EZ News

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 129-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,707 on turnover of 8.7-billion N-T. The market closed moderatly higher on Wednesday on the back of last-ditch buying focusing on select electronics and old economy heavyweights. But turnover remained thin - with market watchers saying that's an indication that many investors are uneasy as the end of a 90-day pause on U-S tariffs is fast approaching. VP warns Taiwan and the US face 'bumps' in ongoing tariff talks Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim says she believes Taiwan and the U-S are having some "bumps" due to the potential imposition of sweeping tariffs on Taiwanese goods by Washington … …. but both sides are still talking with the hope of reaching a mutually acceptable solution. Hsiao made the comments at reception hosted by the American Institute in Taiwan to celebrate U-S Independence Day. Meanwhile, A-I-T Director Raymond Greene, said in his address that the U-S and Taiwan's economies are "well-positioned to help each other thrive (蓬勃發展), especially in new and critical technologies" … And Greene also praised Taiwan's expertise in high-tech, large-scale production saying its "the perfect match for innovative U-S drone companies." CDC reports 1st imported case of P. knowlesi malaria in 20 years The Centers for Disease Control is reporting Taiwan's first case of P. knowlesi malaria in 20 years. The strain is primarily found in Southeast Asia and the C-D-C says the case was imported. C-D-C spokesman Philip Luo says the patient began experiencing symptoms before entering Taiwan on June 19 and sought medical attention on June 25. He was diagnosed with malaria two days later and remains hospitalized. The new case has prompted (促使，提示) the C-D-C to lift the travel alert for the Philippines to Level 1 for malaria. US Freezes Some Weapons Shipments to Ukraine The White House has confirmed that the US has frozen the shipment of some air defense and precision guided weapons that were on track to be sent to Ukraine. Officials said the decision followed an assessment (評估) of U.S. stockpiles. Kate Fisher reports from Washington Indonesia Ferry Sinking Leaves Dozens Missing Rescuers are searching for 43 people missing in rough seas overnight after a ferry carrying 65 people sank near Indonesia’s resort island of Bali. The ferry sank almost half an hour after leaving East Java’s Ketapang port late Wednesday. The ferry carried 53 passengers, 12 crew members and 22 vehicles. Two bodies have been recovered and 20 were rescued, many of them unconscious after drifting in choppy (波浪滔滔的) waters for hours. Nine boats have been searching for the missing people. Japan Emporer to Honor WWII POWS in Mongolia Japan's Emperor Naruhito has announced plans to honor Japanese World War II prisoners during his visit to Mongolia next week. Speaking Wednesday, he highlighted the hardships faced by thousands of Japanese POWs who were captured (俘虜) after the Soviet Union declared war on Japan in 1945. Around 12-to-14-thousand prisoners were forced into labor under harsh (嚴酷的) conditions, with about 1,700 dying in Mongolia. Naruhito’s visit marks the 80th anniversary of the war's end as he continues his efforts to promote peace. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Tai-Ex opening down 90 points Lai calls for public support of military investment Whooping cough cases hit 10-year high after surge in June Europe experiencing heat wave Trump's visit to a new migrant detention center -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 163-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,419 on turnover of 6.4-billion N-T. The market tumbled more than 300-points on Monday, as investor concerns over the strength of the New Taiwan dollar against the U-S dollar persisted and on the back of selling by foreign institutional investors. New national, local rules taking effect in Taiwan in July Several amended national regulations are gradually taking effect this month. They include the Central Weather Administration's wind strength forecast for coastal townships during typhoon season. The administration will also hold video conferences with the mayors and magistrates of coastal locations to address the difference in wind strength observed inland and around the coast. The move is part of efforts to provide local leaders with more information when contemplating (考慮) work and school suspensions. Meanwhile, The Ministry of the Interior will be carrying out inspections of air raid shelters beginning this month. That means buildings constructed with air raid shelters will need to be reported to the government and be subjected to safety inspections. The ministry says the safety checks are aimed at ensuring that the buildings will be up to standard for use by members of the general public during emergencies and drills. CWA issues heat alerts The Central Weather Administration has issued heat alerts for parts of the island today. "Orange" alerts are in effect for New Taipei City and Changhua - where the daily maximum temperature is forecast to reaches 36-degrees for three consecutive (連續的) days. While "Yellow" alerts have been issued for Taoyuan, Taichung, Nantou, Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung and Hualien - where the daily maximum temperature is forecast to reaches 36-degrees today. All of the alerts will remain in effect through late this afternoon. US Idaho New Info on Shootnig of Firefighters From the US…. Police have new information on the shooting deaths of two firefighters in Idaho. AP's Lisa Dwyer reports. UK Investigation into Glastonbury Performance British police have launched a criminal investigation into a performance by rap-punk duo Bob Vylan at the Glastonbury Festival on Saturday, when the group led chants of “death to the IDF,” or Israel Defense Forces. The U.S. State Department has revoked their visas, citing the performance as a “hateful tirade.” The BBC said it regretted livestreaming the act and called it antisemitic. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned the chants (反复喊叫) as hate speech. Irish-language band Kneecap, which has been in the headlines for its pro-Palestinian stance, is also under investigation. Police said both performances have been recorded as public order incidents. Brazil National Museum Offers Sneak Peak Brazil’s National Museum has offered a glimpse at its renovated building and collection. It comes two days before it reopens for visitors and seven years after a devastating fire destroyed it. Journalists and special guests previewed the renovated museum in Rio de Janeiro, where they could also see a large part of its 20-million-artifact collection. Brazil’s Education Minister says the museum’s complete renovation is slated for (預定的) completion by the end of 2027. He added that the reconstruction budget of almost $95 million is being split between public and private companies. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 71-points this morning from Friday's close, at 22,508 on turnover of 5.4-billion N-T. The market closed in positive territory on Friday, as investor concerns about U-S tariffs receded on the back of positive signs from Taiwan-US negotiations and as the Israel-Iran ceasefire remains in place - lessening worries about crude supplies. Taiwan and UK hold trade talks Annual trade talks between Taiwan and the U-K are underway in Taipei. The U-K delegation is being led by Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security Douglas Alexander. According to the British Office, Alexander is visiting Taiwan for two days, during which time he will meet with President Lai Ching-te and co-chair the trade talks with Taiwan's Deputy Economics Minister Cynthia Jiang. The British Office says Alexander will tour the Taiwan Space Agency in Hsinchu, engage (接合，互動) with representatives from British and Taiwanese businesses and witness the signing of three Enhanced Trade Partnership pillars between the U-K and Taiwan. Bad weather disrupts flights at Kaohsiung and Tainan airports And, Heavy rain on Sunday forced temporary suspensions of operations at Kaohsiung International Airport and Tainan Airport - disrupting multiple flights. According to the Civil Aviation Administration, Kaohsiung International Airport halted ground operations at 3:15PM and resumed service some 45-minutes later, affecting 12 flights. While Tainan Airport suspended ground operations from 4:41PM to 5:37PM, when two flights were impacted. The administration says flight delays could also affect other airports with connections to Tainan and has instructed terminals to notify passengers via bulletin boards, scrolling (捲動) displays and public announcements. US Senate Pushes Ahead with Trump Tax Break From the US….. The Senate is pushing ahead on President Donald Trump's tax break and spending cut plan AP correspondent Donna Warder reports Turkey Detains Dozens During Istanbul Pride Turkish authorities have detained over 50 people during Istanbul Pride on Sunday, continuing a decade-long crackdown on the event. A heavy police presence forced organizers to change gathering locations multiple times. Local media say 54 people were detained, including six lawyers. By Sunday evening, seven had been released, while 47 remained in custody (拘留). Istanbul Pride, once attracting tens of thousands, has been banned since 2015 as the government appeals to conservative supporters. France Cannes Bans Large Cruise Ships from Harbor The French city of Cannes is banning cruise ships carrying over 1,000 passengers from its harbor starting next year. The decision is part of a wider backlash against overtourism. City officials also cited concerns about pollution. Larger ships must use smaller boats to transfer visitors to the port. The new rules limit daily disembarkations (下船) to 6,000 passengers. Cannes is seeking to balance tourism’s economic benefits while managing growing crowds. Cruise ship companies say such measures are counterproductive. Nearby Nice and other European cities have also introduced cruise ship restrictions recently. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 12-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,504 on turnover of $4.8-billion N-T. Cabinet passes plan to develop central Taiwan smart manufacturing hub Premier Cho Jung-tai instructed the Ministry of Economic Affairs to work closely with local governments based on a draft plan to transform central Taiwan into a smart manufacturing hub. The premier issued the instruction during a weekly Cabinet meeting, at which a draft plan to turn central Taiwan into a global hub of smart manufacturing with existing industries and new businesses was approved. The Cabinet says machinery and precision manufacturing industries in Taichung will be transformed through the introduction of artificial intelligence to improve production efficiency and integration of the supply chain. A-I is also expected to also help the metal manufacturing business in Changhua to reduce production costs, improve energy efficiency (效率) and make operations more environmentally friendly. While technologies will be introduced in Nantou and Yunlin to improve efficiency in production and distribution of their respective agricultural and aquacultural products. Construction on Taichung MRT Blue Line begins Construction of the Taichung M-R-T's Blue Line has gotten underway at a groundbreaking ceremony. The city government has said the 24.7-kilometer line is scheduled for completion in 2034. Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen says the 20 station Blue Line will run from the East District to the Port of Taichung, with future extensions planned to the Mountain Line and Coastal Line areas. The line will intersect the Green Line at City Hall, forming what Lu called a "golden cross" - a project she described (形容) as central Taiwan's most significant infrastructure development over the next decade. Ukraine Claims Russian Sumy Advance Halted Ukrainian forces claim to have stopped Russia’s advance into the northern Sumy region, stabilizing the front line near the border. Ukraine’s top military commander said on Thursday that this success (成功) has prevented Russia from redeploying 50,000 troops, including elite units, to other areas. Russian officials have not commented on the claim. Fighting continues along the 1,000-kilometer front line, with Ukraine relying on drones to counter Russia’s slow but costly advances. In Donetsk, Russia claims to have captured two villages as part of its offensive. Both sides are also launching long-range drone strikes, causing injuries and damage across multiple regions. US Sec of Defense Berates Press as New Details on Iran Bombing Emerge US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth berated the press as Anti-Trump during a briefing on Thursday, but offered no new details on the extent of the damage caused by US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. This comes after a classified preliminary assessment by US intelligence was leaked (洩漏) to the media - suggesting the damage may not amount to complete obliteration as the President claims. Toni Waterman has more from Washington. UK Steps Back from NAfrica Energy Project The United Kingdom is stepping back from funding a project to transmit power generated by North Africa’s winds and sun via underwater cables and is pivoting instead to projects seen as less risky. The country’s Energy Security Department said on Thursday it planned to step back from the $33 billion project due to a “high level of inherent risk, related to both delivery and security.” Xlinks said the project would provide an equivalent of 8% of Britain’s current electricity needs, or roughly 7 million homes. British officials plan to focus on other wind and solar projects to meet their goal to generate (產生) all of the country's energy from renewable sources by 2030. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2025 Han Kuang exercise to combine civilian and war of attrition drills Environment ministry to launch PM0.1 monitoring trials in 2026 US Trump Doubles Down on Iran Nuclear Damage NATO Agrees to Defense Spending Hike Mexico Investigates Possible SpaceX Rocket Contamination -- 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 22,341 on turnover of 6-billion N-T. The market rebounded on Tuesday, as it recovered from a recent slump (猛跌) to close above the key 22,000-point mark as investors reacted positively to U-S President Donald Trump's announcement that Israel and Iran had reached a ceasefire. 31 charged over KMT-led recall campaign forged petitions in New Taipei The New Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted 31 people for allegedly forging thousands of signatures in recall campaigns targeting three D-P-P lawmakers. Prosecutors says all of those charged are affiliated (有關聯的) with the K-M-T. According to the prosecutors' office, a total of 2,566 forged recall proposal forms in the initial petition were found during the investigation. All 31 people face charges of document forgery and violations of the Personal Data Protection Act. Prosecutors says an additional 19 people, including volunteers and associates of those indicted, have been granted deferred prosecutions. Taiwan fishing boat captain indicted over dolphin poaching The Pingtung District Prosecutors' Office has indicted the captain of a Taiwan-registered long-distance fishing boat for instructing Indonesian crew members to kill dolphins for use as bait (餌) to catch sharks. The prosecutors' office says it wrapped up its investigation into the case earlier this month and evidence found that the boat's captain and seven foreign crew members violated the Act on Wildlife Conservation. Prosecutors have granted deferred prosecution to the seven Indonesian fishermen. The incident occurred in June of last year, when the vessel was operating in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The illegal act was documented and reported by Canadian authorities and referred to Ministry of Agriculture for further action. Japan Test Fires Missile Japan has test-fired a missile on Japanese territory for the first time as the country accelerates its military buildup to deter China. The Type 88 surface-to-ship, short-range missile was tested at a firing range on Hokkaido and targeted a boat with no crew about 40 kilometers off the island's southern coast.. Due to space limitations and safety concerns, Japan conducted past missile tests in the United States, a treaty ally, and Australia, a top Japanese defense partner where vast (廣大的) training grounds are available. The military said the test was successful. It plans another through Sunday. Dozens of protesters stood outside a neighboring army camp, saying missile tests only escalates tension in Asia and risks for Japan to be involved in possible conflicts. Tuesday’s first domestic missile test underscores Japan’s push toward a more self-sufficient military and its acquisition of strike-back capabilities. Millions of Americans under extreme heat warnings A heat wave has shattered temperature records in several US cities and tens of millions of Americans remain under extreme heat warnings. Authorities are urging people to take precautions (預防措施) to avoid heat-related illnesses. Ira Spitzer reports That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 295-points this morning from Friday's close, at 21,750 on turnover of 4.4-billion N-T. The market rose on Friday, after crude oil prices have rebounded, but investors remain wary about whether the U-S will launch an attack on Iran within the next two weeks. CSBC refutes submarine prototype hull deformation rumor C-S-B-C is refuting reports that have been appearing on the internet claiming its Narwhal indigenous submarine prototype showed signs of hull deformation during its initial sea trials last week. The shipbuilder says protrusion on the port side of the bow of the Narwhal, houses the submarine's passive ranging sonar system, and was not a deformation as has been alleged by some internet users. According to C-S-B-C, the sonar dome protects the sonar system, and the protrusion (凸起) is due to the installation of high-precision electronic sonar components inside the dome. Reports say the posts on the internet are believed to be part Beijing's campaign to spread military disinformation targeting Taiwan. Debutant Lee Kuang-hsin shatters record to win Cross Penghu Bay Swim And, First-time competitor Lee Guang-hsin slashed 23-minutes off the men's 5,000-meter record to claim victory in the 23rd Cross Penghu Bay Swim's marquee (大牌的) race. Lee led from start to finish, completing the crossing from Da-Guo-Ye Columnar Basalt on Xiyu Island to Guanyin Temple on Penghu's main island in 1-hour, 17-minutes and 51-seconds. Organizers say more than 2,300 took to the water for the two-day multisport festival - which began on Saturday with 600 amateur swimmers braving changing currents and jellyfish to make the 500-meter crossing of Penghu Bay. Syria Suicide Bomber Kills 20 in Church A suicide bomber has killed at least 20 in a Greek Orthodox church in Syria AP correspondent Donna Warder reports Turkey Detains Journalist Critical of Erdogan Turkish state media say authorities have formally arrested a prominent journalist on Sunday for allegedly "threatening" President Recep Tayyip Erdogan online. The detention of Fatih Altayli, whose daily commentaries on YouTube attract hundreds of thousands of viewers, comes amid a widespread crackdown on the opposition. State-run Anadolu Agency said he was questioned after his detention late Saturday over a comment he made following a recent poll that showed more than 70% of the public opposed (反對) a lifetime presidency for Erdogan, who has been in power for more than two decades. Local media says Altayli denied the accusation during police questioning. Spain Reaches NATO Deal on Defense Spending Target Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says that Spain reached a deal with NATO to be excluded from a 5% of GDP defense spending target. The deal was reached days before the military alliance’s leaders will gather at a summit in The Hague. Sanchez said that Spain would be able to keep its commitments to the 32-nation military alliance by spending 2.1% of GDP on defense needs. In letters exchanged on Sunday between NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and Sanchez, Spain was granted the exemption (免除，豁免) and the language around the 5% spending target was adjusted (調整) to no longer include all 32 allies. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 43-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,961 on turnover of $5.1-billion N-T. The market fell more than 350 points on Thursday as market sentiment was spooked by the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, and a hint by the U-S Federal Reserve that it's in no hurry to cut interest rates. Sell-offs were seen across the board, led by the bellwether electronics sector, with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in focus, which pushed the main board below the 240-day moving average of around 22,280-points by the end of the session. Philippines grants Taiwan visa-free entry starting July Taiwan passport holders will be able to travel to the Philippines visa-free entry starting in July. The announcement was made by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office. According to the office, starting July 1, Taiwan passport holders can enter the Philippines "for tourism purposes without a visa for a non-extendible (不得延長的) and non-convertible period of 14 days." However, the office is stressing that Taiwan passport holders planning to visit the Philippines for more than two weeks or other purposes still need to apply for a visa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it welcomes the decision. The announcement comes after Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said on June 13 that Taiwan will be extending its visa-waiver program for Philippine passport holders for another year starting August 1. Trump to Decide on Iran Action in 2 Weeks US President Donald Trump says he will decide on whether to take military action in Iran within the next two weeks. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the US president believes there is a "substantial (可觀的) chance of negotiations with Iran in the near future. Kate Fisher reports from Washington Canada Bank Rockslide Rescue crews, police and paramedics scrambled to a remote Canadian Rocky Mountain region of Banff National Park amid reports that a group of hikers were hit by a rock slide. Royal Canadian Mounted Police say the initial (最初的) report indicated there were multiple hikers and there may be serious injuries and or fatalities. The site is north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway, about 200 kilometers northwest of Calgary. Nigeria Artifacts Returned by Netherlands The Netherlands has returned 119 artifacts looted from Nigeria, including human and animal figures, plaques, royal regalia and a bell. The artifacts, known as the Benin Bronzes and mostly housed in a museum in the city of Leiden, were looted in the late 19th century by British soldiers. In recent years, museums across Europe and North America have moved to address ownership disputes over artifacts looted during the colonial era. Nigeria formally requested the return of hundreds of objects from museums around the world in 2022. The Benin Bronzes were stolen in 1897 when British forces sacked (洗劫，劫掠) the Benin kingdom and forced the monarch at the time, into a six-month exile. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 118-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,238 on turnover of 7-billion N-T. The market closed on higher Wednesday as investor interest in the bellwether electronics and financial sectors resumed .. … and the main board reversed an initial downturn, as investors remained upbeat about the local semiconductor sector and continued to increase their holdings, in particular in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. Kinmen pork barred from rest of Taiwan amid African swine fever scare The Ministry of Agriculture has banned shipments of pork and pork products from Kinmen from entering any other parts of Taiwan after a pig carcass found on a beach last week tested positive for African swine fever. The ban currently runs until next Monday. The ministry says it implemented the measures after it identified (識別, 確定) the virus found in the dead pig as matching a strain currently spreading in China. The pig carcass was spotted by the Coast Guard Administration last Saturday in the northwestern part of Kinmen's main island. Local animal disease control personnel took samples from the carcass before it was incinerated and officials say the surrounding area has been disinfected. Scandal-hit Vietnam beauty queen dropped as Taiwan tourism ambassador The Tourism Administration has announced that it terminated its contracts with a Vietnamese beauty pageant queen immediately after she was accused of fraud. Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien won Miss Vietnam in 2018 and Miss Grand International in 2021. She was invited to serve as a tourism ambassador by the administration in 2024 to to help boost interest in Taiwan as a travel destination for Vietnamese people. However, she was accused of promoting a counterfeit (偽造) fiber supplement by Vietnamese authorities in April and was arrested for consumer fraud a month later. Rights Group Reports Israeli Strikes Kill Over 600 in Iran A human rights group says Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people and wounded over 1-thousand-300 others. The Washington-based group Human Rights Activists offered the figures, which covers the entirety of Iran. It said Thursday it identified over 260 civilians and 150 security force personnel among the dead. Iran has not been given regular death tolls during the conflict and has minimized (最小化) casualties in the past. It has not updated its figures since Monday. US Donald Trump says he “may” or “may not” strike Iran Donald Trump says he "may" or "may not" instruct the US military to strike Iran, as the situation also exposes (使曝光) divisions within his party and among his supporters. Jagruti Dave has more from Washington. Peru Mummy Discovered Utility workers excavating trenches to expand the network of natural gas pipelines in Peru’s capital have uncovered a pre-Inca mummy approximately 1,000 years old, barely half a meter from the surface. The mummy had gone unnoticed (未被注意到的) despite urban development in a district of Lima where former agricultural and livestock fields have been converted into working-class neighborhoods over the past decades. An archaeologist working on the site says the unearthed mummy was found in a seated position. It was covered by a bundle, and still has dark brown hair. Officials believe the mummy would have belonged to a society of fishermen of the Chancay culture, which flourished between 1,000 and 1,470 AD. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 75-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,135 on turnover of 4.3-billion N-T. The market rose on Tuesday as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing led the broader market higher following a rally among tech stocks on Wall Street overnight. Interest in T-S-M-C resumed after the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index surged by just over 3-per cent overnight and that came after the company's American depositary receipts rose 2.17-per cent. T-S-M-C's gains contributed about 160 points to the Tai-Ex's overall rise and helped the electronics index jump by 1.1-per cent. Taiwan hosts sea drone exhibition Twelve domestic and foreign companies are participating in a sea drone technology exhibition in Yilan. The two-day exhibition is taking place as defense ministry-affiliated institutions are urging the government to include them in national defense procurement (採購) and development programs in order to strengthen the island's deterrence capabilities. The Ministry of National Defense is set to allocate next year's budget for the large-scale procurement of unmanned surface vehicles. According National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology President Li Shi-qiang, the project will require participation from numerous companies - both domestic and foreign. The institute signed a partnership agreement on the sides of the exhibition with the US and German-based company Auterion for drone software battle-tested in Ukraine. Reports say that deal could eventually lead to the technology being used in millions of drones for Taiwan. 2025 Solar Festival on Now The Tourism Administration's Solar Festival is now underway, offering a wide range of summer activities across Taiwan throughout June, July, and August. From the peaks of Yushan to the coast of Dapeng Bay, the festival highlights regional experiences designed for both local and international travelers. To help "visitors" stay cool, enjoy seasonal refreshments (點心和飲料) like iced tea, cold-brew coffee, and traditional shaved ice available at key destinations. Travelers can also take advantage of special transit offers, including Taiwan Sightseeing Bus tours in Pingtung and Hualien. For more details, visit the Tourism Administration website. US Trump Posts Suggest Greater Involvement in IsraelIran Conflict Donald Trump has fired off a series of highly provocative (挑釁的) social media posts which seem to suggest the US is about to get much more involved in the Israel - Iran conflict. The messages came as the President headed into a meeting with his top National Security officials in the White House Situation Room on Tuesday. Toni Waterman has more from Washington. Indonesia Volcano Eruption Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano in south-central Indonesia has erupted, spewing (噴出) towering columns of hot ash. Authorities raised the eruption alert to the highest level and expanded the danger zone to about 8 kilometers from the crater. Indonesia’s Geology Agency said it recorded the volcano unleashing about 10,000 meters of thick grey clouds on Tuesday afternoon. There were no casualties reported. Residents were warned to be vigilant (警戒的) about heavy rainfall triggering lava flows in rivers originating from the volcano. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 122-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,172 on turnover of 5.2-billion N-T. The market bucked a regional upturn and lost ground on Monday as the exchange of missile fire between Israel and Iran entered its fourth day. Market watchers say bargain hunters turned active as the main moved closer to the nearest technical support ahead of the 22,000 point mark - which gave some support to the Tai-Ex. However, geopolitical unease largely dictated the direction of the market through much of the session. 4 KMT staff and 1 activist charged for recall vote forgeries in Taipei The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted five individuals affiliated with the K-M-T for allegedly forging (偽造) thousands of signatures in a campaign to recall two D-P-P lawmakers. Those indicted include include K-M-T Taipei branch chief Huang Lu Chin-ru, Secretary-General Chu Wen-ching and Secretary Yao Fu-wen. According to the prosecutors' office, they fabricated a total of 5,211 signature forms related to the recall of D-P-P lawmakers Wu Pei-yi and Wu Si-yao. The three suspects are in detention. Prosecutors have also indicted Lai Yi-ren, who has been identified as the organizer of the campaign to recall Wu Si-yao, and Chen Kuei-hsun, an executive at the K-M-T's fourth district office in Taipei City. CGA urges public to use ocean safety app after drowning incidents The Coast Guard Administration is urging beachgoers to check real-time conditions on the "Go Ocean" mobile app following a recent string of drowning incidents. The warning comes after a high school student drowned off the coast of Fangliao Township in Pingtung on Sunday. However, that is one of several recent fatal or near-fatal accidents linked to dangerous ocean conditions. The Coast Guard Administration says in each of the cases, the "Go Ocean" app had issued red alerts, warning of unsafe conditions. The app was Developed by the National Academy of Marine Research, and uses color-coded alerts and combines (結合) data from various sources to display wave, wind and current conditions. US UK sign trade deal at G7 U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer say they have finalized a trade deal. It will bring into force parts of a pact (協定) agreed between the two countries last month, including reducing tariffs on UK cars. Kate Fisher reports from Washington Louvre Staff Protests The Louvre Museum has failed to open on time Monday, leaving thousands of visitors stuck in long, unmoving lines. A union representative said staff at the world's most-visited museum are protesting working conditions. She said the disruption was caused by a spontaneous movement among front-of-house staff, including gallery attendants, reception, and security workers. A few months ago, President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a sweeping decade-long plan to rescue the Louvre from precisely (就是) the problems now boiling over — water leaks, dangerous temperature swings, outdated infrastructure, and foot traffic far beyond what the museum can handle. Just a day earlier, coordinated anti-tourism protests swept across southern Europe. Thousands rallied in Mallorca, Venice, Lisbon and beyond, denouncing (譴責) an economic model they say displaces locals and erodes city life. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 14 -points this morning from Friday's close, at 22,058 on turnover of 2.2-billion N-T. The market closed in negative territory on Friday, after Wall Street made marginal gains following the release of more data about inflation in America. Influencer Holger Chen denies receiving money on China trip Online celebrity Holger Chen is denying claims that he received money from China to travel there last week. Speaking to reporters after wrapping-up a six-day trip to Shanghai, the gym-entrepreneur-turned-online-influencer, stressed the he paid for the trip to China with his own money. Chen also said that he "never degraded Taiwan and never said Taiwan was not good" during his trip - despite allegations (指控) that he belittled Taiwan by praising China. According to Chen, he also didn't engage any business discussions on the trip, but he hopes to have commercial opportunities in China in the future. Chen arrived in Shanghai last Tuesday, stating he was hoping to act as an "ambassador of peace" and encourage more cross-strait exchanges on his first trip to China. Pope Leo XIV blesses Taiwanese newlyweds and wishes peace for Taiwan Pope Leo XIV has blessed a newlywed Taiwanese couple in person during a public appearance in Rome - where he applauded missionary work in Taiwan and pledging (誓言) to pray for peace in the country. According to a Facebook post by Taiwan's Embassy to the Holy See, the couple met the Pope during the weekly Public Audience, and the Pope smiled warmly and his eyes "lit up" upon hearing they were from Taiwan. The post says the Pope praised the missionary work of Taiwan's Chinese Regional Bishops' Conference and the local Catholic Church, and promised to pray for "no wars" for the nation. Trump says Israel-Iran will come to deal 'soon' and warns Tehran against retaliating against US US President Donald Trump wants Israel to hold off on a plan to assassinate (暗殺) Iran's top leader, as he holds out hope for a negotiated settlement. The AP's Jennifer King reports. France Macron Stops in Greenland French President Emmanuel Macron warned that Greenland is “not to be sold” nor “to be taken” in a key visit to the strategic Arctic territory. Macron says he’s conveying a message of French and European solidarity, as the French leader is on his way to a summit of the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations in Canada that will be also attended by US President Donald Trump. Last week, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to acknowledge (承認) that the Pentagon has developed plans to take over Greenland and Panama by force if necessary but refused to answer repeated questions during a congressional hearing Thursday. UK MI6 Female Chief From the UK…. MI6 has appointed its first female chief. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Sunday that Blaise Metreweli will be the next director of the U.K.’s foreign intelligence agency. She is currently the MI6 director of technology and innovation (創新). Metrewel steps from the shadows into the light as the only MI6 employee whose name is made public. She will take up her post in the fall. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 72-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,216 on turnover of $6.7-billion N-T. Kaohsiung Districts Suspend Work and Classes Due to Heavy Rain Parts of Kaohsiung are suspending work and classes, due to heavy rain. The city government announced that school and work in Mao-lin District, as well as parts of Tao-yuan District will be cancelled today for safety. Officials say a now-dissipated tropical depression has resulted in torrential (滂沱) showers in mountainous areas, with risks of rockslides and overflowing rivers. (NS) Israel Claims Tehran Attack Targeted MIlitary and Nuclear Program Officials Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel targeted Iran’s main enrichment facility in Natanz and the country’s ballistic missile program, as well as top nuclear scientists and officials, in an attack today. He said Iran was working on a new plan to destroy Israel after its old plan, failed. Netanyahu said in an address on social media that the attacks will continue “for as many days at it takes to remove this threat.” Iranian state television says the head of Iran𠏋 paramilitary Revolutionary Guard is feared dead. The report offered few other details about what happened to Gen. Hossein Salami of the Guard. The report on air added that one other top Guard officials, as well as two nuclear scientists were also feared dead. State television also reported the attack set the headquarters of Iran𠏋 paramilitary Revolutionary Guard ablaze. Meanwhile U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel took “unilateral (單方面) action against Iran” and that Israel advised the U.S. that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defense. Rubio also issued a warning to Iran that it should not target U.S. interests or personnel. The attack comes as tensions reached new heights over Tehran’s advancing nuclear program. The International Atomic Energy Agency for the first time in 20 years censured Iran over it not working with its inspectors. Iran immediately announced it would establish a third enrichment site in the country and swap out some centrifuges for more-advanced ones. Both Iran and Israel closed their airspace. Benchmark Brent crude spiked on the attack, rising nearly 5% on the news. NKorea Relaunches Damaged Destroyer North Korea says it has repaired its damaged second destroyer and launched it into the water in the presence of leader Kim Jong Un. North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency said it launched (下水) the destroyer — the second it built this year — off the east coast of the country on Thursday. KCNA cited Kim as saying the country’s two destroyers will play a big role in improving the North Korean navy’s operational capabilities. Kim reiterated previous claims that his naval buildup is a justified response to perceived threats posed by the United States and its allies in Asia. France Doubles Down on Children Social Media Ban The French government is doubling down on plans to ban children from social media. The education minister says "we must protect our young people from overexposure (過度曝露) to screens". Ross Cullen reports. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 107-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,362 on turnover of 5.1-billion N-T. The market closed higher on Wednesday, as it broke through stiff technical resistance ahead of the 240-day moving average of 22,300 points. That came on the back of extended gains for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and amid investor optimism over US-China trade talks. Ma Ying-jeou to attend Straits Forum in China Former President Ma Ying-jeou is slated to attend the 17th Straits Forum in the Chinese city of Xiamen early next week. According to the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, he will be leading a group of students from the Da Jiu Academy to the event as part of a two-week trip to China. Foundation C-E-O Xiao Xu-cen says after attending (出席) the forum, Ma and the students will travel to Gansu Province for a series of cultural activities and to learn about the Silk Road. Xiao says the visit is aimed at reducing hostility (敵意) across the Taiwan Strait by showing people on both sides the willingness of young people to engage and interact with each other. New tropical depression forms near Philippines The Central Weather Administration says it's monitoring a tropical depression that formed yesterday evening east of the Philippines. It's currently located some 500-kilometers southeast of Eluanbi at the island's southernmost tip and moving in a north-northwesterly direction at 33-kilometers-an-hour. The weather administration says the weather pattern is moving towards Taiwan. It's forecast to bring thunderstorms or heavy rain to much of the island. SAfrica Flooding Leaves Dozens Dead A weather front brings rain, snow, and now deadly flooding to South Africa. The AP's Jennifer King reports. Kosovo US Agreement to Accept Migrants Kosovo says it has agreed to a request from the United States to temporarily accept up to 50 third-country migrants a year. The Balkan country’s government said “over the course of a year, up to fifty individuals may be temporarily relocated, with the aim of facilitating (促進) their safe return to their home country." Immediately upon returning to office in January, President Donald Trump started plans for mass deportation to make good on campaign promises to crack down on illegal immigration. It was not clear when Washington made the request or whether it made similar (相似的) requests to other countries in the region. Japan Princess Visits Brazil Japan’s Princess Kako of Akishino, a niece of Emperor Naruhito, was welcomed by Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at a private ceremony. The younger daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko is at the tail end of her 11-day trip to the South American nation. The princess also spoke before lawmakers at Congress, and thanked Brazilians for hosting (當宿主) Japanese immigants for more than a century. Her trip also marks the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- 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 yesterday's close, at 22,376 on turnover of 7.5-billion N-T. The market closed sharply higher on Tuesday on the back of investor optimism over ongoing trade talks between the United States and China. The bellwether electronics sector led the rally, boosted by a surge in tech stocks on Wall Street. KMT passes NT$30,000 allowance for volunteer troops K-M-T lawmakers have passed an amendment to Article 5 of the Armed Forces Pay Act raising volunteer soldiers' monthly allowance to 30,000 N-T. That's an increase of over 15,000 N-T, along with other benefits. The monthly allowance will be granted to all volunteer military personnel, regardless of rank, effective January 1 next year. The amended article introduces new types of designated (指定的) allowances for volunteer military personnel, with specific amounts to be determined by the Cabinet. And it requires all allowances to be adjusted accordingly whenever the cumulative consumer price index reaches 3-per cent. Increase in COVID medical visits slows and CDC says the peak has passed The Centers for Disease Control says the number of patients seeking treatment for COVID stood at 70,182 last week - a sign that the case numbers are slowing. According to the C-D-C, the number of COVID related medical visits rose by 9.3-per cent between June 1 and 7 - which is much lower than the previous week's rise of 49-per cent. C-D-C spokesperson Philip Luo says the peak has passed earlier than the originally predicted end of June or early July timeframe - which suggests the epidemic may also end a couple of weeks earlier than the projected (預計的) date of August 9. US Immigration Raids in Omaha An Omaha plant was raided (查抄，突然搜查) in what U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say was likely the largest ”worksite enforcement operation" in Nebraska since the start of President Trump's second term. Jennifer King reports IMF on Syria Visit and Rebuilding The International Monetary Fund had said it visited Syria for the first time since 2009 as the country rebuilds after over a decade of conflict. The IMF says Syria cannot afford hundreds of billions of dollars of damages and losses from the conflict that first started as protests in 2011 against Bashar Assad’s totalitarian government. During its five-day visit this month, the IMF met with officials from Syria's public and private sectors, notably (尤其) the finance minister and central bank governor, and said Syria was willing to reform its economy and make its outdated state institutions viable again. In 2017, the United Nations estimated that rebuilding Syria would cost about $250 billion. Since Assad was overthrown, some experts say that number could be as high as $400 billion. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 130-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,921 on turnover of 5.6-billion N-T. The market closed higher on Monday, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing saw its share price rebound to hit the 1,000 N-T mark for the first time in three months. The overall rise was led by the electronics index - which added 0.75-per cent during the trading day. Market watchers say investor attention was centered on T-S-M-C, while other semiconductor and tech stocks were mixed. MAC says 3,100 spouses renounce China residency The Mainland Affairs Council says more than 3,100 spouses from China have submitted proof of renunciation of their Chinese household registration. The statement comes after the National Immigration Agency issued a notice to spouses to submit proof that they had renounced their Chinese household registration in April. The notice stated that spouses from China had until June 30 to renounce (放棄) their Chinese household registration or their Taiwanese household registration would be revoked. However, people having difficulties obtaining such a document have been granted an extension of the deadline or may submit a written affidavit in lieu of (以…替代) documentation. A total of 2,000 have so far applied for postponements or submitted an affidavit. 23 indicted for exporting garbage disguised as plastic waste The New Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted 23 people for their roles in exporting garbage disguised as plastic waste. The prosecutors' office says evidence suggests the fraud ring netted (獲得) more than 49-million N-T in illicit gains. According to the indictment, environmental waste management firms collected general waste and stored it at sites in New Taipei and Changhua County. The waste was then transported to Kaohsiung, where it was compressed, repackaged and disguised as plastic waste and then shipped to Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia and Vietnam for sale. The suspects have all been charged with violating the Waste Disposal Act. Trump's travel ban takes effect Trump's new travel ban is taking effect as tensions escalate over immigration enforcement in the US. AP's Julie Walker reports. Carney: Canada to meet NATO military spending goals by next year Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says, Canada will meet NATO's military spending goals by early next year. Carney also said that Canada would diversify defense spending away from the US. The announcement means that Canada will achieve NATO's spending target of 2% of GDP five years earlier than previously planned. Carney says, Canada's military equipment has aged, and only one out of every four submarines is seaworthy (適航的). NATO figures show that Canada is estimated to be spending 1.33% of GDP on military spending in 2023. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 112-points this morning from Friday's close, at 21,773 on turnover of 6.3-billion N-T. The market closed slightly lower Friday - after retreating from earlier gains as investors remained cautious ahead of the release of U-S jobs data. The bellwether electronics sector remained sluggish throughout the session despite some late buying, while select non-tech stocks, particularly in the financial and petrochemical sectors, drew interest and lent support to the broader market. French National Assembly delegation visits Taiwan A delegation of members of the French National Assembly has arrived in Taiwan for a six-day visit. The delegation is being led Marie-Noelle Battistel, the president of the Assembly's Taiwan-France Friendship Group. Battistel is visiting at the invitation of the Lai administration and is being accompanied by four other deputies in the lower house of the French Parliament. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the delegation is slated to hold talks with President Lai Ching-te and other senior government officials in Taipei aimed at enhancing (增強) bilateral relations. They will also meet with Minister without Portfolio Lin Ming-hsin and Economics Minister Kuo Jyh-huei. 'Time 100' recipient gets honorary doctorate from Taitung university Philanthropist Chen Shu-chu has been presented with an honorary doctorate degree by National Taitung University for her humanitarian contributions (貢獻). Chen was a vegetable vendor at Central Market in Taitung City for over half a century before she retired in 2018. She gained fame here in Taiwan when she was named as one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people of 2010 for her philanthropy. Chen received her degree with the National Taitung University alumni at a graduation ceremony held at the university's Chihpen Campus for her contributions to society. She was introduced at the event by Taitung County Deputy Magistrate Wang Chih-hui - who cited her as an example of human love transcending (超越) technological advancement. Israel Reports Thunberg Vessel Diverted to Israel Israel’s Foreign Ministry says a Gaza-bound aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists has been diverted (改變方向) to Israel. In a post on X, it said the boat “is safely making its way to the shores of Israel.” The passengers “are expected to return to their home countries,” it added, without providing further details. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which had organized the voyage to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and protest Israel’s blockade of the territory, said the activists had been “kidnapped by Israeli forces.” Colombia Presidential Hopeful Shot and Wounded A Colombian senator and would-be presidential candidate is shot and wounded (受傷) at a rally. AP correspondent Julie Walker reports France World Oceans Day Dozens of research and exploration vessels have set sail off the French coastal city of Nice across across the Bay of Angels. The event on Sunday marked World Oceans Day and the opening of the third U.N. Ocean Conference. It aimed to showcase the beauty of the ocean and the growing urgency to protect it. Thousands of delegates, including heads of state, scientists, and environmental advocates, are expected in Nice this week to confront growing threats to the ocean, and the need to transform pledges (承諾) into protection. The conference is expected to bring the High Seas Treaty closer to ratification, allowing countries to establish marine protected areas in international waters, which cover nearly two-thirds of the ocean and remain largely ungoverned. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 78-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,696 on turnover of $6.5-billion N-T. Taiwan and Marshall Islands sign security pact amid growing hybrid threats Taiwan and the Marshall Islands has signed security pact - that both sides say will pave the way for the deepening of a security partnership amid growing hybrid threats in the region. The letter of intent was signed by National Security Bureau head Tsai Ming-yen and the Marshall Island's top diplomat, Kalani Kan-eko. Kaneko is part of a delegation being led by Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine that is visiting Taiwan this week. According to the National Security Bureau, the pact aims to help the Pacific island state enhance its security through collaborations in areas such as "maritime domain awareness, cybersecurity and countering foreign malign (惡意的;) influence." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the Marshall Islands' delegation is visiting Taiwan until Saturday. Food courier companies face fine of US$6.67 million for order contamination The Food and Drug Administration says food courier companies could face fines if their employees smoke, fail to keep the food items securely packaged, or demonstrate other behavior that could contaminate the orders. The statement comes after the F-D-A formally implemented (實施) revisions to the Regulations on Good Hygiene Practices for Food. According to the revisions, delivery containers must be sealed and insulated. Before delivering food, equipment should be inspected to ensure cleanliness and hygiene. While during transportation, the food must be fully wrapped, with measures in place to prevent contamination and avoid drastic temperature fluctuations. The F-D-A says companies found to be in violation of the regulations face fines of between 60,000 and 200-million N-T. NKorea Promises Unconditional Support for Russia's War Against Ukraine North Korea says that leader Kim Jong Un told a top Russian official that his country will “unconditionally support” Russia’s war against Ukraine. The official Korean Central News Agency says Kim made the remarks (發言) during a meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu. The agency says the two discussed how to solidify strategic partnership between North Korea and Russia and reached a consensus on the Ukraine issue and other unspecified international situations. In April, the two countries confirmed North Korean soldiers were fighting alongside Russian forces to repel a Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk border region. Trump Ends Policy Requiring Emergency Abortions if Mother’s Life is in Danger The Trump administration has ended a policy that requires hospitals to perform emergency abortions if the mother's health is in danger…even in states where the procedure is banned. Nineteen states have either banned or restricted (限制) abortions since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022. Toni Waterman has more. Germany WWII Bombs Defused Atter Evac Three unexploded U.S. bombs from World War II were defused on Wednesday in Cologne after the German city's biggest evacuation since the end of the war. More than 20,000 residents were evacuated from the city center earlier Wednesday after the bombs were unearthed on Monday during preparatory (準備性的) work for road construction. City authorities say experts defused the bombs within about an hour. Even 80 years after the end of the war, unexploded bombs dropped during wartime air raids are frequently (常常) found in Germany. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- 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 yesterday's close, at 21,341 on turnover of 5.5-billion N-T. The main board gained ground on Tuesday despite large-cap semiconductor stocks losing some early gains amid ongoing investor concerns over the U-S' tariff policies. Market watchers say although the index staged a technical rebound from Monday's downturn, investors remain cautious about the U-S introducing possible tariffs on semiconductors. Guatemala president to be in Taiwan Wednesday before heading to Japan Guatemala's President Bernardo Arevalo is visiting Taiwan today. It is his first visit to Taiwan since taking office in 2024 and the trip is part of an Asian tour that will also take him to Japan. Arevalo has said the trip to Taiwan is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and attracting foreign investment, and he will be meeting with President Lai Ching-te. The Guatemalan president is being accompanied (陪伴) during his visit by the country's economics and foreign ministers as well as his wife. Digital ministry to order social media firms to publish transparency reports Digital Minister Huang Yen-nan says Meta, LINE, TikTok and Google will be required to publish transparency (透明性，公開處理) reports before the end of the year as part of government-led efforts to combat fraud. According to Huang, the move means the four companies will be subject to formal regulatory supervision. Huang says the companies submitted fraud prevention plans in May. The transparency reports are part of the Fraud Crime Hazard Prevention Act, which took effect at the end of July of last year. It means that social media companies must verify the identities of advertisers and sponsors, create fraud prevention plans, and remove any fraudulent advertisements within a set timeframe after receiving a notification from authorities. Family of flamethrower attack suspect detained The family of the man accused of carrying out an "antisemitic attack" with a makeshift (暫時代替，臨時湊合) flamethrower in the US state of Colorado has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem confirmed the news on Tuesday. Nick Harper reports from Washington. Brazil Affirmative Action Law Signed Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has signed a new law to expand the country’s affirmative action policies. The law signed on Tuesday increases the quota for government jobs reserved for Blacks from 20% to 30% and adds Indigenous people and descendants of Afro-Brazilian enslaved people to the group of beneficiaries. The changes apply to permanent (長久的，永久的) and public employment positions across Brazil’s federal administration, agencies, public foundations, public companies and mixed-capital companies run by the government. As approved by Congress, the quota will be revised in 2035. Brazil's government said 55% of the country's population is made up of Black or mixed-race people. It added that more than 70% of Brazilians living below the poverty line are also Black or mixed race, while only 1% of people from those ethnicities are in leadership positions in the private sector. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 123-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,126 on turnover of 5-billion N-T. The market moved sharply lower on Monday - losing more than 340 points - amid ongoing investor concerns over the United States' tariff policies after President Donald Trump accused China of violating a preliminary trade deal with Washington. Sports agency warns CTTTA for revoking athlete's WTT US Smash slot The Sports Administration has issued a formal warning to the Chinese Taipei Table Tennis Association and announced the suspension of subsidies unrelated to training and competitions. The move comes after the association revoked (撤銷) Yeh Yi-tian's place at the World Table Tennis U-S Smash tournament scheduled for July. Deputy Education Minister Chang Liao Wan-jien says the incident harmed Yeh's right to participate in competitions, and the association failed to actively respond to public concerns. While Cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee says Premier Cho Jung-tai is calling on national sports associations to listen to athletes and their coaches in regards the scheduling of events. EVA Air joins IATA's Turbulence Aware Platform to enhance flight safety EVA Airways has signed a cooperation agreement with the International Air Transport Association to join its Turbulence Aware platform - which seeks to improve flight safety through real-time data sharing. Airline President Clay Sun says the carrier believes that joining the program will help pilots and dispatchers better analyze real-time data, plan and choose appropriate flight paths to avoid areas with higher turbulence (亂流) risks, and ensure passenger safety. The agreement was signed by Sun and International Air Transport Association Director General Willie Walsh during the association's three-day annual general meeting in New Delhi this past weekend. The International Air Transport Association says participating airlines generated a total of 51.8-million turbulence reports in 2024, a 35-per cent increase from 2023, which is highly beneficial in reducing the damage caused by turbulence. UN Elects ExGerman FM as Assembly President The U.N. General Assembly has overwhelmingly elected Germany’s former foreign minister Annalena Baerbock to be the next head of the 193-member world body. The vote was held Monday by a secret-ballot demanded by Russia. Russia objected to Baerbock, accusing her of having pursued (從事，實行) an “anti-Russia policy,” Baerbock will replace the current assembly president at the start of the 80th session in September. US Boulder Attack More Victims IDed From the US…. Four additional victims have been identified in Boulder, Colorado attack, bringing number of injured to 12. The FBI says the suspect had been planning the attack for a year. He has been charged with a hate crime (仇恨犯罪). AP's Lisa Dwyer reports Caribbean Dust Cloud Heads Towards US A massive cloud of dust from the Sahara Desert is blanketing most of the Caribbean in the biggest event of its kind this year as it heads toward the United States. Experts say the cloud extends some 3,200 kilometers from Jamaica to well past Barbados in the eastern Caribbean, and some 1,200 kilometers from the Turks and Caicos Islands in the northern Caribbean down south to Trinidad and Tobago. The hazy (霧濛濛的) skies unleashed sneezes, coughs and watery eyes across the Caribbean. Forecasters say the plume is expected to hit Florida, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi late this week and into the weekend. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 93-points this morning from last Thursday's close, at 21,253 on turnover of 6.4-billion N-T. The market bucked a regional upward trend on Thursday and ended the day marginally lower. That decline came despite other Asian indexes surging on the back of news that a U-S court ruling has blocked President Donald Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs on imports under an emergency-powers law. MND to take delivery of 42 more Abrams MBTs later this month The Ministry of National Defense is reportedly slated to take delivery of 42 more M-1-A-2-T Abrams main battle tanks later this month. Sources are being cited as saying the tanks will participate (參加) in live-fire drills scheduled to take place between June 18 and 27 at a base in Hsinchu County. The Army took delivery of it first batch of 38 Abrams tanks in December of last year. Another 28 tanks are expected to arrive in Taiwan in the first quarter of next year. The U-S State Department approved Taiwan's request to purchase 108 M-1-A-2-T tanks and related equipment in 2019. Sports body presses for apology after table tennis prodigy pulled from tournament The Sports Administration is demanding an apology from the national table tennis association after it banned Yeh Yi-tian from competing in the upcoming World Table Tennis United States Smash tournament. According to the administration, the Chinese Taipei Table Tennis Association must explain why it withdrew (退出) Yeh from the tournament in Las Vegas. The administration said it contacted the association about the matter after receiving a complaint from Yeh's coach, Chuang Chih-yuan and will now suspend all subsidies until an apology is issued. The Sports Administration is also warning that it could take steps to replace the Chinese Taipei Table Tennis Association's secretary-general if necessary. US Suspect Arrested in PetrolBomb Attack The FBI says it's investigating an attack on pro-Israel protestors in Boulder, Colorado as an act of terror. One man was taken into custody (拘留) accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at demonstrators and wounding several of them. Our US Correspondent Simon Marks reports. 200 dead in Nigeria from flooding The death toll following floods in Nigeria is continuing to rise, with officials now saying at least 200 have been killed in the catastrophe. Rainfall on thursday unleashed the devastating flood on a market town in the country, which is near a major trading and transit (運輸) hub. Authorities say, they're calling off rescue efforts, as they don't believe there are more survivors. Another 11 people were injured in the floods, and more than 3000 displaced… and two roads and bridges were also damaged in the floods. Pope Blesses Cyclists in Giro d'Italia Pope Leo XIV blessed the 159 cyclists competing in the Giro d’Italia as the three-week race’s final stage began with an unprecedented ride through the Vatican gardens behind St. Peter's Basilica. Overall race leader Simon Yates and some other riders got off their bikes and walked forward to shake hands with the pope. The pope was presented with a replica (複製品) of the leader’s pink jersey. He praised the riders as "role models for young people all over the world”. Leo is honoring the event and bringing it inside the Vatican in memory of Pope Francis, who died in April this year. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 174-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,531 on turnover of $6-billion N-T. Taiwan names new reps to St Kitts & Nevis, Thailand The Executive Yuan named new representatives to St. Kitts & Nevis and Thailand yesterday. Edward Tao will be the new ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, one of 12 countries which maintains formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Tao is a career diplomat who most recent overseas posting was in Brisbane, Australia. He will replace outgoing Ambassador Michael Lin, who took up the post in July 2021. Meanwhile, Peter Lan will be Taiwan's top representative to Thailand. Lan is the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and will replace current (目前的) envoy to Thailand, Chang Chun Fu. Lan previously served as ambassador to St. Vincent and the Grenadines from 2021 to 2023. He also served in Indonesia and acted as spokesperson for Taiwan's representative office in Thailan. (AH-CNA) Search for lost boy and rescuer continues The search for a lost boy and his rescuer is continuing of the coast of Taitung's Taimali. Yesterday a boy was swept out to sea while playing in a river, and he still hasn't been found. Also missing is a fisherman, surnamed Chen, who was nearby and jumped in to rescue the boy. Chen managed to grab hold of the boy and tried to swim back to shore, but they were both engulfed (吞噬) by a wave and disappeared, according to witnesses. Rescuers searched for the two last night, unsuccessfully, but paused overnight. The search continues this morning, with firefighters, coast guard, helicopters, and drones all dispatched to help out in the search. Those who know Chen describe him as someone always willing to help out, and say, they're hoping for a miracle. Elon Musk criticizes Republican spending bill Elon Musk has criticized Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful" spending bill, saying it would increase the deficit. The Tesla CEO leads the Department of Government Efficiency, which has been trying to slash (削減) federal spending. Ira Spitzer reports. Colombia Union Strike Blocks Traffic Colombia’s unions have begun a 48-hour strike to support a referendum proposed by President Gustavo Petro to let voters to decide whether to overhaul the country’s labor laws. The work stoppage that began Wednesday was in response to a direct call from Petro. He has argued that Congress is working against the interest of workers by repeatedly blocking his efforts to reform labor regulations. The referendum, whose questions would include whether workdays should be limited to eight hours, has become the crux (難點，關鍵) of long-running tensions between the executive and legislative branches. In the capital, some workers blocked public bus lanes, impeding the movement of thousands of people. Canada Manitoba Declares Emergency Over Wildfire The Canadian province of Manitoba has declared a province-wide state of emergency over a series of wildfires, and Prime Minister Mark Carney has agreed to send in the military to help. Manitoba's premier says the fires have forced 17-thousand people across several communities to flee. He calls it the largest such exodus (大批人的）退出，離開) in living memory in the province. Canada’s wildfire season runs May through September. Its worst-ever wildfire season was in 2023, when fires choked much of North America with dangerous smoke for months. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 203-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,539, on turnover of $4.8-billion N-T. Dongyin Township in Matsu Islands joins global Cittaslow network Dongyin Township in the Matsu Islands, known officially as Lienchiang County, has become the seventh place in Taiwan to join the Cittaslow network. The Lienchiang County government says Dongyin qualified for the international Cittaslow movement, which promotes a slower pace of life through a community-centered approach that supports sustainability and counters (對抗、抵銷) the pressures of modern living to improve quality of life. Dongyin will be officially introduced to the Italy-based association on June 21st at the Cittaslow International Assembly in South Korea, with Dongyin officials invited to attend. Six places in Taiwan have received Cittaslow certification, including Hualien County's Fenglin Township in 2014, and Dalin Township in Chiayi County. CWA: Increasing Chances of Rain in Afternoon into Evening The Central Weather Administration is forecasting increasing chances of rain across the island this afternoon heading into the evening, as a frontal system approaches. The CWA says moisture is set to accumulate in the air today, leading to more clouds and sporadic (零星的) showers across northern, central areas as well as the eastern half of Taiwan. Temperatures will also feel muggy, with highs reaching 33 degrees Celsius. And according to the Ministry of the Environment, southeasterly winds may leave western Taiwan with a slightly higher level of pollutants in the air, and ozone concentratiosn are likely to rise in the afternoon. (NS) NPR Sues Trump for Federal Funding Cuts NPR has sued President Donald Trump over his executive order to end federal funding for NPR and PBS - claiming it violates the Constitution. The White House has not immediately responded to the lawsuit (訴訟). Toni Waterman has more. Turkey President Team Working on New Constitution to Remain in Power Turkey's president says he has appointed a team of legal experts to start working on a new constitution which critics say could allow him to remain in power beyond 2028, when his current (目前的) term ends. Erdogan has called for a new constitution, arguing that the current one, which was drafted following a military coup in 1980, is outdated and retains elements of military influence. He said Tuesday he had appointed 10 legal experts to draft a new charter. The effort comes months after the popular mayor of Istanbul and key Erdogan rival was arrested and jailed on corruption charges that are widely viewed as politically motivated. Netherlands Hals Paintings Returned A pair of paintings by Dutch Golden Age master Frans Hals, possibly depicting his own children, are returning to the Netherlands after more than a century overseas in the hands of private owners. “Boy Playing the Violin” and “Girl Singing,” were bought at auction Monday for $7.8 million by the Frans Hals Museum and the Mauritshuis museum, with financial support from the Dutch government and a group of foundations. Painted around 1628, the works are seen as an important part of the country’s cultural heritage (遺產) and as especially interesting because Hals may have used his own children as models. The museums will alternate showing the works, but will always keep the two together. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 45-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,492 on turnover of $2.9-billion N-T. Taiwan-China interactions continue despite stalled talks: MAC head Mainland Affairs Council head Chiu Chui-cheng says Taiwan and China still maintain some level of interaction, even though official dialogue has stalled. In an interview,Chiu said interactions with China are being carried out in line with the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area. Chiu acknowledged that maintaining "normal dialogue" is currently difficult because Taiwan will never accept China's demand to treat the "1992 Consensus," based on the "One China principle," as a precondition (前提). Nevertheless, Chiu said some interaction continues between the MAC and China's Taiwan Affairs Office, as well as between the semi-official SEF and its Chinese counterpart, the Beijing-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits. Chiu also says individuals across the Strait, including Taiwanese businesspeople, scholars and journalists, frequently travel between the two sides and share information. World Masters Games' closing ceremony The closing ceremony of the 2025 World Masters Games will take place on the evening of May 30 at the New Taipei City Art Museum, featuring a star-studded lineup and spectacular visuals. New Taipei officials said the ceremony will begin at 7:00 p.m. and blend music, light, and live performances. To complement (為…增色) the artistic setting, the outdoor area will feature four major art installations highlighting the magic of light. And a 4.5-minute fireworks display will also light up the night sky, with popular band Energy headlining the event with a 20-minute finale performance. EU Trade Negotiator on US Talks A European Union official says he has had good trade talks with the Trump administration. AP correspondent Mike Hempen reports Amnesty Accuses M23 Rebels of War Crimes Human rights group Amnesty International accused the M23 rebels in eastern Congo of killing, torturing and forcibly disappearing civilian detainees in two rebel-controlled cities. Amnesty says “these acts violate (違反) international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.” The decades-long conflict in eastern Congo escalated in January. The Rwanda-backed M23 advanced and seized the strategic city of Goma in North Kivu province followed by Bukavu in February. Amnesty said that between February and April it interviewed 18 civilians who had been unlawfully detained by M23. They reported suffering brutal beatings and harsh detention conditions while their relatives were denied access to the detention sites. Canada King Charles Visit Britain's King Charles III has arrived in Ottawa on a visit that Canada’s leader says will underscore (強調) his nation’s sovereignty. The king and Queen Camilla were greeted at the airport by Mark Carney, Canada's new prime minister, along with Canada's first Indigenous governor general, Mary Simon. Aside from meeting privately with Carney, the king is scheduled to deliver the speech from the throne, which outlines the government’s agenda for the new Parliament. The king is the head of state in Canada, which is a member of the British Commonwealth of former colonies. King Charles will return to the U.K. after today’s speech and a visit to Canada’s National War Memorial. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 75-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,578 on turnover of $3.6-billion N-T. Shares in Taiwan closed slightly lower Friday as contract chipmaker TSMC recovered earlier losses, while cautious market sentiment persisted amid a spike in U.S. Treasury yields and concerns over rising debt in the world's largest economy. Old economy stocks appeared mixed amid concerns over volatility in the U.S. markets due to rising debt. MOTC: unlicensed drivers to face tougher penalties The Minister of Transportation and Communications says, unlicensed driving will be treated similarly to drunk driving under a new draft amendment. Minister Chen Shi Kai said that new proposed (建議的) penalties, which the ministry has been working on since last year, include unlimited fines for repeat offenders, and the immediate impounding of vehicles. Car owners who allow unlicensed drivers to operate their vehicles will also face harsh (嚴厲的) penalties, according to the minister. Chen also emphasized that the MOTC does not plan to ban older people from driving, rather they hope to ensure that older drivers can drive more safely. Those draft amendments are scheduled to be submitted to the Executive Yuan for approval by the end of next month. Current rules limit fines for unlicensed motorists and motorcyclists at NT$24,000, with repeat offenses within a five-year period receiving the maximum fine and a driving ban. US Embassy in Israel Attacker Detained A U.S. German citizen is under arrest for attempting (試圖) to firebomb the U.S. embassy in Israel. AP correspondent Julie Walker reports Russia Ukraine Complete Prisoner Swap Russia and Ukraine have swapped hundreds more prisoners of war, the third and last part of a major swap and a rare moment of cooperation in otherwise failed efforts to reach a ceasefire. The exchange on Sunday saw each side bring home 303 more soldiers, after each released a total of 307 combatants and civilians on Saturday, and 390 on Friday. The swap was the biggest since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and came just hours after Ukraine's capital of Kyiv and other regions came under a massive (大量的) Russian drone-and-missile attack that killed at least 12 people and injured dozens. Ukrainian officials sad the attack was the largest aerial assault of the war. France 2nd Major Power Outage A second major power outage has hit southeastern France, this time in the city of Nice, after a suspected arson damaged an electrical facility. Police currently have not established a link between Sunday's blackout and a power outage on Saturday that disrupted the city of Cannes during the closing day of its renown film festival. The Nice blackout started around 2 a.m. and left some 45-thousand households without electricity. The city’s trams stopped and power was briefly (短暫地) cut to the airport during its overnight closure hours. Power was fully restored by 5:30 a.m. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 95-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,766 on turnover of $4.5-billion N-T. Keelung City councilor receives suspended sentence for corruption The Keelung District Court has handed Keelung City Councilor Chang Hao-han a suspended sentence after finding his guilty of embezzling public funds. The court found the D-P-P city councilor guilty of fraudulently claiming 782,000 N-T by falsifying the salary of his office assistant and registering his mother as a phantom (虛假的) employee. However, the court cited Chang's admission of guilt and return of the illicit gains - handing him prison sentence of 24 months - suspended for five years. He remains a Keelung city councilor The court ruling can be appealed. Cannes Critics' Week honors 'Left-Handed Girl' Director Tsou Shih-ching's "Left-Handed Girl" has won the Gan Foundation Award for Distribution at the Cannes Critics' Week. The award is intended to support the French release of a first or second feature film by a new director. Speaking in Cannes after receiving the award, Tsou said the film drew on her many memories from Taiwan, including tense relationships in a traditional family and quiet everyday acts of resistance (反抗) that often went unnoticed. EU Leaders Urge Reinterpretation of Human Rights Convention Leaders of 9 European Union countries say they want a reinterpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights in order to better tackle (對付，處理) irregular migration to the continent and effectively increase deportations. The open letter signed by the leaders of Italy, Denmark, Lithuania Poland and others was made public in Rome late Thursday. It argues that some of the European Court of Human Rights interpretations have limited national governments’ ability to expel a minority of migrants who commit crimes. The European Court of Human Rights handles complaints against the 46-member states of the Council of Europe, under the European Convention on Human Rights, including many cases involving migrants and asylum-seekers. UK Chagos Handover to Mauritius The UK will hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to the country of Mauritius. That's despite a last-minute injunction (禁令) to stop the plan, which was overturned shortly later by England's High Court. Stuart Smith reports. Panama Venezuela Resume Commercial Flights The Panamanian Civil Aviation Authority says that Panama and Venezuela will resume commercial flights nearly a year after suspending them when they broke off diplomatic relations. Venezuela pulled its diplomatic representation from Panama last July after Panama President Jose Raul Mulino refused to recognize (承認) Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro’s reelection. Earlier Thursday, Mulino said during his weekly news briefing that he had received a letter from Venezuela, but that he hadn’t immediately read it. Mulino did say, however, that it would be in Panama’s interest to resume flights, though he said he also wanted Venezuela to agree to receive Venezuelan migrants deported from Panama. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 70-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,733 on turnover of 3.4-billion N-T. The market made solid gains on Wednesday - as investor interest in large-cap tech and financial stocks resumed following several sessions of consolidation. Market watchers say the gains came as Wall Street has held-up better than expected after Moody's downgraded America's credit rating, which has helped to restore (恢復) investor confidence. Optimism surrounding the A-I boom has been encouraged by announcements at Computex in Taipei this week - which lifted the electronics sub-index by 1.45-per cent during yesterday's session. AIT director optimistic about Taiwan-US tariff talks American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene is expressing his optimism about ongoing trade negotiations between Taipei and Washington. According to Greene, he's confident that ultimately the talks will create a system that is much fairer to American workers, but also one that benefits ( 對……有益) major trading partners, especially trading partners like Taiwan. The A-I-T director is refusing to offer any specifics on the bilateral talks - saying only, the discussions are going quite smoothly. However, Greene says bilateral ties between Taiwan and the U-S remain "extremely robust," despite concerns from some in Taiwan that relations will be overshadowed by the tariffs. MOE announces guidelines for schools mobile device ban The Ministry of Education has announced a series of draft guidelines aimed at governing the use of mobile devices in schools. The guidleines have been released a week after Education Minister Cheng Ying-yao said schools will ban students from bringing phones or other mobile devices into classrooms beginning in September. According to the education ministry, the policy for elementary and junior-high schools takes into consideration that they are considered minors and they will need permission (許可) from a parent or legal guardian to bring a mobile device on campus. High schools will have more flexible rules. Under those rules… students, parents and teachers will jointly decide on how to set the regulations for mobile device use on campus. Mideast latest In world news… The U.N. says it is trying to get the desperately needed aid that has entered Gaza this week into the hands of Palestinians. There are delays because of fears of looting and Israeli military restrictions. Over in the West Bank, shots were fired near diplomats visiting the contested region… With more on that, here's Haya Panjwani… Iran won't stop enriching uranium: Tehran Iran’s top diplomat is insisting that Tehran will never stop enriching uranium. It further underlines the Islamic Republic’s red line in negotiations with the United States over its rapidly advancing (進步) nuclear program. The comments Wednesday by Iran's foreign minister come after multiple rounds of talks between the two nations. Iran’s foreign ministry later confirmed it has agreed to take part in the next round of talks Friday in Rome. U-S officials including President Donald Trump and Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff maintain that Iran must give up enrichment — something it didn’t do in its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 77-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,603 on turnover of 2.3-billion N-T. The market closed flat on Tuesday as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing saw its early gains eroded due to stiff resistance ahead of the critical 1,000 N-T per share mark - despite the opening of Computex in Taipei. Lai calls Beijing an 'aggressor' that threatens peace President Lai Ching-te has marked the first anniversary of his taking office by holding a press conference during which he accused Beijing of being an "aggressor" by threatening peace across the Taiwan Strait. However, despite branding China as an "aggressor," Lai also reiterated his openness to continuing exchanges and collaborations with China provided that each side treats the other equally and with respect. According to Lai, he remains willing to "engage in dialogue instead of confrontation" and work with China toward peace and prosperity. Lai also told reporters that many countries, including Taiwan, are under the threat of aggressors - but Taiwan is, on the contrary, committed to pursuing (追求) peace. CDC reporting 88% rise in COVID outpatients and emergency visits The Centers for Disease Control is reporting an 88.2-per cent weekly increase in the number of COVID outpatient and emergency visits last week. According to the C-D-C, there were 19,097 outpatient and emergency visits from between May 11 and 17. Although that figure is up from the previous week, it was still lower than same period of last year. C-D-C Deputy Director-General Philip Luo says the current COVID outbreak will peak in mid-to-late June, when weekly outpatient and emergency visits reach between 55,000 and 65,000 and it will continue through the end of July. SA president to meet Trump on Wednesday amid deteriorating relations South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is due to meet his US counterpart Donald Trump today. The crunch talks come amid ideological (思想) differences, geopolitical alliances, and domestic policy conflicts. Kate Fisher reports from Washington UN Sounds Warning on Colombia Indigenous Groups The United Nations human rights office in Colombia says that five Indigenous groups in northern Colombia’s mountain range face “physical and cultural” extinction. The UN says this threat stems from armed group conflicts over their territory and insufficient (不足的) state protection. Colombia’s representative for the UN High Commissioner for Human Right says the risk of physical and cultural extinction of Indigenous People of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is “an ongoing (持續存在的) tragedy that we can and must prevent.” He urged the Colombian government to protect the Indigenous groups, whose combined population is approximately 55-thousand people. In 2022, UNESCO added the ancestral knowledge of these Indigenous groups to its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 107-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,631 on turnover of 4.4-billion N-T. The market moved sharply lower on Monday amid investor concerns about volatility on Wall Street after Moody's Ratings downgraded the sovereign credit rating for the United States - citing the Trump administration's growing budget deficit. National Human Rights Museum holds White Terror Memorial Day ceremony The National Human Rights Museum has held a ceremony for White Terror Memorial Day. The event was held at the Jing-mei White Terror Memorial Park in New Taipei and marked the 76th anniversary of the declaration of martial law in 1949 by Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist government. More than 100 people attended the ceremony and the event included a dramatization (戲劇化) of victim experiences and readings of names, along with a recitation of the "519 Prayer of Remembrance" written by White Terror victim Chen Lieh. Guest laid flowers at the monument in tribute to the victims and pro-democracy activists and women's rights also used the occasion to call on the government to designate May 19 as a national holiday. Jensen Huang announces 'Beitou Shilin' as new Nvidia office site Nvidia C-E-O Jensen Huang has announced that his company has selected "Beitou Shilin" in Taipei for its new new overseas headquarters. He announced the decision during his keynote Computex speech at the Taipei Music Center - saying it will be called the "Nvidia Constellation." The statement brings to an end months of speculation regarding where Nvidia would locate (定位) its new oversea headquarters. The Taipei City Government had offered the company other sites, while the New Taipei and Taoyuan governments were also hoping the tech giant would choose locations in their cities. Trump Says Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Will Begin "immediately" US President Donald Trump says negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will begin "immediately (立即地)" on ending the war in Ukraine. Sagher Meghani reports WHO Appeals for Funding The World Health Organization chief has appealed to member countries to support its “extremely modest” request for a $2.1 billion annual budget. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the point by putting that sum into perspective next to outlays for ad campaigns for tobacco or the cost of war. He told the WHO’s annual assembly on Monday that $2.1 billion is the equivalent (相等的，等值的) of global military expenditure every 8 hours, or the price of one stealth bomber. WHO has presented a budget for the next two years that is 22% less than originally planned, largely in response to U.S. and other Western funding cuts. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 57-points this morning from Friday's close, at 21,786 on turnover of 4.7-billion N-T. This morning's decline comes after main board closed higher on Friday as rotational buying in the non-tech sector lent support to the broader market. However, many major electronics stocks, excluding Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing weakened due to profit-taking. Landslides disrupt rail traffic in Hualien The Taiwan Railway Corporation says normal services on East Coast Line in Hualien will resume at noon today. The statement comes after the Chongde-Renhe section of the line was temporarily (暫時地) closed after after landslides caused by heavy rain swept soil over the tracks. The rail network operator says it sent work crews to the site yesterday evening to carry out repair work. Prmier Cho Jung-tai has taken to Facebook to say he's instructed the railway corporation to put "safety first" as the top priority and restore normal operation as soon as possible. Man suspected of killing Hualien teacher in church dorm arrested Police in Hualien have arrested a suspect wanted in connection with the killing of a female junior high school teacher. According to police, the suspect was arrested while attempting (企圖) to commit suicide in a wooded along the coast. The killing occured on Saturday - with police saying they received a report about the suspected death of a tenant in a rental room in a dormitory of a local church. The suspect was also a member of the same church. Authorities say they managed to track the man after reviewing surveillance camera footage of the area around the dormitory. Israel Eli Cohen Belongings Retrieved Israel has retrieved thousands of items belonging to the country’s most famous spy after a covert operation in Syria. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared some of the 2,500 items from the Syrian archive relating to Eli Cohen, an Israeli spy who infiltrated the political echelon in Syria, with Cohen’s widow. Sunday marked 60 years since Cohen was hanged in a square in Damascus. The items recently spirited into Israel include documents, recordings, photos, and items collected by Syrian intelligence after his capture in January 1965, letters in his own handwriting to his family in Israel, photographs of his activity during his operational mission (任務) in Syria and personal objects. Trump Parade Preparations are underway for a military parade to mark U-S leader Donald Trump's birthday in June. The event which will include 150 vehicles, 50 warplanes and the participation (參與) of more than 6,600 soldiers -- is at the center of controversy… Sagar Meghani reports. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 1.6-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,732 on turnover of $3.5-billion N-T. MAC ban two Chinese nationals from World Masters Games The Mainland Affairs Council has denied two Chinese nationals registered for the upcoming World Masters Games entry onto Taiwan - citing concerns that they intended to disrupt the event with political messages. According to the council spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh, his office received reports of such planned actions from members of the public here in Taiwan, who have said some Chinese participants plan to use the event to push political agendas. Liang says the two banned individuals are suspected of planning to display the Chinese national flag and advocate (主張、提倡) for unification with Taiwan by force - and as such, his office had no choice but to reject their entry. However, the council spokesman also says that despite the two athletes being denied entry, it has approved entry permits for 371 other Chinese nationals to take part in the Games. The World Masters Games begins tomorrow in Taipei and New Taipei. US judge dismisses charges against migrants caught in military zone A federal judge has dismissed charges against nearly 100 migrants arrested for trespassing (非法侵入) on a newly declared US military zone on the border of the state of New Mexico. The ruling adds to the growing legal uncertainty surrounding President Trump's expansion (擴張) of military authority at the southern border. Ira Spitzer reports. Congo Soldiers Transferred to Goma Over a thousand disarmed Congolese soldiers and police officers, along with their families have safely been transferred from the rebel-controlled city of Goma in eastern Congo to the capital Kinshasa over the last two weeks. On Thursday, the International Committee of the Red Cross said it helped escort the 1,359 disarmed members of the government forces. The soldiers and police officers had been taking refuge at a United Nations base since January, when the decades-long conflict in eastern Congo escalated (加劇) as the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels seized the strategic Goma. The news of the successful transfer comes amid persistent tensions in eastern Congo, where fighting between Congo’s army and M23 continues. Pope Meets with Greek Church Head Pope Leo XIV has met at the Vatican with the head of the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine. It was one of his first audiences as pontiff that reaffirmed his appeal (上訴) for a peaceful, negotiated end to Russia’s war. His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk said he invited Leo to visit Ukraine and presented the pope with a list of prisoners held by Russia. The Vatican under Pope Francis had worked for prisoner exchanges, as well as for the return of Ukrainian children taken to live in Russian-occupied territories. The Vatican didn’t release any statement after the audience, one of the first private audiences held by Leo since his election May 8. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 6-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,777 on turnover of $9.4-billion N-T. The market made solid gains on Wednesday, adding more than 450-points on the back of continuing upwards momentum for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing - which neared the 1,000 N-T mark following an overnight rally for tech stocks on Wall Street. Market watchers says local electronic and tech stocks are getting a boost this week ahead of Computex 2025 - which begins next Tuesday - and that has prompted investors to pick up A-I related tech stocks on the hopes of positive leads from the annual tech show in Taipei. Education minister to ban cellphones from classrooms Education Minister Cheng Ying-yao has announced that schools will ban students from bringing phones or other mobile devices in to classrooms beginning in September. According to Cheng, his office will soon released a series of guidelines authorizing teachers to take away such devices from students' for the duration of classes and store them in a centralized (集中) location. Cheng says the education ministry has been working on finallizing the guidelines since March and has held talks with experts, officials, civil society groups and educators as to how best to carry out the policy. The education minister says the move is due to what he's describing as "endemic gadget use on campuses." The new rules will apply to classrooms at elementary schools, junior high schools and high schools. However, the education minister say there will be some exceptions to the rules, especially in situations where the policy cannot be fully implemented. Israeli Strikes Kill 70 in Gaza Hospitals and health officials say Israeli airstrikes have pounded northern and southern Gaza and killed at least 70 people. The strikes came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was “no way” he would halt Israel’s offensive in the Palestinian territory before Hamas is defeated. There had been widespread hope that U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East could usher in a ceasefire deal or renewal (復興，更新) of humanitarian aid to Gaza. An Israeli blockade of the territory is now in its third month. Putin Not Attending Peace Talks The Kremlin has confirmed that President Putin will not be attending the peace talks due to take place in Istanbul on Thursday. Vladimir Putin proposed May 15 should be the next date for mediation (調解) between Ukraine and Russia - and the Ukrainian president then offered to meet for one-on-one talks, which the Russian president has now decided not to attend. Ross Cullen has more from Istanbul. SAfrica Gecko Rediscovered Researchers who were dropped off by helicopter in a largely inaccessible and remote canyon in South Africa say they have discovered a type of gecko that hadn’t been seen in more than 30 years and was thought to be extinct. Some doubted the species ever existed at all. But the Endangered Wildlife Trust says two of its researchers have found and photographed specimens of the Blyde Rondavel flat gecko, which was identified for the first and only time previously in 1991. Mystery had surrounded the little lizard for three decades until the two researchers made their breakthrough (突破) last month. The Endangered Wildlife Trust said the data they collected, including tissue samples, should allow them to confirm it is a distinct species. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Lawmakers passes bill extending potential lifespan of nuclear plants Child welfare foundation apologizes after infant death sentencing Israel won't halt war in Gaza Trump Mideast trip overshadowed by Qatar plane Cannes Film Festival Opening Day -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 344-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,474 on turnover of 12.1-billion N-T. The market closed higher on Monday as investor sentiment improved after the U-S said trade talks with China yielded "substantial progress." Buying focused on the bellwether electronics sector, with the tech sector attracting significant buying to close the day up 1.17-per cent, to serv as a major diver to the main board's overall rise. AIT touts Taiwan companies as being 'critical' to Trump'sre-industrialization goals. American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene says Taiwanese companies will be "critical" to the achievement of U-S President Donald Trump's goal of re-industrializing the United States. Speaking at a reception for an investment summit in Maryland, Greene said just as Taiwan's companies were crucial to the industrialization of China 30 years ago, Taiwan companies will be just as critical to (關鍵的) achieving President Trump's mission for re-industrializing the United States. Cabinet Secretary-General Kung Ming-hsin is leading the delegation to the U-S this week to attend the 2025 SelectUSA summit. The delegation also includes representatives from industries, including information and communications technology, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and aerospace. MOTC to announce car window tinting regulations next month The Ministry of Transport has announced that it will be releasing new regulations regarding the use of window films for cars next month. According to Deputy Transport Minister Chen Yen-po, the rules are being implemented due concerns about the lack of mandatory standards for window tinting. Speaking at a legislative hearing, Chen said said the use of window film has raised safety concerns and the Highway Bureau has drafted guidelines based on road conditions and public safety needs. The deputy transport minister went on to say that enforcement of the rules for new vehicles will begin next year and there will be penalties (處罰) for car owners who fail to adhere to the new guidelines. WH Press Corps Protests Absence from Air Force One White House correspondents are protesting the lack of wire reporters (記者) on Air Force One AP's Lisa Dwyer reports Australia Cabinet Sworn In Australia’s Cabinet has been was sworn into office after the center-left Labor Party was reelected in a landslide May 3. The Cabinet had their first meeting Tuesday following their swearing-in ceremony. Labor expects to hold between 92 and 95 seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives. The party held 78 seats in the previous Parliament. The conservative opposition alliance is on track to win 41 seats in one of its worst election results. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese plans to fly to Jakarta tomorrow to meet Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. He then intends to fly from Indonesia to Rome to attend (出席) the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV on Sunday. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 81-points this morning from Friday's close, at 20,996 on turnover of 4.6-billion N-T. The market gained ground last Friday as it moved closer the challenging at 21,000-point mark. The rise after after the U-S Federal Reserve left its main interest rate unchanged overnight and as investors were pinning their hopes (把希望寄托在…上) on weekend trade talks between China and the U-S. Tsai talks Taiwan and Lithuania standing united in defending democracy Former President Tsai Ing-wen is expressed here gratitude to Lithuania over its support for Taiwan - saying that both countries are united as partners (合作夥伴) in defending democracy. Tsai arrived in Lithuania on Saturday and what is her first visit to the Baltic state Speaking at a reception organized by the Lithuania-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, Tsai said while she was Taiwan's president she received visits from many Lithuanian friends in Taiwan … …. and believes that Taiwan and Lithuania share similar fates as both are neighbors to authoritarian countries. Tsai will head to Denmark next to attend to the Copenhagen Democracy Summit. Taipei's Yongkang Street pedestrianized on weekends through June 10 A trial pedestrian zone has been launched in Taipei's Yongkang Street this past weekend. The trial will run on weekends through June 10 and sees the popular road closed to most vehicles. The Taipei City Government says the aim (目的) is to promote a more pedestrian-friendly environment. The campaign limits vehicle access from 2 to 8PM on Saturdays and Sundays and covers approximately 250 meters of Yongkang Street, and includes nearby alleys around the popular tourist destination. Hamas to Release US Hostage Hamas says the last living American hostage in Gaza will be released as part of efforts to establish a ceasefire, reopen crossings into the Israeli-blockaded territory and resume aid delivery. Two Hamas officials tell The Associated Press they expect the release of Edan Alexander in the next 48 hours. U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff is confirming in a message to the AP that Hamas has agreed to release Alexander as a good will gesture toward Trump. The announcement of the first hostage release since Israel shattered (擊毀) a ceasefire in March comes shortly before Trump visits the Middle East this week. Alexander is an Israeli-American soldier who grew up in the United States. Iran US in 4th Round of Nuclear Program Negotiations Iran and US conclude a fourth round of negotiations (談判) over Tehran's nuclear program in Oman AP correspondent Donna Warder reports Pope Leo Calls for Ceasefires and Peace Pope Leo XIV has called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza with the release of hostages and delivery of humanitarian aid. In his first Sunday noon blessing as pontiff, Leo said, “Never again war!” from St. Peter’s Basilica to an estimated 100,000 people below. Recalling the end of World War II 80 years ago, Leo quoted Pope Francis in denouncing the number of conflicts ravaging (摧殘) the globe today, saying it was a “third world war in pieces.” The 69-year-old Chicago-born missionary was elected 267th pope on Thursday. He has a busy week of audiences before his formal installation Mass Sunday. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 147-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 20,691 on turnover of $4.8-billion N-T. Shares in Taiwan saw earlier gains erased to close little changed Thursday as contract chipmaker TSMC suffered last-ditch selling amid lingering concerns over the possibility of tariffs threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump. Non-tech stocks largely moved in weakness, but so-called "military concept stocks continued to attract rotational buying as aircraft maintenance services provider Air Asia Co. soared 10 percent, the maximum daily increase. Analysts say caution about Trump's tariffs on semiconductors remain, prompting (推動) investors to lock in profits with TSMC as their major target. Taiwan and Estonia sign MOUs on aerospace and defense collaboration A Taiwanese business delegation has signed two memoranda of understanding with Estonia to facilitate collaboration between aerospace and defense industries. According to the Taipei Mission in the Republic of Latvia, the delegation signed the M-O-Us with the Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association and the Estonia Aviation Cluster in Tallinn. Taiwan's top envoy to Estonia, Andrew Lee is describing the signing of the deals as an important step for collaboration (合作) between the two countries - and one that opens a new chapter for collaboration between the two countries on drones, aerospace and related industries. The delegation to Estonia was led by Hu Kai-hong of the Taiwan Excellence Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance. Israel Closes UNRWA Schools Israel has closed six U.N. schools in east Jerusalem, forcing students to leave early and throwing the education of more than 800 students into question. Last month, heavily armed Israeli police and Education Ministry officials ordered six schools in east Jerusalem to close within 30 days. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, called UNRWA, runs the six schools. UNRWA also runs schools in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which continue to operate. Israel claims that UNRWA schools teach antisemitic content and anti-Israel sentiment (觀點), which UNRWA denies. US FEMA Head Dismissed The acting director of the US's Federal Emergency Management Agency is out of a job, a day after he told lawmakers he didn't support disbanding the disaster relief agency. US President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have both recently suggested the agency known as FEMA should be eliminated (廢止). Ira Spitzer reports. Peru Elated on Election of Pope Peruvians are elated after a Catholic cardinal who spent years guiding the faithful in the South American country was elected pope. Pope Leo XIV, elected Thursday, is a dual citizen of the United States and Peru, where he first served as a missionary and then as an archbishop. That made him the first pope from each country. In Peru’s capital, Lima, the bells of the cathedral rang after Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was announced as Pope Francis’ successor. People outside the church quickly expressed their desire (希望，想要) for a papal visit at one point. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 13-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 20,559 on turnover of 1.8-billion N-T. The market closed slightly higher on Wednesday despite market sentiment turning cautious ahead of the outcome of the U-S Federal Reserve's two-day policymaking meeting. Market watchers say many investors preferred (寧可) to stay on the sidelines waiting for the results of the Fed's meeting, but Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing attracted last ditch buying to recoup its earlier losses. Ministry halts plan to open 6 jobs categories to foreign students The Ministry of Labor has paused a plan to revise regulations that would have allowed foreign students who have graduated from Taiwan universities to work in six types of intermediate-skilled jobs. The pause comes after the ministry in March first introduced the plan to tackle (處理) labor shortages. The plan covered amendments to regulation allowing such foreign students to take employment as assistant nurses, intercity and city bus drivers and safety management system personnel, inventory clerks, cargo vehicle drivers and cargo vehicle driving assistants. The amended regulations do not include those provisions. Government says data shows pedestrian traffic accident-related fatalities dropping The Ministry of Transport says Taiwan's roads are becoming significantly safer for pedestrians - as it recorded the lowest traffic fatality rate in over six years between January and February. According to the ministry, there 469 fatalities in the first two months of this year, representing the lowest 30-day death toll since 2019. Of that number, there were 62 pedestrian-related deaths - and that's a record low since the government began tracking that specific category of traffic fatalities (死亡) in 2008. Government data terms of counties and cities, shows that Tainan saw the greatest increase in traffic-related deaths compared with last year, while Yunlin County recorded the highest increase in the number of pedestrian deaths. India-Pakistan on edge as their militaries exchange gunfire Indian army says at least one soldiers has died as gunfire and bombing continue on India Pakistan border. The region remains tense (繃緊的) a day after India fired missiles into Pakistani territory - aimed it says at terrorist infrastructure. Islamabad has now asked its army to carry out corresponding action. Ishan Garg tells us more. Venezuela Acknowledges Opposition Leaving Argentine Diplomatic Compound Venezuela’s government has acknowledged for the first time that members of the country’s opposition left the Argentine diplomatic compound where they had sheltered for over a year. But it has denied that their arrival to the United States occurred under an international rescue operation as characterized by the political faction and the U.S. State Department. Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello on Wednesday said the group’s movements were negotiated with the government and further alleged that one of the six people who entered the Argentine ambassador’s residence in March left the compound in August, contradicting (（與…）相矛盾) earlier statements from the opposition. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 52-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 20,575 on turnover of 5.7-billion N-T. The market closed slightly lower on Tuesday as investors remained concerned over possible American tariffs on semiconductor imports. The main board rallied early in the session, but selling set in and escalated late in the trading day, with large cap semiconductor stocks in focus, to push the Tai-Ex into negative territory. Central bank to inspect banks to prevent forex market speculation The central bank says it will begin inspections into the local banking sector to discourage speculators from targeting the foreign exchange market and to ease volatility. The move comes as the New Taiwan dollar rapidly appreciated against the U-S dollar earlier this week. Foreign media reports have said the central bank has suffered losses of 2-trillion N-T since the beginning of May due to the alleged speculating (做投機買賣). However, Foreign Exchange Department head Tsai Jiong-min says the bottom line remained sound so the volatility in the forex market will not affect the bank's ability to pay its profits to the national treasury. KMT referendum bills placed on agenda at Legislature Friday Two K-M-T proposed referendums have been placed on the agenda of the legislative plenary session scheduled for Friday for discussion before being put to a vote. One of the proposals calls for a national referendum against the abolition of the death penalty, while the other asks for a vote in opposition to martial law in Taiwan after President Lai Ching-te in March proposed reinstating (恢復) military trials. The push for the two proposals comes after the expiration of the one-month negotiation period required for bills involving interparty disputes before proceeding to a second reading. India Airstrikes in Pakistan Days after 26 people were killed in a terror attack in Indian administered Kashmir, New Delhi says it has hit 'terrorist infrastructure' in Pakistan. India has defended the strikes, targeting nine locations across Pakistan and Pakistan administered Kashmir, calling its response 'measured (慎重的), responsible and designed to be non-escalatory in nature' Neha Poonia has more. Venezuela Opposition Leaves Argentina Diplomatic Compound Five members of Venezuela’s political opposition have left the Argentine diplomatic compound in their country’s capital, Caracas, where they had sheltered for more than a year to avoid arrest. and were in the United States on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the group is now in the United States. Rubio did not provide details of the group’s movements to reach the U.S., but he described the event as a rescue operation. The official states that “The U.S. welcomes the successful rescue of all hostages (人質) held by the Maduro regime at the Argentinian Embassy in Caracas,” The government of Argentine President Javier Milei allowed the five people into the ambassador’s residence in March 2024. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 179-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 20,353 on turnover of 3.7-billion N-T. The market closed sharply lower on Monday with export-oriented tech stocks in focus as the New Taiwan dollar continued its rapid appreciation (上漲) against the U-S dollar, which raised concerns over large foreign exchange losses. FDA defends unchanged policy on ractopamine checks The Food and Drug Administration is defending its decision to not strengthen random inspections for ractopamine in pork products despite detecting residues of the leanness-enhancer in imported pork from Australia It's the first time that ractopamine has been found in imported pork since the ban on it was lifted in 2021. According to the F-D-A, a shipment of 22.99 metric tons of pork items from Australia tested positive for 0.001-parts per million of ractopamine - and that figure is well within the F-D-A's standards for ractopamine limits. The F-D-A says random inspections for qualified products will not be strengthened - as all products that qualify for importation will not harm human health even they are consumed (吃，喝) every day or for a lifetime. Magnitude 5.9 earthquake in Hualien the 'main shock' The Central Weather Administration's Seismological Center says Monday evening's magnitude 5.9 earthquake that struck about 33-kilometers off the coast of Hualien City was the "main shock" in a series of quakes in the area. The magnitude 5.9 earthquake that struck at 6:53PM and was felt across much of the island. However, prior to that, six other earthquakes of greater than magnitude of 4 occurred in the same area. Seismological Center director Wu Jien-fu says the quakes were all part of the same series (系列) and that a magnitude 5.5 temblor that struck at 6:09PM was a "foreshock" to 5.9 magnitude quake. According to Wu, aftershocks in the magnitudes of between 5 and 5.5 range could occur in the coming three days. US Opponents Blast Trump's Plans for Alcatraz US president Donald Trump says he plans to reopen the notorious Alcatraz prison in the San Francisco Bay to house what he called "America's most ruthless and violent Offenders." Local officials immediately criticized the plan as unfeasible (不可行的). Ira Spitzer reports from San Francisco. Canada Alberta Referendum on Separation The premier of Alberta says she will hold a referendum next year on the energy rich province separating from Canada if citizens gather the required number of signatures on a petition. Speaking on a livestream address, Danielle Smith said she personally does not support the province leaving Canada and expressed hope of a “path forward” for a strong and sovereign Alberta within a united Canada. Smith accused previous federal Liberal governments of introducing different legislations that hamstring Alberta’s ability to produce and export oil, which she said has cost the province billions of dollars. The announcement comes just one week after Prime Minister Mark Carney led the Liberal Party to a fourth consecutive (連續的) federal government. It also comes as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to threaten Canada with tariffs and talk of the country becoming the 51st state. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 51-points this morning from Friday's close, at 20,839 on turnover of 6.8-billion N-T. The market closed up more than 500 points on Friday, led by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, after strong earnings from two major U-S tech giants overnight eased concerns about A-I demand despite U-S tariff disruptions. Inspection rules unchanged despite 1st ractopamine pork import: The Food and Drug Administration says it will keep current pork import inspection procedures in place. The statement comes despite the agency detecting ractopamine in imported pork for the first time since the ban on the leanness-enhancer was lifted in 2021. According to the F-D-A, pork imports will continue to undergo between 2 and 10-per cent batch inspections. The F-D-A says a 22.99-metric-ton shipment from Australia on April 29 tested positive for 0.001 parts per million of ractopamine -- well below the legal threshold (界限，水準). MOFA names chief secretary as new envoy to Ireland The secretary general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been named as the Lai administration's new top envoy to Ireland. According to a Cabinet personnel announcement, Daniel Tang will fill the vacancy (空缺) left by his immediate predecessor, Yang Zi-bao - whose resignation has been approved by the Presidential Office. Yang had served as Taiwan's representative to the European country since 2018. Tang has served as the foreign ministry's secretary general since February 2023 and was previously Taiwan's top envoy to South Korea and ambassador to the Marshall Islands. US Trump Iffy on Due Process US President Donald Trump says he doesn't see everyone in the the country getting due process (正當法律程序), as the Constitution states. AP correspondent Donna Warder reports. Nicaragua Withdraws from UNESCO Nicaragua has withdrawn from the U.N. cultural and educational body UNESCO because it awarded a prize celebrating press freedom to a Nicaraguan newspaper, La Prensa. UNESCO’s director general announced she had received a letter Sunday morning from the Nicaraguan government announcing its withdrawal because of the attribution (歸屬) of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. The 2025 award was attributed Saturday to La Prensa on the recommendation (推薦) of an international jury of media professionals. The prize jury hailed the newspaper's work in the face of “severe repression” and reporting from exile to "keep press freedom alive" in the Central American country. Nicaragua’s government, led by President Daniel Ortega and his wife and co-president, Rosario Murillo, has been cracking down on dissent since it violently repressed protests in 2018, claiming they were backed by foreign powers that sought his overthrow. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 299-points this morning from Wednesday's close, at 20,534 on turnover of $8.4-billion N-T. Shares in Taiwan closed little changed Wednesday, as investors remained concerned by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats, especially with a possible tariff on semiconductors expected to be unveiled next week. Contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing bucked the downturn in the bellwether electronics index, with the company pledging (諾言;保證) to invest an additional $100 billion US dollars in the United States. And the financial sector attracted buying to lend support to the broader market. Cabinet passed draft of Youth Basic Law The Cabinet has approved a draft bill aimed at establishing a foundation in to facilitate (促進) youth development and encourage greater youth participation in public affairs. The draft of the Youth Basic Law seeks to provide a general legal framework and establish fundamental principles for the public sector at both central and local-levels to take a "youth perspective" into account and "facilitate youth development." The bill mandates central and local governments establish mechanisms for the participation of young people aged 18 to 35 when developing various policies, regulations and programs. And it states that the central government is required to launch a "youth policy white paper" and update it every four years based on national development goals and societal (社會的) needs. Approval of the draft Youth Basic Law comes after the Youth Development Administration announced that it will be releasing its first "youth policy white paper" as early as February of next year. UN Urges Israel to Lift Gaza Blockade The United Nations’ emergency relief coordinator is urging Israel to lift its blockade of aid into the Gaza Strip. Tom Fletcher said Thursday that the halting of humanitarian aid amounts to “cruel collective punishment (連坐處罰).” Israel has blocked any humanitarian aid from entering the territory since the end of a ceasefire two months ago. That has thrown Gaza into what is believed to be the worst humanitarian crisis in nearly 19 months of war. Israel has said the blockade and its renewed military campaign are intended to pressure Hamas to release the remaining hostages it still holds and to disarm. Trump-appointed judge bars the White House from using war-time law to deport Venezuelans A Trump- appointed judge has barred the White House from using the centuries-old Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans it claims are members of a violent gang. At least 137 people have been deported using the Act - sent to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Toni Waterman has more from Texas. Brazil World's Oldest Person Obit Sister Inah Canabarro, a Brazilian woman who was the world’s oldest person, has died at age 116. Her nun congregation (教徒) said Canabarro died at home Wednesday of natural causes. The wake will take place on Thursday in Porto Alegre, the capital of southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. Canabarro was confirmed in January as the world’s oldest person by LongeviQuest, an organization that tracks supercentenarians (超百歲老人（指110歲以上的人）). She was born in 1908 and would have turned 117 on May 27. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 17-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 20,215on turnover of 4.1-billion N-T. The market moved higher on Tuesday, extending momentum from a session earlier as a technical rebound continued. Buying focused on non-tech stocks, while the electronics sector saw its gains capped after reports that Huawei Technologies is ready to test its newest artificial intelligence chip to rival Nvidia. Narwhal faces sea trial testing delay Navy Chief of Staff Qiu Chun-rong has admitted the first domestically built submarine prototype willl likely miss the date that sea trials were scheduled to begin. The Ministry of National Defense's timeline for the Narwhal to carry out sea trials was supposed to begin in April month and be completed by late September. However, Qiu says the Navy is currently still working on improvements and focusing on reaching the "technology readiness level" required for the vessel (船隻) to carry out sea trials. That statement followed reports of potential testing delays due to voltage surges from a land-based power supply used in testing causing some components in the submarine to fail. CDC warning of rise in COVID cases The Centers for Disease Control is warning in a rise in the number of COVID infections. According to the C-D-C, infections have now risen for three consecutive (連續的) weeks and are likely to peak between May and June. Figures show the number of people visiting hospitals with COVID symptoms increased by 19-per cent last week from the previous (前) week. While 21 cases of severe COVID and seven deaths have been confirmed over the past seven days. C-D-C Deputy Director-General Philip Luo is advising people to get vaccinated and more than 3-million doses of government-funded COVID vaccines are currently available. Canada PM Warning on Trump Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has just won re-election to officially replace former leader Justin Trudeau has warned that the US president is trying to break Canada. Kate Fisher reports from Washington EU Urges Serbia Reforms The European Union’s enlargement commissioner has urged Serbia’s new government to push forward democratic reforms (改革，改進) needed for membership in the bloc, saying that the Balkan nation’s protesting citizens have been seeking similar changes. Marta Kos says the EU wants to embrace Serbia and other candidate countries in the Western Balkans. But she said Serbia must first reform the judiciary in order to fight corruption, ensure freedom of the press and free and fair elections. Marta Kos spoke after meeting Serbia’s new prime minister who has taken over the government earlier this month facing monthslong anti-corruption demonstrations triggered by a train station concrete canopy collapse that killed 16 people in November. Many in Serbia blamed the crash in the northern city of Novi Sad on alleged rampant (猖獗) corruption in the government’s infrastructure deals with China, staging almost daily street protests demanding justice for the victims. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened marginally lower this morning from yesterday's close, at 20,018 on turnover of 2.7-billion N-T. The market moved higher on Monday led by a tech rally on Wall Street at the end of last - and the main board returned to above the 20,000-point mark for the first time since April 2. Market watchers say buying on the Tai-Ex Monday reflected a continued rally on U-S markets, which showed signs of stabilizing after the tariff shocks .. and it's being suggested that the worst result from the tariff impact is now over. CIER calls on government to seek tariff exemption for ICT products The Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research says the government should seek a tariff exemption for the island's information and communications technology products during negotiations with the United States. The statement comes after Washington and Taipei held their first negotiations on April 11 - as the government is seeking to ensure that Taiwan will not face a 32-per cent import duty .. as was announced by the U-S on April 2 .. … before a 90-day pause on that was announced on April 9. Washington and Taipei held their first negotiations on April 11 - as the government seeks to ensure that Taiwan will not face hefty tariffs on exports to the U-S market. Centenarian shuttler to compete in World Masters Games The Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism has annouced that a centenarian badminton player will be representing Taiwan at the upcoming World Masters Games. According to city government, 104-year old Lin Yu-mao is one of more than 2,000 athletes aged 65 and above who will be competing in the games. Lin is the Guinness World Records-certified oldest badminton player. Fifteen World Masters Games participants are aged 90 and over, including eight from Taiwan. The oldest participant at this year's quadrennial (四年一次) athletics event is a Thai track and field athlete who is 105 years old. The 2025 World Masters Games is taking place in Taipei and New Taipei from May 17 through 31. Canada Polls Open in National Election Polls are open in Canada's national election, with the ruling Liberal Party favored to win by a narrow margin. The vote comes as Canadians grapple with high living costs, and tensions (緊張局勢) with a confrontational US President, who has made controversial comments about Canada's future. Mitch McCann reports: Brazil Supreme Court Order on Illegal Seizing of Land A justice on Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered the federal government to seize private properties when owners are found responsible for illegal wildfires or deforestation. In addition, authorities must seek compensation from landowners responsible for illegal and intentional (故意的) destruction. The ruling also directed the government to block regularization, a process by which illegally-acquired land becomes legal. The expectation of regularization has been one of the main drivers of deforestation in the Amazon. Land-grabbers clear land in the hope that it will eventually be titled thanks to lax land laws or government amnesties. The court's decision could be appealed. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 99-points this morning from Friday's close, at 19,972 on turnover of 4.3-billion N-T. The market gained nearly 400-points on Friday as investors were buoyed following a third consecutive rally on Wall Street overnight, driven by hopes for the U-S Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. Chen Chien-jen hope for Lai Ching-te can attend new pope's inauguration Former Vice President Chen Chien-jen has attended the funeral of Pope Francis' and is expressing his hope President Lai Ching-te will be invited to the new pope's inauguration ceremony. Speaking to reporters, Chen said he spoke with former U-S President Joe Biden, Japan's Foreign Minister and the delegation (代表團) heads from Paraguay and Guatemala following the funeral. Chen also says he believes he had completed his mission as Lai's special envoy to Pope Francis' funeral service. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Chen was seated next to Thailand's representative, as delegations at the funeral were arranged in alphabetical order according to French, the official language of diplomacy. FM wraps up Eswatini trip with rhino conservation donation Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has wrapped-up his trip to Eswatini with a pledged donation to support local rhinoceros conservation efforts. Lin returned to Taiwan on Sunday after a five-day visit to the African kingdom to attend King Mswati III's 57th birthday celebration as President Lai Ching-te's special envoy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Lin pledged a 55,000 U-S dollar donation to the Eswatini-based nonprofit trust that manages four game parks in the country, on the final day of the visit. According to the ministry, Lin also named a new baby rhino recently born in one of the parks under the Big Game Parks "Formosa" to symbolize (象徵) friendship between the two countries. Iran President Visits Port Explosion Victims Iran's president visits those injured in port explosion that killed at least 28 people AP correspondent Julie Walker reports Greenland PM on US New Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen says that the U.S. isn’t showing Greenlanders proper respect. Nielsen said Sunday that the mineral-rich Arctic island “will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by just anyone.” Nielsen made the remarks in defiance of U.S. President Donald Trump’s interest in taking control of the strategic (有戰略優勢的、關鍵的) territory as he stood side by side with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on the second day of a three-day official visit. Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. SKorea Liberal Party Chooses Former Leader as Presidential Candidate South Korea’s main liberal opposition party has tapped its former leader Lee Jae-myung as presidential candidate in the June 3 vote. The Democratic Party said Sunday that Lee has won nearly 90% of the votes cast during the party’s primary. He defeated two competitors. Lee is a liberal who wants greater economic parity in South Korea and warmer ties with North Korea. He has solidified his position as front-runner to succeed recently ousted (罷免，逐出) conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol. A Gallup Korea poll released Friday said 38% of respondents preferred Lee while all other aspirants (有志者) obtained single-digit ratings. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 382-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 19,861 on turnover of $8.6-billion N-T. The market ended the day down on Thursday, as the market fell into consolidation mode amid lingering concerns by investors about the impact of U-S tariffs on Taiwan's semiconductor industry. Taiwan FM and King unveil oil reserve facility project in Eswatini Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung and Eswatini's King Mswati III have jointly presided over an unveiling ceremony for an oil reserve facility project Taiwan will build to enhance the energy resilience of its ally. Lin attended the ceremony marking The Strategic Oil Reserve Facility project as part of his ongoing visit to Eswatini. According to Taiwan's embassy in Eswatini, the oil reserve facility project is expected to be completed in three years and will ensure a 60-day fuel reserve for the kingdom. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says prior to (之前) attending the oil reserve facility project ceremony, Lin presented a letter from Lai and cows as gifts while meeting the king and queen mother. The foreign minister in the kingdom this week as a special envoy for President Lai Ching-te to pariticpate in the king's 57th birthday celebrations. Vegetation in Yangmingshan fire could take 1 year to recover The Ministry of the Interior says a fire that destroyed some 4.5 hectares of vegetation in Taipei's Yangmingshan could take about a year to recover. The fire broke out on April 14 near the Xiao-You-Keng Recreation Area and burned for about five hours - destroying silvergrass and portions of the Yangmingshan National Park's arrow bamboo forest. No deaths or injuries were reported. Authorities have said the fire was likely caused by air quality monitoring equipment belonging to the National Science and Technology Council installed at the site. Besides the vegetation, the fire also damaged various amenities (設施), including ropes, sand-filled barriers and several wooden posts along the forest trail. Total estimated damage caused by the fire is being put at between 1.7 and 1.8-million N-T. NATO chief in Washington for talks Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte is in Washington for talks with senior members of the Trump administration as Ukraine peace talks are stalling (停滯). He'll meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz at the state department on Thursday. Kate Fisher reports. Vatican Keeps Basilica Open Overnight for Mourners The Vatican kept the doors St. Peter's Basilica open overnight, as lines of mourners waited to pay their last respects (致敬) to the pope. Officials closed the basilica for just an hour and a half Thursday morning for cleaning, and by the evening that day, the Vatican says more than 90,000 people had paid their respects. After three days of public viewing, a funeral Mass including heads of state will be held Saturday in St. Peter's Square. The pope will then be buried in St. Mary Major Basilica, near his favorite Madonna icon. Namibia New President Announces Free Education Changes New Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has announced that her government will introduce free education at state universities and technical colleges starting next year. Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in as Namibia’s first female leader last month. Namibia already provides free education in public elementary and high schools, though parents still typically have to pay for school uniforms, stationery, books, and hostel fees. There have been calls for years for all levels of education to be subsidized (補貼的) by the government in the country of around 3 million people in southern Africa. Two of Namibia's seven universities are state run and will offer free education under the policy. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 113-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 19,752 on turnover of 7.3-billion N-T. The market recorded its second highest daily point gain in history on Wednesday, as the main board soared more than 800-points, amid the possible easing of trade tensions between the United States and China. Market watchers say the upturn was completely driven by news that encouraged investors to think trade friction between Washington and Beijing is easing. Sea acceptance tests for indigenous submarine prototype not scheduled Defense Minister Wellington Koo says no dates have yet been confirmed as to when the Narwhal, or "Hai Kun" indigenous submarine prototype will begin its sea acceptance tests. The statement comes as sea acceptance testing was initially reported to begin sometime this month. According to Koo, shipbuilder C-S-B-C is still working to correct some issues and the tests will only begin once all safety requirements are met. The defense minister says although there is currently no definitive (確定的) schedule for the seas acceptance tests to begin, the vessel is still slated to be delivered to the Navy in November as scheduled. Taiwan Railway Corporation announces new fares Taiwan Railway Corporation has published its new ticket prices on its website. Publication of the updated prices comes as fares (票價) are set to rise on June 23. Ticket prices are set to increase by an average of 26.8-per cent. The railway corporation's passed a motion to increase fares across all of its services on February 5 - citing a need to reduce the company's deficit - which hit 13.79-billion N-T last year. The new fares were calculated at a profit of 0.36-per cent, which translates into an average price of 1.82 N-T per kilometer, up from the current 1.46 N-T. UN warns of dangerously low aid in Gaza The United Nations says the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached unprecedented levels, even as Arab mediators (調解者) are working on a proposal to end the war with Hamas that would include a five-to-seven year truce and the release of all remaining hostages. Jody Jacobs reports from the United Nations in New York. Congo Gov and Insurgents Commit to Truce A joint statement from Congo's government and a coalition of insurgents in the country’s east including the M23 rebels says the two sides have agreed to work toward a truce (休戰) following peace talks in Qatar. The statement was posted online by an M23 spokesperson and confirmed by the government, said the parties had agreed to “work towards concluding a truce” and that they were reaffirming their commitment to “an immediate end to hostilities.” M23 is one of about 100 armed groups that have been vying for a foothold in mineral-rich eastern Congo near the border with Rwanda, in a conflict that has created one of the world’s most significant humanitarian crises. More than 7 million people have been displaced (流離失所). Previous commitments to a ceasefire have not held. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 370-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 19,163 on turnover of 6.4-billion N-T. The market extended its losses from a session earlier on Tuesday to close down by more than 300-points. However, investors this morning reacted positively to rise on Wall Street overnight - where indexes made up for the sharp declines seen during the previous session. Lai touts safety and social consensus as prerequisites for any nuclear policy shift President Lai Ching-te has been meeting with environmental groups and is seeking to assure them that his administration's position on nuclear power remains unchanged. Speaking a closed-door meeting with representatives from a dozen environmental groups, Lai said any changes to the government's nuclear policy must meet "three prerequisites." Those prerequisites (玡矗兵ン) include ensuring nuclear safety, achieving proper nuclear waste management and securing social consensus on the issue. Lai also stressed that the government "maintains an open attitude toward new and advanced nuclear technologies" as it works to provide stable energy supply and meet its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Civil servants to receive pay raise starting in May And, Premier Cho Jung-tai has announced that civil servants, military personnel and public school teachers will have a 3-per cent pay raise issued beginning in May. The pay rise was approved by the Cabinet in July of last year. Cho says the pay hike was delayed because the Cabinet believed it was inappropriate to allocate the funds before its efforts to overturn ( 崩陆) the 3.1-trillion central government budget plan approved by the Legislature were resolved. He he went on to say that a decision was finally made Tuesday morning to start dispensing the 3-per cent salary raise for civil servants starting next month. UN Appoints Head of Review of UNRWA The United Nations chief has appointed a British human rights activist to carry out a strategic review of the U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric announced the review on Tuesday. He said Ian Martin, a former head of Amnesty International, will also be looking at the ¨consequences and risks for Palestinian refugees〃 of UNRWAˇs operations. The purpose is to assess its impact under the "present political, financial, security and other constraints (兵ン).〃 Israel has banned the agency, known as UNRWA, from operating on its territory. But its Palestinian staff have still been key to delivering aid and running medical clinics in Gaza, even though Israel has cut off all humanitarian deliveries since March 2. IMF Slashes US Growth Forecast The International Monetary Fund has slashed the United States' growth forecast for this year, warning that tariffs are creating a "major negative shock ( 侥阑)" worldwide. Nick Harper reports from Washington. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 115-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 18,990 on turnover of 3-billion N-T. The market fell by almost 300 points on Monday due to lake of investor interest in semiconductor heavyweights as U-S tariff polices continue to impact market sentiment. Large-cap semiconductor stocks led the broader market lower once again sending the electronics index down by 1.6-per cent by the close of the day's trading. Premier approves NT$88 billion U.S. tariff support package Premier Cho Jung-tai has approved the Cabinet's 88-billion N-T support package aimed at mitigating (減輕) the impact of higher U-S tariffs on Taiwan's economy. However, details on what the plan contains remain relatively vague. Cabinet Secretary-General Kung Ming-hsin says the plan will offer Taiwan companies various forms of financial support and will serve as a sort of "umbrella on a rainy day." Departments responsible for administering the 20 measures contained in the package are slated to explain them in more detail in the coming days. Foreign minister to attend Eswatini king's birthday celebration Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung will lead a delegation to Eswatini King Mswati III's 57th birthday celebration as President Lai Ching-te's special envoy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Lin will be heading a delegation of government officials and a group of business representatives to Eswatini from today through Saturday. The delegation will attend festivities (慶祝活動) and the main celebration, which is scheduled on Friday. Lin will present a letter from Lai and cows as gifts to Eswatini's king and Queen According to the ministry, the foreign minister will also hold meetings with Eswatini's Prime Minister Russell Dlamini and the kingdom's foreign minister on bilateral ties and projects. Pope Francis World leaders are paying tribute to Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88, as the Vatican declares (宣稱) nine days of mourning. AP correspondent Trisha Thomas reports. UN Sounds Warning on Haiti Gang Violence The top U.N. official in Haiti is sounding an alarm to the U.N. Security Council that escalating (不斷升級) gang violence is liable (很可能會發生的) to lead the Caribbean nation to “a point of no return.” Maria Isabel Salvador is warning that “Haiti could face total chaos” without increased funding and support for the operation of the Kenya-led multinational force helping Haiti’s police to tackle the gangs’ expanding violence. She spoke to the Security Council on Monday. The gangs have grown in power since the 2021 assassination of the president and are now estimated to control 85% of the capital and are moving into surrounding areas. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 79-points this morning from Friday's close, at 19,321 on turnover of 1.6-billion N-T. The market ended slightly higher on Friday, despite a rather bumpy ride for Wall Street last Thursday as Nvidia helped pull down the tech-heavy Nasdaq. Measures to curb stock market short selling to continue Meanwhile, The Financial Supervisory Commission says measures to curb (抑制) short selling on the Tai-Ex will continue this week amid ongoing uncertainties about U-S tariff policies. The measures were first put in place during the week of April 7 after U-S President Donald Trump unveiled "reciprocal" tariffs on Taiwan of 32-per cent and were then extended into last week. Unlike its previous two announcements, the F-S-C this time has not specified the duration (持續時間) of the extension of measures to curb short selling. The local main board last week ended 0.68-per cent lower after falling 8.31-per cent the week before. Cannabis decriminalization campaigners rally for end to 'war on weed' The Taiwan Weed Safety Education Association has held a rally outside the Legislative Yuan calling on the government to end its "war" on marijuana. The event was titled "2025 Green Sensation" and the group and its supporters used the rally to call on lawmakers and President Lai Ching-te to "eliminate the stigma (（尤指不公正的）惡名) against marijuana and discriminatory policies against the marijuana community." Participants also urged the government to relax allowable levels of T-H-C, align cannabis policy with international norms, and remove cannabis from government-led anti-drug campaigns. The Ministry of Justice has responded to the rally by reiterating that it remains illegal to possess or use cannabis and warned that such offenses are prosecuted as serious crimes. Israeli probe into the killings of 15 Palestinian medics in Gaza finds 'professional failures' The Israeli military has wrapped up its investigation into the killings of 15 Palestinian medics in the Gaza Strip last month . AP correspondent Joe Federman reports Yemen US Airstrikes Leave Dead and Wounded Houthi rebels say U.S. airstrikes targeting Yemen’s capital killed 12 people and wounded 30 others. The deaths mark the latest in America’s intensified campaign of strikes targeting (攻擊) the rebels. The Houthis described the strike as hitting the Farwa neighborhood market in Sanaa’s Shuub district. That area has been targeted before by the Americans. The U.S. military’s Central Command did not immediately acknowledge the strikes. Strikes overnight into today also hit other areas of the country. Zurich Zoo Asian Elephant Born The Zurich Zoo says a 19-year-old Asian elephant has given birth to a male calf. Its name starting with the letter Z will be announced later this week. A light-sensitive monitoring camera picked up the birth and the calf's earliest wobbly (搖搖晃晃的) steps before dawn on Saturday at the zoo’s elephant park. The Asian elephant is a critically endangered species with about 50,000 estimated in the wild, and their numbers are declining. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn