EZ News

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 156-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,574 on turnover of $5.4-billion N-T. Taiwanese Germans go to the polls Taiwanese nationals with German citizenship have cast their ballots in Germany's federal election Sunday for the first time. This follows a change in the country's Nationality Law last year that allows Germans with dual citizenship to vote. More than 200,000 citizenship applications were received by the government since the passage (通過) of the new law in June, including from a number of Taiwanese people. That's about two to three times higher than in previous years. Yushan North Peak Sees Rime Frost The Central Weather Administration says frost formations have been spotted on parts of Yushan, due to early morning low temperatures. The CWA says lows fell to "minus 5.2 degrees Celsius" on Taiwan's highest peak at around 5am today, and rime frost formed on surfaces on the mountain. Forecasters say the opaque (不透明的), granular deposits of ice crystals occur in foggy or cloudy conditions when the water droplets in the air freeze on cold surfaces. Temperatures on Yushan returned to 2.8 degrees at around 8am. (NS) Ukraine Zelenskyy on US Aid Deal Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says a contentious (有爭議的) U.S. proposal that would have seen $500 billion worth of profits from Ukrainian rare minerals given to the United States as compensation for its wartime assistance to Kyiv has been taken off the table. Zelenskyy told a forum in Kyiv on Sunday that he was open to brokering a deal that would let the U.S. profit from his country’s minerals, but that the $500 billion sum initially proposed had been removed from the discussions. The Ukrainian leader said considering aid as a debt to be repaid would be a “Pandora's box” that would set a precedent requiring Kyiv to reimburse all its backers. U.S. officials have expressed confidence that a deal could be reached this week. US India Flight Diverted An American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi lands safely in Rome after security concerns. Here's Julie Walker. Japan Emporer Calls for Telling WWII Tragedy to Young Gen Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, marking his 65th birthday, stressed the importance to keep telling the tragedy of the World War II to younger generations. At the palace, Naruhito, accompanied by his wife, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko, waved from the palace balcony to thank for the cheering well-wishers. The emporer pledging to contribute (貢獻，出力) to the effort to promote understanding of the history and determination for peace as the world observes the 80th anniversary of the war’s end. Later Sunday, he was to celebrate his birthday at a palace banquet. This year, Naruhito and Masako are expected to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki to pay tribute to (表示敬意的舉動) those killed by the U.S. atomic bombings and Okinawa, the site of one of the harshest battles in the war. 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 39-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,526 on turnover of $3.6-billion N-T. Joseph Wu rebuts Trump chip theft claim National Security Council head Joseph Wu is rebutting claims by U-S President Donald Trump that Taiwan stole the semiconductor business from America. Speaking at the Halifax International Security Forum in Taipei, Wu stressed that Taiwan "did not steal anything from anybody" .. …. and stressed that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing "started from scratch" with "some help from the international community." The statements come after Trump earlier this week announced that America could hit semiconductors with tariffs of around 25-per cent in the coming weeks. Wu told delegates at the forum that the government is continuing to assess the potential impact of such a move and will be prepared to adjust its economic structure if such a need arises. He warned that those bearing the cost of such tariffs will be U-S consumers, and he's sure eventually the Trump administration will reconsider (重新考慮) its decision." Taoyuan Airport MRT preparing for 200-millionth rider The Taoyuan Metro Corporation says it's preparing to celebrate its 200-millionth passenger trip earlier than expected. According to the Airport M-R-T operator, the milestone was originally projected for March, but due increased ridership during the on-going Lantern Festival, it's now expected to meet the number sometime this weekend. The lucky passenger who takes the 200-millionth trip will receive a one-year Greater Taipei commuter (通勤者) pass and a gifts worth 20,000 N-T. The five passengers before and after them will receive two-month commuter passes and special gifts. Israel: Returned Remains Not Missing Mother The Israeli military says the remains of two child hostages have been identified but another body released by Hamas was not the boys’ mother. Hamas militants had turned over four bodies Thursday under the tenuous (脆弱的) ceasefire that has paused over 15 months of war. Israeli confirmed one body was that of Oded Lifshitz, who was 83 when he was abducted during the Hamas attack that started the war in 2023. The military said later the remains of Ariel and Kfir Bibas had been identified and the family notified. But the military said the additional body was not that of their mother Shiri Bibas nor any other hostage. It called the failure to return four hostages Thursday a violation of the utmost severity of the ceasefire agreement. UN Alarm on DRC Fighting The United Nations has once again sounded the alarm bells at the devastating impact of the continued fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Some 35 thousand people have fled the east of the DRC to Burundi since the beginning of February. Rwanda-backed M-23 fighters continue to advance (前進) across both South and North Kivu. Jody Jacobs has an update from the United Nations Headquarters in New York… Argentina Drops Some Charges in Payne Death Case A court in Argentina has dropped charges of criminal negligence against three of the five people indicted in connection with the death of Liam Payne, the former One Direction singer who fell from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires last October. In its decision, obtained (獲得) by The Associated Press on Thursday, the Argentine federal appeals court ordered the other two defendants in the case to remain in custody. They are facing prosecution on charges they supplied the famed British boyband star with narcotics. The charge of negligent homicide carries a sentence of one to five years in prison in Argentina. 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 continued to lose ground this morning from yesterday's decline - opening down 73-points at 23,530 on turnover of 5.1-billion N-T. The market fell on Wednesday after U-S President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 25-per cent tariff on chips, cars and pharmaceuticals (藥品). Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing was the focus of selling - as its share price shed 0.91-per cent. The stock's losses contributed about 80-points to the Tai-Ex's total decline for the day and sent the electronics index lower by 0.38-per cent, while the semiconductor sub-index was down 0.57-per cent. Lai calls Taiwan 'a chess player, not a chess piece' President Lai Ching-te is describing Taiwan as "a chess player, not a chess piece" in the shifting geopolitical climate. Lai made the statement during a meeting of the D-P-P's Central Standing Committee, as he's seeking to reaffirm his administration's commitment to strengthening the island's defense through increased spending and reforms (改革). D-P-P spokeswoman Han Ying says Lai expressed confidence Taiwan will be able to successfully navigate the rapidly changing international landscape … .. while at the same time, ensuring national security and preserving its leading position in the global semiconductor supply chain. More free flu vaccines to be available from today And, The Centers for Disease Control says 100,000 doses of newly purchased flu vaccines for the free government-funded program are now available to high-risk groups. The vaccines passed inspection last Friday before being distributed (散發、分配) to local health authorities for today's rollout. Distribution of the flu vaccines doses comes as the C-D-C reported just over 148,000 hospital visits for flu-like illness last week. The additional flu-vaccines doses are available to individuals aged 65 and over, infants over the age of 6 months, preschool children and those at higher risk of contracting the flu. UN Warns of Rebel Offensive in Congo Top United Nations officials in Africa have warned an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council that the offensive of Rwanda-backed rebels in mineral-rich eastern Congo is threatening peace in the wider region. A U.N. special envoy for Congo urged the council on Wednesday to take "urgent (緊迫的) and decisive steps to avert a wider regional war.” The U.N. special envoy for the Africa’s Great Lakes region said the recent seizure of major cities in eastern Congo by M23 rebels show that “the risk of a regional conflagration is more real today than ever before.” France’s U.N. ambassador called for the council to adopt a resolution urging an end to the M23 offensive. US Texas Measles Outbreak Spreads to Vaccinated A measles outbreak linked to unvaccinated children in West Texas is now spreading to (擴散，蔓延) vaccinated individuals. Health officials say four people who have had their jabs, are among those infected. Toni Waterman has more. Canada Announces HSR Plans The Canadian government says it is moving ahead with a multi-billion dollar plan to build a high-speed rail network between Quebec City and Toronto. The planned rail network will be 100% electric, span approximately 1,000 kilometers, and reach speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a news conference the government will commit the equivalent of (等值) $2.74 billion US dollars over six years to iron out specifics before construction can begin. Officials say it’s too soon to estimate the final cost of the project or when it will be completed. 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 76-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,589 on turnover of 4.8-billion N-T. The market closed higher on Tuesday after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing got a boost from last-ditch buying. However, turnover remained limited, as analysts say many investors are still waiting for U-S President Donald Trump's decision regarding semiconductor tariffs on Taiwan. Lai promulgates amended law tightening recall petition rules President Lai Ching-te has signed off on amended legislation that tightens requirements for petitions used to initiate the recall of elected officials. Promulgation of the amendments to the Public Officials Election And Recall Act comes after lawmakers voted to uphold (贊成，維護) the legislation following a re-vote requested by the Cabinet last week. The amendments were proposed by the K-M-T and had the back of the Taiwan People's Party. The D-P-P says it is preparing to petition the Constitutional Court to rule on the constitutionality of the amended law. Banana prices to remain high until May or June The Ministry of Agriculture says the price of bananas is expected to remain high until May or June. The statement comes as banana prices have shot up in recent weeks. According to the Agriculture and Food Agency, the price of bananas at Taipei's First and Second Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Markets on Monday was 107.1 N-T per kilogram. That was an 84.2-per cent from the same date of last year. The agency says the high prices are mainly the result of "several typhoons" that struck Kaohsiung and Pingtung last year. Prices for guavas, jujubes and wax apples have also risen this year due to the impact (影響) of the typhoons. US Agencies Expecitng Mass Layoffs From the US…. Major layoffs are expected at NASA and NOAA this week. New hires are expecting pink slips (解僱通知單), while hundreds of other employees at the space and weather agencies have accepted the Trump Administration's offer to leave. Toni Waterman has more. Australia Mass Whale Stranding More than 150 false killer whales are stranded on a remote beach on Australia’s island state of Tasmania. Officials say marine experts including veterinarians are at the scene on Wednesday near Arthur River on Tasmania’s northwest coast. Of the 157 beached whales, 136 appeared to still be alive. The inaccessibility (交通不便，難以接近) of the beach, ocean conditions and challenges to getting specialist equipment to the remote area were complicating (使複雜化) a response. Authorities have not yet requested public help to rescue the whales. Brazil Approves Joining OPEC Brazil’s government has approved joining OPEC+, a group of major oil-exporting nations. Brazil was invited to join the group in 2023. It includes the members of OPEC, the longstanding (長期存在的) group set up to coordinate oil production to stabilize markets, plus several more significant oil-producing nations. Brazil’s participation will be limited to discussing industry-related issues, but the South American country will not participate in decisions. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 45-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,550 on turnover of 3.3-billion N-T. The market surged past the five-day moving average on Monday, after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing saw a technical rebound, which helped the broader market rebound from the previous session led by tech stocks. Select old economy industries also attracted bargain hunters during the trading day, including shipping stocks - as the transportation industry rose 1.9-per cent - while the financial sector added 0.76-per cent. More free flu vaccines on the way The Centers for Disease Control says it has now distributed some 100,000 additional government-funded flu vaccines and they will be administered (給予、施用) from this Thursday. According to the C-D-C, the vaccines passed inspection last Friday and have been distributed to local health authorities. Distribution of the flu vaccines doses come after the C-D-C last week announced that T-T-Y Biopharm had been awarded the 12.7-million N-T contract to supply the cell culture flu vaccines. The doses will be then administered for individuals aged 65 and over, infants over the age of 6 months, preschool children and those at higher risk of contracting the flu. Taipei street named after badminton's Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin Olympic badminton gold medal winners - Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin - have had a street named after them in Taipei. The plaque for "Lin Yang Way" was unveiled at a ceremony at the Zhongshan Junior High School - where both of them studied in their younger years. According to Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, the city government chose to name the street after Lee and Wang after local residents submitted a petition to his office calling for the two-time Olympic gold medallists to be celebrated. Residents won't have to change their addresses, as the street will also preserve its original (原來的) name of "Lane 361 on Fuxing North Road." Lee and Wang won gold in men's badminton doubles at both the 2020 Tokyo and the 2024 Paris games. US Trump Asks Supreme Court to Rule on Agency Head Firing US President Donald Trump is seeking approval from the Supreme Court to remove the leader of an independent ethics agency. Hampton Dellinger, who oversees the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, an agency dedicated to (致力於、專用的) safeguarding government employees who report misconduct, is challenging his dismissal. Mitch McCann reports Toronto Delta Flipped Plane A Delta Airlines plane flipped (翻轉) upon arrival at Toronto’s Pearson Airport and ended up on its roof Monday, injuring 17 people. The airport has confirmed on X that an “incident” occurred Monday with the Delta flight from Minneapolis and that all 80 passengers and crew are accounted for. The number of people injured was down from early reports from paramedics that 19 were hurt. V Investigators are looking into what caused the plane to flip. According to the Meteorological Service of Canada, the airport was experiencing blowing snow and winds of 51 kph. It is at least the fourth major aviation mishap in North America in the past month. 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 105-points this morning from Friday's close, at 23,258 on turnover of 7.7-billion N-T. The market tumbled nearly 250-points on Friday - bucking a regional upswing as investors were spooked by concerns about U-S President Donald Trump's latest tariff threat to hit exports from countries he says have trade policies that are unfair to America. MOFA thanks US for updating fact sheet Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung is expressing his gratitude to the U-S State Department for reaffirming support toward Taiwan with what he's calling additions "of positive, Taiwan-friendly wordings." It comes after a fact sheet's contents were updated to remove a line indicating Washington's long-held stance of not supporting Taiwanese independence. It previously stated that the U-S opposes "any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side; we do not support Taiwan independence; and we expect cross-Strait differences to be resolved (秆∕) by peaceful means." However, in the updated version published the line stating that the U-S does not support Taiwan's independence had been removed. Audrey Tang extols Taiwan after Munich Cyber Security Conference And, Ambassador-at-large for cyber affairs, Audrey Tang says freedom and security are not mutually exclusive and has been talking-up Taiwan's approach to digital challenges. Speaking in Germany on the sidelines of the Munich Cyber Security Conference, Tang said "freedom and security are not a trade-off, but instead are a deepening of democracy .. … and "the stronger the social consensus, the greater the resilience and security, and the better able to withstand threats." Tang also addressed the conference, and in a 10-miunte speech she touted Taiwan using measures such as real-name registration for online advertisements, fighting online fraud and using artificial intelligence to enhance (矗蔼) democracy. Ukraine Refuses US Proposal for Minterals Access Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he directed his ministers not to sign off on a proposed agreement to give the United States access to Ukraineˇs rare earth minerals because the document was too focused on U.S. interests. The proposal, which was a key part of Zelenskyyˇs talks with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Friday, did not offer any specific security guarantees in return. That's according to one current and one former senior official familiar with the talks. US President Trump earlier this week jettisoned three years of U.S. policy and announced he would likely meet soon with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a deal to end almost three years of fighting. Pope Recovering After Respiratory Infection The Vatican says Pope Francis is stable, as he recovers (確) from a respiratory infection in the hospital. AP correspondent Julie Walker reports the Pope British Academy Film Awards Papal thriller ¨Conclave〃 won four prizes including best picture at the British Academy Film Awards, at a ceremony with no single dominant winner. ¨The Brutalist〃 also won four trophies on Sunday including best director for Brady Corbet. ¨The Brutalist〃 star Adrien Brody took the prize for best actor, and Mikey Madison won the best actress prize for ¨Anora.〃 Genre-bending musical ¨Emilia Perez〃 proved that itˇs still an awards contender despite a multipronged backlash that looked to have dented (ゴ阑) its chances. It won the prize for best film not in the English language and the best supporting actress prize for Zoe Saldana. Kieran Culkin was named best supporting actor for ¨A Real Pain.〃 That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Taiwan shares open lower Malaysian influencer sentenced to 6 months in prison over scamming case Taiwan nationals freed from Myanmar scam rings now in Thailand New tariffs to be rolled out from U.S. Changes to Chips act likely -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Taiwan shares open lower Malaysian influencer sentenced to 6 months in prison over scamming case Taiwan nationals freed from Myanmar scam rings now in Thailand New tariffs to be rolled out from U.S. Changes to Chips act likely -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 26-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,263 on turnover of $5.5-billion N-T. The market lost ground on Wednesday - as early gains eroded as investor sentiment was spooked by concerns that America could introduce tariffs on semiconductors. Environment Minister confirms carbon cap trade regulations are under discussion Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming says his office has begun discussion regarding carbon cap trade regulations. According to Peng, the aim is to impose a stricter cap than the current self-determined reductions. Peng says his office will be inviting companies with a reputation (名聲) for excellence to work together and form an alliance to better implement any changes. The government has said the carbon fee system will take effect this year - meaning that imposed entities will have to pay their carbon fees according to their 2025 emissions in May of 2026. THSR Zuoying Station set passenger records in 2024 The Ministry of Transport says the number of High Speed Rail passengers hit a record high last year - and the number of passengers entering and exiting Zuoying Station in Kaohsiung both exceeded (超過) 10-million for the first time. According to the ministry, passenger volume on the High Speed Rail reached 78.25-million last year. This marks a 7-per cent increase from the previous year and highest in its 18 years of operations. The High Speed Rail's Taipei Station served the highest number of passengers. That was followed by Taichung Station, then Zuoying Station in third - with the number of passengers entering the station reaching 10.5-million and 10.4-million passengers leaving. Russia makes contact with Syria The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken to Syria's interim (過渡時期) leader, in the first such top-level contact since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Mimmi Montgomery reports Australia Investigates After Nurse Claims to Have Killed Israelis An Australian hospital is examining its patient records after a nurse claimed online to have killed Israelis. Officials say there was no evidence of harm to patients. A police unit focusing on a surge in antisemitic crimes in Sydney since the Israel-Hamas war began in 2023 is investigating possible breaches (違規行為) of hate speech law. Two nurses who took part in an online discussion with an Israeli influencer on Tuesday during a night shift at Sydney’s Bankstown Hospital were suspended on Wednesday. Authorities say they will never work for the state health department again. Brazil Defends Oil Exploration Near Mouth of Amazon Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is defending oil exploration near the mouth of the Amazon River as a way to finance a transition to green energy. As part of statements pressing the country's enviornmental regulator to approve the plan, Lula says new oil revenue (收入) could provide the funds for the change. The offshore area, Bloc 59, is located in the Equatorial Margin, about 160 kilometers from the coast. In 2023, Brazil’s environmental regulator rejected a license, citing issues such as a weak wildlife protection plan in the event of an oil spill that could affect one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. State-owned oil company Petrobras appealed and a decision is pending. 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 65-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,449 on turnover of 4.8-billion N-T. The market rebounded on Tuesday after a slump a session earlier as artificial intelligence-related stocks were the center of investor focus on the back of a rise in Nvidia's share price on Wall Street overnight. Investors took cues from a 2.87-per cent increase in Nvidia shares on Wall Street, but the main board failed to sustain its early gains by the end of the session on the capped upturn by semiconductor stocks .. .. which dealers are attributing to lingering concerns over possible massive tariffs on chips by U-S President Donald Trump. Ministers hold talks to promote cultural diplomacy in Japan, Europe Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung and Culture Minister Li Yuan have held talks to discuss "cultural diplomacy" -- with a particular focus on the upcoming Expo 2025 in Japan and cultural events in Europe. According to the foreign ministry, it was the first time the two ministries have held minister-level talks and Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Wu and Deputy Culture Minister Sue Wang were also in attendance. The ministry says, both sides talked about combining their resources to boost Taiwan's visibility (能見度) on the world stage and one focus was the upcoming Osaka World Expo, which will be held between April and October. Another topic on the agenda was how Taiwan could took advantage of the National Palace Museum's upcoming exhibitions in the Czech Republic and France later this year. CDC reporting highest weekly flu-related medical visits in a decade The Centers for Disease Control says the number of outpatient (門診) and emergency visits due to flu-like illness recorded last week was the highest number for the same period since the 2015-2016 flu season. According to the C-D-C, a total of 181,995 flu-like illness-related outpatient and emergency visits were reported from February 2 to 8. C-D-C Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Kuo Hung-wei says the number of flu cases with severe complications is also rising, with 128 severe cases and 28 flu-related deaths recorded from February 4 to this past Monday. Most of those cases were linked to H-1-N-1 infections. Russia Frees American Prisoner Russia has freed American detainee (被拘留者) Marc Fogel. The 63-year-old school teacher was released from prison on Tuesday, according to US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. He'd been arrested for the illegal possession of cannabis back in 2021 and was given a 14-year prison sentence, which the United States viewed as "wrongful." Benji Hyer reports. UN Warns of Congo Displacement The U.N. says more than 110-thousand displaced people have in recent days left settlement camps in eastern Congo’s cities controlled by Rwanda-backed rebels after the rebels were accused of forced camp closures. The U.N.’s humanitarian aid coordination agency said Tuesday that the M23 rebels issued a 72-hour ultimatum for people to leave the camps but later clarified that such movement is voluntary. Associated Press journalists witnessed some of the displaced people packing up what is left of their belongings and dismantling makeshift shelters. The forced camp closures have worsened (惡化) what is already one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. At least 500-thousand people have reportedly been displaced in the region following the M23's advance. 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 gained 69-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,321 on turnover of 5.4-billion N-T. The market fell sharply on Monday, as investors shied away from the electronics sector due to concerns that U-S President Donald Trump will impose heavy tariffs on chips. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing trended lower throughout the session - losing 1.78-per cent by the end of the trading day. And the stock's losses contributed about 160 points to the Tai-Ex's fall total decline during the trading day. Groups submit recall vote proposals for 12 more opposition lawmakers D-P-P supporters have submitted more recall vote proposals targeting 12 opposition lawmakers to the Central Election Commission. It brings the total number of opposition lawmakers now facing potential (可能的) recall votes to 44. The K-M-T lawmakers targeted by the proposals include Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang, and seven-term lawmaker Yang Chiung-ying from Taichung, as well as K-M-T caucus secretary-general Lin Si-ming. The latest recall vote proposals follow those submitted on February 3 in a bid to recall 19 K-M-T lawmakers. Taipei international book fair draws 570,000 visitors And, Organizers of the just concluded Taipei International Book Exhibition say this year's event drew an estimated 570,000 visitors over six days. The figure surpassed last year's turnout of 550,000. According to Culture Minister Li Yuan, enthusiastic (熱情的) turnout this year despite the cold weather, was an indication of people's passion for reading and shows that the event was a huge success. Thailand has been picked as the guest of honor for next year's Taipei International Book Exhibition. Hamas to Delay Release of Hostages Hamas says it will delay the further release of hostages in the Gaza Strip after accusing (指控) Israel of violating a ceasefire that began three weeks ago. Israel and Hamas are in the midst of a six-week ceasefire during which Hamas has committed to freeing dozens of the hostages captured in its Oct. 7, 2023, attack in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Hamas’ said its plan to delay the next hostage release “until further notice” depended on whether Israel “abides by its obligations.” Three more Israeli hostages had been scheduled for release on Saturday, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. US Texas Measles Outbreak Spreading A measles outbreak in Texas is spreading. Health officials say at least 10 children in one county have tested positive in the past two weeks for the highly contagious disease - which can cause fevers, rashes, brain swelling and even death. All of the children are unvaccinated (未接種疫苗的). Toni Waterman has more. Saudi Doctoral Student Freed After Confinement Over Tweets A Saudi doctoral student at Leeds University in Britain has been freed after seeing her 34-year sentence for her activity on Twitter in Saudi Arabia drastically (大幅度地) reduced. Salma al-Shehab, a mother of two, had been sentenced to 34 years in prison back in 2022 over her tweets. Amnesty International and other rights organizations reported al-Shehab's release, point out that she "spent almost 300 days in prolonged solitary confinement, was denied legal representation, and was then repeatedly convicted on terrorism charges"…"All just because she tweeted in support of women’s rights and retweeted Saudi women’s rights activists.” Al-Shehab was arrested as part of a wider crackdown on dissent in the kingdom as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has taken over as its de facto ruler. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- 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 yesterday's close, at 23,422 on turnover of 7.5-billion N-T. The market rose last Friday after recovering, as the bellwether electronics sector - led by artificial intelligence-related stocks - regained its footing, pushing the main board to close at the day's high. Market watchers say investors appear to have moved away from U-S President Donald Trump's tariff actions, and are now instead focusing on economic fundamentals. Luermen spring festival draws over 700,000 in Tainan Organizers of the annual Lunar New Year event at Tainan's Lu-Er-Men Matsu Temple say an estimated 700,000 people attended the event this past weekend despite the cold weather. The event marks the 'spring ox' ritual and was celebrated with a huge two-hour long firework show, a drone light show featuring 500 drones forming images of dragons, snakes, and the Goddess Matsu, a parade and musical performances. Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che was the guest of honor at the opening ceremony at the temple in the city's Annan District. He was accompanied by the four Japanese mayors from Fukushima Prefecture. The Lu-Er-Men Spring Festival dates back to 1725 - and symbolized prosperity for the coming year. A large paper-mache ox is tossed into the crowd as part of the festival and attendees (參加者) tear off pieces for good luck. NKorea Kim Vows to Bolster Nuclear Program North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said an elevated U.S. security partnership with South Korea and Japan poses a grave (嚴重) threat to his country. In a speech marking the 77th founding anniversary of the Korean People’s Army, Kim said the U.S.-Japan-South Korea trilateral security partnership established under a U.S. plot to form a NATO-like regional military bloc is inviting military imbalance on the Korean Peninsula. Kim vowed to further bolster the north's nuclear weapons program. He has previously made similar warnings, but his latest statement implies again that he won’t likely embrace US President Donald Trump’s overture to meet him and revive diplomacy anytime soon. US Alaska Crash Remains Recovered Return to Table of contents US authorities say the remains of all 10 people killed in Alaska plane crash have been recovered (重新找到). AP correspondent Julie Walker reports. Russia Island on Alert After Chinese Ship Stranding Part of Russia's Pacific island region of Sakhalin is on high alert after a Chinese cargo ship ran aground off its southwest coast. Local officials say there is no fuel spillage and no danger to the crew of the An Yang 2, which is carrying coal and heavy fuel oil. Russia's emergencies ministry said 20 crew were aboard. Preparations are underway to pump fuel out of the damaged vessel, which is stranded (擱淺) in shallow waters off the region's coast. Earlier this year, hundreds of volunteers in southwestern Russia spent weeks trying to contain a massive oil spill from two storm-stricken tankers in the Kerch Strait near Crimea. 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 27-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,290 on turnover of $5.8-billion N-T. The market moved higher again on Thursday, after a Wall Street rally overnight that followed better profit reports than expected from major companies. Philippines on track to lead Southeast Asian tourist arrivals in Taiwan for2024 The Tourism Administration says the Philippines is on track to become the top Southeast Asian source of tourists to Taiwan in 2024. It will be the first time that visitors from the Philippines will have topped the list. Data shows that 415,635 visitors were recorded arriving in Taiwan from January to November. The figure exceeded the 384,000 visitors from Malaysia and the 376,000 tourist arrivals from Singaporeans over the same period. Thailand was fourth with 356,000 visitors, and Vietnam was fifth with 344,000. According to the Tourism Administration, the Philippines ranked at number five globally (全球) in terms of visitor arrivals in Taiwan - behind Japan, Hong Kong and Macau, South Korea and the United States. Russian Lawmaker on Trump Putin Meeting A senior Russian lawmaker believes a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could happen as early as this month or next. The chair of the Russian Parliament's International Affairs Committee told Russian state media that plans for a meeting are at an "advanced (後階段的) stage" and that "it will take place soon". Stuart Smith has more from Kyiv UNRWA Head on Israeli Ban The head of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, says an Israeli ban on his institution has not forced it to halt (停止) its services so far but that in the long run, the agency faces an “existential threat.” Israel last week formally banned UNRWA from operating on its territory. Lazzarini says he sees his agency as the target of a “massive disinformation campaign” with a “very great objective to try to dismantle the agency because of political considerations.” Greece Santorini Declares State of Emergency Greece has declared a state of emergency on Santorini because of the hundreds of undersea earthquakes that have shaken the resort island for nearly a week. The ministry of civil protection’s announcement Thursday will provide authorities faster access to state resources. A magnitude 5.2 quake late Wednesday was the most powerful recorded since the series of quakesstarted on Jan. 31. A government spokesman says multiple emergency services and the military were already mobilized to support the island. The quakes has caused minimal (極微的) damage. Experts don't yet know if it could be leading to a stronger earthquake. Thousands of residents and seasonal workers have left, mostly evacuating to the Greek mainland by ferry. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

CDC seeing surge in flu vaccinations after actress Barbie Hsu's death Three active military officers indicted for leaking intelligence to China Guterres warns Donald Trump against ethnic cleansing in Gaza Philippines Vice President faces impeachment Britain Deciphered Ancient Scrolls -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Prosecutors appeal Yilan magistrate's verdict The Yilan District Prosecutors' Office has filed an appeal against the Yilan District Court's decision to sentence Yilan County Magistrate Lin Zi-miao to 12 1/2 years in prison. The appeal comes after Lin was found guilty last December of seeking illegal gains through her supervisory role as a public official, money laundering and having unaccounted-for assets as a public official. The prosecutor's office says it is seeking to have Lin retried on charges related to allegations she gave a tax waiver to a Luodong Township landowner. The district court determined during the trial there was insufficient evidence to prove Lin had engaged in corruption. Prosecutors are describing district court's verdict as "flawed" - saying and that the sentences for Lin and 13 other defendants were all too lenient. Taipei International Book Exhibition opens The Taipei International Book Exhibition is now open. This year's show features Italy as the guest of honor and showcases the country's authors and illustrators. Italy's representative to Taiwan says the 400 square-meter Italian Pavilion features the colors of the country's national flag with red walls and an artificial lawn symbolizing a plaza where visitors can sit and engage in discussions. The Taipei Book Fair Foundation says the event will spotlight 11 major Italian authors in different fields, including contemporary literature, children's literature, and detective fiction. They will making appearances to promote their new books and speak at forums at the show. The Taipei International Book Exhibition is taking place at Hall 1 of the Taipei World Trade Center until February 9. China tariffs China has announced retaliatory tariffs on select US imports and an antitrust investigation into Google, just minutes after a sweeping levy on Chinese products imposed by Washington took effect. But the impact of China's measures on U.S. exports may be limited… as Jennifer King reports. Colombia orders cancellation of fracking contract Colombian president Gustavo Petro has ordered the state-run oil company Ecopetrol to cancel a joint venture with U.S.-based Occidental Petroleum that was expected to produce around 90,000 barrels of oil per day. The order cited environmental concerns. Petro said that he was opposed to the recent extension of a deal between Ecopetrol and Occidental because it involved extracting oil through fracking, a technique that has been criticized by environmental groups. Petro told his cabinet that he wanted the operation sold, and the money to be invested in clean energy… Petro told his Cabinet that" We are against fracking, because fracking is the death of nature, and the death of humanity.” Australia deals with rains Monsoon rains have unleashed flooding in Australia's Queensland that claimed the lives of two people. The week-long deluge dropped months of rainfall in a few days, devastating small rural towns on the state’s north coast. Officials say the body of an 82-year-old woman was found in a paddock near the North Queensland town of Ingham on Tuesday. It followed the death of a 63-year-old woman on Sunday. The rain drove hundreds from their homes, washed out an important bridge and blocked drinking water supplies to the worst-hit area. meanwhile, heatwaves were recorded elsewhere in Australia, including in Western Australia. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Lai meets with China-based business owners Foreign labor may be allowed in waste, recycling industries from March Europe Defense against U.S. Hundreds of undersea earthquakes shake Greece Santorini Trump and Musk move to dismantle USAID -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 728-points this morning from it January 22 close on the final day of the Year of the Dragon at 22,796 on turnover of 27.3-billion N-T, The market closed out the Year of the Dragon by moving sharply higher. The exchange's market capitalization rose by more than 18-trillion N-T to 75.53-trillion N-T in the Year of the Dragon as a whole. That figure totaled an average of about 1.36-million N-T for each of the 13.21-million investors in the market as of the end of 2024. Tsai claims solid communication helped handle Trump Former president Tsai Ing-wen has told the British newspaper, The Times that she believes "solid communication" helped maintain a mutually beneficial relationship between Taiwan and the U-S during the first administration of U-S President Donald Trump. According to Tsai, "strong, frequent and clear" communications between both sides national security teams was a major factor in keeping Trump on the her side .. .. and such communications resulted in progress in economic, educational and cultural exchanges. Tsai also touted arms sale in the interview - saying U-S military sales to Taiwan reached the highest level in 40 years under Trump during his first term in office .. .. the current D-P-P administration is happy to discuss how to further strengthen the island's defense capabilities (能力) and increase its investment in national defense with the new Trump administration. RightsCon digital rights summit to be held in Taipei for first time Taipei has been selected as the host city for the 2025 RightsCon. According to the event's organizer, the international conference focusing on digital rights will be held in Taipei later this month. The event is organized by Access Now. Access Now executive director Alejandro Mayoral Banos says it was a "was a natural step" to choose Taiwan as the place to host the four-day summit because of its protections of democracy, freedom, and human rights. It will be the first time RightsCon is held in East Asia since its inception (起始) in 2011. Access Now says the February 24 to 27 event will include more than 550 discussion sessions - both in-person and online. US State Secretary Warns Panama on China Canal Influence US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Panama must reduce Chinese influence (影響) around the canal area or face possible US action AP correspondent Donna Warder reports. UK Palace Cuts Back on Kate Fashion Details UK media reports that Kensington Palace is going to cut back on naming the luxury labels that the Princess of Wales wears. The newspaper reports that Kate was frustrated that too much attention was being paid to her attire and not to the important issues she’s highlighting. Kate, who is married to Prince William, the eldest son of King Charles III, is often dressed by fashion’s fanciest brands. The princess, who has a foundation for early childhood development, is launching a new initiative aimed at developing social and emotional skills. In foreshadowing the new approach (方法), the palace did not release details of her clothing during a recent visit to Wales. 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. Government pledges to reduce carbon emissions by 26-30 percent by 2030 The government says it plans to further reduce carbon emissions to reflect the island's commitment to net zero. Speaking at the third meeting of the Presidential Office's climate change committee, President Lai Ching-te announced what he called the government's "more ambitious ( 有雄心的) carbon reduction targets." According to Lai, his administration will work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by between 26 and 30-per cent by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. Lai told the committee that the revised reductions mean Taiwan's carbon emissions should be reduced between 30 and 34-per cent by 2032. The president went on to say it's crucial for the people of Taiwan to take more active steps in fulfilling a responsibilities to the international community. TaiwanICDF opens applications for overseas volunteers The Taiwan I-C-D-F foreign aid agency has announced that's accepting applications for its annual volunteer program that provides humanitarian and other assistance to the nation's diplomatic allies and less-developed countries. The agency is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And it says it will recruit 44 volunteers to work in areas such as information technology, public health, veterinary science, nutritional science, nursing, health education, mental health and epidemiological (流行病學的) statistics. Taiwanese nationals aged 20 or above are eligible (有資格的) to apply. Those selected will be deployed to one of 11 countries in the Asia Pacific, the Caribbean, Africa, and Central and South America for six months to a year, it added. The deadline for all applications is February 10. Cold weather forecast in run-up to Lunar New Year The Central Weather Administration says low temperatures and rain can be expected ahead of Lunar New Year's Day next Wednesday. A strong continental cold air mass is forecast to approach Taiwan on Monday - sending the mercury down to below 10 degrees in some areas. The cold front is forecast to be at strongest on Lunar New Year's Eve and into Lunar New Year's Day - when parts of the north and east could see lows of 9-degrees. Other area will see lows of between 12 and 14-degrees next Tuesday and Wednesday. The weather administration says snow is also likely to fall at elevations over 2,000-meters in the north and east. The cold front is expected to weaken from next Thursday and temperatures rebound. However, another cold front is expected to approach the island on the second to last day of the nine-day Lunar New Year holiday - once again bringing down temperatures in the north and east. Trump to Visit States Hit by Natural Disasters US President Donald Trump will today visit North Carolina and California, two American states recently ravaged (摧殘) by natural disasters. Benji Hyer reports. UN Climate Interrupting Schooling The United Nations Children's Fund says over 200 million children had their schooling interrupted last year because of heatwaves, cyclones, flooding and other extreme weather. UNICEF says it amounted to one in seven school-going children across the world being kept out of class at some point in 2024 because of climate crises. The new UNICEF report released today also outlines (概述) how some countries saw hundreds of their schools destroyed, with low-income nations in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa hit especially hard. But while deadly floods and cyclones hit the world in 2024, UNICEF says heatwaves were “the predominant climate hazard shuttering schools last year." 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. First batch of data from ongoing lunar mission arrives in Taiwan The National Central University says the first batch of data from a Taiwan-made radiation detector has arrived after it it launched into orbit last week. The university's Deep Space Radiation Probe is aboard the HAKUTO-R Mission 2 lunar lander developed by Japanese space exploration company ispace and launched from Florida on January 15 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. According to the university, the probe is "currently operating normally" and its temperature is "within a safe range." They say data so far has shown "brilliant (傑出的) results. Taoyuan airport warns travelers should to arrive 3 hours early during LNY The Taoyuan International Airport is advising travelers to arrive at least three hours before their flight during the Lunar New Year holiday period because of an sharp increase in passenger numbers. According to the airport operator, an average of 145,000 travelers are expected to pass through the airport each day from between tomorrow and February 3. The peak dates for departing (出發) passengers are expected to be tomorrow and Saturday, while the peak for inbound travelers will be on the final weekend of the holiday on February 1 and 2. Peak hours for departing flights during the holiday period will be 7 to 9AM, 2 to 3PM and 11PM to 12AM. While peak times for arrivals will be between 1 and 5PM and between 8 and 10PM. US LA Wildfire Shuts Down Major Highway A new fast-moving wildfire has broken out north of Los Angeles, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes and closing a major highway. The new blaze comes as the firefighters continue to battle the fires that brought devastation (破壞) to Los Angeles two weeks ago. Ira Spitzer reports. SSudan Orders Telecoms to Block Social Media South Sudanese authorities have ordered telecoms to block access to social media for at least 30 days, citing concerns over the dissemination (傳播) of graphic content relating to the ongoing violence against South Sudanese in neighboring Sudan. The temporary ban, which could be extended to up to 90 days, will come into force at midnight Thursday, according to authorities. They claim the temporary ban was necessary to protect the public. Many South Sudanese have been angered by footage from Sudan that purports to show killings by militia groups of South Sudanese in Gezira state. Greece Statue Found in Garbage Police in Greece say a marble statue of a woman believed to be more than 2,000 years old has been found abandoned in a garbage bag and handed to archaeologists. A resident found the headless statue near a trash bin and handed it over to authorities near the northern city of Thessaloniki. Archaeologists confirmed its historical significance, and it was confiscated for preservation (保存). Accidental discoveries of ancient artifacts are relatively common in Greece during construction and public works. Thessaloniki recent showcased a trove (（不知物主的）貴重發掘物) of antiquities discovered during construction of a subway system. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Labor Insurance Fund has good short-term prospects Flu-like cases hit ten year high 570 kg of spice powder rejected at border for pesticide residue Donald Trump unveils AI investment in USA South Africa Mine Rescue -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Tai-Ex opening lower Magnitude 6.4 earthquake topples buildings in Tainan district Budget vote in LY expected today President Donald Trump signs new executive orders Canada expressed relief about U.S. Tariffs -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Delegation members injured in car crash in Palau return home Survey shows one-fifth of Taiwan adults use TikTok or Douyin Trump planning flurry of executive action in inauguration day Mideast Wars with exchanges of hostages and prisoners US TikTok Ban Halted for Now -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 165-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,190 on turnover of $9-billion N-T. Taiwan's first lunar mission successfully launched Taiwan's National Central University (NCU) says it has successfully launched the country's first lunar mission on Wednesday (Taipei time)… Tts Deep Space Radiation Probe (DSRP) was carried into space and expected to land on the moon in four months. The probe was aboard the lunar lander HAKUTO-R Mission 2 developed by ispace, a Japanese lunar exploration company, and launched from Florida. The DSRP is Taiwan's first domestically-built scientific payload for a lunar mission and the first to leave low Earth orbit (LEO), which extends to (延長到) an altitude of 2,000 kilometers The mission is aimed at measuring the expected radiation dose between the earth and the moon, as well as on the lunar surface, and understanding the radiation-caused anomalies of electronics commonly used on board a spacecraft. Blinken defends US policy on Gaza From the US…. Protesters disrupted (被擾亂的) Secretary of State Antony Blinken's final news conference, as he defended US policy on Gaza. AP Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports South African dead miners Police say the death toll in a monthslong standoff between authorities and miners trapped while working illegally underground at an abandoned gold mine in South Africa has risen to at least 87. The miners are suspected to have died of starvation and dehydration (脫水). Karen Chammas return with this report. India Satellite Docks in Space Space officials in India say they have docked two satellites in space to become the fourth nation to complete such a mission, in a milestone for the country’s scientific ambitions. The two satellites weighing 220 kilograms each were blasted into orbit on a single rocket in December and sent into slightly different orbits. India's Space Research Organization says the two satellites were maneuvered (操縱) back together Thursday in a precision operation. The mission had been postponed twice earlier due to technical issues. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 303-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,818 on turnover of $8.3-billion N-T. Seven Indicted in Taiwan for Selling Tainted Condiments Seven people have been indicted for selling condiments containing banned Sudan dyes. Prosecutors in Yunlin County say employees of Chiseng Hong Ltd., including its general manager and his son, violated food safety laws, forged documents, and committed fraud. The case began in February 2024, when officials found Sudan III dye in chili powder made by the company. An expanded investigation later discovered Sudan I in their curry powder. Despite knowing about the contamination since 2023, the company continued producing and selling the tainted products, earning 6.77 million NT. Prosecutors are seeking heavy punishments for the seven individuals and fines for the company, citing deliberate (故意的) actions to hide toxic ingredients for profit. Two related firms, Chiseng Hong and Rich's Spice International, were also listed as defendants. UN Guterres Welcomes Ceasefire btwn Hamas Israel United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres has welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Speaking to reporters in New York on Wednesday shortly after the announcement was made, Guterres said the UN stands ready to assist in the implementation (執行) of the agreement. Jody Jacobs reports from New York. SAfrica Mine Rescue Operation Ends South African police have ended a rescue operation at an abandoned gold mine where hundreds of illegal miners were trapped for months and say they believe they have rescued all the survivors and retrieved all the bodies of those who died. They said they had retrieved 78 bodies and rescued 246 survivors. The announcement on Wednesday was a surprise and came just a day after the police minister said the rescue operation would likely last until at least next week. Police say rescuers would do a final sweep of the mine today to ensure (確保) no more survivors or bodies were underground. UK Chagos Islands Discuss with Trump Britain’s government has confirmed that it will not finalize a deal to hand over sovereignty of the contested Chagos Islands to Mauritius until President-elect Donald Trump’s administration is consulted. The governments of Britain and Mauritius have been negotiating in recent months to complete an agreement to settle the future of the contested (有爭議的) Indian Ocean archipelago, which is home to a strategically important U.K.-U.S. naval and bomber base. But the agreement was opposed by Trump and his supporters. The president-elect’s pick for secretary of state, Marco Rubio, warned last year that the deal posed “a serious threat” to U.S. national security. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 40-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,757 on turnover of $3.9-billion N-T. Shares in Taiwan staged a technical rebound, rising about 300 points Tuesday, following a slump the previous session, as the bellwether electronics sector led the gains ahead of an investor conference by contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.. The momentum continued as TSMC saw buying accelerate, in particular in the late trading session, helping the Taiex return to the 120-day moving average of 22,565 points at the end of the session. Taichung Police Destroy Drugs Worth Over NT$100 Million Taichung police have incinerated illegal drugs and paraphernalia (用具) worth over 100 million NT at the Houli Refuse Incineration Plant. The haul included 140 kilograms of Category 3 and 4 substances like ketamine and mephedrone, along with drug-use equipment. Officers said the destruction follows strict inventory checks and demonstrates their commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against narcotics. Taiwan to Launch First Satellite for Air Pollution Monitoring Taiwan plans to launch its first satellite to monitor (監測) air pollution and greenhouse gases within three years. The Ministry of Environment is working with the National Space Organization on the project, which has a 61-billion NT budget. The satellite will track cross-border pollution from China and Southeast Asia, monitor fine particulate matter like PM2.5, and measure greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. Equipped with advanced sensors, it will improve the accuracy of environmental monitoring. Officials say the project includes four satellites to provide multi-timeframe data. The first satellite is expected to launch by 2027. This effort builds on recent experiments, such as a 3D air quality study in southern Taiwan, and aims to strengthen pollution control strategies using cutting-edge technology. California Threat of New Wildfires Looms Officials in California are concerned about the growing threat of new wildfires, with strong winds expected to worsen conditions across the state. The fires have already claimed at least 24 lives and displaced (流離失所的) more than 100,000 people. Mitch McCann reports: Congo Chinese Citizens Sentenced for Exploiting Mineral Resources Three Chinese citizens have been sentenced to 7 years in prison and ordered to pay $600,000 in fines for illegally exploiting mineral resources in Congo, according to court filings. The ruling marks the first time foreign mineral brokers have been convicted for unauthorized mineral exploitation in the DRC without authorization from Congolese authorities. The defendants were also found guilty of fraud, money laundering and looting (搶劫), after being arrested earlier this month with 10 gold bars and $400-thosuand in cash. It is unclear if they will remain in the eastern city of Bukavu, where they are held, or if they will be transferred elsewhere. Lawyers for the defendants say they intend to appeal, claiming the judgment is unjustified. UK Princess of Wales Reveals Cancer in Remission Britain's Princess of Wales says that her cancer is in remission ((疾病的）緩解期) following a visit to the hospital where she received treatment. In a statement on social media, the princess offered her heartfelt thanks to those who helped her and her husband Prince William. Tuesday’s announcement marked the first official update on her condition since September, when Kate said she had completed chemotherapy. The princess still hasn’t revealed what type of cancer she was treated for. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 86-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,574 on turnover of $5.6-billion N-T. Shares in Taiwan took a beating, plunging more than 500 points Monday, with selling sparked by steep declines on U.S. markets at the end of last week amid rising worries over the Federal Reserve's next move. The market opened up, but sell-off accelerated in the afternoon session, with weakness seen among other electronics heavyweights, dragging down the Taiex down to almost the day's low at the end of the session. Non-tech stocks moved lower in line with the broader market, with some exceptions in the petrochemical industry, which was boosted by higher international crude oil prices, after the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against Russia's oil industry. Yunlin touts success in waste reduction -- by searching people's trash bags The Yunlin County government says it has reduced the county's overall trash volume by 7 percent after implementing a search policy. The Yunlin Environmental Protection Bureau says the county's waste output had risen to around 400 metric tons per day, and the local government has instructed waste management workers to search some residents' trash bags and refuse those that contained food scraps and other recyclable materials. Since implementing the policy, almost 20-thousand bags of trash hve been rejected, out of about 100-thousand. The bureau says Yunlin's monthly trash volume last November was 1,200 metric tons lower than in July, equivalent to (等值的；相等的) around 7 percent less trash per day. The bureau says currently, the county generates 360 metric tons of trash per day, which it hopes to reduce to 340 metric tons by the end of this year. NKorea Test Fires Projectile South Korea’s military says North Korea has test-fired at least one unidentified projectile toward its eastern waters in its second launch event of 2025. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff on Tuesday didn’t immediately provide (提供) more details. The launch followed North Korea’s first ballistic launch of the year last week. The North described that the test involved a new hypersonic intermediate-range missile designed to strike targets in the Pacific as leader Kim Jong Un vowed to further expand his collection of nuclear-capable weapons to counter rivals. Romania Protests Calling for Election Resumption Demonstrations were held in the Romanian capital on Sunday calling for a resumption (繼續) of presidential elections. The election was annulled in December by the Constitutional Court citing the illegal use of digital technology to influence the results. William Denselow reports from Brussels. British Declassified Documents Reveal Spy Details Newly declassified British documents show that Queen Elizabeth II wasn’t told details of her long-time art adviser's double life as a Soviet spy because palace officials didn’t want to add to her worries. The files about royal art historian Anthony Blunt are among a trove from the intelligence agency MI5 released Tuesday by Britain’s National Archives. They shed new light on the spy ring linked to Cambridge University who spilled secrets (洩漏祕密) to the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Blunt confessed to espionage in 1964, but according to the files the queen was not given full details until 1973. Her private secretary reported that “she took it all very calmly and without surprise." Blunt was not publicly exposed as a spy until 1979. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 58-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,070 on turnover of $6.5-billion N-T. Shares in Taiwan closed lower amid continuing concerns over volatility on the U.S. markets and inflationary pressure after the return of Donald Trump, who has vowed to raise tariffs, to the White House in January. And analysts say the financial sector came under heavy pressure, contributing to the downward movement of the Taiex. Miaoli Hits 1 Degree Early Morning Parts of Miaoli County have recorded the lowest temperature of the season this morning. According to the Central Weather Administration, monitoring stations confirmed that San-wan Township reached 1-degree-Celsius at around 7am. And nearby, Hsinchu County's E-mei Township recorded temperatures of 2.1-degrees. Meteorologist Wu De-rong says the extreme low was likely caused by clear skies and strong radiative (輻射的) cooling. He says skies will likely remain clear over the next two days with warmer daytime temperatures, but cold early mornings and nights. Then on Wednesday, another front carrying cold air and rain is expected to move over the island for another two days. (NS) Taiwanese artist wins international postcard contest in Japan A Taiwanese artist was awarded the top prize in a postcard competition at a regional art museum in Japan. Lee Li-chin was the first non-Japanese competitor to win the annual 10x15 World Contest. On Saturday, she received the Mayor's Award for her postcard depiction (描寫) of the Kawai Shrine in Kyoto, which combined embroidery and oil painting. Lee says she was inspired by the striking red color of traditional Shinto gates against surrounding green mountains, during her first visit to Kyoto. Speaking to the Japanese media, she said wanted to enrich her world by participating in the art contest and hoped to convey a message of love through her work. US Cali Firefighting Continues Firefighters are attempting (試圖) to corral wildfires in Los Angeles, but strong winds are forecast to return this week. AP correspondent Julie Walker reports Turkey Rescued Gorilla Recovering at Zoo A young gorilla rescued from a plane’s cargo hold is recovering at an Istanbul zoo while wildlife officers consider returning him to his natural habitat. The 5-month-old gorilla was discovered in a box on a Turkish Airlines flight from Nigeria to Thailand last month. After a public competition, he has been named Zeytin, or Olive, and is recuperating (正在康復中) at Polonezkoy Zoo. The director of Istanbul nature conservation says it's important to return the gorilla “to an absolutely safe environment.” Both western and eastern gorillas, which populate central Africa’s remote (偏僻的) forests and mountains — are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Saline Supply Secured Through Lunar New Year Y F Chemical Corporation, Taiwan's largest saline producer, has resumed full production after addressing violations that halted operations last year. The Health Ministry announced that saline supplies are now sufficient (充足的) to meet hospital needs through the Lunar New Year. Other manufacturers have increased output, and imported saline stocks remain high, with hundreds of thousands of bags in reserve. While a global shortage of soft-bag saline packaging caused recent delays, officials expect supply to stabilize next week. The FDA has coordinated with manufacturers to prioritize deliveries for any reported shortages. Hospitals have also increased their inventories ahead of the holiday season to ensure uninterrupted care. Record NT$1.05 Billion in Lunar New Year Lottery Prizes Taiwan Lottery announced a record $1.05 billion NT in bonus prizes for this year's Lunar New Year lottery. The prizes will be drawn daily over 20 days from January 24th to February 12th, covering popular games like Lotto 6/49, Daily Cash, and Bingo Bingo. The Lotto 6/49 top prize will be $100 million NT, while the Big Red Envelope game offers up to $1 million NT per winner from a prize pool of $480 million NT. Smaller prizes are also available through additional (額外的) draws, including the Small Red Envelope game. For Bingo Bingo, prize amounts will increase during the holiday lottery period. This year's Lunar New Year bonus prizes are the largest ever. UN: Syrian Refugees Desperate Conditions The United Nations is warning more than 125,000 Syrian refugees are facing "desperate conditions" as they return to their home country. The UN's refugee agency U.N.H.C.R says many people have arrived back in Syria following last month's fall of the Assad regime. But families find themselves with little shelter and few economic prospects (前途). Sally Patterson reports from New York. Ukraine Zelenskyy Austin on Trump Presidency Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin used their final meeting in Germany to press the incoming Trump administration not to give up on Kyiv’s fight. Austin warned that to cease military support now “will only invite more aggression, chaos and war.” President-elect Donald Trump’s pronouncements about pushing for a quick end to the war and his kinship (親切感) with Putin have triggered (觸發) concern among allies. But Austin said "no responsible leader will let Putin have his way.” And while Austin acknowledged he has no idea what Trump will do, he said the international leaders gathered Thursday in Germany talked about the need to continue the mission. UN Forecasts Modest World Economy Growth The United Nations says the world economy resisted battering by conflicts and inflation last year and is expected to grow a subdued 2.8% in 2025. The U.N. projected last January that global economic growth would be 2.4% in 2024. It said Thursday that the rate was estimated to have been slightly higher, at 2.8%. Both remain below the 3% rate the world saw before the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020. In their 'World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025, U.N. economists wrote that their positive prediction was driven by the strong but slowing growth forecast for China and the United States and by robust (旺盛的) performance anticipated for India and Indonesia. The European Union, Japan, and United Kingdom are expected to experience modest recovery. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 0.6-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,407 on turnover of $6.3-billion N-T. Shares in Taiwan closed lower Wednesday as the bellwether electronics sector came under pressure in the wake of heavy losses suffered by tech stocks in the United States overnight. The market opened down as electronics heavyweights, such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., slid following a 1.89 percent fall in the tech-heavy Nasdaq index overnight. That weakness continued to the end of the session as last ditch selling sent TSMC to the day's low. iRent Faces Scrutiny Over Data Collection Practices iRent car rental service is under fire for allegedly collecting excessive personal data, including spousal (配偶的) information, and sharing it with affiliated companies. The Highway Bureau has demanded corrections following complaints from the Consumers' Foundation. While iRent says users agreed to share their data, officials found its necessity unclear. The company has promised to stop sharing data within its group for marketing and will revise (修訂) its privacy policy, letting users opt in for data sharing. Inspectors are reviewing if iRent's practices comply with data protection laws. The company must submit evidence by January 17th for further investigation. US LA Battles Wildfires Wildfires are continuing to rage through Los Angeles, with tens of thousands of residents forced to evacuate. At least five people have died so far, with the fires spreading at an unprecedented (史無前例) pace. It's now the largest fire in the city's history. Ira Spitzer reports from LA. Israel Recovers Body of at Least One Hostage Israel’s military says troops have recovered the body of another hostage from Gaza. The military said on Wednesday that Yosef AlZayadni's body was recovered in an underground tunnel in southern Gaza. It said it was examining whether a second body was that of another hostage. The men were taken captive (俘虜) during Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel and Hamas have been considering a ceasefire deal that would free the remaining 100 or so hostages and would halt the fighting in Gaza. Israel believes a third of the remaining hostages are dead. However, AlZayadni was believed to still be alive before Wednesday's announcement. Canada Finance Minister on Trump 51st State Comments Canada's finance minister says U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s comments that Canada should become the 51st state are now counter productive. He says Trump was smiling when he made the comment at dinner at Mar-a-Lago with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in late November, but the joke is over. Trump has repeatedly floated the idea that Canada should join the United States as the 51st state, saying Tuesday he would not use military force to invade the country, which is home to more than 40 million people and is a founding NATO partner. Instead, Trump said he would rely on “economic force” as he erroneously cast the U.S. trade deficit with Canada as a subsidy (補貼). The U.S. relies on Canada for approximately 60% of its crude oil imports. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states, and is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 129-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,522 on turnover of 9.4-billion N-T. Shares in Taiwan extended their momentum from a session earlier to close above the 23,600 point level Tuesday, with the bellwether electronics sector continuing to drive the broader market higher after a rally by tech stocks in the United States overnight. Analysts say "Investors continued to chase TSMC amid optimism over artificial intelligence development", but "Non-tech stocks largely moved in weakness and also capped the gains on the broader market". UK Launches Electronic Travel Authorization The UK has introduced its Electronic Travel Authorization system, now required for visa-exempt (免除，豁免) travelers, including Taiwanese nationals with a National ID number. Starting today, visitors must apply online or via the UK ETA app before entering the UK. Each application costs ￡10 Pounds, or around 410NT, and takes about three working days to process. Approved ETAs are valid for two years, allowing multiple entries, with each stay capped at six months. Meanwhile, the EU's European Entry/Exit System, initially planned for November 2024, has been delayed due to unfinished upgrades at Schengen airports. No new launch date has been announced. Taiwanese passport holders can still enter Schengen countries visa-free for now. Updates on the EES will follow as details become available. (PB) LA Evacuations Amid Fastmoving Wildfire Thousands of people in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood west of Los Angeles have been ordered to evacuate (撤離) due to a fast-moving wildfire. Dangerous windy conditions are forecast to continue into Wednesday. Ira Spitzer has more from California. Australia Plane Crash Leaves Dead and Missing Officials say three people have been seriously injured and another three are missing after a seaplane crashed off an Australian tourist island. Police say only one of the seven people aboard the Cessna 208 Caravan was rescued without injury after the crash during takeoff from Rottnest Island on Tuesday afternoon. The plane was returning to its base in Perth. Officials say specialist (專家) investigators are being sent to the scene. The three injured people were flown to a Perth hospital in serious but stable conditions. Britain Hearing on Shein Labor Practices A lawyer for Shein summoned to a British parliamentary hearing has evaded questions on whether the fast-fashion giant sells products containing cotton from China. That angered lawmakers seeking answers on the retailer’s labor practices and allegations of forced labor in its supply chains. Executives from Shein and its rival Temu were grilled on their labor rights compliance and how they source their products at Parliament’s business and trade committee Tuesday. Committee officials say statements by the Shein lawyer have given lawmakers “zero confidence” in the integrity (正直，誠實) of Shein’s supply chains. The hearing came amid reports that Shein is preparing for a $62 billion US dollar listing in London. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. MND: China Rocket Launch Passes Over Central Taiwan The Ministry of National Defense says a Chinese rocket launched earlier this morning posed no threat to Taiwan. Officials say the rocket was launched from Sichuan at 4am, and its flight path passed over central Taiwan en route to the western Pacific, at an altitude above Earth's atmosphere. The MND says the military closely monitored the launch using intelligence and surveillance systems, maintaining appropriate (適當的) alerts and responses. Officials emphasized that there is no danger to Taiwan from the launch. (NS) Miaoli Records Lowest Temp for Flatlands This Winter The coldest temperature of the winter season has been recorded in Miaoli County. Monitoring stations in the county's San-wan Township recorded lows of 4.2 degrees early this morning, and Meteorologist Wu De-rong confirms that this is the lowest recorded temperature for flatland areas, so far this season. Wu says the current cold front combined with radiative (輻射的) cooling has significantly lowered temperatures, with parts of Miaoli County dropping below 6 degrees this morning. The Central Weather Administration has issued cold surge advisories for 13 cities and counties, mostly in northern, and central Taiwan, as well as parts of the south. Wu says athe cold front will continue, with lows dipping to 5 degrees in some areas. And from this Thursday, the cold will intensifying, with stronger winds, and wet, chilly weather. He says northern Taiwan could see highs of just 13 degrees, and mountain snowfall is possible above 2,000 meters. (NS) NKorea Claims New Hypersonic Missile in Test North Korea says its latest weapons test was a new hypersonic intermediate-range missile designed to strike targets in the Pacific. The North Korean state media report came a day after South Korea’s military said it detected North Korea launching a missile that flew 1,100 kilometers before landing in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. North Korea demonstrated multiple weapons systems last year that can target its neighbors and the United States, including solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles. There are concerns that its military capabilities could advance further through technology transfers from Russia, as the two countries align (使結盟；使密切合作) over the war in Ukraine. Kim reiterated that his nuclear push was aimed at countering threats posed by hostile forces but didn't directly mention the U.S. Nigeria Activates Quaratine for Visitors from China Nigeria says it is activating (啟動) surveillance measures on people coming into the country from China. This follows the outbreak of a virus in the country, causing respiratory problems especially among children. Tesem Akende reports. Indonesia Gains BRICS Membership Brazil has announced that Indonesia has been admitted as a full member of BRICS, the bloc of developing economies. Brazil holds the group’s presidency for 2025. Indonesia’s candidacy was endorsed (贊同的) by BRICS leaders in August 2023, according to Brazil’s Foreign Ministry. However, the Asian nation opted to formally join the bloc only after the formation of its newly elected government in 2024. BRICS was formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2009, and added South Africa in 2010. Last year, the alliance expanded to embrace Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 224-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,132 on turnover of 7.1-billion N-T. PM2.5 haze from China to affect Taiwan in coming week: MOENV The Ministry of Environment says Taiwan will experience poorer air quality and visibility (能見度) from today through Thursday due to fine particulate matter moving in from China. The ministry says air quality across Taiwan is expected to range from "moderate to orange" warning levels on those days, with the orange warning level meaning that air quality is "unhealthy for sensitive groups" . Officials say PM2.5 concentrations measuring 40-50 micrograms per cubic meter possible in northern parts of the country today, with the haze then sweeping southward across the island. The World Health Organization has recommended in its air quality guidelines that 24-hour average exposures to PM2.5 particulates should not exceed 15 micrograms per cubic meter. Air quality in areas north of Hsinchu and Miaoli counties is expected to improve from Tuesday, though other areas will continue to be affected until at least Thursday, when another wave of pollution from China may also roll into Taiwan. HeHuanShan Sees Season's Heaviest Snowfall Hehuanshan saw its heaviest snowfall of the winter overnight, drawing crowds of snow chasers despite freezing temperatures. Local officials say snowfall began at around 8 p.m. yesterday and continued into the early morning. Workers at Songxue Lodge reported about 0.5 centimeters of accumulation. Cold air combined with moisture caused snow and sleet to blanket roads and slopes. The snowfall led the Directorate General of Highways to restrict (限制) access to Hehuanshan’s main route, Provincial Highway 14A. As of early this morning, parts of the road between Kunyang and Xiaofengkou remained icy, prompting continued snow chain requirements. Drivers were urged to proceed cautiously and follow traffic and safety advisories. SKorea Requests Police Takeover Impeached President Arrest Attempt South Korea’s anti-corruption agency has requested that police take over efforts to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol after its investigators failed to bring him to custody following a standoff with the presidential security service last week. The agency and police confirmed the discussion today, hours before the one-week warrant for Yoon’s detention was to expire (到期). The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials will likely seek a new court warrant to extend the window for Yoon’s detention, according to police. Venezuela Opposition Leader Urges Protests Against Maduro Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has urged supporters to demonstrate across the country, telling them in a video message that President Nicolas Maduro will not step down on his own and they “must make him leave.” Machado on Sunday instructed supporters to demonstrate Thursday, the day before Venezuela’s next presidential term is set to begin. Her message came hours after the government again made clear its intention (意圖) to arrest retired diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez, who claims to have defeated Maduro in last year’s election. Gonzalez left Venezuela for exile in Spain in September after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest. US NYC Congestion Toll New York City now has a toll (收費) to enter the heart of the Big Apple. AP correspondent Julie Walker reports -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 187-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,019 on turnover of $5.7-billion N-T. Women over 50 seeking assisted reproduction grew by 45% in 2022 The Health Promotion Administration says data shows that number of women over the age of 50 seeking (尋求) assisted reproduction treatment grew by 45-per cent in 2022. According to the administration's latest report, a total of 58,476 married women received assisted reproduction that year, marking an increase of 8,824 from 2021. Of those women, 36.1-per cent were aged between 35 and 39, 33.3-per cent between the ages of 40 and 44 and 19.9-per cent were aged between 30-34. The administration says although there were only 355 women aged over 50, that figure represented a 45-per cent increase from the previous year. The report shows that a total of 11,549 babies were born in 2022 due to assisted reproduction - 1,775 more than the previous year. UK Government Unveils New Laws To Tackle Suspected People Smugglers The U-K Government has announced new laws aimed at tackling (對付) suspected people smugglers. It comes after figures showed a 25-per cent increase in the number of migrants crossing the English Channel in 2024. The measures form part of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill and look to curb the activity of smuggling gangs responsible for channel crossings. Simon Gaitan has more. Australia Surfer Missing After Shark Attack Authorities say a surfer missing in Australia is believed dead in a shark attack and they are searching the waters where the man disappeared. The 28-year-old was at a popular surf beach in South Australia where a man was killed by a white shark in 2023. A witness who saw the shark attack on Thursday evening local time at Granites Beach, near the coastal town of Streaky Bay, rode into the sea on a jet ski and retrieved the man’s surfboard, police told local media, but there was no sign of the victim. Shark attacks in Australia are rare, but the state of South Australia has registered more episodes (一連串事件) in the past two years than usual. There were five shark attacks off the state’s coast in 2023, three of them fatal. Scientists at the time said they did not know the reason for the cluster. Sports Piracy Network Dismantled A Europol operation during last summer’s European Championship and Paris Olympics dismantled a network of several hundred providers of illegal streaming of sports and other pirated (盜版的) content. Spain’s top soccer league announced the results Thursday. La Liga says it cooperated in the investigation. The European Union’s law enforcement agency identified more than 560 resellers of pirated content that included streaming of movies, series and TV channels. More than 100 suspects were identified and 11 were arrested. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Taiex Opening Down The Taiex opened down 59 points this morning on the first trading day of the year, at 22,975, on turnover of $3.87 billion NT. Lai proposes talks with Beijing to ease tourism restrictions President Lai Ching-te is describing China as the "real barrier" to cross-strait exchanges - not Taiwan - and he is urging Beijing to hold talks with Taipei to ease restrictions on tourism. Speaking at the Presidential Office following his New Year's Day address, Lai said if China is genuinely sincere about reopening tourism links … … then the Taiwan Strait Tourism Association and the Association for Tourism Exchange across the Taiwan Straits should begin negotiations to ease those restrictions." Lai cited government data - saying the number of Taiwanese traveling to China for tourism or business reached 2.05-million between January and November of last year - while only 285,000 Chinese tourists visited Taiwan during the same period. He also criticized Beijing for banning Chinese students from pursuing (追求) degrees in Taiwan. Tamkang Bridge makes CNN's architecture projects set to shape the world in 2025 list The under construction Tamkang Bridge linking New Taipei City's Bali and Tamsui districts has made CNN's list of the top 11 architecture projects set to shape the world in 2025. The 920-meter long road, light rail and pedestrian bridge was designed by Iraqi-British architect architect Zaha Hadid. When completed it will be the world's longest single-tower, asymmetric (不對稱的) cable-stayed suspension bridge. It ranks 11th in CNN's list of architectural projects set to shape the world this year. CNN describes it as featuring "a surprisingly slender profile, with the entire structure supported by just a single concrete mast - which the firm's project description says minimizes the bridge's visual impact on its surroundings." The bridge is set to open for traffic in the first half of next year. Montenegro Shooting Leaves 10 Dead Montenegro’s interior minister says at least 10 people, including two children, were killed in a shooting in the western city of Cetinje. The shooter, who was on the run, also seriously wounded four people in the attack on Wednesday. Police dispatched (發送，派遣) special troops to search for the attacker in the city, located some 30 kilometers northwest of the capital, Podgorica. A statement said the man fled the scene armed after opening fire at the bar. US Las Vegas Police Investigate Trump Towers Vehicle Fire Police in Las Vegas are investigating a vehicle explosion outside the city's Trump Towers hotel complex. Videos circulating online show a Tesla cyber truck exploding (爆炸) in front of the hotel entrance. Ira Spitzer reports. Puerto Rico Power Partially Restored Electric power has been restored to nearly all affected customers across Puerto Rico after a sweeping blackout plunged the U.S. territory into darkness on New Year’s Eve. By Wednesday afternoon, energy officials said power was back up for 98% of Puerto Rico’s 1.47 million utility customers. Luma Energy, the private company overseeing transmission and distribution of power in the archipelago, said lights returned to households as well as Puerto Rico’s hospitals and water and sewage facilities after the massive outage that exposed the persistent electricity problems plaguing (困擾) the island. Still, the company warned that customers could still see persistent temporary outages. It said full restoration across the island could take up to two days. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 96-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,094 on turnover of 3.7-billion N-T. The market lost ground on Monday as a decline on Wall Street at the end of last week resulted in the selling of large cap electronics stocks. Turnover also remained thin as foreign institutional investors remain away from the market for the New Year's Day holiday, making it hard for the main board to rally - leaving the Tai-Ex in consolidation mode. Government revises 2030 carbon reduction target upwards The government has revised its 2030 target for the reduction of carbon emissions upwards - but is warning that uncertainties over electricity usage and climate change technologies remain. According to Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming, the government will now pursue (追求) a goal of reducing carbon emissions by between 26 and 30-per cent by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. That's up from the previous goal of between 23 and 25-per cent set in December of 2022. Peng says the wider margin of error than the previous forecast is due to several uncertainties - including international political and economic developments - which could affect progress on climate change issues differently across countries. Institute publishes new batch of Chiang diaries Academia Historica has published the fourth batch of Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-kuo's diaries. The diaries were formerly a part of a collection at Stanford University The were returned to Taiwan in September of last year following years-long legal battle over their ownership. Academia Historica has since been digitizing them and making them publicly available in chronological (時間順序) order. The fourth and latest set to been released includes Chiang Kai-shek's diaries from 1930 to 1933 and Chiang Ching-kuo's diaries from 1943 to 1944. South Korean Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol South Korea's anti-corruption agency says that a court has issued warrants to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol and search his office. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials said in a statement that the Seoul Western District Court issued warrants Tuesday to detain Yoon over his stunning (令人驚嘆的) yet short-lived martial law decree earlier this month and to search the presidential office in central Seoul. The agency said it is investigating whether his declaration of martial law amounted to rebellion. Yoon's powers have been suspended since the opposition-controlled National Assembly voted to impeach him on Dec. 14. The Constitutional Court is to determine whether to dismiss Yoon as president or reinstate him. US: Treasury Targeted by Chinese Hackers US Treasury officials say Chinese state-sponsored hackers breached the department's systems this month, stealing unclassified documents in a "major incident (事件)". Ira Spitzer has more. Greece to Launch GovOperated App Greece says it will enhance parental oversight of mobile devices in 2025 by building a government-operated app, that will help get digital age verification and browsing controls. The country's minister of digital governance said the Kids Wallet app will launch in March and is aimed at safeguarding children under the age of 15 from the risks of excessive and inappropriate internet use. He said the initiative will help hold social media platforms more accountable (應負責任的) for enforcing age controls. The app could be pre-installed on smartphones sold in Greece by the end of next year. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened flat this morning from Friday's close, at 23,274 on turnover of 3.2-billion N-T. The market closed slightly higher Friday as turnover stayed low with many foreign institutional investors still away from the market for the New Year's holiday Turnover fell below the 300-billion N-T level, but select large-cap stocks in both the electronics and non-tech sectors appeared resilient, helping the broader market end above the previous close. MAC to investigate allegations of Taiwanese citizens holding Chinese ID The Mainland Affairs Council says it will open investigations into allegations of Taiwanese citizens holding Chinese I-D cards. The statement follows claims made by Taiwanese YouTubers in a recent documentary. According to the council, the holding of Chinese I-D cards by Taiwanese citizens is evidence of Beijing's United Front efforts and is not about "making friends, but about 'offering benefits (好處)". The move comes after YouTubers Ba Jiong and Chen Po-yuan released a 60-minute video this past weekend … .. in which they interviewed an unnamed intermediary who claimed that approximately 100,000 Taiwanese citizens currently hold a Chinese ID card. Black-faced spoonbill sets record by returning to Taiwan 9 years straight And, A single black-faced spoonbill has broken Taiwan's record for the most documented visits by one of the migratory species. The female bird has been identified by its leg band as T-69 and broke the record after being found to have traveled to Taiwan for nine consecutive (連續的) years. The Taijiang National Park Headquarters says the bird has returned to Tainan annually every October since 2015. The migratory bird's repeated presence has resulted in bird watchers dubbing it "Daughter of Tainan" and "Daughter of Taijiang." Of the 4,100 spoonbills counted in Taiwan, 2,088 were spotted in Tainan. SKorea Jetliner Crash Leaves Dead and Injured A jetliner skidded off a runway, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames in South Korea after its landing gear apparently failed to deploy. Officials said all but two of the 181 people on board were killed Sunday in one of the country’s worst aviation (航空) disasters. The 737-800 operated by Jeju Air plane arrived from Bangkok and crashed while attempting to land in the town of Muan, about 290 kilometers south of Seoul. Footage of the crash aired by South Korean television channels showed the plane skidding across the airstrip at high speed, evidently with its landing gear (起落架；起落裝置) still closed. Officials were investigating the cause of the crash, including whether the aircraft was struck by birds, Lee said. Investigators retrieved the jet's flight data and cockpit voice recorders, but they say it may take months to complete the probe into the crash. Tornadoes in Texas and Mississippi kill 2 as storm system moves across southern U.S. Tornadoes and severe (劇烈) storms have ripped through the U-S States of Texas and Mississippi, killing at least four people over the weekend. AP correspondent Julie Walker reports That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 4-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,251 on turnover of $2.95-billion N-T. Presidential Office simulation shows need for better government coordination National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General, Lin Fei-fan says central and local governments need to improve their coordination to better defend Taiwan. The statement follows a "tabletop simulation" at the Presidential Office. According to Lin, although emergency response protocols are well established, various government agencies at different levels need to enhance their ability to coordinate and communicate more effectively during emergencies. Lin says currently, each agency tends to approach issues separately without considering how they can collaborate (合作) with each other and improve their "response to complex threats" …. .. and the "tabletop simulation" exposed potential manpower shortages affecting entities overseen by the Ministry of the Interior - including law enforcement agencies, fire departments, the air service corps and others. It was carried out during the second meeting of the Presidential Office's Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee and included the participation of Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and other top central and local government officials. Azerbaijan Day of Mourning for Plane Crash Victims Azerbaijan is observing a nationwide day of mourning for the victims of the air crash that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured as speculation ( 猜測) has been mounting about a possible cause of the crash … .. with reports saying it was likely hit by Russian air defence systems. The A-P's Rica Ann Garcia reports … Finland Detains RussianLinked Ship After Cable Damage Finnish police say authorities detained a ship linked to neighboring Russia as they investigate whether it damaged a Baltic Sea power cable and several data cables. It was the latest incident involving disruption (破壞) of key infrastructure. Police and border guards boarded the Eagle S and took control as they investigate damage to the Estlink-2 undersea power cable. The cable brings electricity from Finland to Estonia across the Baltic Sea. The cable went down on Wednesday. The incident follows damage to two data cables and the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Both have been termed sabotage. US FDA Proposes New Testing Rules For Asbestos in Cosmetics From the US… The Food and Drug Administration is proposing a rule that cosmetic (化妝品) companies would need to take extra steps to ensure that any products containing talc are free of asbestos. AP's Lisa Dwyer reports Subject: C*OUTRO Return to Table of contents 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 opened up 56-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,276 on turnover of $23-billion N-T. Shares in Taiwan closed higher Wednesday on the back of a rally in the United States overnight, but turnover shrank further as many foreign institutional investors spent Christmas Day off the trading floor. Contract chipmaker TSMC contributed about 80 points to the Taiex's rise, and sent the electronics index higher by 0.62 percent. Taiwan's consular affairs chief named as new envoy to Greece Taiwan's top diplomat in charge of consular affairs has been named as the country's new representative to Greece. Calvin Ho will now fill a post that has been vacant (空缺) for more than six months. Former representative to Greece Sherman Kuo vacated the post after his resignation was approved by the Presidential Office on June 19. The foreign ministry at the time said Kuo resigned for personal reasons. Calvin Ho previously served as the ambassador to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and as an ambassador on home assignment in the foreign ministry's Department of International Cooperation and Economic Affairs … …. before heading the Bureau of Consular Affairs. Ho was responsible for pushing for an online passport renewal application service that will soon complete a four-month trial run before being fully implemented next year. US Trump Suspect Trial Date Pushed Back The trial of man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump has been pushed back. AP correspondent Shelley Adler reports Japan Energy Policy to Bolster Renewables A Japanese government panel has largely supported a draft energy policy calling for bolstering renewables up to half of Japanese electricity needs by 2040. It also recommends maximizing the use of nuclear power to accommodate the growing demand for power in the era of AI while meeting decarbonization targets. The Cabinet is expected to formally approve the plan by March following a period of public consultation (商議). The policy says nuclear energy should account for 20% of Japan’s energy supply in 2040, with renewables expanded to 40-50% and coal-fired power reduced to 30-40%. UK King Charles Annual Christmas Message King Charles III used his annual Christmas message to hail the selflessness of those who have cared for both him and Kate, the Princess of Wales this year, after both were diagnosed with cancer. The 76-year-old monarch said he and his family are “continually” impressed by those who dedicate their lives to help others. The broadcast Wednesday was the king’s third Christmas speech since he ascended the throne after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died. It's the first since he was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February. He was joined by Prince William, Kate and other family but his scandal-plagued (備受醜聞困擾) brother, Andrew, was absent. 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 106-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,226 on turnover of 2.4-billion N-T. The market closed marginally higher on Tuesday despite rising by over 200-points early in the session - as investor uncertainty kicked-in over Donald Trump's pending return to the White House. Analysts say Trump's possible tariffs have spooked many investors - which has led to uncertainty in the local market. Lawmakers reject Lai's justice nominees Lawmakers have rejected all seven justice nominees selected by President Lai Ching-te to fill the vacancies on the Constitutional Court. None of the seven nominees, including law professor Chang Wen-zhen and former lawmaker Yao Li-ming received the necessary 57 votes in the 113-seat Legislature for approval. Chang and Yao had also been nominated by Lai to serve as the head and deputy head of the Judicial Yuan. The K-M-T has argued that all of Lai's nominees were partisan (偏袒的). Flu epidemic expected this week And, The Centers for Disease Control says over 90,000 flu-like cases were reported last week - and influenza will enter an epidemic phase later this week. According to the C-D-C, total of 94,882 visits to emergency departments and outpatient clinics (門診) for flu-like symptoms were reported from December 15 through 21. That was a 16-per cent increase compared to the number of cases recorded the previous week. The C-D-C is saying based on predictions, the flu epidemic phase is expected to begin this week, with a peak in the number of cases likely to be seen around the Lunar New Year holiday period. Haiti Journalists Killed by Gangs in Hospital Reopening Two reporters were killed in Haiti, as authorities tried to reopen Port-au-Prince’s biggest public hospital after it was shut down by gangs earlier this year. AP's Lisa Dwyer reports Kurds Launch Counteroffensive in Syria Kurdish-led fighters in Syria, known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, say they have launched a counter-offensive against the Ankara-backed Syrian National Army to take back areas near Syria’s northern border with Turkey. The Kurdish-led force is Washington’s critical ally in Syria, targeting sleeper cells (秘密行動人員) of the extremist Islamic State group scattered across the country’s east. Since the fall of Bashar Assad earlier this month, clashes have intensified (加劇的) between the U.S.-backed group and the SNA, which captured the key city of Manbij and the areas surrounding it. A Britain-based opposition war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, says that since the SNA’s offensive in northern Syria against the Kurds started earlier this month, dozens from both sides have been killed. Russia Baby Mammoth Remains The 50,000-year-old remains of a baby mammoth uncovered by melting permafrost have been unveiled to the public by researchers in Russia’s Siberia region. They call it the best-preserved mammoth body ever found. The female mammoth nicknamed Yana weighs more than 100 kilograms and is 120 centimeters tall. Her remains are one of seven mammoth carcasses recovered worldwide. Yana will now be studied by scientists at Russia's North-Eastern Federal University, which called the find “exceptional” (特殊的). The university has a dedicated (專門的) mammoth research center and museum. 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 156-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,260 on turnover of 7.5-billion N-T. The market moved sharply higher on Monday and recouped most of the losses seen in the previous two sessions after Wall Street rose at the end of last week. Monday's point gains were the seventh most for a single day and the sixth most this year - and also helped the Tai-Ex recover from a 658-point tumble in the previous two trading sessions last week. TRC could see NT$12 billion loss in 1st year as company The Taiwan Railway Corporation says it will likely post losses of 12-billion N-T this year - its first year as a state-owned corporation after having been a government agency for decades. According to the rail operator, the projected loss will exceed (超過) the estimated loss of over 7.4-billion N-T budgeted last year and the 11.4-billion N-T loss that the former Taiwan Railways Administration posted for 2023. The railway corporation says it will also be saddled with an additional 2-billion N-T in expenses that were needed to convert the former government agency into a commercial company. However, corporation Chairman Du Wei is remaining upbeat about the company's future - saying its operating income could turn positive by as early as 2026. Two acquitted of endangering flights with drone near Taoyuan Airport The Taoyuan District Court has acquitted two men of endangering flight safety when they repeatedly flew a drone near Taoyuan International Airport. They were found to have operated a U-A-V in the vicinity of the airport at least 10 times between June 24 and July 25 of last year. Traffic at the airport was disrupted on several occasions - with the most serious incident leading to a temporary suspension of takeoffs and landings at around on June 29. However, the court ruled there was insufficient (不足的) evidence to prove that their conduct met the requirements for criminal conviction under Article 101 of Taiwan's Civil Aviation Act. The court ruling can be appealed. UN Syria Open to Investigating War Crimes The U.N. organization assisting in investigating the most serious crimes in Syria says the country’s new authorities were “very receptive” to its request for cooperation during a just-concluded visit to Damascus — and it is preparing to deploy (展開行動). The visit was the first since the organization was established by the U.N. General Assembly in 2016 to assist in evidence-gathering and prosecution of individuals responsible for possible war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide since Syria’s civil war began in 2011. UN officials Monday highlighted the urgency of preserving documents and other evidence before it is lost. Slovenia Hiker Rescue Resumes Amid Heavy Snow A rescue of hikers in Slovenia resumes (重新開始, 恢復) as snow brings traffic chaos and power outages across the Balkans AP correspondent Charles de Ledesma reports Greece Royal Family Granted Greek Citizenship Members of Greece’s former royal family have expressed “deep emotion” after being granted Greek citizenship, ending a decades-old dispute with the country's government. Greece abolished the monarchy in a 1974 referendum and the former royal family was stripped of its citizenship two decades later during a dispute over the former royal estate that passed to state control. Now, the ten descendants (子孫，後代) of the late King Constantine II, who died last year aged 82, formally recognized Greece’s status as a presidential parliamentary democracy and renouncing any claims to royal authority or titles. 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 301-points this morning from Friday's close, at 22,812 on turnover of $5.7-billion N-T. The market tumbled over 400-points on Friday, as investors opted to sit on the sidelines (場邊) awaiting the release of U-S personal spending data for November. Health ministry previews tighter betel nut regulations The Ministry of Health has previewed a proposal to tighten regulations on the sale and use of betel nut. The regulations are similar to tobacco control laws. The draft proposal is titled the Betel Nut Hazard Prevention Act and is now undergoing a 60-day period for soliciting (徵求) public opinion. The draft bill bans the use of betel nut by pregnant women and people under the age of 18. Venders found to have sold betel nut to pregnant women and people under the age of 18 face a fine of up 250,000 N-T. The proposal also seeks to discourage images of betel nut use in films and television programs. High Speed Rail on track to break ridership record this year The High Speed Rail Corporation says the number of journeys taken on the network this year is set to exceed (超過) the all-time-high recorded in 2023. According the rail company, the number of journeys taken reached 71.1 million in November - exceeding the figure of around 66.4 million for the same 11-month period last year. While in terms of the average daily ridership, there were 224,000 journeys in November 2024, an increase of 7-per cent compared to the 209,000 journeys recorded in November of 2023. Data shows apart from a dip during the COVID pandemic, the annual number of journeys has grown steadily (穩定) from around 15.6-million in 2007 to 73.1-million in 2023. US 2Navy Pilots Shot Down The US military says 2 US Navy pilots were shot down, then rescued over the Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident. AP correspondent Julie Walker reports Germany Christmas Market Attacker Tipoffs German authorities say they received tipoffs last year about the suspect in a car attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg as more details emerged (出現了). Authorities have identified the suspect as a Saudi doctor who arrived in Germany in 2006. He was reportedly a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy. Authorities say he does not fit the usual profile of perpetrators of extremist attacks. Italy Trevi Fountain Returns Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain reopened Sunday after three months of renovations on the 18th-century monument that’s one of the Italian capital’s main attractions. The opening is just in time for the inauguration of the 2025 Jubilee Holy Year that is expected to draw millions of visitors. To manage the overwhelming number of visitors, Rome City officials have been devising a plan to block off the area around the fountain. Visitors will be required to book online and pay 2 euros ($2.20) to enter. Once inside, they will have 30 minutes to enjoy the fountain. City lore has it that tossing a coin into the Baroque fountain will ensure (確保) a return trip to Rome. The tradition generates an estimated 1.5 million euros annually, which has been donated to charity for the past 15 years. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 134-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,798 on turnover of $5.02-billion N-T. The market came under heavy pressure on Thursday - as it tumbled more than 230 points to close below the 23,000 point mark - due to selling sparked by a plunge on Wall Street overnight after the U-S Federal Reserve implied it plans to slow the pace of its rate cut cycle. Selling was seen across the board with the bellwether electronics sector in focus before its losses were trimmed in the afternoon session, which managed to cap the downturn by the end of the trading day. Police officer suspended from duty for leaking secrets A police officer has been detained for allegedly leaking secrets about President Lai Ching-te's itinerary while he was seconded to the National Security Bureau. According to the Sixth Special Police Corps, an investigation found that the police officer likely leaked undisclosed (未公開的) information related to Lai to his friends during his tenure at the N-S-B which began in May. The police officer was discharged from the N-S-B and returned to the Sixth Special Police Corps on December 8. A court approved a request by prosecutors to detain him for allegedly leaking secrets and violating the Classified National Security Information Protection Act on December 9. The police corps says it has also suspended the officer in accordance with the Police Personnel Management Act. UN Chief warns 'AI arms race' could have major security implications The UN's top official is warning artificial intelligence is evolving faster than our ability to govern it. Antonio Guterres said on Thursday there's an urgent need for global governance (治理) frameworks. He joined US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a Security Council meeting to discuss the opportunities and risks of AI. Sally Patterson reports from New York, where the United Nations is headquartered. Kenya Declares GenderBased Violence Most Pressing Security Threat The Kenyan government has declared gender-based violence the nation’s most pressing (緊迫) security threat, with 100 women killed in the past four months alone, most of them by men who were known to them, including intimate partners. Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary referred to the escalating crisis as “the elephant in the room,” and said authorities have investigated most of the cases, which are pending in court. The official says since September 2023, a staggering 7,107 cases of sexual and gender-based violence have been reported in Kenya. He adds that the police inspector general has formed a specialized unit to combat femicides — the killing of girls or women because of their gender. Kenya's Cabinet this week approved the setting up of a presidential working group to provide recommendations on how to stop gender-based violence. Wright Contempt of Court An Australian computer scientist who falsely claimed to be the founder of the bitcoin cryptocurrency has been found to have committed contempt of court by breaching an order of London’s High Court. In a judgment on Thursday, the justice on the case said Craig Wright had committed “a clear breach” of an order in March that barred him from launching or threatening further legal action related to bitcoin. Wright, who is not in the U.K., has been sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years For eight years, Wright had claimed that he was the man behind “Satoshi Nakamoto,” the pseudonym (筆名;假名) that masked the identity of the creator of bitcoin. 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 221-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,948 on turnover of $8.5-billion N-T. The market closed moderately higher on Wednesday after initial (最初的) losses registered early in the trading day as market sentiment remained cautious ahead of the conclusion of the U-S Federal Reserve's policymaking meeting. Top tech, science official pledges to build 'Chip Team Taiwan' National Science and Technology Council Minister Wu Cheng-wen says the government plans to launch (發射) a key initiative aimed at fostering domestic production of drones and other advanced technologies. According to Wu, the initiative will bring together companies specializing in advanced I-C design and chip manufacturing to support the system needs of Taiwanese firms developing drones. Wu says the establishment of the so-called "Chip Team Taiwan" comes, as although Taiwan has a well-developed supply chain encompassing I-C design, wafer manufacturing, testing and packaging, most of those products and services are being exported overseas. According to the science and technology minister, the planned initiative reflects the government's efforts to build up domestic markets for drones, robotics and communications satellites while reducing reliance on Chinese suppliers. Wu - who also serves as the Cabinet's minister without portfolio - also says more details concerning the "Chip Team Taiwan" initiative will be unveiled in the coming months. Israel Hopeful of Ceasefire Agreement Before Hanukkah Ahead of the latest UN Security Council meeting, Israel's Permanent Representative to the UN told reporters he was hopeful (充滿希望) for a ceasefire agreement with Hamas before the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah - next week. Correspondent Mitch McCann reports from New York: France Highest Court Upholds Sarkozy Corruption Conviction France’s highest court has upheld an appeal court decision which had found former President Nicolas Sarkozy guilty of corruption and influence peddling. Sarkozy, who faces one year in prison, is entitled to ask to be detained at home with an electronic bracelet — as is the case for any sentence of two years or less. He was found guilty of corruption and influence peddling (權力叫賣) by both a Paris court in 2021 and an appeals court in 2023 for trying to bribe a magistrate in exchange for information about a legal case in which he was implicated. Sarkozy says he will seek to bring the case to the European Court of Human Rights. Alberta Premier Responds to Trump Claims About Canada Subsidies Alberta's premier says millions of American jobs and companies rely on affordable imports from Canada. Danielle Smith says "affordable raw materials from Canada" help "make trillions of dollars of wealth" in the US. The premier of oil rich Alberta was responding to US President-elect Donald Trump's claims that the United States “subsidizes” Canada, and his threat of a 25% tariff on all Canadian goods. Smith ignored Trump’s other claims that "many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State", and pointed out that Alberta sends 4.3 million barrels of oil and gas to the U.S each day. Her comments come a day after Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Trump’s plan to impose sweeping 25% tariffs on all Canada products would be a “disaster” (災難) that would hurt U.S. stock markets. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened marginally down this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,014 on turnover of 7-billion N-T. The market closed slightly lower on Tuesday as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing fell into negative territory and as investors are being cautious ahead of the conclusion of this week's two-day policymaking meeting of the U-S Federal Reserve. New Examination Yuan head confirmed by Legislature Lawmakers have confirmed the appointment of Chou Hung-hsien and Hsu Shu-hsiang as the new president and vice president of the Examination Yuan. The appointments of six members of the Examination Yuan have also been confirmed following a vote in the Legislative Yuan. Chou is the incumbent Examination Yuan vice president, and was confirmed by a vote of 59 to 53. Chou has worked in public office for the past 16 years, serving in various (各種各樣的) positions including in the Examination Yuan and the Executive Yuan. Supreme Prosecutors Office prosecutor Ker Li-ling is the only one of President Lai Ching-te's seven nominees for the Examination Yuan not to have been be confirmed by the Legislature. The president, a vice president, and between seven and nine members of the body responsible for administering (施行) national civil servant exams and appointing, training and protecting the rights of civil service personnel are appointed by the president to four-year terms. CDC reporting decline in enterovirus cases The Centers for Disease Control is reporting a decline (減少) in the number of enterovirus case being reported to health authorities. According to the C-D-C, outpatient and emergency visits from between December 8 and 14 totaled 17,508 a decline of 21.4-per cent from the previous week. However, C-D-C Deputy Director-General Tseng Shu-hui is warning that that the enterovirus epidemic remains at its highest level in a decade for this period despite the decline in the number of weekly cases. Health officials say monitoring over the past four weeks has found that the coxsackie-virus A-16 strain was the most prevalent (流行) circulating here in Taiwan. And that was followed by the A-6, A-2, and enterovirus D-68 strains. US Mangione Faces Murder Charges in NY The suspect accused of (被指控) killing a top healthcare insurance official has been charged with murder in New York Luigi Mangione was indicted on 11 counts on Tuesday, including first-degree murder and murder as an act of terrorism. His lawyer says he plans to plead not guilty to the charges. Sally Patterson has more. Denmark AntiWhaling Activist Freed from Prison Anti-whaling activist Paul Watson will not be extradited to Japan after being freed from prison in Denmark, his lawyer said. The Canadian-American citizen is now planning to return home to be reunited with his family during the festive season after spending five months in custody in Greenland. Japan had asked Denmark to extradite Watson, who was arrested earlier this year under a Japanese warrant. The former head of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, whose high seas confrontations with whaling vessels have drawn support from celebrities and featured in a reality television series, said he is “quite relieved” (鬆了口氣) to be free. Watson's foundation said he faced a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison in Japan, which does not have an extradition treaty with Denmark. 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 91-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,131 on turnover of 8.7-billion N-T. The market bucked the regional downward trend and traded marginally higher on Monday - as investors shrugged off a decline on Wall Street at the end of last week. Taipei-Shanghai Twin City Forum Taking Place Today The Taipei-Shanghai Twin City Forum has gotten underway. Shanghai's delegation is being led Vice Mayor Hua Yuan - who arrived in Taiwan yesterday Hua is leading a delegation of about 90 people to attend today's event. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has said he believes the forum can help promote peace across the Taiwan Strait and that it's a rare platform for official cross-strait dialogue, which could help ease tensions (緊張局勢) between Taiwan and China. The Mainland Affairs Council announced last Friday that it had denied entry applications for 10 members of Shanghai delegation. The two cities are expected to sign memorandums of understanding on smart medical care and zoo animal exchanges during today's forum. Taichung mayor to Visit Japan Taichung City Mayor Lu Shiow-yen says she plans to visit Japan next year. According to Lu, her itinerary is still be worked out, but she's likely to travel to Miyazaki Prefecture - which recently formed a sister city relationship Taichung. The mayor's announcement came after K-M-T Taichung City Councilor Liu Shih-chou made public that the city has proposed a budget of just over 4-million for city exchange visits next year. Liu also said the city government should organize ( 安排，籌劃) a visit to Japan. Lu Shiow-yen made her first overseas visit in four years in April - when she traveled to Singapore. She also traveled to the U-S in July. Israeli Leader Phone Call with Trump Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President-elect Donald Trump had a "very warm" phone call according to the Israeli leader. He said they spoke about the need to complete Israel's victory, and bring home the hostages being held in Gaza - something Trump has said must happen before his inauguration (就職典禮). Kate Fisher reports from Washington India Zakir Hussain Obit Zakir Hussain, one of India’s most accomplished classical musicians who defied genres and introduced tabla to a global audience, has died at the age of 73. His family said the Indian classical music icon died on Sunday from chronic lung disease at a hospital in San Francisco. Hussain was considered the greatest tabla player of his generation and his career spanned six decades, during which he collaborated (合作) with the likes of singer-songwriter George Harrison, jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. In 2024, Hussain became the first musician from India to win three Grammy awards in the same year. Hussain is survived by his wife and two daughters. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 186-points this morning from Friday's close, at 23,207 on turnover of 6.7-billion N-T. The market closed marginally lower on Friday, following Wall Street's decline overnight in response to potentially discouraging data on the U-S economy. First Batch of M1A2 MBTs Arrive in Taiwan The first shipment of M1A2T Abrams main battle tanks have arrived in Taiwan. The shipment of 38 tanks arrived at the Port of Taipei. Unloading operations began late last night and the tanks were then transported an Army base in Hsinchu County. They are the first batch of 108 Abrams tanks that the U-S State Department approved (核准) for sale with related equipment to Taiwan in 2019. The defense ministry has said Taiwan will take delivery of 42 more Abrams main battle tanks next year and 28 in 2026. Environmental Groups Call for More Citizen Involvement in Green Initiatives And, Environmental groups have been rallying in Taichung calling for greater citizen involvement in green initiatives. The rally in front of Taichung City Hall was organized by groups including Air Clean Taiwan and the Changhua Medical Alliance for Public Affairs. According to Air Clean Taiwan, the passing of environmental impact evaluations of two planned nongreen energy facilities in the last 40 days are examples of the need for more citizen involvement (公民參與). Air Clean Taiwan says the conversion of a Taipower coal power station into a gas-fired plant and C-P-C's plans for a liquid natural gas receiving terminal project in Kaohsiung should not have passed their environmental impact evaluations. SKorea Authorities to Request Impeached President Appear for Questioning South Korean law enforcement authorities will request that impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol appear for questioning this week over his short-lived martial law decree as they expand a probe into whether his actions amounted to rebellion. Police say a joint investigative team plans to convey a request to Yoon’s office that he appears for questioning on Wednesday. Yoon was impeached by the opposition-controlled National Assembly on Saturday over his martial law enforcement on Dec. 3. His presidential powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to formally remove him from office. If Yoon is dismissed (被解僱、終止工作), an election to choose his successor must be held within 60 days. Ukrainian Drone Hits Russia A Ukrainian drone has struck Russia's Chechnya as Kyiv continues pushback (反對，反抗) after Moscow bombardment AP correspondent Karen Chammas reports. NMacedonia Arrest Suspects in Planned Terrorist Attacks North Macedonian authorities say four people suspected of planning terrorist attacks have been arrested. Officials say the arrests came during raids on several locations in the western towns of Struga and Gostivar on Sunday. They say the detained men are suspected of being “part of terrorist organizations (and) have been under surveillance for a long time,” All four are Macedonian citizens and were expected to face an investigating magistrate. The officials say they aimed to recruit (招募) people from other Balkan countries to commit terrorist acts, without giving details. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 44 points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,002 on turnover of 3.4 billion NT. The market rebounded on Thursday, after Wall Street resumed its upward climb as an update on inflation in America appeared to clear the way for more help for the economy from the U-S Federal Reserve. AIT says Chinese Activity Not Response to Lai's US Stopovers The American Institute in Taiwan says it doesn't believe increased Chinese military activity near Taiwan this week was a response to President Lai Ching-te's recent stopovers in the United States. The institute believes the "elevated activity in the East China Sea and South China Sea follows a broader increase in China's military posture (姿態) and military exercises over the last several years .. .. and it does not see this wider activity as a response to Lai's transit (轉機)." An A-I-T spokesperson says the United States continues to call on Beijing to "avoid any destabilizing or escalatory actions (升級動作) that might undermine regional peace and stability… and will continue coordinating with allies and partners regarding our shared concerns." The statement was issued by A-I-T following China's designating of seven areas east of Zhejiang and Fujian provinces from Monday to Wednesday as "temporary reserved areas" of airspace (空域保留區). Government Seeking Private Investment in Public Infrastructure The National Development Council says it's seeking private investment in public infrastructure (基礎建設) projects. According to the N-D-C's Economic Development Department, the government is set to create a ministerial-level mechanism (機制) to encourage such investment in order to "boost cooperation between the government and the private sector in jointly building Taiwan." Department head Chiu Chiu-ying says the mechanism will bring together officials from the N-D-C, the Ministry of Finance and the Financial Supervisory Commission to work with private enterprises … .. who are interested in investing in "major public infrastructure projects" projected to "yield stable returns." Chiu also says it's hoped that bringing in private capital (私人資金) for public projects will help alleviate financial burdens on both central and local governments. Lows of 11°C Forecast for North and Center The Central Weather Administration says a continental cold air mass is forecast to bring temperatures in the north and center down to 11 degrees early Sunday morning. According to the administration's forecast center, cold air mass will affect Taiwan from tomorrow through Sunday. The effects of the cold front will be the strongest on early Sunday morning - with lows of between 11 and 13 degrees forecast for the north and center, while other areas could see lows of between 14 and 15 degrees. The mercury will rebound slightly on Monday. However, another cold air mass is forecast to begin affecting the island next Friday. Nato calls on nations to ramp up defense spending In global news, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is urging European nations to shift to a wartime mindset… He also pointed up a need to ramp up (增加) defense spending to counter an aggressive Russia… as Sagher Meghani reports. US Mideast Initiatve Meanwhile… Top U.S. officials are in the Middle East pressing for stability in Syria and an end to Israel’s 14-month war in the Gaza Strip in a last-ditch diplomatic push by the outgoing Biden administration. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Jordan and Turkey on Thursday for talks on how to ensure a peaceful transition of power in Syria following the ouster of longtime President Bashar Assad. National security adviser Jake Sullivan is in Israel in a bid to wrap up a ceasefire with Hamas militants. Sullivan expressed cautious optimism that conditions are ripe for halting (中止) the conflict. South Korea latest And… The leader of South Korea's ruling party is expressing support for impeaching President Yoon Suk Yeoul over his martial law declaration. Local media reports say Han Dong-hoon now says removing Yoon is the only viable option left to restore politicial stability (恢復穩定政治). On Thursday, the embattled president defended his martial law declaration, which some media reports considred a confession of treason. Han voiced his support days before South Korea's National Assembly holds a second vote calling for Yoon to be impeached. -- 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 23,050 on turnover of $5-billion N-T. The market's downward momentum continued on Wednesday - but at a greater pace compared with the previous session - after Wall Street declined overnight as investors awaited the latest update on inflation in America. New Taipei's Tamkang Bridge Heading for Completion Transport Minister Chen Shi-kai is touting the progress being made in construction of the Dan-Jiang Bridge in New Taipei - which he says is nearing 80-per cent completion. Speaking during a inspection tour of the bridge's main section, Chen said when completed, it will not only ease (緩解) traffic congestion on the Guandu Bridge and improve travel between Tamsui and Taipei .. but will also become a landmark tourist attraction The transport minister also praised the bridge's design - saying New Taipei City could use its 70-story-high tower to launch New Year's fireworks. The bridge has been designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, who died in 2016, and a connects New Taipei's Tamsui and Bali districts. When completed it will be the world's longest single-tower, asymmetric cable-stayed suspension bridge. The New Taipei City Government says it expects construction of the bridge to be completed by next year and it is currently slated to open to traffic in 2026. UN General Assembly Votes in Favor of Gaza Ceasefire The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly voted in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza. While this vote is not legally binding (並不具有法律約束力), it's a strong political signal. The United States has once again voted against the ceasefire. Jody Jacobs has more from the United Nations in New York. SKorea President Defends Martial Law Decree The South Korean president has defended his martial law decree as act of governance and denied rebellion charges. Yoon Suk Yeol’s televised statement today came hours before the main liberal opposition Democratic Party submits a new impeachment motion against Yoon. The opposition party plans to put the motion on a floor vote this Saturday. Its earlier attempt to impeach Yoon fell through last Saturday, with ruling party lawmakers boycotting a vote at the National Assembly. Yoon’s Dec. 3 martial law decree has generated political chaos (混亂) and protests calling for his ouster. Paris Olympics Less Polluting but Not Carbon Neutral The Paris Olympics says it was far less polluting than recent Games but is not claiming to have been “carbon neutral” despite funding projects to compensate for its emissions. Organizers said Wednesday that this summer’s Olympics and Paralympics generated 1.59 million tons of climate-warming carbon dioxide. That's including everything from the food athletes ate and construction of their rooms to flights that spectators (觀眾) took and energy that powered events. According to a French government carbon-impact calculator, "that many tons of CO2" is equivalent to driving a car 182-thousand-675 times around the globe. 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 16-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,108 on turnover of 2-billion N-T. The market closed the day down on Tuesday after Nvidia pulled Wall Street lower overnight - and that resulted in the main board retreating to just above the 5-day moving average. First Agreement Under Taiwan-US 21st-Century Trade Initiative Takes Effect The first agreement under the Taiwan-US Initiative on 21st-Century Trade has officially come into effect. The Office of Trade Negotiations says the move marks a "significant milestone" in bilateral trade relations between Taipei and Washington. The agreement covers commitments to customs administration and trade facilitation, regulatory ( 監管) practices, rules for running domestic service industries, anti-corruption and small- and medium-sized enterprises. According to the Office of Trade Negotiations, the initial agreement received unanimous support from the U-S Congress and both sides will continue to discuss implementation (執行) details and share any concerns. Taipei Mayor Stressed Taipei-Shanghai Forum Aiming to Maintain Cross-Strait Peace Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an is stressing that his administration will be hosting Shanghai officials at next week's Taipei-Shanghai Twin City Forum to help promote peace across the Taiwan Strait. Speaking at a city government meeting, Chiang described the annual forum as a rare platform for official cross-strait dialogue (對話), which could help ease tensions between Taiwan and China. According to Chiang, Taiwan has had limited exchanges with China in recent years and he firmly believes it's "better to understand each other than to misunderstand." The 102-member Shanghai delegation to this year's forum is being led by Hua Yuan, one of the city's eight vice mayors. Israel Airstrikes Across Syria Israel carried out a wave of heavy airstrikes across Syria as its troops advanced deeper into the country. That's according to a Syrian opposition war monitor. Elsewhere on Tuesday, the Israeli defense minister announced that his forces had destroyed Syria’s navy. Israel acknowledged pushing into a buffer zone inside Syria following the overthrow of President Bashar Assad. But it remained unclear if its soldiers had gone beyond that area, which was established more than 50 years ago. Israel denied it is advancing on the Syrian capital of Damascus. Israeli officials have said they are striking military assets to prevent (防止) them from falling into the hands of extremists. US Files War Crimes Charges Against Syrian Military Officials The United States has filed war crimes charges against two high-ranking Syrian military figures who it accuses of torturing American citizens. It comes after the government of Bashar al-Assad collapsed (瓦解), with the former president fleeing the country. Nick Harper reports from Washington. NMacedonia Protests Against Air Pollution Protesters across North Macedonia have taken part in demonstrations to demand better air quality in cities that are among the most polluted in Europe. In the capital, Skopje, the protesters gathered Tuesday outside the Environment Ministry, some wearing gas masks to highlight the problem blamed by authorities for some 3,500 premature deaths annually. According to European Union health authorities, pollution levels in Skopje and other Macedonian cities often exceed World Health Organization's limits by more than four times. Pollution levels often spike during the winter months, with many urban households unable to afford (買得起) central heating, burning wood, old tires, plastic, and other waste materials. Protest organizers called for national action, demandingstricter government regulation of traffic and industry, citing decades of neglect. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 44-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,228 on turnover of 6.7-billion N-T. The market rose on Monday as investors reacted to Wall Street hitting new records on Friday following the release of positive U-S jobs data. FTC Extends Uber Eats-Foodpanda Merger Review The Fair Trade Commission is extending its review of a Uber Eats' proposed acquisition (獲得, 收購) of Foodpanda and the results of the review will now be released in March at the at the latest. The commission had previously said it planned to issue the results of it review into the merger on December 19. The commission says it chose to delay the release due to concerns the merger could impact market dynamics as well as the economy. Commission deputy chairperson Chen Zhi-min says the greatest concern is that if Uber Eats acquires Foodpanda, the combined entitly would have market share of between 80 and 90-per cent and that could increase restrictions on market competition. Former President and Tech Heavyweights Attend Morris Chang Memoir Event And, Former President Tsai Ing-wen has joined some of the tech world's biggest names at a book launch (新書發布) event for the second installment of Morris Chang's memoir. Tsai was joined by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing C-E-O C.C. Wei, Quanta Computer Chairman Barry Lam and Acer C-E-O Jason Chen at the presentation in Taipei. Chang has been working on his autobiography since retiring in 2018. The second installment covers Chang's life until his retirement. US Police Question POI in CEO Killing Police are questioning a man in connection with the killing of a health insurance boss in New York. 26 year-old Luigi Mangione was detained (被拘留) on firearms charges at a McDonald's in Pennsylvania on Monday. US correspondent Kate Fisher reports Nobel Peace Prize Winner Calls on Putin to Stop Making Nuclear Threats Terumi Tanaka, a survivor of the U.S. atomic bombings of Japan and the representative of an organization that won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop making nuclear threats (威脅). The 92-year-old spoke at a news conference in Oslo, Norway, a day before the award ceremony where he is to deliver a lecture on behalf of Nihon Hidankyo, an organization of survivors of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that won this year’s prize. He said that his organization’s message to Putin is that “nuclear weapons are things which must never be used.” Greece Ancient Statue Discovered Work to lay natural gas pipelines near the foot of the Acropolis has uncovered an ancient marble statue of a young man buried almost upright (直立) in a brick-lined pit. Greece's Culture Ministry says in a statement that the nude statue resembles ancient representations of messenger of the Greek gods Hermes and may have decorated the townhouse of a wealthy Roman-era Athenian. The ministry suggested it could be a Roman-era copy of a fifth century B.C. original. The ministry says the statue has been taken to a conservation workshop for further examination. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn