EZ News

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 the 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. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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 _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn