide Victim Found US Jury Debates Rittenhouse Case Russia Rejects Accusations of Endangering ISS
Cabinet approves bill to extend EV commodity tax exemption period Trans woman's landmark victory in sex identity case finalized Biden and Xi meet virtually Philippine leader runs for Senate after vow to retire
Tai-Ex opening DPP chair to pick municipality mayoral candidates for 2022 elections Xi Biden Prepare for Summit Egypt Rainfall Causes Flooding and Scorpion Stings Israel Approves COVID19 Vaccine for Children
Tai-Ex opening Honduran President to Visit 4,000 Participants Enroll in WHO Medigen Trial Russia Sends Bombers Over Belarus California Extends State of Emergency Slovakia Narrowly Rejects Tightening Abortion Acess
Tai-Ex opening US Sec. State Warns US and Allies Will 'Take Action' if Taiwan is Attacked Second Pfizer-BioNTech Dose for 12-17 Age Group On Hold China Warns Against IndoPacific Tensions at APEC HK Mulls Tightened Aircrew COVID19 Rules
Tai-Ex opening, Bookings for New Coronavirus Vaccination Round to Begin Tomorrow, Premier Vows to Reactivate Fourth Nuclear Power Plant if Referendum Passes
Tai-Ex opening TSMC Responds to US Requests Lithuania Seeking to Establish Charter-Flight Tours to Taiwan UN Nations Concerned on Israel Designation of Palestinian Terrorist Groups Robinhood Announces Major Data Breach EU Reviewing Merck's COVID-19 Pill
Tai-Ex opening Combat Readiness Week Civic Groups Use Landmarks to Raise Climate Change Awareness Iraq Troops Deployed Following Failed Assassination US to Lift Travel Restrictions Migrant Rescue Ship Granted Permission to Land in Italy
Tai-Ex opening Participants in Medigen Phase 3 Clinical Trials Receive First Shot US Sues Texas Over Voting Law Sudan Orders Release of Detained Ministers Mexico Seizes Biggest Batch of Fentanyl
Tai-Ex opening Pingtung Clinic Administers Wrong Vaccine Doses MOFA Cites "Cautious Optimism" Regards Honduras Ties HK to Administer COVID19 Booster Shots Global Carbon Pollution Back to 2019 Levels
Tai-Ex opening Defense Minister Confirms Taiwan-US Joint Marine Training in Guam Taoyuan International Airport Cargo Volume Growing HK Police Investigate Fake COVID19 Tracing App Australia Missing Girl Found
As Chu backs nuclear plant though KMT mayor has concern Medigen to partner with U.S. company on COVID-19 vaccine patch Leaders Promise to End Deforestation Queen urges world leaders at COP26 to 'rise above politics' Facebook cancels 937 accounts linked to Nicaragua government
Tai-Ex opening US Donates 1.5million more Coronavirus Vaccine Doses to Taiwan Taipei Zoo Ready to Ship Pangolins to Prague for Loan Japan Train Stabbing Attack Leaves Dozen Injured G20 Wraps Up with Mild Pledges Morocco Protests Against Vaccine Passport
Tai-Ex opening First-Dose Vaccination Rate Passes 70% Reports Claiming Foreign Minister Plans to Visit Brussels HK Gov Dismisses Election Representation Concerns UK Lawmakers Question FB on Online Safety Vatican Trims Biden Visit Live Broadcast
Tsai Warns of China Threat in CNN Interview Foreign Minister Opposes Authoritarianism in Prague Address Net zero goals aren't the solution, says India before COP26 HK Calls for Booster Shots for Sinovac Recipients
The Tai-Ex opened up 3-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,037 on turnover of 4.1-billion N-T. WHO Selects Medigen Coronavirus Vaccine for International Trial TPP Ahead of KMT in Support Poll US FDA Authorizes Pfizer Vaccine for 5~11 Years Old Gag order in Myanmar keeps Suu Kyi's testimony restricted Brazil senators recommend Bolsonaro face charges over COVID
Tai-Ex opening MOHW Complete Digital Coronavirus Certificate System Changhua Seeking Municipality Status HK Security Bureau Dismisses Amnesty Criticism UN Announces New Myanmar Envoy Turkey President Steps Back from Threat to Expel Ambassadors
Tai-Ex opening MOI Introduces Draft Bill to Improve Building Fire Safety First Indigenous AJT off Production Line Makes Debut Test Flight China Evergrande Faces Deadline in Bond Payment Nepal and India See Flooding and Landslides Britain Queen Elizabeth Spends Night in Hospital
Tai-Ex opening Medigen Expects Results from Phase 3 Vaccine Trial in Paraguay in Q4 HK Activists Welcoem US Safe Haven Details Mexico Reaches Deal to Rebuild Subway Line EU Awards Navalny Top Human Rights Prize
Tai-Ex opening Passengers at Taoyuan Airport could drop to below 1 million in 2021 Guatemala ExSoldiers Raid Congress Building US Ports See Record Backlog Brazil Committee on President's Pandemic Response
Tai-Ex opening Puyuma Derailment Driver Sentenced to 4 1/2 Years in Prison Border Controls See Rise in Furloughed Worker Numbers NKorea Fires Unidentified Projectile Ethiopia Fighting Continues
Tai-Ex opening Level 2 Coronavirus Alert Extended Reports Say Taiwan Could Soon Begin to Receive F-16Vs Haiti Missionaries Kidnapped UK Prince Earthshot Prize Ceremony
Tai-Ex opening Taiwan Crucial Partner in EU's Indo-Pacific Strategy: Trade Official Kaohsiung Mayor Apologizes for Deadly Fire Thousands protest for Georgian ex-president's release Microsoft Shutting Down China LinkedIn U.S. California oil spill likely 25,000 gallons
Tai-Ex opening Kaohsiung Fire Rescue Hampered by Clutter HK Gov Dismisses UN Criticism of National Security Law Norway Bow and Arrow Attack UN Investigator Warns of NKorea Food Crisis
Tai-Ex opening School Closures in Hualien Chile Declares State of Emergency Amid Mapuche Clashes London Apartment Fire Leaves Injuries Australia Signs Agreement with NASA
Tai-Ex opening Sea Warning for Kompasu Lifted Six Rescued from River in Hsinchu NKorea Kim Vows to Build 'Invincible' Army California Surf City Reopens After Oil Spill Moderna Has No Plans to Share Vaccine Recipe
Tai-Ex opening Two Soldiers Injured During Training Drill The Falls' to Represent Taiwan at 2022 Oscars China Energy Crisis to Hit Global Economy Russia Enforcing Collection of Facebook Fines Jordan Gov on Monarch's Luxury Home Purchases
Tai-Ex opening French Senate Delegation to Meet Tsai More Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Doses Arrive French Senate Delegation to Meet Tsai Pakistan Earthquake Leaves Dead and Injured HK Under Pressure to Relax COVID19 Rules Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded
Tai-Ex opening Tsai Talks Tough Amid Chinese Incursions Olympic Team to feature in National Day Parade Australia Preps for Booster Shots Nobel Prize in Physics Awarded
Tai-Ex opening Taipei Marathon to Take Place on December 19 US Mandates Vaccines for Civilian Workers UNICEF Calls for Funds for Young Mental Health Canada US Border Reopens After Bomb Scare
Tai-Ex opening US Urging Beijing to Cease Provocation Tsai Pledges Support for Showcasing Taiwanese TV Dramas on Global Stage Pandora's Papers Raise Questions About Leaders' Finances Oman Cyclone Causes Deaths and Damage Vatican Swiss Guards Refuse Vaccine and Leave Corps
MOE Advising Flexible Deadlines for High School Portfolios EPA to Require Recycling at Lunch Box and Buffet Stores from Today Taiwan NOW to Debut in Tokyo Bangkok braces for possible flooding as rains continue Australia Tornado Destroys Homes
Tai-Ex opening First Batch of Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccines With Customized Label Arrives in Tsai Congratulates Japan's Fumio Kishida on Winning Party Vote Bangladesh Rohingya Refugee Representative Killed Britney Spears Father Suspended as Conservator Youtube Shuts Russian RT German Channels
Tai-Ex opening Hospital Loses Right to Administer Coronavirus Vaccines Taipei MRT Employee Killed in Construction Site Accident Thailand Under Flood Warning NY Vaccination Surge Ahead of Mandate France to Fund Psychological Treatment Starting Next Year
Tai-Ex opening CECC Eases Some Coronavirus Restrictions Taiwan Firms in China Could Face Regular Power Rationing US GOP Blocks Bill to Keep Gov Going SKorea Claims NKorea Fired Missile Cuba Exports Its Vaccines to Vietnam and Venezuela
Tai-Ex opening Slovakia-Donated AstraZeneca Vaccines Arrive in Taiwan Premier Orders Comprehensive Inspection of IT Protocols at Schools Palestinians Killed in Shootout with Israeli Forces US Investigates Amtrak Train Derailment Germany Capitol Voters Back Taking Over Apartments
The Taiex opened up 52 points at 17,130 today on turnover of $3.66 billion NT Central Bank Leaves Interest Rates Unchanged for 6th Consecutive Quarter Electricity Rates Remain Unchanged Japan PM Arrives in US for Quad Summit UN summit seeks to fix food's many problems, but draws fire
Tai-Ex opening Su Touts Vaccination Coverage Rate Minimum Wage Review Committee to Meet in Early October US FDA Signs Off on Pfizer Booster Recommendation DrugResistant Malaria Found in Africa Poland Region Revokes AntiLGBT Resolution
Tai-Ex opening Tsai Touts Lessons Learned from 921 Earthquake Mid-Autumn Festival Sees 'Real' Full Moon Australia Earthquake Causes Slight Damage China to Stop Funding for Coal Power Plants Libya Legislature Passes No Confidence Vote in Transitional Gov
Tai-Ex opening Cabinet Approves Special Bill for Domestic Arms Procurement MOTC Cites Need for Agreement for Yilan HSR Link Haiti PM Responds to Moise Killing Investigation US Florida Surpasses COVID19 Death Milestone Obama Endorses Trudeau in Canada Election
Tai-Ex opening Swiss Lower House Passes Motion for Deeper Ties with Taiwan Dine-in Services Resume in New Taipei China Earthquake Leaves 2 Dead US FDA Preps for Vaccine Booster Meeting Cuba Releases Draft of New Family Code
Tai-Ex opening Japan Pledges More AstraZeneca Vaccine Doses Siemens Gamesa Wind Turbine Plant Inaugurated US California Recall Could Depend on Turnout Mexico Government on Vaccination Efforts
Tai-Ex opening Foreign Spouses and Underage Children Entry Ban Partially Lifted Central Bank Expected to Keep Interest Rates Unchanged US California Ready for Recall Election Haiti President Assassination Investigation Continues
Tai-Ex opening Han Kuang Exercise Live Fire Drill Begins Today Taipei Film Festival Ticket Sales to Begin Today Japan Detects Suspected Chinese Sub NKorea Claims Successful Missile Test
Tai-Ex opening New AstraZeneca Vaccine Appointment Round Begins Today Annual LGBTQ Pride Parade to Move Online Afghanistan Flight Leaves Kabul Airport EU Reinstates Japan Travel Ban ISS Smoke Alarms Go Off on Russian Segment
Tai-Ex opening CWB Could Issue Sea warning for Super Typhoon Chanthu National Day Celebrations to be Scaled Down NMacedonia Fire at COVID19 Hospital Causes Deaths and Injuries Labor Unions Criticize Cathay Pacific Sacking Unvaccinated Crew
Tai-Ex opening 4,800 Students Affected by Class Suspensions Due to Coronavirus Cases in Premier Touts Science and Technology Investment US Texas Governor Defends Abortion Bill Mexico Flooding Kills Hospital Patients Canada Trudeau Hit by Gravel Thrown by AntiVaxxer
Tai-Ex opening CECC Extends Level 2 Coronavirus Alert CWB Monitoring Tropical Depression Sudan Seizes Russian Weapons Bound for Ethiopia Chile Approves Sinovac Vaccine for 6Yr and Older Spain Panda Twins Born
Tai-Ex opening Pfizer-BioNTech Jab to be Rolled out in Schools on September 23 Tsai Urges Calm when Getting CECC Message HK Media Group Directors Resign Amid Investigation Guinea President Detained by Military
Tai-Ex opening European Parliament Passes Report on Enhancing Taiwan-EU Relations Oppressed Tibetans are Warning to Taiwan: Tibetan Representative HK Preps to Ease China Travel Restrictions Pakistan Urges New Approach to Afghanistan Mexico President Urges US to Fund Development
Tai-Ex opening 932,000 BNT vaccines have arrived Push to Evacuate Afghanistan Girls Soccer Team Congo Rebels Ambush Civilian Convoy Ontario to Require Proof of Vaccination for Public Venues
Tai-Ex opening Taiwan to Stage Wanan Air Defense Drill Sept. 15 Taiwan Ranks Joint First with Australia in Earth Science Olympiad UN Appeals for Afghanistan Aid US Cali Nevada Evacuations Due to Wildfire Venezuela Opposition to Participate in Elections
Tai-Ex opening Latvian convict involved in ATM heist deported 82 Taiwan clinics allowed to offer COVID-19 test kits US Evacuation Amid Wildfires Colombia Tribunal Refuses Trial for ExGeneral
Tai-Ex opening Shredded chicken laced with pork tests positive for ASF virus Japan-based author first Taiwanese to win Akutagawa Prize US Drone Strike Against IS Attackers Hurricane Nora Weakens Along Mexico Coast Denmark Scientists Discover Northernmost Island
Vice President Receives Medigen Jab Groups to Donate Clothing to Haiti Taipei Zoo Welcomes Endangered Turtle Hatchlings US evacuations from Afghanistan to continue Gunmen release students in northern Nigeria 3 months later
Tai-Ex opening Stimulus Voucher Plan to be Finalized Tsai Wishes Taiwan's Paralympic Team Good Luck WHO Scientists Delayed in COVID Origin Search Australia Runaway Aircraft Crashes Nicaragua Settlers Attack Indigenous Communities
Tai-Ex opening Conflicting Reports Concerning Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Arrival Customs to Manually Check all Air Freight from Vietnam Airbnb to House Afghan Refugees Colombia Student Advocate Slain
Tai-Ex opening Report Finds Taroko Express Crash Occurred After Removal of Project Palau Travel Bubble Unaffected US Imposes Sanctions Over Tigray Conflict Australia Experts Against Zero COVID19 for Opening Mexico Gulf Fire Leaves Dead and Missing
Tai-Ex Opening Tsai to Gets Local Coronavirus Jab Taiwan Paralympic Team Arrives in Tokyo Iran Japan Officials Meet in Tehran US Biden Promises Accelerated Afghanistan Evacuation Qatar Announces Date for Shura Council Election
Tai-Ex opening Ruling Parties from Taiwan and Japan to Hold Security Talks Electricity Price Hike Likely US Diplomats Warned of Afghan Gov Collapse Haiti Doctors Kidnapped Amid Shortage of Medical Staff Hurricane Grace Strikes Mexico Caribbean Coast
Tai-Ex opening Appointments for Medigen Coronavirus Vaccine Open to More People NCC Sees Increase in Telecom Service Complaints Haiti Quake Death Toll Rises R Kelly trial gets underway in New York
Tai-Ex opening Over 390,000 People Sign-Up for Medigen Jab Appointments Government Donates Emergency Supplies to Haiti DRC Authorizes US Troops to Help Fight Armed Group Peru Foreign Secretary Resigns
Tai-Ex opening Stimulus Vouchers to be Issued Without Upfront Payment Navy Preparing Amphibious Vehicles for Disaster Relief Operations UN Criticizes Ethiopia Accusations Mexico Gas Explosion Leaves Dead and Injured
Tai-Ex opening Another Batch of Moderna Vaccine Arrives Agricultural Losses from Recent Rain Reaches NT$577million Taliban Enter Kabul Haiti Quake Death Toll Rises Canada PM Triggers Snap Election
Tai-Ex opening Seven Chinese Warplanes Enter ADIZ Hou and Cheng Take Five Stars in Global Views' Leadership Survey Canada May Send Troops to Afghanistan for Evacuation US Population Diversifying Mexico Reaches Deal with Mennonites
Tai-Ex opening Palau Travel Bubble to Resume on Saturday Johnny Chiang Touts Advisory Committee on Cross-Strait Policy Russia Helicopter Crash Leaves Missing US California Mandates Vaccines for Educators
Tai-Ex opening More Moderna Jabs to be Released for Frontline Medical Workers Tsai Meets with New AIT Director NKorea Repeats Threats Against US SKorean Drills US Infrastructure Bill Clears Senate Brazil Stages Military Convoy Through Capitol
Tai-Ex opening Coronavirus Vaccination Rate at Around 37% NASC Helicopters Ferrying Supplies to Villages Cut off due Bridge Collapse Canada Reopens US Border Guinea Confirms Marburg Virus Case UK Preps for COP26
Rain Continuing in South Art and Culture Subsidies to be Launched Soon Fire devours Greek island's forests; residents urged to flee Taliban advance in 3 regional capitals in Afghanistan
New Round of Stimulus Vouchers Still in Planning Stage Historian Yu Ying-shih dies at 91 IOC cancels accreditation of two Belarusian coaches Canadian justice lawyer: US didn't mislead in Huawei arrest
Tai-Ex opening US Announces Sale of Self-Propelled Artillery to Taiwan Olympians Thrilled by Military Escort on Return Flight ASEAN Picks Special Envoy to Myanmar US to Require Vaccination for Foreign Visitors Macao Takes Measures After Cluster Infection
Tai-Ex opening Medigen Touts Vaccine Offering 80 to 90% Protection MOFA Slams China Over Arab Times Article Greece Fights Fires Near Athens US New York to Require Proof of Vaccine for Indoor Venues Tunisia President Appoints Economy Minister
Tai-Ex opening CECC Warns Coronavirus Restrictions Unlikely to be Further Relaxed in Near MAC Taking Steps to Protect Trade Secrets US Vaccination Rates Up in Hard Hit States Poland Grants Visa to Belarusian Sprinter
Tai-Ex opening CECC Reporting 14 New Coronavirus Cases Council of Indigenous Peoples Mark Indigenous Peoples' Day US Joins UK Israel in Blaming Iran for Tanker Attack US Cali Wildfires Continue Burning
Tai-Ex opening Cabinet Approves NT$40.7bn Plan to Boost Social Safety Net Post Office Releases Hello Kitty-Themed Products to Mark 125th Anniversary US Biden Calls for Vaccination Incentive UN Extends CAR Arms Embargo Brazil Cities See Unusual Snowfall
Appointments Open for 2nd Moderna Shots Lithuania's Vaccine Donation to be Delivered on Saturday Leftist political novice sworn in as Peru's president Mixed close on Wall Street
Kuo Hsing-chun Wins Taiwan's First Gold at Tokyo Games Appointments Reopen for Coronavirus Vaccinations, and Include Local Shot Option CDC revises indoor masking guidance for vaccinated Americans Biles Wins Praise for Olympic Gymnastics Withdrawal
Tai-Ex opening Czech Republic to Donate Vaccines to Taiwan Cuba Paris Embassy Attacked US Florida Condo Collapse Final Death Toll Norway Large Meteor Reported
Su Tseng-Chang: Adhere To Regulations Amid Drop To Level 2 Furloughs Hit Record High Taipei Zoo: Baby Zebra Born China Vows to Educate US on Treating Countries Equally NZ to Repatriate Alleged IS Militant and Children
MOFA Thanks Czech Republic For Discussing Vaccine Donation Gas Prices Set For Decline Next Week Lost Dolphin Sheltering In Hualien Harbor Australia State Declares Emergency Over COVID-19 Mexico To Send 2 Boatloads Of Food And Medical Aid To Cuba Washington Post Reporter Sues Paper For Discrimination
Songshan CITYLINK Shuts Down After COVID-19 Case Malfunction at First Nuclear Power Plant President Tsai Reminds People To Take Typhoon Precautions U.S. And South Korea Agree To Convince North To Return To Nuke Talks No. 2 U.S. Diplomat Sherman To Visit China As Tensions Soar China 'Shocked' By WHO Plan For COVID Origins Study
Premier: EUA Process Will Be More Transparent Produce Prices Rise as InFa Approaches Chiayi County Begins Innoculation for Elementary Staff Teen With U.S. Ties Again On The Run From China With Fiancee Flooding In Central China Turns Streets To Rivers, Kills 12 U.S. Life Expectancy In 2020 Saw Biggest Drop Since WWII
COA Reminds Farmers to Prep for InFa FTC Releases Convenience Store Statistics Report Haiti Awaits New Chief As Official Mourning Starts For Moise Japanese PM Suga Says World Should See Safe Olympics Staged Pandemic, Penalties Aside, Bribes Go On At China Hospitals U.S. Biden Wants Spending To Boost Economy, But Republicans To Block Vote
Taipei Mayor: Getting ready to buy BNT vaccines Kaohsiung E Sky Mall Closed for Disinfection Kaohsiung Man Falls Unconscious After Vaccine Global Vaccine Inequity More Serious Than Previously Expected Most Of South Korean Warship's Crew Have Coronavirus Australia To Deport Commentator Hopkins For Quarantine Boast
Number of Furloughed Workers Hits New High International Students Call For More Vaccination Opportunity EVA Air Expecting New Cargo Planes US Preps Sanctions on China over Hong Kong Canada Tornado Causes Damage
Su: 3 Vaccine Shipments Today Former AIT Director Christensen Leaves Taiwan KMT Chairman Criticizes Vaccine Rollout Tokyo Reports New High in COVID19 Infections Haiti Receives COVAX Vaccines
Navy Closely Watching Naval Transits Meat market to Close for One Day Chung-Hsin Bus Driver Tests Positive, 54 Contacts Test Negative Haiti Identifies Latest Suspects in Moise Slaying Poll:Global Interest in Olympics Muted
All Residents Aged 18+ Can Register for COVID Vaccine Positive Test Post-Quarantine 75 Percent of A Mart Staff Vaccinated US:Fully Vaccinated Americans Don't Need Booster Cuba Cracks Down on Protests China Exports Surge
7 People Charged With Frauduluent Use Of MOC Subsidies Vietnamese Factory Worker Dies at Workplace in Taichung Taipei Bust 12 Gamblers Without Masks US Wildfires Due to Extreme Heat Pfizer Meets with US Gov to Discuss Booster
11 Armed Suspects Arrested at Taiwan Embassy in Haiti Expanded Aid for Selfemployed Workers Open Tour Operators Offering Refunds Up To July 26th 'Overdue': Biden Sets August 31st For U.S. Exit From Afghanistan Australia To Tighten Restrictions In Sydney South Korea To Enforce Social Distancing In Capital
Record Number of Companies Put Workers on Unpaid Leave Kaohsiung Improving Water Drainage System To Prevent Flooding Taitung Fringe Festival Postponed to End of July Virus Outbreak Straining Fiji's Medical System Japan To Declare Virus Emergency Lasting Through Olympics Adams' Win In NYC Latest In Surge For Moderate Democrats
Vaccine Registration System Sees Heavy Usage MOE Responds to Northern Daycare in Operation Lebanon Caretaker Premier Pleads For Aid As Crisis Worsens California To Pay Victims Of Forced, Coerced Sterilizations Australia's Largest City Sydney Locks Down For Third Week
Premier Su Thanks Japan For AZ Vaccine Donations Presidential Office Denies Cabinet Shakeup Rumors Drunk Driver Charged After Killing Pedestrian Taliban Wins Close Consulates; Tajikistan Reinforces Border 9 Arrested Over Alleged Plot To Plant Bombs Around Hong Kong Press Watchdog Puts Hungarian Pm Orban On 'Predators' List
Huannan Market Planning To Reopen Tomorrow Taitung Registration for Vaccination Almost Full Taichung Gas Leak Caused by Loose Screw Suez Canal Says Deal Reached To Free Seized Vessel Tropical Storm Elsa Headed To Landfall On Central Cuba Coast Chinese Astronauts Make First Spacewalk Outside New Station
Johnny Chiang Calling On President Tsai To Allow Counties To Purchase 1 More Student Tests Positive For COVID-19 Illegal Meat Purchases Increase in First 6 Months HK Condemns Police Stabbing US Leaves Afghanistan Bagram Airport
Campaign Leaders Pen Appeal to CEC Pingtung County Prepares For Second Wave Of Vaccinations Taichung Launching First Social Housing Project HK Marks Handover Anniversary NKorea Calls for Closer China Relations
Childcare Subsidies Available from Post Offices MOI: Housing Prices Rise Nationwide Man in Taichung Sentenced to 18 Years for Murder Japan to Propose AZ for Workplaces UN Warning on Cybersecurity Threats
NHRI Plans to License mRNA Vaccine Technology MOE: Summer School Optional NTUST Models Waste Recycling System For Electronics Industry Philippines Duterte Considers VP Run Japan's Jobless Rate Rises
Jiayi Offers Nucleic Acid Tests to Pingtung Travelers MOF Extending Tax Filing Deadline for Medical Workers MOHW Allowing Individual Imports of Medical-Grade Blood Oxygen Machines June CCI Hits 11-month Low Olympic Arrivals Face New Rules Australia Battling COVID19 Clusters
Japan Announces 2nd Vaccine Donation New Moderna Batch Rolled Out from July 1st President Tsai Expresses Concern on Florida Apartment Collapse Trapped Black Bear Makes Recovery 1 Dead, Hundreds Injured By Rare Tornado In Czech Republic Chauvin Could Face Decadeslong Sentence In Floyd's Death
Taiwan Furlough Numbers Keep Rising MOI: Religious and Funeral Services Also Suspended Taoyuan Provides Free Transport for Pregnant Women to get Vaccinated Philippine Democracy Scion, Ex-Leader Benigno Aquino Dies U.S. Continues To Roll Out Localized Programs John McAfee, Software Pioneer Turned Fugitive, Dead At 75
Tainan Crop Irrigation Still on Hold Man Handed 5 Years for Snake Oil Cancer Cure CWB Issues Heavy Rain Alert for Parts of Taiwan Moderate Quake Shakes Peru's Coast; No Reports Of Damage Dakota Access Lawsuit Dismissed; Future Challenges Possible Xi Congratulates Chinese Astronauts Aboard Space Station
New Taipei Opens Rapid Testing Stations in Markets MOFA: Paraguay To Purchase Vaxxinity Shots Investigation into Infant Death After Mother Vaccinated Hotels Offering Online Banquets Rights Group Calls For More Pressure On Nicaragua Government Iran's Election Unsettles Biden's Hope For A Nuclear Deal Cuba Says Its Abdala Vaccine 92% Effective
Taipei Taking Two-Pronged Approach to Cluster Infections KMT Survey: Gov't Should Offer More Financial Aid 30 People Fined for Trespassing in Hualien National Scenic Areas U.S. Envoy Hopes North Korea Responds Positively On Offered Talks Biden And Congress Face A Summer Grind To Create Legislation Ethiopia Votes In Greatest Electoral Test Yet For Abiy
Taipei And New Taipei Implement PCR Testing For All Sudden Deaths Gou Calls on Government to Allow Vaccine Procurement Super Junior Fans Donates PPE US Democrats Eye Infrastructure Plan HK Apple Daily Increases Print Run
MOFA Thanks US Lawmakers for Taiwan Defense Act MOL Widens Eligibility For "Immediate Work Plan" Digital Tourism Spikes During Lockdown US Infrastructure Group Gains Supporters Japan PM Set to Ease State of Emergency
Two Elderly Citizens Die after Receiving COVID Jab MOL: Furlough Numbers Up FDA: Home Testing Kits May Arrive Soon UNICEF Warning on Haiti Capital Gang Violence UN Envoy Encourages Negotiation for Yemen Oil Tanker Japan to Relax Spectator Restrictions for Olympics
Quick Screening Of 17,000 Migrant Workers To Be Completed By Friday Medigen: In Talks with Nearby Countries over Vaccine Biden: Not Looking for Conflict with Russia Colombia Names New US Ambassador Brazil Confirms COVID19 Cases Related to Copa America
Chen: Medigen Vaccine EUA Review Possible by Late June NextTV Confirms 2 Employee COVID19 Cases Japan Says Taiwan Ties Under '1 Country, 2 Systems' Policy At El Salvador's Bitcoin Beach, A Glimpse Of Crypto Economy Leftist Teacher Inches Toward Victory In Disputed Peru Vote U.S. Senators Eye $579 Billion In New Infrastructure Spending, $1 Trillion Plan
NDC: 57B in Relief Funds Issued Taipower: Power Plant Fire Won't Affect Electricity Supply TRA Cuts Available Trains For 6/15 To 6/28 Injured Fisherman Rescued Off Stranded Fishing Boat U.N. Official: Key Committee Says 350,000 In Famine In Tigray Wild Wind And Flooding Rain Lash Southeast Australian State
Premier Su: Tax Season Maybe Pushed Back College Entrance Exam Scores To Be Released In Late August Taipei Threatens Heavy Fines for Illegal Vaccinations On First Overseas Trip, Biden To Assure Allies And Meet Putin Rights Group Says Colombian Police Cause Deaths Of 20 Protesters Bus With Migrant Workers Collides With Van In India
Premier: Government Ready for Large Scale Inocculation Campaign Kaohsiung to Test 10K Migrant Workers COA: U.S. Beef Shipment Contains Excessive Ractopamine U.S. Pullout From Afghanistan Half Done, But Questions Remain Down Under Criminals Tricked Into Using FBI-Run Message App China Pledges Further COVID-19 Aid to Southeast Asia
Premier To Report To Lawmakers On Relief Funds Budget FDA: Moderna Vaccines To Be Distributed Tomorrow Dragonboat Weekend TRA Tickets Drop To 29,000 Indian Student Sentenced To Jail For Molesting Japanese Classmate China Hosts Southeast Asian Ministers As It Competes With U.S. Mexico President Appears To Hold Key Majority In Elections
Joseph Wu: Taiwan Focus of Ideological Battle CECC Urges Businesses To Prepare Anti-Cluster Procedures 25 More Students Test COVID-19 Positive Iran Oil Refinery Fire Extinguished Japan Gives Greater Flexibility for Paternity Leave
CAA Demanding Report From Uni Air Ex-U.S. Defense Official Urges Biden to Donate Vaccines to Taiwan Possible Sea Warnings for Tropical Storm this Afternoon Kashmir Politician Shot Dead Studies on Vaccines Offering Longer Protection US Infrastructure Negotiations Ongoing
Tainan Adds 63 Vaccination Stations Feicui, Shimen Reservoirs Receive 8 Million Tons Of Water Overnight Prosecutors Indict 3 Major Fraudsters China US Discuss Trade Meat Supplier Suffers CyberAttack Australia Melbourne Lockdown Suspended
More Confirmed Cases Added to Social Distancing App Taipei Limits Entrances at Public Markets HSR Compensating Ticket Holders Google, Apple: COVID-19 Changes Travel Habits Japan Moves to Relax Quarantine Rules for Olympics Pakistan Militant Attacks Leave Dead
Lawmakers Approve Increase to Coronavirus Relief Budget Taichung Mayor: Don't extend suspension of water supply Part of Kaohsiung Without Phone Service NZ Flooding Causes Evacuations Japan Urges Vaccinations for Under 65 China Plans to Send Astronauts to Space Station
Moderna Vaccines May be Distributed Sooner CECC Cracking Down on COVID-19 Test Sales Online Taichung Issues Fines for Failure to Cooperate with Antivirus Measures Hong Kong Tycoon Gets 14-Month Jail Term Over 2019 Protest Future Pandemics Targeted By New Oxford Research Center Plague Of Ravenous, Destructive Mice Tormenting Australians
CEC Announces Official Referendum Info UK, Canada, Australia Support Taiwan at WHA For First Time Plum Rain Will Finally Arrive U.S.-Chinese Trade War Envoys Talk With No Sign Of Negotiations Ambassador denied access to trial of Australian in China Philippines Officials Warned To Enforce Lockdown
Emergency Responders Given Priority For Vaccines Ximen Police Bureau Cleared To Resume Operations Tainan Spa Fined For Operating Illegally India's East Coast Braced For Cyclone Yaas Countries Eager To Reopen To Travel As Pandemic Recedes Three Dead After Japanese Vessel And Russian Freighter Collide
CECC loosens "1 person 1 room" rule Kaohsiung MRT Light Rail Ridership Drops Amid Outbreak Taichung Generators Down, Supply Remains Stable Factory boss defiant as sanctions bite in China's Xinjiang Malaysian train collision injures more than 200 people 'Turning mourning into dancing': Festival to remember Floyd
Lawmakers Preparing to Up Relief Funds Fines for buying rapid COVID-19 tests Furlough Numbers Stable Biden's Solar Ambitions Collide With China Labor Complaints U.S. Restricting Visas, Taking Other Action Over Tigray Crisis India Virus Death Toll Passes 300,000, 3rd Highest In World
Driving alone don't need facemasks NTU Hospital Completes 95% of Screening, No New Staff Cases 5 January, February UI Prizes Remain Unclaimed Israel Palestinians Announce Ceasefire Canada Ontario Gradually Reopens
Taipei District Court Staff WFH as Judge's Assistant Test Positive Olympic Baseball Qualifier Moved to Mexico Live Streamer Fined for Gathering US Opposes UN Call for Ceasefire in Israel Gaza Conflict China Postpones Rocket Mission NZ Budget Revealed
Kaohsiung Mayor Authorizes Police To Fine Non-Maskers COA: Veg Prices Return to Normal CWB: Heat alert for 11 cities and counties Australians Nervous About COVID Vaccine US Trump Legal Troubles Dubai Issues Warning for Wild Cat on the Loose
Patient with COVID at New Taipei Hospital Dies Ministry of Education Aids in Epidemic Prevention in Schools Revenues at Taipei’s restaurants plunged US WH Says Biden Supports Ceasefire US High Court Won't Make Unanimous Jury Requirement Retroactive Australia Surfer Killed in Shark Attack
Tai-Ex opening CECC Introduces Control Measures Amid Coronavirus Case Spike CECC Urges Awareness of Contact Tracing Scam Israeli strikes kill 33, topple buildings in Gaza City Israeli Paramedics: 2 Dead in Synagogue Bleacher Collapse
Tai-Ex opening European Lawmakers Urge WHO to Invite Taiwan as Observer Myanmar to Release Japanese Journalist US Parkland Shooting Deputies to Return to Jobs Canada Greyhound Cuts All Routes
Tai-Ex opening CECC Outlines 6-Point Plan to Stop Community Coronavirus Spread Escalating Coronavirus Cases Boosting Vaccination Numbers Russia Calls for Mediators to Defuse Israel Conflict US Pipeline Resumes Operations Australia Moderna Reach Vaccine Agreement
Tai-Ex opening Health Minister Warns Community Coronavirus Transmission Stage has been DPP to Campaign Against Pending Referendums Turkey Foreign Minister Meets Saudi Counterpart US Uber Lyft Offer Free Rides to Vaccination Peru Investigates Empty Vaccine Syringe Cases
Tai-Ex opening Large Numbers of Over 65s Seeking Coronavirus Vaccine Shot UN Finds Evidence of IS Genocide Against Yazidi US FDA Authorizes Pfizer Vaccine for Teens Qatar Emir Visits Saudi Arabia
Tai-Ex opening MOFA Unable to Arrange charter flight for Taiwanese out of India MRT Worst Place for Sexual Harassment in Taipei Sudan Deports Ethiopian Peacekeepers UK Queen's Cousin Accused of Willingness to Sell Kremlin Access Israel Approves Parade Despite Tensions
Tai-Ex opening Control Yuan Orders Corrective Measures over Forced Labor on DWF Boats Maldives Blast Injures Parliament Speaker US Biden Visits Louisiana to Sell Infrastructure Plan Russia Approves Sputnik Light Vaccine
Tai-Ex opening Government Approves Emergency use of Moderna Coronavirus Vaccine One Held and Three Bailed in Cockroach Attack Case NGOS Urge UN Arms Embargo Against Myanmar Chinese Rocket Part to Enter Earth Orbit US Blinken Visiting Ukraine
Tai-Ex opening LY Adopts Taiwan-Belize Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty Facebook to Decide on Trump Return Syria Reports Israeli Missile Strikes Eritrea President Arrives in Sudan for Talks
Tai-Ex opening CECC Confirms Two New Domestic Coronavirus Cases Parents of American Killed in Hualien Train Crash to Take Legal Action US China Officials to Meet at UN Security Council Meeting US to Approve COVID Vaccine for Teens Colombia Finance Minister Resigns Amid Protests
Tai-Ex opening Economics Minister Plays Down Chip production in EU Rain Boosts Water Supplies Myanmar Airstrikes Against Guerrillas US Sending Supplies to India Ecuador Decriminalizes Abortion for Rape
Tai-Ex opening Second Domestic Coronavirus Case Reported in a Week New TRA Head Pledges to Improve Safety Management US Relaxes Outdoor Masking Guidance Mexico Pandemic Deaths Rise Israeli Soccer Ref Comes Out as Transgender
Tai-Ex opening Two more China Airlines Pilots Confirmed with Coronavirus Weekend Rainfall Helps Farmers, but Reservoirs Remain Dry EU Chief Feels Unfair Treatment at Turkey Meeting Germany China Agree to Cooperate on Climate Change US 2020 Census
Tai-Ex opening Sporadic Rainfall has Little Impact on Reservoirs MOFA Marks 65 Years of Ties With Haiti US Sending Aid to India Oscars Best Director Goes to Chloe Zhao
Tai-Ex opening Cabinet Passes Draft Amendment to Close Housing Tax Loophole US Vaccinations Slow Canada Bans India Pakistan Flights German Group Promises Support for Protesting Olympic Athletes
Tai-Ex opening Pilots Coronavirus Infections Remain Under Investigation Rain and High Waves Forecast as Typhoon Surigae Passes Russia Protests for Navalny EU Reaches Tentative Climate Deal Guatemala Morales Faces Losing Immunity
New MOTC Head Touts TRA Reforms as Top Priority Rain From Sunday May Not Ease Drought India's COVID-19 second wave Police officer guilty of three counts of murder of black man U.S. stocks slide for 2nd straight day
MND Seeking Long-Range Cruise Missiles from U.S. Central Bank Quiet on Interest Rate Freeze Nasa helicopter took off on Mars St. Vincent pleads for global help
Tai-Ex opening Body of F-5E Fighter Pilot Recovered US Warns Russia on Navalny Health Israel Palestinian Clashes Spain Busts 3D Printing Firearms Workshop
Tai-Ex opening Lumpy Skin Disease Detected on Taiwan Proper US Chicago Shooting Police Bodycam Released Greece Clashes Over Policing on University Campuses Germany Encourages Rail Travel
Tai-Ex opening Presidential Office Touts Visit by US Delegation as Sign of 'Bipartisan Taiwanese MLB Player Shares Racist Messages Brazil Investigates Bolsonaro Pandemic Handling US CDC Delays Johnson Vaccine Decision UN Report on Women's Bodily Autonomy Bleak
Tai-Ex opening Indigenous LPD Launched Tsai Meets Members of Taiwan's Tokyo Olympics Team Iran to Enrich Uranium to 60Percent US to Withdraw Afghanistan Troops by 9 11
Officials Get Coronavirus Vaccination WRA Developing Newer Model of Ground-Based Rainmaking Device Ukraine and US Foreign Ministers to Meet Iran Blames Israel for Sabotage at Natanz Nuclear Site UN Chief Urges Wealth Tax of Those who Profited During COVID William and Harry Remember Prince Philip's Wit and Service to UK
Tai-Ex opening CECC Reporting 11th Coronavirus Death CWB Warns that Tropical Storm Could Form US Floyd Trial Continues St. Vincent Evacuations Amid Volcano Rumbling Ecuador Peru Presidential Elections
Tai-Ex opening Safety of No. 1 Nuclear Plant Unaffected by Damaged Cooling System Turkey Denies Sexism in VonderLeyen Snub Israel Rejects ICC War Crimes investigation France President to Dismantle Elite Institution
Tai-Ex opening Foreign Minister Tells Foreign Journalists that Taiwan will "Fight to the Coast Guard Steps Up Patrols After ASF-Infected Pig Carcass Found PM Concerned After More Violence in NIreland Spain Limits AZ Vaccine to Elderly
Tai-Ex opening KMT Postpones Referendum Campaigns Supermodel and Hon Hai Donate Money to Victims of Train Crash US Considers Boycotting Beijing Olympics Tanzania New President Forms COVID19 Committee
CECC Confirms One New Imported Coronavirus Case 10 Chinese Warplanes Enter Taiwan's ADIZ US Police Chief Testifies in Chauvin Trial Nigeria Prison Escape After Attack Jordan Royal Family Conflict Resolved
Tai-Ex opening Taiwan to enter talks with Guam on 'travel bubble' deal Kaohsiung Preps Tomb Sweeping Buses US Vaccine Shipment Halted Amid Mixup France Announces School Closure Italy Expels Russian Officials Over Spying
Tai-Ex opening French Senators Back Taiwan's International Participation TWC: Kaohsiung Water Stations Ready US Orders Nonessential Personnel Out of Myanmar Mali ICC Funds to Protect Mausoleums Japan Cherry Blossoms Bloom Early
Tai-Ex opening Taipower Defends Fuel Rod Shipping NKorea Criticizes SKorea Condemning Missile Launches Canada Pauses AZ Vaccine for Elderly UNICEF: More Child Migrants Passing Darien Gap
Tai-Ex opening Taiwan Pledges 250,000 USD to Combat Ebola Taiwan Saves Record Amount of Electricity during Earth hour Myanmar Airstrikes Hit Ethnic Karen Sudan Restarts Peace Talks
Tai-Ex opening Cabinet Approves Occupational Accident Insurance Bill Coronavirus Antibody Detection Kit Granted Emergency Use Authorization EU Officials Meet with Libya Transitional Gov US Alabama Tornades Kill 3 Albania Opposition Hold Rallies Against Gov
Tai-Ex opening Water Supply to be Cut 2 Days Per Week in Some Central Areas Taichung MRT Resumes Trial Runs US VP to Tackle Migrant Issue Colombia Sees Influx of Fleeing Venezuelans Myanmar Releases Protesters
Tai-Ex opening CECC Reporting One Non-Serious Adverse Event NDC Announced NT$608billion Infrastructure Plan NKorea Conducts Weapons Test Brazil Reports Record COVID19 Deaths in Single Day
Tai-Ex opening One Pilot Dead and Another Missing Following Mid-Air Collision Palau's President Reaffirms Taiwan Ties UN Calls for Halt to Attacks Against Civilians in Tigray US Reverses Trump Era Oil Rights Ruling
Tai-Ex opening Premier and Health Minister Get First AstraZeneca Jabs Myanmar Elected Government Supporters Rally in Taipei Italy Top Diplomat Visits Libya Trump MaraLago Partially Closed After COVID19 Israel Revokes Palestinian Foreign Minister VIP Status
Tai-Ex opening Economic Minister Open to Dialogue with Environmental Groups NZ Stabbings Leave 2 Dead HK Health Experts Warn Caution on Vaccine Nicaragua Indigenous Groups Protest Violence
Tai-Ex opening US to Raise Concerns on China's Aggression in High-Level Meeting Government Denies Giving Part of Vaccine Purchase to Paraguay NKorea Demands US Withdraw 'Hostile' Policy China Trial for Detained Canadians to Begin Netherlands PM Headed for Election Win
Tai-Ex opening MOTC Investigating Deadly Tour Bus Crash FDA to Conclude AstraZeneca Vaccine Test Today US Report: Russia Interfered in 2020 Election Australia to Send Vaccines to Papua New Guinea Britain Uber Gives Drivers Worker Benefits
Taiwan Businesses Warned of Situation in Myanmar TRA No Plans to Change Shift System WHO: Continue Using AZ Vaccine Stimulus Packages Fuel Wall Street Gains North Korea criticizes US-South Korean drills before allies meet
Tai-Ex opening FDA to Complete AstraZeneca Vaccine Inspections Wednesday 88-year-old woman found after going missing for 5 days in Hualien Netherlands Protests Against Lockdown France Hospital System Strained
Tai-Ex opening Taiwan and Indonesia Set to Resume Talks on New Migrant Worker Policy Tourism Stakeholders take Mazu Pilgrimage to the Skies Brazil Congress Approves Emergency Aid US Judge on CDC Eviction Moratorium IOC China Partnership on Vaccines
Tai-Ex opening Palau's President to Visit Taiwan on First 'Travel Bubble Flight' Candlelit Vigil Marks Tibet National Uprising Day UN Calls for End to Syrian War Indonesia Bus Accident Leaves Dead and Missing Germany Declines Trial for Suspected Nazi Guard
Tai-Ex opening Alleged China-Funded Firms Raided over Talent-Poaching More than 75% Opposed to China Coronavirus Vaccine Russia to Host Afghanistan Taliban Peace Talks US Vaccine Clinic Shuts Down After Being Overrun Nicaragua Volcano Eruption
Tai-Ex opening CAA Issues New Revisions on Health Rules Number of Furloughed Workers Down Myanmar Rallies Supporting Trapped Protesters US Biden Moves Against Campus Sexual Assaults
Tai-Ex opening Taiwan and Palau Mulling Rapid Coronavirus Testing to Facilitate Travel Tsai Calls for Water Conservation due to Shortages US Calls for Cuomo Resignation Continue Equatorial Guinea Explosion Leaves Dead and Wounded Australia Suspends Coop with Myanmar
Tai-Ex opening Japan's PM Voices Supports Taiwan's Participation in WHO Meetings Cabinet Passes Amendments to Public Servant Pensions US Senate Votes to Advance COVID Relief BIll China Announces Economic Growth Target Mexico Launches Cable-Car Line
Tai-Ex opening CECC Confirms Arrival of AstraZeneca Vaccine COA to Export Shipment of Pineapples to Australia Sweden Attack Leaves Injured US House Cancells Session Amid Militia Threats Israel IDs Tanker Responsible for Oil Spill
Tai-Ex opening CECC Confirms Arrival of AstraZeneca Vaccine COA to Export Shipment of Pineapples to Australia Sweden Attack Leaves Injured US House Cancells Session Amid Militia Threats Israel IDs Tanker Responsible for Oil Spill
Tai-Ex opening CECC Confirms Arrival of AstraZeneca Vaccine COA to Export Shipment of Pineapples to Australia Sweden Attack Leaves Injured US House Cancells Session Amid Militia Threats Israel IDs Tanker Responsible for Oil Spill
Tai-Ex opening Students Calls for Government to do More for Hong Kong Dissidents TRA Underground Project in Taoyuan to Break Ground in 2022 UN Myanmar Ambassador Under Dispute Australia Mining Chairman Steps Down After Cave Destruction Jamaica Reggae Legend Obit
Tai-Ex opening Algae Reef Protection Petition Collects Enough Signatures to Pass Temperatures in North to Drop Until Thursday China Announces Inoculation Target Twitter Cracks Down on Vaccine Information UAE Ambassador Arrives in Israel
Tai-Ex opening Two Additional Taichung MRT Lines Pass Early-Stage Reviews Poor Air Quality to Continue Lady Gaga Dogwalker Shot Dogs Stolen Mexico Monarch Butterfly
Tai-Ex opening Stricter Water Rationing from Today Renovation Work at Taipei's Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Begins Australia Parliament Passes News Amendments Moderna Starts COVID19 Variant Trials Saudi Prince Undergoes Appendicitis Surgery
Prosecutors Investigating Cause of Deadly TRA Accident Computer Found at Government Agency Infected with Cryptocurrency Mining US to Work with Canada on Canadians Held in China Ecuador Prison Riots Leave Dozens Dead UK PM Sounds Climate Change Warning at UN Meeting
Tai-Ex opening Safety Measures Planned Following 20 Vehicle Pileup Tax Rebates on Energy-Saving Home Appliances to be Extended China Denies Accusations of Uighurs Abuses Guatemala to Investigate Fake COVID19 Tests Greece Clashes Over New Campus Security Law
Tai-Ex opening MOFA Slams Bloody Crackdown in Myanmar Marchers in Taipei Commemorate 228 Incident US Approaches 500000 COVID19 Deaths Mexico Military Plane Crash Kills 6 UN: No Progress on Yemen Talks
Tai-Ex opening Pork Consumption Largely Unchanged MOTC to Pump Funds into Electric Bus Development WHO to Send Ebola Vaccines to Guinea NASA Rover Lands on Mars Nicaragua Creates Space Agency
Tai-Ex opening ECabinet Approves Multi-Billion-Dollar Plan to Assist Domestic Pork Sector EMOFA Seeking to Work with New WTO Chief to Strengthen Trade System EIsraeli PM and US President Talks ECanada Toronto Asks to Extend Lockdown E*Senegal to Receive Sinopharm Vaccines
Tai-Ex opening CECC Reporting No New Coronavirus Cases New LY Session to Focus on Constitutional Amendments US Senate Holds Capitol Siege Hearings UN Releases Funds for Ebola Outbreak ESA Holds Recruitment Drive with Diversity
Groups Voice Support for Human Rights Activists Detained in China MOL Reporting Fewer Furloughed Workers in Past Week Russian Diplomat Expelled from Berlin Colombia to Register Venezuelan Migrants and Refugees Sudan PM Announces Cabinet Reshuffle
CECC Says Taoyuan Hospital Coronavirus Crisis Over Central Bank Punishes Four Banks Speculation MOTC Opens First Provincial Highway Service Area Astra Zeneca Vaccine Less Effective Against SA Mutation India Glacier Flood Leaves Dead and Missing
Tai-Ex opening FDA to Regulate Potential Carcinogen in Baby Food US Lawmaker Punished for Violent Rhetoric UN Security Council Calls for Suu Kyi Release Germany Merkel Says Past Virus Peak
Tai-Ex opening US Reiterates 'One China Policy' Bloomberg Reporting More Hong Kongers Moving to Taiwan Myanmar Charges Suu Kyi US Biden Flexible on Pandemic Aid China Presents Baby Pandas
Tai-Ex opening Two Patients in Taoyuan Coronavirus Cluster on Respirators Over 600 Prizes Still Up for Grabs in Limited Scratch Card Lotto US FBI Agents Killed in Florida Shootout Australia Wildfire Continues Mexico Soon to Approve Russian Vaccine
Tai-Ex opening CECC to Expand Testing to Control Taoyuan Coronavirus Cluster Fair Weather Forecast For Most of Week Iran TV Airs Rocket Launch Vatican Museums Reopen SAfrica Reports Rhino Poaching on Decline
Tai-Ex opening CECC Releases More Information about Latest Local Coronavirus Case Cold Front Tomorrow Myanmar Military Coup Reports Russia Arrests Thousands of Navalny Supporters Israel Thousands Participate in Rabbis Funerals
Wanted Fugitive Found Dead in the US Plastic Eaten through Seafood Equivalent to a Straw Annually Annual Gaming Show Begins Physically and Online Strong rebound after worst trading day since October Satellite boom attracts big tech firms
Tai-Ex opening Four Chinese Military Planes Enter ADIZ Google Opens Hardware R&D base in Banqiao Blinken confirms Biden administration is freezing arms sales to UAE and Brazil to end military-led program against Amazon logging Woman sells Bernie doll for over 20k U-S-D, donates to charity
Tai-Ex opening Taoyuan Nursing Home Staff and Residents Test Negative for Coronavirus High Court Upholds OBI Pharma Ruling US Senator Presiding Over Impeachment Hospitalized Lebanon Hits New COVID19 Death High
Tai-Ex opening Tsai Calls for Lessons from SARS and for Support for Taoyuan MOL Survey Shows Over 70% of Workers Happy with their Jobs Brazil COVID Variant Found in US Russia Navalny Allies Call for New Protests Mexico President COVID19 Positive
President Tsai Ing-wen is urging people affected by the new quarantine requirements to check their contact history. The Biden administration is reinstating coronavirus travel restrictions on most non-US citizens entering the country from the UK, parts of Europe and Brazil..
Tai-Ex opening ENew Case Reported in Hospital Coronavirus Cluster Infection EWu in Palau for Inauguration EBiden Press Secretary Promises "Truth and Transparency" EPeru Doctors on Hunger Strike Over Work Conditions
CECC Releases Information About Latest Domestic Coronavirus Cases Army Tests Helicopter Drone in Airport Defense Drill Biden arrives in Washington D.C. US Senate Majority Leader says President Trump provoked the Capitol siege Thai court gives record 43-year sentence for insulting king
Tai-Ex opening CECC to Set Up 'Command Post' at Taoyuan Hospital Kaohsiung MRT Sees NT$100 million in Losses Due to Coronavirus US Biden Team to Block Trump's COVID Restrictions Japan Criticizes SKorea Over Comfort Women Compensation El Salvador Remittances Recover After Drop
Tai-Ex opening No Plans to Close Coronavirus Cluster Hospital Police Investigating Murder at Wugu Factory Dormitory US Statehouses Prep for Demonstrations Mexico Agrees to Less Vaccines for UN Program
Tai-Ex opening Farms See NT$118 million in Agricultural Losses Due to Cold Spell Indonesia to Postpone New Placement Fee Policy for Migrant Workers US Bracing for Inauguration Violence Brazil Amazonas State Low on Oxygen Siegfried of Siegfried and Roy Death
Tai-Ex opening CECC Discloses Locations Visited by Coronavirus-Infected Doctor and Nurse KMT Re-Establish US Office US Trump Impeached AGAIN Belgium Investigating Detainee's Death Following Protests Sweden to Issue Thunberg Postal Stamp
Tai-Ex opening Navy Cancels Port Visits to Allies due to Coronavirus Concerns Hotels Found in Violation of Food Safety Standards US to Require COVID19 Test for Arrivals Canada Ontario Imposes StayAtHome Order
Tai-Ex opening US Ambassador to UN to Hold Talks with Tsai During Visit New UK Rep. Arrives in Taiwan US Capitol Security Faces New Concerns Lebanon Announces Tightening of Lockdown Pope Changes Church Law for Women to Access Altar
Tai-Ex opening Government Welcomes Lifting of US Restrictions on Official Contact Premier Outlines Development Plan for Pingtung US Republicans Ask Biden to Step in Impeachment Proceedings Nile Dam Talks Collapse
Tai-Ex opening MOFA to Launch 'More Identifiable' Passport on Monday US Trump Calls for Reconciliation After Riots He Incited France Speeds Up Vaccine Rollout Australia Confirms 2020 Fourth-Hottest Year on Record
Tai-Ex opening CECC Confirms Two More Cases of UK Coronavirus Variant NCC Orders Taiwan Mobile to Correct Security Issue on Amazing A32 Phones US Social Media Blocks Trump Mexico Recovers Migrant Remains
Tai-Ex opening CAL Co-Pilot Violated Coronavirus Protocols Mobile Bus Payment Program Launched HK Democracy Figures Arrested US Far-right Group Banned from Washington DC Saudi Arabia Cutting Oil Production to Support Prices
Crew Missing After Fishing Boat Located MOTC Seeking Additional Airline Subsidy New lockdowns in U.K. Saudi Arabia to lift Qatar embargo, easing the Gulf crisis Washington D.C. Mayor calls in National Guard
Tai-Ex opening CECC Reports 4 New Imported Coronavirus Cases Colored Face Masks to be Inspected for Harmful Substances US Senators Try to Overturn Election Results Syria Militant Ambush Kills 9 Egypt Ethiopia Sudan Resume Nile Dam Negotiations
Tai-Ex opening Amended Laws Tighten Penalties for Illegal Sand Excavation Legislature Approves Proposals to Curb Real Estate Speculation US McConnell Nixes Separate Senate Vote on $2000 Stimulus Cheques Israeli foreign minister joins exodus from centrist party Colombia Coca Eradiation for 2020
Tai-Ex opening EVA Air fires another pilot for breaking COVID-19 control rules New Year's Eve countdown party visitors limited to 80,000: Taipei Croatia Earthquake Leaves 7 Dead US 1st Case of COVID19 Variant Thailand Announces New COVID19 Restrictions
Tai-Ex opening Kaohsiung Investigating Methane Leak Shopping malls in Taipei's Xinyi District cancel New Year's Eve events US House Passes Bill Upping Stimulus China Sentences ExLawyer to Prison for Virus Reporting China Gaming Tycoon Poisoning Suspect Detained
Tai-Ex opening Taiwan police attache receives Philippine police award 101 Taipei companies report layoffs this year, highest since 2011 US Trump Signs Pandemic Relief Package UK AstraZeneca Confident in its Vaccine Japan Bars Non-resident Foreign Nationals
Tai-Ex opening EVA Airways Fined NT$1 million over New Zealand Pilot Case Taipei to Set Up Checkpoint Areas at New Year's Eve Party UK PM Claims Victory Over Brexit Pakistan Orders Release of Man Accused of Daniel Pearl Murder France Notre Dame Choir Sings in Cathedral
Tai-Ex opening EVA Air Fires Pilot for Violating Coronavirus Control Rules Former-Taipei City Councilor Sentence for Corruption US Trump Vetos Defense Policy Bill Russia Cuts Size of COVID19 Vaccine Study Nicaragua Media NGO Offices Confiscated
Tai-Ex opening Year-End Celebrations to Continue Despite Domestic Coronavirus Case KMT Chairman Charges DPP with Ignoring Public Opinion on US Pork Russia Sends Military Instructors to CAR US Sues Walmart Over Opioid Crisis Pandemic Reaches Antarctica
CECC Not Considering Banning Flights from UK Record-Setting Shipload of Imported Cars Docks in Taichung Biden gets COVID-19 vaccine Cut off: Britain hit with travel bans over new virus strain Crucial test for Nasa's rocket
Tai-Ex opening Two Colleagues of Pilot Among Three New Coronavirus Cases Kenyan and Ethiopian Dominate Taipei Marathon EU Nations Take Measures Against New COVID19 Strain US Ships 2nd COVID19 Vaccine Al-Jazeera Journalists Targeted by Spyware
Tai-Ex opening Guam Governor to Visit Taiwan for 'Tourism Bubble' Talks US Experts OK Moderna Vaccine Emergency Authorization Mexico President Defends Immigration Policy Fiji Cyclone Causes Damage and Death
Tai-Ex opening Four Members of Russian Ballet Troupe Among New Coronavirus Cases Foreign Chambers Laud Planned ID Numbering Change Biden and Pence to Recieve COVID19 Jab UK Air Pollution Death
Government Notifies CPTPP Members of Intent to Join Invoice Mistakenly Made out for NT$4million First home test for COVID-19 Boko Haram claims abduction of students in northern Nigeria
Tai-Ex opening Health Minister Proposes Certified Coronavirus Tests for Indonesian Workers US Biden Confirmed as President-Elect SAfrica Tightens Restrictions to Fight COVID19 Ivory Coast President Inaugurated
Tai-Ex opening Rail Services from Ruifang Resume Mercury to Drop to 13 Degrees this Week UK EU Agree to Continue Brexit Talks US Shooting ar NYC Cathedral John Le Carre Obit
CECC Releases More Information about China Coronavirus Case Taipei and New Taipei Ink 2025 World Masters Games Contract Elevated Railway Park Opens in Taichung Israel, Morocco to Normalize Ties Finland Nuclear Plant Radiation Spike Egypt Receives Chinese COVID19 Vaccine
Tai-Ex opening Government-Rationed Face Mask Price to Drop Missing Woman Found After 12 Years US WH No Comment on 3000 COVID19 Dead in Single Day Spain Fire in Abandoned Building Mexico Possible New Beaked Whale Species
Tai-Ex opening Fu Wan Chocolate Facing Boycott Apple Daily's Jimmy Lai Among RSF Press Freedom Awardees US Supreme Court Delivers Trump Campaign Blow UN Guterres Urges Iran to Address Nuclear Concerns Mexico to Begin Vaccination Program
Tai-Ex opening US Approves New Arms Sale to Taiwan Religious Festival Draws Ire of Nearby Residents US Biden Set to Announce Defense Secretary UN Approves Resolution on Crimea Japan Asteroid Soil Samples Return to Earth
Tai-Ex opening Repairs on TRA Line to be Completed Within a Week Taichung Central Park Formally Opens US Trump Lawyer Guliani Hospitalized with COVID19 Kuwait New Parliament Elected China Moon Probe Mission Continues
Tai-Ex opening Cabinet Announces Plans to Curb Real Estate Speculation Coronavirus-Related Clip Tops Taiwan's Most Viewed YouTube Videos for 2020 HK Opposition Lawmaker Flees to Avoid Prosecution Oil Producing Countries to Cut OIl Production UK Announces New Climate Target
Government Slams Prison Sentences for HK Activists Central Bank Governor Admits to Control Yuan Inquiry Nearly 100 world leaders to speak at UN session on COVID-19 South Korea holds college entrance exam Looted Horsehead Returned to China
Tai-Ex opening Vehicles to be Fined for Excessive Noise Online Guide Posted for International NGOs to Set Up Offices US Pentagon Official Overseeing Counter-IS Effort Forced Out EU Drug Agency Aims for 4 Weeks to Approve COVID19 Vaccine Poland Zoo Films Mouse-deer Birth
Tai-Ex opening MOFA to Launch New Passport Next Year MND Denies P-3C Flew too Close to Chinese Aircraft Canada Proposes New Spending to Boost Economy US New COVID19 Restrictions Post-Thanksgiving Australia International Students Arrive
Tai-Ex opening CECC Reports Three New Imported Coronavirus Cases KMT Reiterate Anti-US Pork Rally Threat Indonesia Volcano Eruption US Fauci Warns of COVID19 Wave Argentina Police Search Maradona Doctor's Home
Tai-Ex opening Taiwan Washington D.C. Rep. Office in Reports 9 New Coronavirus Cases Chunghwa Post Unveils Year of the Ox Stamp US Trump Continues Challenges in Georgia Italy Prepares for "COVID tested" Flights
Tai-Ex opening CECC to Purchase 10-million Doses of Coronavirus Vaccine Farms in Chiayi and Tainan to See Irrigation Water Suspended US Trump Calls Pennsylvania Hearing on "Election Fraud" Canada Person of Interest IDed in Billionaire Couple Murder Maradona Obit
Tai-Ex opening MOFA Declines Comment on Reports of US Intelligence Visit CECC Expects to Purchase Coronavirus Vaccines for 10-50% of Population Convicted Benghazi Militant Seeks New Trial Switzerland Investigates Possible Terrorist Attack Niger Former President Obit
Tai-Ex opening Health Minister Explains Coronavirus Vaccine Procurement Plans Taichung Murder Suspects Detained US Biden Cabinet Picks Signal Policy Shift Israel PM Meets with Saudi Crown Prince China Moon Mission Blasts Off
Thousands Take to Taipei Streets in 'Autumn Struggle' Protest Defense Minister Visits Hualien to Review F-16 Search Merkel expresses concerns about vaccines for the poor Another Trump lawsuit overturned Pompeo touts Iran policy in Gulf ahead of Biden presidency
Tai-Ex opening UAV to Enter Production by 2024 Cabinet Passes Private School Closure Bill China Claims 1 Million Vaccinated Against COVID19 Italy Expecting COVID19 Vaccination by September UK Queen and Prince Celebrate Wedding Anniversary
Tai-Ex opening Taiwan and US Hold Talks on Overseas Infrastructure Finance Man Catches 3 Year Old After Third Floor Fall Uganda Protests After Bobi Wine Arrest US Trump Admin Blocked from Expelling Minors Bahrain Foreign minister Visits Israel
Tai-Ex opening US and Taiwan to Sign MOU on Strategic Economic Cooperation Taiwan remains 20th in 2020 IMD World Talent Ranking Thailand Protesters Clash with Police Trump Fires Official Who Maintains US Election Secure UK to Ban Gas and Diesel Cars by 2030
Face Mask Rules Coming Lawmakers Freeze Some of eID Budget WHO Records COVID19 Among Staff Dow Hits Record High Amid Vaccine News EU Budget Blocked by Poland Hungary
Tai-Ex opening Cabinet Spokesman Resigns Over Beef Noodle Blunder Top Envoy to US Speaks with Biden Adviser HK Fire Causes Deaths and Injuries US Trump Acknowledges Biden Win But Refuses to Concede Hurricane Iota Gains Strength
Tai-Ex opening Directives on Pork Imports Arrive for Cross-Party Negotiations Chiayi and Tainan to Impose Water Restrictions UK Posts Its Biggest Daily COVID19 Jump France Continues National Lockdown Measles Sees New High Worldwide
Tai-Ex opening CECC Recruiting Volunteers for Coronavirus Vaccine Trials Seasonal Winds and Rain to Affect North in Weekend US NY Reintroduces COVID19 Restrictions MSF Recruiting for France Nursing Homes Israel Delegation Visits Dubai
Tai-Ex opening CECC Upbeat on Purchase of Pfizer-BioNTech Coronavirus Vaccine New Cancer Drugs to be Covered by NHI US Surpasses 1 Million New COVID19 Cases in 10 Days Mexico Vows Punishment for Police Firing Above Protesters Nicaragua Moves Toward Allowing Life Sentences
Tai-Ex opening Government Congratulates Biden on US Election Win CWB Monitoring Tropical Depression East of the Philippines US Sets Record for Daily COVID19 Cases Brazil Blackout Continues for Sixth Day Tropical Storm Eta Cuts Across Cuba
Tai-Ex opening Premier Blocked from Pork Import Report Again 10AM Storm Atsani US Trump Drops Bid to Stop Nevada Count Australia Charges Community Leader Under Foreign Interference Laws NZ Election Rejects Legalizing Marijuana
Tai-Ex opening Japanese Parliamentary Group Backs Taiwan's WHA Bid CWB Issues Sea Warning Tropical Storm Atsani US Protestors Gather in Detroit UK MPS Vote in Favor of New Lockdown
Tai-Ex opening How US Citizens in Taiwan Vote CDC Warning that Free Flu Vaccines Running Short Republican Senate Leader Wins Reelection SKorea Unidentified Personnel Near North Border 2nd Mexican State Goes into Lockdown
Tai-Ex opening CDC Confirms One New Dengue Fever Case Chiayi City to Get YouBike US Judge Rejects Republican Request to Toss Ballots Austria Hunt for Gunmen Continues
Tai-Ex opening European Lawmakers Support Taiwan's WHA Bid in Writing CECC Reports 3 New Imported Coronavirus Cases US Presidential Candidates Heading to Finish Canada Quebec Random Attack Leaves 2 Dead Poland Abortion Protests Continue
Tai-Ex opening MOEA Touts Success of Stimulus Voucher and Coupon Programs Foreign Same-Sex Couples May Obtain 'Marriage Certificates' in Taipei US Sets Record for Daily COVID19 Cases Mexico Mass Grave Excavation Continues NZ Referendum on Euthanasia and Marijuana
Tai-Ex opening Pilot Hospitalized After Crashing Jet During Military Drill Work on Taoyuan airport's new terminal set to be completed by 2026 US Biden Trump Campaign with Pandemic Promises Venezuela Maduro Claims Refinery Attack Algeria President Transferred to Germany for Treatment
Tai-Ex opening CDC rules out flu vaccines in deaths of 4 recipients US Cult Leader Sentenced to Life Nicaragua Passes "Cybercrimes" Law ESA to Help NASA with Moon Outpost
Tai-Ex opening Microsoft to Build Data Center in Taiwan US Coney Barrett Confirmed as SCOTUS UN Demands Belarus Gov Stop Repressing People Poland Protests Over Abortion Law Continues
Tai-Ex opening Earthquake Rattles North Tsai and Ko Attend Hakka Festival US Senates Moves Forward with Coney Barret Confirmation Typhoon Molave Strikes Philippines
Tai-Ex opening Government Task Force to Improve Civil Servants' English Proficiency Taipei and New Taipei to Co-Host World Masters Games in 2025 US Presidential Debate Underway US Approves Remdesivir as COVID19 Treatment Russia Putin: No Need for Russia China Alliance
Tai-Ex opening Retired Military Intelligence Official Detained in Espionage Case NCC Seeks Testimony from Want Want Chair at CTiTV License Hearing Khashoggi's Fiance Sues Saudi Crown Prince Mexico COVID19 Superspreader Wedding HK Cathay Pacific Cutting Jobs
Tai-Ex opening Premier Touts Yilan HSR Plan Employee at Taiwan's EU Office Positive for Coronavirus US Trump Criticizes Fauci Argentina Reaches 1 Million COVID19 Cases World Bank: Middle East NAfrica Economic Outlook Bleak
Tai-Ex opening Prosecutors Detain Four in Restaurant Feces Attack Fire in Gaoping Riverbed Threatens Bird Habitat US Official Visited Syria to Negotiate Hostage Release Israel Bahrain Agree to Formal Relations
Tai-Ex opening CDC Seeking to Purchase More Flu Vaccines NDC Announced Talent Plans US Biden Plane Passenger Positive for COVID19 China Warns Canada Against Asylum for HK Residents Tanzania Kilimanjaro Fires Continue
Tai-Ex opening Tsai Unveils Plans to Turn Taiwan into Asian Green Energy Hub Taiwan and Palau in 'Travel Bubble' Talks Thailand Police Disperse Protesters Outside PM Office US President's Youngest Son had COVID19 Mexico Ruins Discovered Along Proposed Train Track
Tai-Ex opening Government Awaiting Formal Notice of US Arms Deals CDC Confirms Another Sanxia Dengue Fever Case US Barrett Deflects Key Questions at Senate Hearing Tanzania Fire on Mt. Kilimanjaro Poland WWII Bomb Explodes
Tai-Ex opening CECC Reviewing Proposal for Taiwan-Palau Travel Bubble Foreign Visitor Arrivals for 2020 Forecast to Drop to 40-Year Low US Trump Claims COVID19 Immunity Amid Reinfection Case Microsoft Takes Legal Action Against Cybercrime Network
Tai-Ex opening Chinese Aircraft Enters Southwest ADIZ, Again Housing Transactions See Rise France Police Station Attacked US Republican Governors on COVID Hospitalizations Iraqi Militias Agree to Halt US Attacks with Conditions
Taiex Update WRA to Introduce Water Restrictions in Some Areas Next Week US Trump Says COVID19 "blessing from God" HK Stolen Mao Scroll Found Cut in Half Mexico Nobel Winner Obit
Tai-Ex opening Lee Teng-hui to be Interred this Morning Double Ten Holiday Freeway Control Measures Announced US Trump Aide Positive for COVID19 UN Countries Criticize China Human Rights Record Nobel Prize for Physics Awarded
Tai-Ex opening Premier Calls for Government-to-Government Talks on Hong Kong Murder Electronic ID Cards to be Issued Next Year Armenia Azerbaijan Conflict COntinues US Trump Leaves Hospital Uganda Blood Shortages Lead to Deaths
Tai-Ex opening Chinese Anti-Submarine Aircraft Enters ADIZ New Dengue Case Added Reported Linked to Sanxia Cluster Belarus Protests Continue for 9th Straight Day Tazania Opposition Presidential Campaign Suspended New Caledonia Backs Remaining Part of France
Tai-Ex opening KMT Urging Meeting of Food Safety Board Free Seasonal Flu Shots From Next Monday Azerbaijan Armenia Leaders Brush Off Peace Talks US Trump Plans ICE Raid in Sanctuary Cities Mexico Burial Pit Found
Tai-Ex opening Economic Minister Dismisses Energy Concerns 'A Sun' is Taiwan's 2021 Oscars Pick Global COVID19 Deaths Surpass 1 Million US Republicans Lay Out Timeline for SCOTUS Confirmation SKorea Celebrates Holiday with Antivirus Measures
Tai-Ex opening Local Governments Protest GCoM's Designations CWB: Tropical Storm Kujira Won't Affect Taiwan US Trump Acknowledges SCOTUS Difficulty Belarus Protesters Call for President to Step Down Yemen Warring Sides Agree to Exchange of Prisoners
Tai-Ex opening Kinmen to Distribute Unclaimed Vouchers to Students and Disadvantaged US Republican Leader Insists Orderly Transition of Power Mexico Stolen Jet Crashes Sri Lanka Oil Tanker Owner to Pay Damages
CECC Rules Changhua Coronavirus Study 'Violated Public Health Rules' MOTC Warns on Heavy Traffic Congestion During Upcoming Holidays US Police Officers Not Charged in Breonna Taylor Killing Johnson and Johnson starts phase 3 of Covid-19 vaccine trial New SUV is Next Step in VW's Post-Scandal Slectric Offensive Trudeau Warns Canada is in a Second Coronavirus Wave
Tai-Ex opening Third Resident Caught in Nursing Home Fire Dies Chinese Military Aircraft Enter Taiwan's ADIZ Again US Trump on COVID19 Deaths:"It's a Shame" Turkey Greece Agree to Resume Talks Saudi Arabia to Gradually Reopen Grand Mosque
Tai-Ex opening CECC Reports Two New Coronavirus Cases Taipei Bus Kills Scooter Driver US NYPD Cop Accused of Spying for China Japan Braces for Tropical Storm Dolphin Nepal Veteran Sherpa Obit
Tai-Ex opening President Tsai "No Plans to Talk Directly to Japan's New Leader" CECC Confirms One New Coronavirus Case US Ginsburg Death Ahead of Election UN Secretary General on US Snapback Mexico Fuel Thefts
Tai-Ex opening FDA Reverses Planned Policy on Labeling of Products Containing Pork Fat Taoyuan Airport Begins Trial of Driverless Shuttle Bus Service SKorea Untraceable Cases Reach New High Navalny Aides say Poison Found on Water Bottle Storm Hits Finland and Northern Europe
MND Established Real Time Military Updates CECC Reports New Imported Coronavirus Case Hurricane Sally Unleashes Flooding in US New Japanese Cabinet Formed 4 Afghans Charged with Arson at Lesbos Camp Celebs join Instagram 'freeze' to protest Facebook inaction
Tai-Ex opening Tainan Company to Donate Face Mask Production System to Czech Republic NSPO Announces First Cross-Platform Satellite Operation Control System Ethiopia Repatriates Stranded Citizens from Saudi Arabia Japan Abe Cabinet Resigns
Tai-Ex opening KMT Scraps Plans to Attend Straits Forum NHIA Celebrates 25 Years Venezuela Says Suspected American Spy Plotted Attack Ethiopia Introduces New Currency Greenland Ice Sheet Breaks Off
Tai-Ex opening Weeklong Han Kuang Computer-Assisted Exercise Begin Presidential Office Touts Need for 'National Dignity' US Cali Deputies Ambushed Mexico Beached Sea Lion Deaths
Tai-Ex opening Three Charged for Lam Wing-kee Attack Northern Runway at Taoyuan International Reopens Colombia Clashes Over Police Brutality Wall St. Suffers Another Bad Trading Day Diana Rigg Obit
Tai-Ex opening Chinese Jets Enter AIDZ Taiwan and US Business Groups Call for BTA Greece Evacuates Athens Homes Amid Wildfire Ethiopia Holds Elections Defying PM Human Rights Groups Petition IOC for China Olympics Boycott
Tai-Ex opening Three Indicted Military Speedboat Procurement Deal Case New Hantavirus Hemorrhagic Fever Case Reported Wall St Sees Big Losses Zimbabwe Environmentalists Protest Chinese Mine Mexico Auction of Historic Documents Halted
Tai-Ex opening Premier Stresses Plans to Ensure Imported Pork and Beef Quality "Mad Dog Waves" Leave Four Dead in Yilan Japan Search for Missing Crew Continues Last Two Australia Journalists Leave China Poland Climate Protesters Block Street
CECC Reports 1 New Case of Imported COVID19 Johnny Chiang: KMT will Reform and Modernize to Attract Public Support High waves alert Typhoon Haishen hit Japan Belarus protests have continued Novak Djokovic apologises after US Open Disqualification
CSD to invest 120 million NT in mask plant CAA reiterates opposition to wind farm off Taoyuan coast High court upholds Filipino man's 4 year sentence for sexual assault Wall Street plummets DC Police release body camera footage from fatal shooting
President Tsai calls for more economic cooperation with EU Bi-khim Hsiao: Taiwan and the U.S. Should Strengthen Supply Chain Security Taiwan's New Passport Cover Hits Global Headlines CDC tells US states to prepare for Covid-19 vaccine by November. Students in Inner Mongolia protest Chinese language policy
Kaohsiung forcible abduction case update Set construction for 'Taiwan Trilogy' film kicks off in Kaohsiung U.S. refuses to join international COVID vaccine Australian hot spot extends state of emergency Algorithm question complicates TikTok sale
MND:PLA's electronic warfare capability serious threat to Taiwan Taipei Zoo to send two pangolins to Prague Zoo Typhoon Maysak in Okinawa Dow Jones best August performance
3-year-old Girl Snatched into the Air by Kite Suffers Minor Injuries Taiwan shares open higher People Likely Need Two Doses of Coronavirus Vaccine Portland chaos China's top diplomat dismisses European rights concerns
Adimmune Starts Coronavirus Vaccine Trial ITRI Announces FDA Approval for Ventilator Vigor Kobo Bakery to annul 3 branches TikTok's Possible Sale Biden and Harris attack Trump
Tai-Ex opening CECC Stressing "Strict Precautions" for Czech Delegation's Visit to Taiwan and US Announce Joint 5G Security Declaration Typhoon Bavi Heads Towards NKorea NBA Postpones Games Over Blake Shooting
Tai-Ex opening MOFA to Establsh Rep. Office in southern France CWB Issues Heat and Heavy Rain Alerts Africa Declared Free of Wild Polio Russia Kremlin Denies Navalny Poisoning
Tai-Ex opening Taiwanese Vessel Likely Involved in High Seas Killings Hou Hsiao-hsien to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Golden Horse US Postmaster Responds to Trump Accusations Mexico Investigates Price-Gouging Colombia Trapped Miners Rescued
Tai-Ex opening Chen Chi-mai Inaugurated as Kaohsiung Mayor MOTC Eyeing Construction of New Terminal 1 at Taoyuan Airport US Trump Announces "Plasma Treatment" for COVID19 Turkey Flooding Leaves Dead and Missing Afghanistan Taliban Finalize Negotiating Team
Tai-Ex opening Taipower to Use Cattle for Weed Control at Solar Farm US Submits UN Request to Reimpose Iran Sanctions Russian Opposition Navalny in Coma WHO Pushes Africa to Reopen Schools
Tai-Ex opening CECC Defending Investigation into Changhua County Health Bureau Jeremy Lin Gets Taiwan Passport California Wildfires Continue NKorea Holding Ruling Party Congress Arctic Expedition Reaches North Pole
MOL Committee Proposes Slight Hike to Minimum Wage Earthquake Rattles South Mali's President Resigns and Dissolves Parliament Belarus President Accuses Opposition of Staging Coup US Postmaster to Suspend Controversial Changes Thailand's Student-Led Protests Against Government Grow
Tai-Ex opening Taiwan Opens Representative Office in Somaliland Public Can Name Taipei Zoo's New Giant Panda Cub Philippines Hit by Shallow Earthquake Lebanon Customs Head Arrested Over Explosion US Nursing Homes See Jump in COVID19
Tai-Ex opening KMT's Caucus Whip Admits So-Called "Han Wave" is Over StarLux Takes Employees and Fans on Sightseeing Trip Somalia Hotel Siege Ended US Georgia Governor Reverses Course on Masks UAE and Israel Open Phone Service
Kaohsiung election rallies tonight Longest Suspension Footbridge Across Taroko Gorge Opens President Trump won't veto a bill to give post office more money North Korea city lock down lifted California wildfire
Taiwan's Top US Envoy Touts Purchase of Cruise Missiles and Mines Cultural Vouchers Focus on Senior Citizens, Minors and the Disabled Kamala Harris makes first VP appearance U.N. calls for cease of conflicts
Tai-Ex opening Azar Voice Support for Taiwan's Participation in Global Health Forums Traditional Golden Melody Awards See Decline in Entries US Considers Citizen Re-entry Ban Iraq Reports Turkish Drone Strike Puerto Rico Governor Demands Election Redo Changes
Tai-Ex opening Presidential Office Slams Incursion of Chinese Aircraft NHRI Touts Progress in Coronavirus Vaccine US Trump Escorted by Secret Service After Shooting Nearby UN: Guinea-Bissau in Fragile State
Tai-Ex opening Yunlin fire Tropical storm US benefits extension SKorea Braces for Incoming Typhoon Puerto Rico elections
Over 100 Sickened With Suspected Food Poisoning at Yilan Hotel THSR Adds Extra Train for Father's Day Rush Household Offices to Process First-Time Passport Applications U.S. stocks rise on stimulus hopes Koreas Heavy Rains
Tai-Ex opening Cities Re-Introduce Indoor Face Mask Rules Prosecutors Seeking Detention of Two More Suspects in Sogo Kickback Case Beirut port officials under house arrest North Korea locks down a city Africa sees over 1 milion COVID-19
Tai-Ex opening Health Officials Continuing to Test Belgian National Contacts FDA to Ban Three Food Additives from 2024 Lebanon Explosion Caused by Ammonium Nitrate US Congress Continues Wrangling Over Virus Stimulus Bill UN: NKorea Flouting Sanctions
Tai-Ex opening Prosecutors Set to Revoke Chao Cheng-yu's Bail Japanese Politicians Pay Respects to Lee Teng-hui US Trump Possibly Investigated for Bank Fraud China Buffeted by Typhoon
Tai-Ex opening 10AM Tropical Storm Hagupit CECC Reports One New Imported Coronavirus Case US Expert Says COVID19 in "New Phase" Philippines Experts Warn of "Losing Battle" Against COVID19
Tai-Ex opening Indonesia to Resume Migrant Worker Supply to Taiwan and 21 Other Countries FDA Bans 36 Stomach Ulcer Medications Mexico Clashes Over US Water Payments Obama Warning at John Lewis Funeral Brazil Bolsonaro Tours States
Tai-Ex opening MOFA Thanks US and Australia for Support of Regional Role CWB Touts First July Ever With No Tropical Storms Egypt Says Military Action Against Ethiopia Not Option Bulgaria Protests Block Sofia Traffic Brazil President Attends Public Event
Tai-Ex opening 189 Thai Migrant Worker Contacts Identified in Suspected Domestic MND Touts Hopes for RIMPAC Observer Invite Russian Military Aircraft Violate Finland Airspace Scientists Closer to Blood Test for Alzheimer's
Tai-Ex opening PTS Executives Resign Amid English Language Program Dispute NPP Calling on Government to Add More National Holidays US Republicans Unveil Stimulus Plan NKorea Leader Calls Nuclear Weapons a Security Guarantee Rohingya Feared Drowned Found Hiding on Malaysian Islet
Tai-Ex opening Cruise Tourism Resumes, But only to Domestic Ports Garmin's Taiwan Office 'No Comment' on Cyber Attack US Republicans to Unveil Stimulus Bill Brazil Wetlands Fires More Than Doubled
Tai-Ex opening 15 Million Sets of Paper Stimulus Vouchers Distributed Visa-Free Entry Extended for Four Countries US Trump Cancels Republican Convention Mexico Investigates Rising Oxygen Prices Iran Passenger Flight Allegedly Harassed
Tai-Ex opening Tsai Touts Passage of Citizen Judges Act Government to Budget NT$18.7 billion for Coronavirus Vaccine US California Overtakes NY for Most COVID19 Cases Greece Evacuations Due to Wildfire Turkey Russia Seeking Libya Ceasefire
Tai-Ex opening LY Passes 3rd Reading of National Judge Act MOFA Extends Thanks to Oxford for Sister City Motion US CDC Warning on True Number of COVID19 Cases Bolivia Recovers Bodies in Suspected COVID19 Deaths Ukraine Hostages Freed After Bus Hijacking
Tai-Ex opening Environmental Groups Call For CPC Taoyuan Project to be Scrapped Biden puts Kremlin "on notice" over US election interference Two Brazil Ministers Positive for COVID19 Bahamas Bans US Travelers
Tai-Ex opening Tsai Urges Party Unity to Help Chen Chi-mai Win Kaohsiung By-Election CECC Files Police Report on False Coronavirus Patient Claim US Trump Accused of Downplaying Virus Rise Germany Brawl Leads to Arrests UAE Mars Probe Functioning
Labor Minister: Reform of Labor Pension system Number of Furloughed Workers See Further Decline New Zealand Office Showcases Indigenous Connections With Taiwan Brazil tops 2 million coronavirus cases, with 76,000 dead Governor: NYC not ready to open malls, museums yet
Tai-Ex opening＼ NCC Acts on Illegal Chinese OTT Providers＼ Earthquake Rattles Nantou＼ Major Hack Also Attempted Against Biden Account＼ Brazil Bolsonaro Gets 2nd Positive for COVID19＼ UN Warning on Oil Spill Danger from Tanker
Tai-Ex opening MND Torpedo (魚雷) Test Awaiting Weather Court Asked to Stop Work at Formosa Plastics' Louisiana Site Vaccine race White House ended preferential treatment for Hong Kong
Tai-Ex opening KMT Lawmaker Blooded in LY CY Review Scuffle Wan An Air Raid Drills to Take Place this Afternoon SKorea Concerned About Second Wave of COVID19 Yemen Airstrike Kills Women and Children Japan UAE Mars Mission Preparations Underway
Tai-Ex opening Stimulus Vouchers Available at Post Offices CWB Forecasting Stable Weather for Week Ahead US Trump Admin Pushes to Open Schools South Africa Bans Alcohol to Free Up Hospital Space
Tai-Ex opening／ Scotland to Lift Mandatory Quarantine for Travelers from Taiwan／ Face Masks Donated to Canadian Missionary's Hometown／ US Biden Lays Out Economic Plans／ Greece Protests Over Protest Law／ Bolivian President Tests Positive for COVID-19
Tai-Ex opening FBI Head Warning that China is Blocking US Officials' Visits to Taiwan Legislative Caucus Pushes for Dalai Lama Visit China Fireworks Blast Injures Six Facebook Removes Bolsonaro Related Accounts Canada Gov Predicts Historic Deficit
Tai-Ex opening Tsai Vows to Counter Hong Kong Security Law First Case of Botulism Reported in Four Years Mexico Missing Student Remains Identified Zimbabwe Health Minister Fired for Graft Trump Niece Book Warns of 2nd Term
Tai-Ex opening up MND Suspends Raiding Craft Landing Drills NFA Promotes 6 Search and Rescue Dogs North Korea rejects talks ahead of US envoy's arrival in Seoul Wall Street climbs
Tai-Ex opening Ma Ying-jeou Defends "1992 consensus" CWB Issues Heat Alerts Rocket fired toward US Embassy in Iraq injures child Nigeria UN Aid Helicopter Hit Turkey Fireworks Factory Death Toll Rises
Tai-Ex opening MND Drill Simulates Response to Chinese Invasion Over 4,000 Overstayers Surrender Under Amnesty Program UK Scrapping Quarantine Rule for Arrivals Canada Appeal Against Oil Pipeline Dismissed Gains on Wall Street
Tai-Ex opening Stimulus Voucher Orders Begin DPP Warning of Travel Danger to Hong Kong US Protests See Little Rise in COVID-19 Cases NZ Health Minister Resigns Mexico Seizes Millions from US Vehicle