EZ News

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 94-points this morning from Friday's close, at 23,287 on turnover of 6-billion N-T. The market lost ground last Friday to close below the 23,200 point mark as investors awaited U-S November jobs data. Although semiconductor stocks traded down, analysts say gains (增加) for artificial intelligence development related stocks lent support to the wider tech sector to stem the downturn on the main board. Former Legislative Speaker Proposes New Cross-Strait Narrative Former Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng has unveiled a new cross-strait narrative - advocating for "separate governance without division" between Taiwan and China. Speaking during the launch of the Moral Peace Union cross-strait think tank, Wang said "the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are not subordinate to each other in terms of governance (治理) but share sovereignty without division." According to Wang, his proposal acknowledges the reality that the two sides across the Taiwan Strait are governed separately while keeping avenues open for fostering peaceful relations. Taiwan-Made E-Buses Heading to Paraguay And, A shipment of domestically made electric buses is heading to Paraguay - with Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung describing it as milestone in Taiwan's efforts to help the South American country go green by exporting local technology. The shipment left Taipei Port this past weekend. Taking to Facebook, the foreign minister said he, Paraguay's Ambassador to Taiwan Carlos Jose Fleitas, and Master Transportation Bus Manufacturing Chairman Wu Ting-fa were at the port to see off the batch (批次) of 30 e-buses. The buses are expected to arrive in Paraguay by the end of February. Biden on Assad Ousting US President Joe Biden has offered his nation's ongoing support for Syria following the ousting of Bashar Al Assad by opposition forces. But it's not clear Biden's approach will be shared by his successor (接班人) Donald Trump, who takes over in January. Our Washington correspondent Jagruti Dave has more… Notre Dame Hosts First Mass Since Reopening Notre Dame Cathedral has hosted its first Mass since the catastrophic fire of 2019. Archbishop Laurent Ulrich presided over the Mass, including consecrating a new bronze altar. The public Mass came after the official reopening of the building Saturday with Donald Trump and other VIPs. Notre Dame’s journey from ruin to resurrection was defined by extraordinary (非凡的) craftsmanship and nearly $1 billion in global donations. The liturgy was attended by 2,500 people, including French President Emmanuel Macron, clergy, dignitaries and a few lucky members of the general public who stood in long lines to enter. The cathedral, which previously welcomed 12 million annual visitors, is expected to draw 15 million in its new chapter. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Earthquake off of Hualian Anti-Surrogacy Protester Bemoan Bill South Korea Martial Law Aftermath Tsunami warning called off in California NASA Moon Missions delayed -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 53-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,308 on turnover of 5.7-billion N-T. The market bucked the regional downward trend and traded higher on Wednesday, after tech stocks pushed the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq to more record highs on Wall Street overnight. Market watchers say the upwards momentum on the main board entered a third day, as investors shrugged off the short-lived martial law period in South Korea and amid continuing net purchases of stocks by foreign investors. Taipei-Shanghai Twin-City Forum Scheduled for December 17 The Taipei City Government has announced that the 15th Taipei-Shanghai Twin-City Forum will be be taking place in the city on December 17. The announcement was also made simultaneously by the Shanghai City Government. The city says delegation of around 100 people from Shanghai will attend the event - which will be taking place at the Regent Hotel under the theme of "Smart governance (治理), sustainable future." The delegation from China will be led by Shanghai Vice Mayor Hua Yuan and will engage in exchanges with Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an. The Taipei City Government has previously said two sides will sign memorandums of cooperation in "smart medical care" and "zoo animal exchanges" at the forum. Taipei and Shanghai have taken turns hosting the forum every year since 2010. MOL Could Establish Hotline for Filing Bullying Complaints Labor Minister Hung Sun-han says his office is considering establishing a hotline for the general public to report workplace bullying after his office sets up a dedicated (專用) complaint channel for its own agencies. Speaking a legislative hearing, Hong said the move is aimed at prevent workplace bullying in the private sector. According to Hong, the labor ministry is also assessing the feasibility of creating a hotline for filing complaints and providing counseling regarding workplace bullying that would be available to the public. SKorea Defense Minister Resigns After Martial Law Fiasco South Korea’s defense minister is resigning following the president's failed attempt at imposing (強制實行) martial law on Tuesday. There are also sustained calls for leader Yoon Suk Yeol to step down as he faces impeachment over the fiasco. Chris Gilbert reports. Canada Vancouver Stabbing Leaves Two Injured and Suspect Dead Police say a stabbing suspect is dead after being shot by police in the Canadian city of Vancouver in a convenience store. Vancouver Police say the suspect has died in hospital. Authorities say two people suffered injuries that are not thought to be life threatening. Witnesses say a man stole liquor and a knife from a restaurant then used the weapon across the street to stab (刺) people in a 7-Eleven store. UNESCO Lists Zinc Roof Restoration Techniques as Intangile Cultural Heritage UNESCO has listed the restoration techniques for the zinc roofs of Paris as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. The art involves removing old pieces of zinc, then measuring and custom-cutting new pieces using a Parisian folding machine, and assembling and fixing the pieces onto the roof. And the United Nations agency says "with nearly 80 percent of the roofs in Paris covered in zinc, the city is a living archive (檔案) of these skills that shape the unique identity of its urban landscape." Roofers are hoping the UNESCO recognition will inspire others to join their ranks and improve their working conditions. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Tai-Ex opening up Government to Continue Seeking Support for CPTPP Bid Health Ministry to Address Surrogacy Issue in Separate Amendments South Korea's opposition party calls on President Yoon to step down UN Security Council convenes urgent meeting on Syria -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 235-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,972 on turnover of $8.3-billion N-T. Labor Funds Earn NT$20.9 Billion in October The Ministry of Labor reports that Labor Funds grew by $20.9 billion NT in October. That brings total gains for 2024 to $93.91 billion NT. The funds, managed by the Bureau of Labor Funds, are valued at $6.88 trillion NT with a 14.96 percent return rate for the first 10 months of the year. Key funds include the Labor Pension Fund, with a 14.59-percent return, and the Labor Retirement Fund, at 17.92-percent. The National Pension Insurance Fund also saw a strong performance, reaching a 16.01-percent return. Over the past decade, these funds have delivered an average annual return of 6.7-percent. Officials warned of global market uncertainty (不確定) due to interest rate policies, uneven growth, and geopolitical tensions, but noted Taiwan’s stock market remained solid in October. Rain and Cooler Weather in Northern Taiwan The northeast monsoon is bringing cooler weather and rain to northern Taiwan today. Greater Taipei, Yilan, Hualien, and Matsu could see showers, with heavy rain expected in northeastern mountains. Other areas, including Penghu and Kinmen, will stay mostly dry and sunny. Drivers in central and southern Taiwan should watch for thick morning fog that’s reducing visibility (能見度) to under 200 meters in some places. Strong winds are hitting coastal areas, including Taoyuan and Hsinchu, and islands like Penghu and Matsu. Air quality in western Taiwan is worsening due to pollution buildup. Central and southern areas are under an “Orange Alert,” with some spots reaching “Red Alert” levels. Israel Launches Airstrikes After Hezbollah Projectiles Israel has unleashed its largest wave of airstrikes across Lebanon since agreeing to a ceasefire with Hezbollah last week, killing at least 11 people. The strikes came after the Lebanese militant group fired a volley of projectiles earlier on Monday as a warning over what it said were Israeli truce (休戰) violations. This was apparently the first time Hezbollah took aim at Israeli forces after the 60-day ceasefire went into effect last week. The increasingly fragile ceasefire aims to end more than a year of war between Hezbollah and Israel — part of a wider regional conflict sparked by the devastating Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Guinea Football Stampede Leaves Dozens Dead There's growing anger in Guinea after dozens were killed in a stampede at a football match. Officials say clashes broke out among football fans at the stadium after a contested (有爭議的) goal. Correspondent Nabil Ahmed Rufai reports. NZ SpadeToothed Whale Dissection Scientists and culture experts in New Zealand have begun the first-ever dissection of a spade-toothed whale, the world's rarest whale species. The creature, which washed up dead on a beach on New Zealand's South Island in July, is only the seventh specimen (樣本) ever found. None has ever been seen alive at sea. Over the next week, researchers will study the 5-meter-long male at an agricultural research center near the city of Dunedin. Almost nothing is known about it but scientists, working with Maori cultural experts, hope to answer some of the many lingering questions this week, including where they live, what they eat, how they produce sound and how this specimen died. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. TSMC Boosts Taiwan Stocks Above Key Level Taiwan stocks are up this morning, with the TAIEX index jumping over 350 points to 22-thousand-614, recovering key quarterly and six-month averages. The rally was led by TSMC, which climbed back above $1,000 NT, rising $24 NT to $1,020 NT. Other blue-chip stocks also gained, with Hon Hai up $4 NT to $199.5 NT and MediaTek rising to $1-thousand-285 NT. Analysts say TSMC remains the main driver of the market, though concerns linger (徘徊) over U.S. tariffs and tech bans targeting China. They believe the AI trend continues to provide strong momentum but warn that potential policy changes in the U.S. under Donald Trump could bring fresh challenges. (PB) Taiwan CDC announces free shipping for HIV tests until end of December Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control has announced a free shipping incentive (優惠) for home HIV tests until the end of the month… The CDC said members of the general public are entitled to a free shipping subsidy until Dec. 31 for Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV) home tests ordered through the program's official website. The program was announced in observation of the international World AIDS Day which falls on Dec. 1 since it was first introduced in 1988. Those who purchase kits from the site have to just pay NT$200 for each test kit, which can be delivered to partnering outlets such as FamilyMart and 7-Eleven. CDC statistics show Taiwan experienced an increase of 834 HIV positive patients from the beginning of the year until the end of October, which was a 4.8 percent increase compared to the same time frame last year. Syria Rushes in Reinforcements as Insurgents Seize Aleppo The Syrian military rushed reinforcements to the northwest and launched airstrikes Sunday in an attempt to push back insurgents who seized the country’s largest city of Aleppo. The insurgents launched a two-pronged attack on Aleppo and the countryside around Idlib, before moving toward neighboring Hama province. On Sunday, government troops created what they called a “strong defensive line” in northern Hama, according to Britain-based opposition war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Meanwhile, jets struck the cities of Idlib and Aleppo, killing at least 15 people. Syrian President Bashar Assad's office says Iran has pledged to help the government counter the surprise offensive (進攻). Arab leaders, including Jordan’s King Abdullah II and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, have also called Assad to express their solidarity. Canada on Communicating Border Difference to Trump Canada’s ambassador to the United States says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was successful in getting President-elect Donald Trump and some key cabinet nominees to understand that lumping Canada in with Mexico over the flow of drugs and migrants into the U.S. is unfair. Kirsten Hillman says Trudeau’s dinner with Trump on Friday was a very important step in getting Trump to back away from threatened tariffs on all products. Trump threatened (威脅) to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if they don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across their borders. Hillman says Trudeau's message that the Canadian border is vastly different from the Mexican border was really understood. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- 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 22,202 on turnover of 4.9-billion N-T. The market closed lower on Thursday, following losses for big tech stocks on Wall Street overnight. Cabinet Proposes Ban on Corporal Punishment by Parents The Cabinet has approved draft legal amendments aimed at rescinding the right of parents to use physical force to punish their children. The draft amendments were proposed by the Ministry of Justice. They seek to change Article 1085 of the Civil Code, which currently states that parents "may, within the limit of necessity, inflict punishment upon their children." The revised version of the article will instead state that parents should "give consideration to (充分考慮) their children's age and level of development, respect their personalities, and not engage in mentally or physically violent behavior against them." Court Bans Kaohsiung City Councilor from Leaving Country The Kaohsiung District Court has banned city councilor Huang Shao-ting from leaving the country for eight months as he remain under investigation in a corruption case. The ruling came after the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors' Office charged Huang with violating the Criminal Code and Anti-Corruption Act. Prosecutors also charged 13 other individuals, including Huang's wife with embezzlement (貪污) related offenses. The prosecutors' office says Huang is believed to have embezzled some 14-million N-T during his three-terms as a Kaohsiung City councilor. Mexico President Clarifies Immigration Stance Mexico's President Claudia Shienbaum is clarifying (澄清) her country's stance on immigration - after Donald Trump claimed she "had agreed to stop migration through Mexico - into the United States." Toni Waterman has more. Russia Sentences Human Rights Lawyer A Russian human rights group says a court in Russia convicted a prominent (著名的) lawyer and sentenced him to seven years in prison for speaking out against the war in Ukraine on social media. The verdict in the case of Dmitry Talantov, who once chaired a regional association of lawyers in Russia’s central Udmurtia republic, is the latest in the Kremlin crackdown on dissent after sending troops into Ukraine in February 2022. Talantov is one of dozens of Russians arrested under a law adopted just over a week after the invasion that essentially bans any public expression about the war that deviates from the official narrative. According to the rights group OVD-Info, some 1,100 people have been implicated in criminal cases over their anti-war stance since February 2022. A total of 340 of them are currently behind bars or have been involuntarily committed to medical institutions. Canada Antitrust Watchdog Suing Google Canada’s antitrust watchdog is suing Google over alleged anticompetitive conduct in the tech giant’s online advertising business and wants the company to sell off two of its services and pay a penalty. The Competition Bureau says that such action is necessary because an investigation it conducted into Google found that the company “unlawfully” tied together its ad tech tools to maintain its market dominance (主導地位). The matter is headed for the Competition Tribunal, a quasi-judicial body that hears cases brought forward by the competition commissioner about non-compliance (不合規) with the Competition Act. The bureau is asking the tribunal to order Google to sell its publisher ad server, and its ad exchange. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- 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 22,380 on turnover of 5-billion N-T. The market plunged on Wednesday losing more than 370-points, as foreign institutional investors increased short futures positions to hedge against potential risks in the spot market. Investor sentiment remained cautious after U-S President-elect Donald Trump's threats of tariffs on goods from China, Canada and Mexico - which pushed down large-cap tech stocks. While foreign institutional investors appeared cautious and selling was focused on tech heavyweights - as it was seen as the most effective way to drive down the spot market and profit from futures. Chinese Student Group Arrives in Taiwan for 9-Day Visit A group of 40 Chinese college students and faculty members have arrived in Taiwan for a nine-day trip at the invitation of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation. Foundation C-E-O Hsiao Hsu-tsen is describing the the visit as an exciting event at a time when the cross-strait relationship faces challenges and he believes a common dialogue between the two sides and can help improve relations. Hsiao is also thanking the government for allowing the visit to take place. The delegation is made up of students from seven Chinese universities and includes six-time Olympic table tennis champion Ma Long of the Beijing Sport University, and 2020 Tokyo Olympic shooting gold medalist Yang Qian, who studies at the Tsinghua University. Sunny Skies and Low Temperatures Forecast through Sunday And, The Central Weather Administration says a cold front has pushed temperatures down islandwide - and the current conditions will persist through the weekend According to the administration's forecast center, the lowest temperature in low lying areas this morning was recorded in Miaoli County's Sanwan Township, where the mercury dropped to 8.4-degrees. The mercury fell to 8.8-degrees in New Taipei's Shiding District and to 9.2-degrees in Hsinchu County's Emei Township. Meteorologist Daniel Wu says the current weather system will likely qualify as this winter's first "continental cold air mass" -- meaning that it will bring temperatures of 10 degrees or below in some low-lying areas, or possibly below 14 degrees at the Taipei weather station. G7 condemns Russia's "irresponsible and threatening nuclear rhetoric" after talks in Italy The G7 has condemned Russia's "irresponsible and threatening nuclear rhetoric" after two days of talks in Italy. It was the final meeting for foreign ministers from the group, which includes the U.S., U.K. and Japan, before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Giles Gibson reports from Rome. Canada Mulls Retaliatory Tariffs After Trump Threat A government official says Canada is already examining possible retaliatory tariffs on certain items from the United States. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if the countries don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across southern and northern borders. He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders. A Canadian government official said Canada is preparing for every eventuality (可能性) and has started thinking about what items to target with tariffs. The official stressed no decision has been made. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened marginally lower this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,665 on turnover of 4.3-billion N-T. The market fell sharply on Tuesday following U-S President-elect Donald Trump's threat to impose (施) steep tariffs on goods made in Canada, Mexico and China - and the downturn was led by the bellwether electronics sector. Ticker-Tape Parade for Premier 12 Winning Team Taiwan's Premier 12 Championship title winning baseball team has been welcomed home with a ticker-tape parade in Taipei. The parade saw players and coaches driven in a convoy of vehicles from the intersection of Ketagalan Boulevard and Gongyuan Road - before passing through Xiangyang Road and the Canyon of Heroes" along Guanqian Road .. …. where confetti (五彩碎紙) were released to pay tribute to the team. The convoy then turned left onto Zhongxiao West Road before turning onto Chongqing South Road and ending at the Presidential Office. The jeeps and trucks in the convoy were driven by uniformed military personnel and included both civilian and military vehicles. It was escorted along the route by police officers on electric scooters. The parade attracted tens of thousands of flag waving and screaming fans who came out to get a glimpse of the tournament winning players and coaches. Core Pacific City Corruption Case Suspect Remains Detained The Taipei District Court has extended a detention order for a key suspect in the Core Pacific City corruption case. The court approved the extension after the Taipei District Prosecutors Office said there was concern that Lee Wen-tsung could destroy evidence or collude (串通) with others if released from detention. Lee previously ran Ko Wen-je's office during his second term as Taipei mayor. Prosecutors have said they believe Lee was involved in the allegedly corrupt real-estate dealings. Lee was first ordered detained in late September. Biden Confirms IsraelHezbollah Ceasefire Deal US President Joe Biden has confirmed a ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Thousands of people have been killed - and more than a million displaced (流離失所) - in the latest round of the conflict, which began following the October 7th attacks by Hamas in Israel. Ira Spitzer reports. Colombia to Impose Visa Requirement on UK Citizens Colombia's President Gustavo Petro says that his country will impose visa requirements on British citizens. The announcement Tuesday comes after the United Kingdom removed Colombia from a list of countries whose nationals can visit Britain without tourist visas. The British embassy in Colombia said that over the past two years, there has been a “significant” increase in the number of Colombians who arrive at UK airports and make “unjustified” asylum claims. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 158-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,789 on turnover of 5.7-billion N-T. The market gave up most of its initial gains on Monday, but still managed to end the marginally higher with expanded turnover before regular index adjustments by M-S-C-I took effect after the close of trading. Main Suspect in Taiyen Green Energy Fraud Case Turns Himself In Former D-P-P lawmaker Chen Qi-yu has turned himself in to prosecutors as part of an investigation into allegations of fraud at a state-linked green energy enterprise in Tainan. He arrived at the Tainan District Prosecutors' Office with his lawyer three weeks after a warrant was issued for his arrest. Prosecutors says they believe Chen violated the Securities and Exchange Act for breach of trust (違反信託) offenses and the Criminal Code for knowingly causing a public servant to publish an official document containing false information. A court has now ordered Chen to be detained as prosecutors continue their investigation. Surgeon Indicted over China Organ Transplants The Changhua District Prosecutors' Office has indicted a surgeon and four accomplices for allegedly facilitating illegal organ transplants conducted in China. The prosecutors' office says the transplant specialist orchestrated (精心策劃的) a criminal ring that profited from sending 10 Taiwanese patients to China to undergo organ transplant surgery between 2016 and 2019. According to prosecutors, the group charged patients between 5 and 7.5-million N-T for liver transplants and between 3 and 3.5-million N-T for kidney transplants that were conducted in China's Shandong and Hunan provinces. Prosecutors are seeking a six-year sentence for the surgeon and three year sentences for the four accomplices. US Federal Criminal Cases Against Trump Dropped US President-elect Donald Trump looks set to escape trial for his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election result after investigators filed a motion to drop the case. Special counsel Jack Smith on Monday moved to dismiss (駁回（指法官因證據不足而）) the charges against the former President due to a long-standing Justice Department policy that bars the prosecution of a sitting President. Benji Hyer reports. Turkey Detains Dozens Joining Rally for Women Protection Police have detained dozens of people in Istanbul who tried to join a rally calling for greater protection for women in Turkey, where more than 400 women have been murdered this year. The demonstrators tried to enter the main pedestrian street to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Monday. But there is a ban on all protests in the area. Many demonstrators protested President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's decision in 2021 that withdrew (退出) Turkey from a landmark European agreement to protect women from violence. The agreement was signed in Istanbul and is named for the city. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- 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 Friday's close, at 22,996 on turnover of 5.3-billion N-T. The market moved sharply higher on Friday - jumping more than 300 points as buying was sparked by rally on Wall Street staged by tech stocks overnight. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing continued to serve as an anchor for the upturn, but gains were still capped ahead of technical resistance at the 20-day moving average of around 22,984 points. Taiwan Wins Premier 12 at Tokyo Dome Taiwan has made history after beating Japan 4-0 in the Premier 12 Championship Game at the Tokyo Dome. Taiwan took an early 4-0 lead thanks to two home runs in the top of the fifth inning - a solo by catcher Lin Chia-cheng and a three-run homer by team captain, center fielder Chen Jie-hsien. Taiwan's starter pitcher Lin Yu-min cruised through four scoreless innings - giving up only one hit, three walks and striking out three. While Taiwan's three relievers were able to contain (遏制) the Japanese batters for the rest of the game to seal the historic win. Taiwan was rated second to last by Japanese media before the Premier12 tournament began and was widely considered an underdog. Premier Asks Mew Labor Minister to Revamp Policies Premier Cho Jung-tai says newly appointed Labor Minister Hong Shen-han has been asked to devise a comprehensive labor policy following the suicide of a Ministry of Labor employee. According to the premier, Hong must develop an "inclusive (包容性) labor policy" that protects workers while addressing the demands of various industries, while also creating a supportive and equitable workplace for his colleagues while boosting their morale. Hong was appointed to succeed Ho Pei-shan on Friday. Ho's resignation was accepted by the premier earlier that same day following criticism over her handling of the suicide case. The premier says he chose Hong to lead the labor ministry because he used to be a civil rights activist and is trusted by many workers. WFP says in 2025 hunger will reach alarming highs The World Food Programme says global food hunger is set to increase by ten percent. WFP made the announcement on Friday as it began an appeal close a funding gap of 17 billion dollars that it needs to address the escalating (不斷升級) global hunger crisis. Jody Jacobs reports from the United Nations in New York. Russian Plane Lands Safely in Turkey After Fire Turkey's transportation ministry says the engine of a Russian plane with 95 people on board caught fire after landing at Antalya airport in southern Turkey. All passengers and crew were safely evacuated. The flight from Sochi was carrying 89 passengers and six crew members Sunday. The pilot made an emergency call after the aircraft landed at 9:34 p.m. local time, and airport rescue and firefighting crews quickly extinguished (熄滅) the fire. Efforts were underway to remove the aircraft from the runway. Arrivals at the airport have been temporarily suspended while departures were taking place from a nearby military-run runway. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 244-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,800 on turnover of $5.09-billion N-T. Education Ministry-Funded Youth Overseas Program to Start Next Year The Ministry of Education says a program designed to encourage young people to participate in volunteering, internships, and other learning activities overseas with government funding will begin receiving applications next year. According to Deputy Education Minister Yeh Bing-cheng, the program is being supported by the newly established Youth Overseas Dream Fund and aims to help young people go abroad and "broaden their horizons." Yeh says the government hopes to select around 550 young people in 2025 for the program - which is open to Taiwan nationals aged between 15 to 30. The deputy education minister is encouraging young people with "good ideas," regardless of their family's financial status, to apply. Selected applicants (申請人) will receive grants of up to 2-million N-T for their own proposals. Projects currently being negotiated included student tours to the central government agencies in France as well as to different Indigenous villages in Canada. UN Condemns Iran Nuclear Noncompliance The U.N. nuclear watchdog’s board has condemned Iran for failing to cooperate fully with the agency, the second time it has done so in just five months. The International Atomic Energy Agency also called on Tehran to provide answers in a long-running investigation into uranium particles found at two locations that Tehran has failed to declare as nuclear sites. Diplomats say that 19 members of the IAEA board voted for the resolution, while Russia, China and Burkina Faso opposed it, and 12 abstained and one did not vote, according to diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the outcome of the closed-doors vote. The resolution comes on the heels of a confidential report earlier this week in which the IAEA said Iran has defied international demands to rein in its nuclear program and has increased its stockpile (儲存，逐步積累的東西) of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. Nigeria Calls for Military Partnerships in Africa Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has called on military formations in African countries to strengthen alliances in the bid to defeat insecurity (不安全) on the continent. Tesem Akende reports from Jos. Canada PM Announces Tax Break Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plans to temporarily lift the federal sales tax off a slew of items and send checks to millions of Canadians who are dealing with rising costs as a federal election looms. The measures come as an inflation-driven affordability (負擔能力) crunch (困難) has left voters unhappy with the Trudeau government. The federal goods and services tax break would begin Dec. 14 and end Feb. 15. It will apply to a number of items including children’s clothing and shoes, toys, diapers, restaurant meals and beer and wine. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Labor Minister Apologizes Following Workplace Suicide Severe Cases and Deaths from Flu Reach 10-Year High HK National Security Law Sentences UN Secretary General concerned about the escalation of Russia's war on Ukraine Brazil's Police Arrested Five Accused over Coup Plot Flanagan Win's Britain's Leading Nonfiction Book Prize -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 68-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,614 on turnover of 4-billion N-T. The market tumbled on Monday, falling almost 200 points, as the bellwether electronics sector trended lower after a decline on Wall Street at the end of last week sparked by fears the U-S Federal Reserve is set to slow down the pace of its current rate cut cycle. Court Rules Women's League has KMT Links The Taipei High Administrative Court has ruled that the National Women's League was an affiliate of the K-M-T before 2004 and as such has been ordered pay 17.89-billion N-T to the state. The ruling comes after the women's group sued the Ill-gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee in 2018. The lawsuit was filed shortly after the committee classified (分類) the National Women's League as a K-M-T affiliate in February of that year. The women's league had argued it had not been controlled or run by the political party and the committee's classification was incorrect. The committee also froze the assets of the women's group, including 38.5-billion N-T in cash. Man Involved in High Speed Rail Knife Incident Released on Bail The Taipei District Court has released man who punched a woman on a high speed rail train and damaged a tray table with a knife on 29,000 N-T bail. The court ruling comes after the Railway Police Bureau's Taipei branch announced it had arrested in Nantou. The suspect was then referred to the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office for further investigation on suspicion of threatening members of the public, assault (攻擊) and damaging private property. The incident occurred while the train was traveling between Banqiao Station in New Taipei and Taipei Station. The Railway Police Bureau says it will increase the number of patrols to ensure passenger safety. Biden Pledges Funding to Fight Poverty US President Joe Biden has pledged $4 billion for the world's poorest countries. The announcement came after Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva launched a global alliance (全球性聯盟) to fight hunger and poverty at the G20 meeting of the world's leading economies in Rio de Janeiro. Kate Fisher reports Finland Germany Undersea Cable Severed German and Finland have expressed deep concern over the discovery of a severed undersea cable between the countries through the Baltic Sea. The two countries say it raises suspicions of sabotage and that an investigation is underway. Finnish authorities say the severed data cable was detected Monday in the cable that runs nearly 1.200 kilometers from the Finnish capital, Helsinki, to the German port city of Rostock. They say Finland’s international data and telecommunications connections are secured by running them through several redundant (額外的，重複的) lines, and the effects of a single cable failure would depend on the security level of service providers’ connections. Greece to Make Early Repayment on Debt Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis says Greece is set to make an early repayment of $5.3 billion in bailout-era debt in 2025. Mitsotakis on Monday described the move as a signal of the nation’s fiscal recovery. Finance Ministry officials say they plan to reduce debt through primary surpluses, loan repayments and combating tax evasion. Mitsotakis’ center-right government was elected for a second term in 2023. It's struggling to address a cost of living crisis that has sapped (削弱了) Greeks’ spending power. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- 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 22,694 on turnover of 4.6-billion N-T. Advocacy group calls for stricter licensing after fatal bus collision A road safety advocacy group is calling for reforms to Taiwan's driver licensing and retraining system.. .. after a pedestrian was killed and 15 other people were injured in a two-bus collision in Taipei over the weekend. Taiwan Vision Zero Alliance says that "Taiwan's driver's licenses are among the easiest to obtain in the world, and there is no mandatory retraining system for drivers". The alliance said that under current regulations, individuals who have held a standard car driver's license for two years and have completed a driver training course are eligible to take a test to obtain a commercial bus driver's license, putting inexperienced bus drivers on the road and endangering vulnerable road users. The group said it had previously submitted (已提交) a report to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, urging the government to reform its driver licensing and retraining systems. Temperatures in the north could drop to 16 degrees next week: CWA The Central Weather Administration says that temperatures in northern and northeastern Taiwan could drop to as low as 16 degrees Celsius Monday and Tuesday, due to monsoon effects. Forecasters say it could drop to 18 degrees in low-lying areas and 16 degrees in open coastal areas or areas near mountains … during these two days. Temperatures are expected to rebound on Wednesday, with lows of 20-21 degrees in the north and northeast. Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon and the periphery (外圍) of Typhoon Man-yi are expected to bring rain to northern and northeastern Taiwan next week, especially to mountainous areas in greater Taipei, Keelung North Coast and northeastern Taiwan. Ukraine: Russian Strike Leaves Dead and Wounded A Ukrainian official says a Russian strike on a nine-story building in the city of Sumy killed eight people and wounded dozens, as Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack described by officials as the largest in recent months. The official says among the eight killed in Sumy, 40 kilometers from the border with Russia, were two children. More than 400 people were evacuated from the building. The rescuers are checking every apartment looking for people who might be still in the damaged building. The attack targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as fears mount about Moscow’s intentions to devastate Ukraine’s power generation capacity (容量) before winter. Biden Visits Amazon Joe Biden becomes the first sitting US president to visit the Amazon rainforest AP correspondent Julie Walker reports That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 52-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,767 on turnover of $5.8-billion N-T. Shares in Taiwan closed lower Thursday as heavyweights across the board came under pressure to push down the broader market after a mixed performance of the U.S. markets overnight,. Market sentiment weakened amid growing fears that the U.S. Federal Reserve will slow down its pace in a rate-cut cycle following the return to the presidency of Donald Trump, who has threatened to raise tariffs when he takes office in January, which could boost inflation. NGO calls for universal affordable childcare, flexible parental leave The Childcare Policy Alliance is calling on the government to establish universal affordable childcare and more flexible parental leave systems… …to help boost Taiwan's low birth rates. The NGO argued that the existing childcare allowance is inadequate for long-term childcare expenses and often pressures women to leave the workforce, as it doesn't fully support the costs associated with (與 相關聯) quality childcare. It also emphasized that flexible leave policies encourage more men to participate in childcare, which could help counter traditional gender roles and promote a "dual income, dual childcare" model. The alliance critiqued the government' s current policies, including the rigid 30-day minimum parental leave block, which is too rigid for parents needing to take leave on an ad-hoc basis. UNRWA Chief: Agency Facing Darkest Hour The UN's aid agency in Gaza is facing its '"darkest hour", according to its top official. Philippe Lazzarini says the situation in the strip has become "dystopian", and urged member states to increase spending on UNRWA. Sally Patterson reports from New York, where the United Nations is headquartered. Philippines Transports Supplies to Disputed Shoal The Philippine navy has transported food and other supplies to a territorial ship outpost in a shoal in the South China Sea without any confrontation with Chinese forces guarding the area. The Philippine delivery of supplies and military personnel to the Second Thomas Shoal was the third such trip without any violent clash since July, when Chinese and Philippine diplomats signed a rare deal to halt a spike in violent confrontations (對抗). It’s the first known agreement by China with any one rival claimant country in a specific shoal in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety. The Philippines occupied the shoal by permanently beaching a navy ship in its shallows in 1999, prompting China, which also claims it, to surround the atoll with its coast guard and naval forces in what has been a continuing territorial standoff. Italy Colosseum to Host Gladiator Fights The ancient Roman Colosseum will be the venue of gladiator fights for the first time in two millennia under a $1.5 million sponsorship deal with Airbnb. Under the deal announced by Airbnb and the Colosseum on Wednesday, the sponsorship by the short-term rental giant will cover the renewal of an educational program inside the ancient Roman amphitheater (露天劇場) covering the history of the structure and gladiators. Eight of the platform’s users and their plus-ones will be able to participate in faux gladiator fights after the Colosseum’s closing time on May 7-8, taking the same underground route used by gladiators in ancient Rome to reach the arena. The “gladiators” will be chosen from the applicants by lottery. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 39-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,821 on turnover of $6.3-billion N-T. Zombie drug' set to be reclassified as Category 2 narcotic: Premier Taiwan's government is planning to reclassify etomidate, or the "zombie drug", as a Category 2 narcotic today. That means illicit use of etomidate could result in a prison sentence of up to 3 years. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said the move is likely to proceed (繼續) after today's narcotics review committee under the Ministry of Justice … … and is intended to bolster frontline law enforcement efforts and combat the spread of emerging drugs. Statistics from the Criminal Investigation Bureau show that from July to November this year, there were over 2 thousand 600 cases involving etomidate, with some 3 thousand individuals involved. Number of Japanese visitors to Taiwan grows nearly 50%: Agency Over 1 million Japanese travelers visited Taiwan in the first 10 months of this year -- over 50 percent more than that of last year. With this growth, the Tourism Administration projects that the number of Japanese visitors will reach a new high in the fourth quarter, the largest Q4 total since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data shows that Japan was the second-largest source of inbound (入境) visitors to Taiwan in the first eight months of the year, accounting for 16 percent of all arrivals. This follows Hong Kong, which contributed 16.2 percent. US Trump Nominates Rubio for Secretary of State US President-elect Donald Trump will nominate Florida Senator Marco Rubio to be his secretary of state. Trump also announced the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard as his Director of National Intelligence. Ira Spitzer has more Sudan Keeps Chad Border Crossing open for Aid Sudan’s military-controlled government says a key border crossing with Chad will stay open to keep much-needed humanitarian aid flowing into the western Darfur region which has been a center of fighting in the country's ongoing war. Sudan's ruling Sovereign Council says the decision on the Adre crossing followed a meeting with United Nations agencies and local and international aid groups. The border crossing was closed earlier this year but reopened in August for three months by the Sovereign Council to address the catastrophic (災難性的) humanitarian situation in Darfur. The U.N. welcomed the government's announcement that the Adre crossing will remain open for another three months. Denmark Royal Court Phasing Labeling System Denmark’s royal court says it will phase out a labeling system dating to the 1800s that grants companies the right to use the image of the Danish crown on their letterhead, packaging and labels. The palace says the five-year renewable designations, including “Holder of the Royal Warrant” and “By Appointment to the Royal Danish Court” and others, will be phased out by Dec. 31, 2029. Currently, there are 104 Danish suppliers and five foreign companies who can use such designations (稱號) and images of the Danish crown on their products. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 86.9-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,894 on turnover of $8.4-billion N-T. Shares in Taiwan took a beating Tuesday as the bellwether electronics sector came under heavy pressure amid growing angst over United States-China trade ties after Donald Trump becomes U.S. president in January. Contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. led the downturn as investors feared Trump will impose more restrictions on chip shipments to China, sending the Taiex below the 23,000-point mark by the end of the trading session. Celebrity anti-fraud ambassador questioned in fraud investigation A Taiwanese singer who served as an anti-fraud ambassador for the Criminal Investigation Bureau was recently questioned in a fraud investigation, though police have said she is not a suspect. Singer Shara Lin revealed in a video on social media that she had been summoned (被召喚) for questioning by the Chiayi City Police Department, where the alleged fraud victim lived. Chiayi police say Lin was summoned because illicit cash flows from the alleged fraud were connected to her bank account. Lin says the case involved a suspect who had defrauded a victim of tens of thousands of dollars, and then transferred the illicit money into several different accounts, one of which belonged to her friend. Lin did not explain why her friend had received money from the alleged fraudster, but she urged viewers to be aware of potential scams and to use the government's 165 hotline if they have any questions. US Prohibits Airlines from Flying to Haiti The Federal Aviation Administration is prohibiting U.S. airlines from flying to Haiti for 30 days after gangs shot two planes. The United Nations also said Tuesday that it temporarily (暫時地) suspended flights to the capital, limiting humanitarian aid coming into the country. Bullets hit a Spirit plane when it was about to land Monday in the country’s capital, injuring a flight attendant and forcing the airport to shut down. JetBlue and American Airlines said that their planes had also been shot while leaving the airport. The shootings were part of a wave of violence that erupted in Haiti as the country swore in its new prime minister after a politically tumultuous (混亂的) process. US Northeast Fire Warnings A fire warning for much of America's northeast is back in effect, as a major wildfire burns across the border of New York state, and New Jersey. Rainfall has brought little relief (緩和) amid drought-like conditions and high winds. Mitch McCann reports: British Writer Samantha Harvey Wins Booker Prize British writer Samantha Harvey has won the Booker Prize for fiction with “Orbital,” a short novel set aboard the International Space Station. Harvey was awarded the $64-thousand US dollar prize for what she has called a “space pastoral” about six astronauts circling the Earth, which she began writing during COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. Harvey has written four previous novels and a memoir about insomnia. She is the first British writer since 2020 to win the Booker. Harvey beat five other finalists (入圍者) from Canada, the United States, Australia and the Netherlands, chosen from among 156 novels submitted by publishers. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 253-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,277 on turnover of 10.7-billion N-T. Shares in Taiwan closed slightly lower Monday despite a late rally in which Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing recovered most of its early losses due to its sound fundamentals. The Taiex had strong technical support as it tested the five-day moving average, and bounced back well above that level by the end of the trading session. Deputy speaker departs for U.S., France Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang from the opposition KMT departed Taiwan late on Sunday for a trip to the United States and France where he will conduct exchanges with American and French lawmakers. Chiang's office says he is scheduled to attend a round of meetings which will be held by the Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce of North America in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. While in the U.S., the deputy speaker will also meet with American congresspersons to discuss the result of the U.S. presidential election and how Taiwan could be impacted. After a two-day stay in the U.S., Chiang will head to France and join a cross-party delegation consisting of (由…組成) ruling Democratic Progressive Party and opposition Taiwan People's Party lawmakers visiting the French Senate. His office says the trip to the French Senate will focus on Taiwan's participation in international organizations and combating disinformation. Protesters Demand Justice After Station Roof Collapse Anti-government protesters in Serbia are demanding arrests and the resignations of top officials over the deadly collapse of a concrete roof at a railway station that killed 14 people in a northern city this month. The rally in Belgrade blamed the collapse on rampant (猖獗的，泛濫的) corruption and sloppy renovation work on the station building in Novi Sad. The work was part of a wider deal with Chinese state companies involved in a number of infrastructure projects in the Balkan country. Authorities have opened an investigation and Serbia’s construction minister submitted his resignation last week, but no one has been charged or detained. Scientists Predict 2024 Hottest Year on Record Scientists are "virtually certain" that 2024 will be the warmest year on record. The Copernicus Climate Change Service, a European agency, made the announcement on Monday, reinforcing (加固) predictions made earlier in the year. It comes as world leaders gather in Azerbaijan for the United Nations' annual climate conference. Sally Patterson reports. Emperor Penguin Found in Australia An emperor penguin found malnourished far from its Antarctic home on the Australian south coast is being cared for by a wildlife expert. A government statement says the adult male was found earlier this month on a popular tourist beach in southwest Australia — about 3,500 kilometers north of the icy waters off the Antarctic coast. Researchers say the largest penguin species has never been reported in Australia before. And they have no idea why the penguin traveled to the Australian town. Experts are focusing their efforts on rehabilitating (使康復) the bird, but say "options are still being worked through" on if the penguin could potentially be returned to Antarctica. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- 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 23,478 on turnover of $7.2-billion N-T. Shares in Taiwan moved higher by more than 140 points Friday after the Federal Reserve cut its key interest rates as expected, sparking a rally among tech stocks on the U.S. markets overnight. The local bellwether electronics sector attracted most of the market's attention throughout the trading session, while old economy and financial stocks largely lost their luster, capping the gains on the broader market. Thousands march in Taipei for better wildlife conservation Animal rights groups took to the streets on Sunday to appeal for better stray animal management and improved wildlife conservation. According to Taiwan Walk for Wildlife, around 2-thousand people participated in the event in Taipei. The 2024 Walk for Wildlife, a one-hour march that looped (環行) through streets near the Legislative Yuan, began after TWW members, wildlife conservation experts, and legislators from across party lines delivered remarks. T-W-W says the goal of the march was to get the government to improve the management and reduction of stray dogs and cats and strengthen the management of stray dogs in ecological hotspots. The protesters presented a petition to the head of the Ministry of Agriculture's Animal Welfare Department, who responded by saying that authorities "respect and understand" the demands and will promote those that have gained social consensus, while also tightening stray dog control in some areas. Washington Post: Trump Tells Putin to Avoid Escalation in Ukraine US President-Elect Donald Trump has told his Russian counterpart to avoid an escalation in Ukraine according to a Washington Post report. The conflict (戰爭，衝突) could be one of the topics US President Joe Biden discusses when he meets Donald Trump at the White House this week. Our Washington Correspondent Jagruti Dave has more. Netherlands Demonstrators Detained After Soccer Clashes Police have detained dozens of people for taking part in a demonstration in central Amsterdam that had been outlawed following violent clashes targeting fans of an Israeli soccer club. Amsterdam's mayor banned all demonstrations over the weekend in the aftermath of the scenes of youths on scooters and on foot attacking Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters (支持者) on Thursday and Friday. It was widely condemned as a violent outburst of antisemitism in the Dutch capital. Local media reports showed police detaining one man Sunday who was taking part in a small demonstration on the central Dam Square. Police said on X they detained more than 50 people. UK Jamie Oliver Children's Book Withdrawn A children’s book written by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has been withdrawn from sale after it was criticized for causing offense to Indigenous Australians. The Guardian newspaper reported that the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation blasted “Billy And The Epic Escape” for employing a series of tropes about Indigenous Australians, including their relationships with the natural and spiritual worlds. The group criticized one of the subplots (次要情節) of the fantasy novel, which tells the story of an Indigenous girl living in foster care, for contributing to the “erasure, trivialisation (使顯得不重要), and stereotyping of First Nations peoples and experiences.” Following the criticism, Oliver apologized “wholeheartedly.” That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 199-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,608 on turnover of $8-billion N-T. Economics Minister Upbeat on Taiwan's Future Despite Trump Tariff Threats Economics Minister Kuo Jyh-huei says he believes U-S President-elect Donald Trump's mooted 10-per cent tariff on all U-S imports will have a limited effect on Taiwan. However, Kuo is warning that Trump's proposed 60-per cent levy on Chinese-made products will have an impact on Taiwanese firms operating in China. According to Kuo, he agrees with media speculation that Trump's election win could result in more Taiwanese businesses in China to return to Taiwan, and the government has policies planned to assist supply chains with overseas market arrangements (安排). Kuo says Trump's claim that Taiwan "stole" America's chip industry was a "misunderstanding" .. and many experts on the matter believe that the U.S. and Taiwan complement each other in the semiconductor supply chain. National Taiwan University Ranks 26th in Asia in Latest QS Rankings The National Taiwan University remains Taiwan's top-ranking institution in the latest Q-S 2025 Asia University Rankings - despite dropping five places from last year. The N-T-U earned 85.5-points to be tied for 26th place in the rankings with a Malaysian university. It scored highest among Taiwanese universities in the "Academic Reputation" and "Employer Reputation" categories, which account for 30 and 20-per cent of the overall score. The N-T-U fell to 21st place in the 2024 rankings, marking its first drop after peaking (達到尖峰) at 19th from 2021 to 2023. France: Israeli Police Forcibly Enter FrenchOwned Church in Jerusalem The French foreign ministry says armed Israeli police forced their way into a French-owned church compound in the contested city of Jerusalem. Two consulate members were briefly detained and a top French diplomat abandoned (棄) his planned visit to the site. The incident Thursday threatened to further strain relations between Israel and France weeks after French President Emmanuel Macron’s call for an arms embargo on Israel prompted backlash from right-wing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The French Foreign Ministry said it would summon the Israeli ambassador in protest in the coming days. Aid Groups Report Concerns After Trump Victory Migrant aid groups say they are fielding a high number of calls from people anxious after Donald Trump's victory in Tuesday's elections. The president-elect has vowed mass deportations in his second term in office. Toni Waterman has more Australia Man Sentenced to Prison for Nazi Salute A self-described Nazi has become the first person in Australia to be sentenced to prison for performing an outlawed salute. Jacob Hersant was ordered by a magistrate to spend one month behind bars. The gesture is outlawed nationwide. He performed the salute before news cameras outside the Victoria County Court last year. Hersant’s lawyer says the sentence will be appealed. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 38-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,180 on turnover of $7.3-billion N-T. The market closed moderately higher on Wednesday as investors waited for the outcome of the U-S presidential election. The bellwether electronics sector once again acted a driver for the broader market, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in focus. Conscripts Test Domestically Made Portable Launchers A group of conscripts drafted following this year's lengthening of mandatory military service has fired domestically made portable (便於攜帶的) rocket launchers during a media event. The live-fire exercises took place at that Southern Taiwan Military Training Center in Tainan. Conscripts who spent several weeks training with man-portable shoulder-launched Kestrel and fired several rounds from the domestically built weapon system. Defense officials say most of the rockets hit targets some 200-meters away, however, one of the conscripts' launchers failed to fire due to a malfunction. The deputy commander of the training center says the launcher that failed to fire has been handed over the the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology for further examination. The conscripts were part of the first group that began their compulsory service earlier this year after the government extended military service for men to one year from the previous four months. US Trump Presidency for Supreme Court Looking ahead after the US election, Donald Trump's presidency could assure (保證) a conservative Supreme Court majority for decades AP correspondent Haya Panjwani reports… Canada Orders TikTok Dissolution The Canadian government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media app but said it won’t block access (使用或看見某物的權利或機會). Canada's industry minister says it is meant to address risks related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc. TikTok is wildly popular with young people, but its Chinese ownership has raised fears that Beijing could use it to collect data on Western users or push pro-China narratives and misinformation. Amazon Deforestation Drops Amazon rainforest loss in Brazil dropped by one-third compared to the previous year, according to official monitoring. The statistics were announced Wednesday in Brazil’s presidential palace, That is the lowest level of destruction in nine years. Moreover, deforestation in Brazil’s vast savannah (稀樹草原) also decreased by 25.7%, the first decline in five years. The area destroyed reached 8,174 square kilometers. The results sharply contrast with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s predecessor, far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro, who prioritized agribusiness expansion and weakened environmental agencies. Deforestation hit a 15-year high under his term. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,112 on turnover of 5.2-billion N-T. The market moved moderately higher on Tuesday, but turnover remained thin as many investors opted to stay on the sidelines as they await the outcome of the U-S presidential election. Two Hometown Association Heads Indicted for China-Funded Trip The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted the heads of two Chinese hometown associations for organizing a China-funded trip to Anhui Province for local K-M-T officials in the run-up to January's elections. According to the prosecutors' office, the presidents of the Taiwan and Taipei Anhui Province hometown associations have been charged with violating (違反) the Anti-Infiltration Act. Prosecutors says the two defendants acted at the request of the head the Anhui Province Taiwan Affairs Office to recruit 24 K-M-T party officials and ward chiefs from Taipei's Wanhua and Nangang districts for the trip. Former Police Officer Acquitted in Fatal Shooting Incident The Taoyuan District Court has acquitted a former police officer who accidentally shot and killed a passenger in a vehicle that failed to pull over after being ordered to do so in March of 2020. The vehicle instead sped off, sparking a chase in which the driver reversed into the police officer's patrol car twice. The former police officer, who was the deputy head of the Taoyuan Police Department's Bade Precinct when the incident occurred, discharged his hand gun five times - aiming at the moving vehicle's back tire - but two bullets hit a female passenger (乘客) in the car's back seat. She was struck in the leg and back and later died in a nearby hospital. The former police officer had been charged with negligent homicide. Netanyahu fires Yoav Gallant… Benjamin Netanyahu has fired Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. The Israeli Prime Minister said he was forced to remove Gallant from his post due to a "crisis of trust" between the two men. Netanyahu and Gallant have repeatedly been at odds (意見不一致，不和) over the war in Gaza. Giles Gibson reports from Tel Aviv. Netflix Offices Raided in France Netherlands Judicial officials say prosecutors and police investigators who specialize in fighting major fraud and corruption have raided Netflix offices in France and the Netherlands. The raids on Tuesday are part of a French probe of suspected financial wrongdoing. French and Dutch authorities have been working together for many months on the investigation centering on the suspected laundering of tax fraud and off-the-books (不入賬的,未經登錄的) work. In France, police investigators carried out searches of the streaming giant’s French headquarters. In the Netherlands, Dutch prosecutors also raided Netflix’s European headquarters in Amsterdam. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 95-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,870 on turnover of 4-billion N-T. The market gained ground on Monday - rising more than 180-points - as it rebounded from a session earlier after buying was sparked by gains on Wall Street at the end of last week. The bellwether electronics sector led the upturn, but turnover was low amid lingering investor caution ahead of the U-S presidential election. Agricultural Losses from Typhoon Kong-Rey Top NT$1.3 billion The Ministry of Agriculture says losses (損失) due to damage to farms and agricultural facilities caused by Typhoon Kong-Rey currently stand at 1.32-billion N-T. According to the ministry, farms in Yunlin County were the hardest hit - suffering estimated losses of 365-million N-T. That was followed by Hualien County, where farming losses stand at 317-million N-T, Taichung which has reported losses of 296-million N-T, and Taitung County, where agricultural losses stand at 179-million N-T. Broken down by crops, pears grown on 640 hectares of farmland in Taichung suffered losses of at least 233-million N-T - the most of any crop. Frank Wu Takes Office as SEF Chairman Former Control Yuan member Frank Wu has assumed the chairmanship of the Straits Exchange Foundation. Wu was elected to the post by the foundation's board of directors and supervisors. He replaces acting chair Rock Hsu. Hsu had served as the interim head of the foundation following the resignation (辭職) of Cheng Wen-tsan, who stepped down from the post in July after being charged in a corruption case related to his tenure as Taoyuan mayor. Speaking after being elected, Wu said he hopes that the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits will show reciprocal goodwill and work collaboratively to improve bilateral relations. US Election Day Eve in the US It's Election Day eve in the US and both Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump are campaigning Monday in Pennsylvania, the battleground state with the largest number of electoral votes at stake (處於危急關頭). Kate Fisher reports from Washington Russia Rocket Carries Iranian Satellites into Orbit A Russian rocket has blasted off successfully to carry a pair of Iranian satellites into orbit. The Soyuz rocket lifted off as scheduled today from a launchpad (（火箭）發射台) in far eastern Russia and put its payload in a designated orbit nine minutes later. It carried two Russian Earth observation satellites and several dozen smaller satellites, including the two Iranian ones. Iran’s two satellites were the first launched on behalf of the country’s private sector. French Groups on Displacement After Paris Olympics A coalition of over 100 organizations has reported that nearly 20,000 individuals were displaced from informal housing in Paris and surrounding areas during preparations for the 2024 Summer Olympics. The group claims these evictions are part of “social cleansing,” citing evidence including government documents that reference the Olympics as justification. Eviction operations surged by 41% compared to the previous year, with over 4,500 minors affected. French officials, including President Emmanuel Macron, have stated that every displaced person was offered alternative (可供選擇的) housing and emphasized the creation of a social legacy linked to the Games. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 59-points this morning from Friday's close, at 22,839 on turnover of 5.4-billion N-T. The market closed slightly lower on Friday as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing recouped most of its early heavy losses following a plunge by I-C stocks on Wall Street at the end of last week. Work to Restore Power and Access to Typhoon-Hit Villages Continues The Central Emergency Operation Center says efforts to repair the damage caused by Typhoon Kong-Rey are ongoing. The statement comes as more than 8,000 households remain without power and access to several rural communities remains blocked following last week's storm. According to the center, 8,164 households across Taiwan are still without power and work to restore electricity expected to wrap-up later today. A total of 965,342 households experienced power outages as the typhoon battered Taiwan and several locations remain cut off due to damage to access roads, which continues to hinder progress in restoring (恢復) power. Water supplies have been restored to all 63,016 households affected by the storm. 2nd Taiwanese Volunteer Soldier Killed in Ukraine The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the death of a second Taiwan national in Ukraine. Deputy spokesman Hsiao Guang-wei says his office was able to confirm the death through the International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine. According to Hsiao, the foreign ministry has contacted the man's family and will offer assistance (協助) to them should they need any in dealings with matters related to his death. D-P-P lawmaker Puma Shen has named the volunteer soldier as Wu Chong-da. Shen says the 44-year-old Kaohsiung native was a veteran of Taiwan's Army Special Forces Command and was killed fighting on the frontline in Ukraine. Israel Military Seizes Syrian Citizen The Israeli military says it has carried out a ground raid into Syria, seizing a Syrian citizen involved in Iranian networks. It was the first time in the current war that Israel announced its troops operated in Syrian territory. Syria did not immediately confirm the Sunday announcement. The Israeli military said the seizure was part of a special operation “that took place in recent months,” though it did not say exactly when it occurred (發生). It says the man seized had been under military surveillance for many months and was involved in Iranian initiatives targeting areas of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. US Trump and Harris on Campaign Sprint White House hopefuls Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are tearing through (匆忙行動) a number of swing states in the last days of the US election campaign - whose undecided voters could ultimately decide the result of this race. Our US Correspondent Jagruti Dave has more. Congo MPOX Shows Signs of Stabilizing Some health officials say mpox cases in Congo appear to be “stabilizing.” It's a possible sign that the epidemic for which the World Health Organization made a global emergency declaration in August might be on the decline. WHO says Congo has reported about 200 to 300 lab-confirmed mpox cases every week recently, which is down from nearly 400 cases a week in July. But the U.N. health agency acknowledges (承認) that only 40% to 50% of suspected infections in Congo were being tested. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 382-points this morning from Wednesday's close, at 22,439 on turnover of 18-billion N-T. Government Cites Importance of US-Korea Communique on Cross-Strait Stability The government is thanking the U-S and South Korea for expressing their concern about the security of the Taiwan Strait in a joint communique for the fourth consecutive year. According to the government, Taiwan will continue to work with like-minded countries such as the U-S and South Korea to contribute to "peace, stability and prosperity (繁榮) in the Taiwan Strait and the region. The statement comes after Washington and Seoul issued the joint communique earlier this week - in which both sides stated that their respective governments have taken note of the importance of maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait … …. and reaffirmed security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. It was issued following talks between U-S Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and his Korean counterpart Kim Yong-hyun at the 56th Security Consultative Meeting in Washington, D.C. CWA Says Footage May Show Tornado Touching Down in Hualien The Central Weather Administration says it's not ruling out the possibility that video footage (片段) posted to the internet on Thursday showed a tornado touching down in Hualien County's Xiu-Lin Township. The 20-second video has been widely shared on social media .. .. and it appears to show a rotating column of wind and rain in Hualien's Jia-Wan Village, and was taken as Taiwan was being battered by Typhoon Kong-Rey. The weather administration's office in Hualien initially said that it was difficult to judge whether it was tornado based on the brief footage, which could just show low clouds being blown along quickly at ground level. The administration's forecast center later issued a statement saying it had reviewed the footage and determined that it showed a circulating motion similar to a tornado. However, the forecast center went on to say it's not ruling out the possibility that a tornado had formed, although additional evidence is be needed to confirm that. Spain Flooding Leaves Over 100 Dead Crews are searching for bodies in stranded cars and buildings following flash floods in Spain that claimed at least 158 lives. The death toll could rise more as search efforts continue Thursday. An unknown number remains missing. Spain's transport minister says dead bodies remain inside some of the hundreds of stranded (被困住的) vehicles. Officials say 155 people have died in the eastern region of Valencia. Elon Musk May Continue Cash Prize Giveaway for Election Elon Musk can continue to give away money to US voters, following a ruling from a Philadelphia judge. The billionaire is facing a lawsuit over the controversial million-dollar prizes he's awarded to swing state voters. Legal action has been put on hold. Musk, who is publicly backing Republican nominee Donald Trump, denies any wrongdoing (不當行為). Sally Patterson has more. Canada Busts Drug SuperLab Canadian police dismantled what they say is the largest, most sophisticated illicit drug “super lab” in the country. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police believe organized crime ran the operation where there was mass-production and distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine across Canada and internationally. Officers served search warrants (搜查令) last week on the drug lab in Falkland, British Columbia and associated locations in Surrey, in Metro Vancouver. Police said they seized 54 kilograms of fentanyl, “massive” amounts of precursor chemicals, 390 kilograms of methamphetamine, and smaller amounts of cocaine, MDMA and cannabis. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. CWA: Typhoon Kong-rey Strengthens May Make Landfall Hualien or South Tomorow Noon to Evening The Central Weather Administration is expanding its land warning, as Typhoon Kong-rey continues to pick up strength. The CWA says the storm's maintaining its radius of 300 kilometers, and the land warning now includes Hualien, Taitung, Pingtung, and the Hengchun Peninsula. Officials say the storm is moving quickly, and could make landfall sometime between tomorrow noon and evening, with the eye of the storm arriving south of Hualien County. Kong-rey is currently about 520 kilometers southeast of Eluanbi, but forecasters say the storm's periphery (外圍) could hit southeastern Taiwan early tomorrow morning. The CWA says based on the typhoon's current path and speed, the entire island may be included in the land warning as soon as late tonight. Kong-rey is packing sustained wind speeds of 184 kilometers per hour, with gusts of up to 227 kilometers per hour. A heavy rain advisory is also in effect, for Keelung North Coast, as well as mountainous areas in Taipei, New Taipei, and Yilan. (NS) Taiwan donates 500 metric tons of rice to storm-hit Philippines Taiwan donated 500 metric tons of rice to the Philippines in the wake of recent destruction caused by Tropical Storm Trami and Typhoon Gaemi in late July, at a ceremony held in the city of Makati on Tuesday. Wallace Chow, head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, handed over a bag of rice printed with a Republic of China (Taiwan) flag and "Love from Taiwan" to Philippine officials during the ceremony. Chow also says the Taiwan Technical Mission in the Philippines will soon begin projects in Isabela and Cagayan provinces in northeastern Luzon to increase rice production, in a bid to ensure (確保) no one will suffer from hunger when the Southeast Asian country is hit by natural disasters in the future. Philippine officials say their country appreciates the generosity of Taiwan for the donation, which will go a long way in easing the burden of victims and the poorest in the communities. UK Teen Accused of Stabbing Attack Also Made Ricin Police say a British teen accused of fatally stabbing 3 girls also made poison and had a terror manual (手冊). AP correspondent Haya Panjwani reports Argentina Hotel Collapse Authorities say a 10-story hotel under renovation in Argentina has collapsed, leaving one person dead and at least seven trapped in the debris. Firefighters searching for survivors rescued a woman who was alive from the rubble of the Dubrovnik Hotel in Villa Gesell, 350-kilometers south of the capital Buenos Aires. Officials say an 80-year-old man died in the collapse, and between seven and nine people, presumably (據推測) masons working on the hotel's restoration, remain trapped. A prosecutor opened an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse, but Villa Gesell’s municipality said in a press release the hotel was undergoing a renovation without the proper permits. China Launches 3 Astronauts to Orbiting Space Station China launched a new three-person crew to its orbiting space station today, as the country seeks to expand (擴張) its exploration of outer space. The team of two men and one woman will replace the astronauts who have lived on the Tiangong space station for the last six months. They are expected to stay until April or May of next year. The new mission commander went to space in the Shenzhou-14 mission in 2022, while the other two, are first-time space travelers, born in the 1990s. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 150-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,048 on turnover of $4.7-billion N-T. Shares in Taiwan saw initial gains eroded (侵蝕) and closed in negative territory, falling more than 150 points, Monday as the bellwether electronics sector encountered profit taking leading the broader market to move lower Analysts say ahead of the upcoming United States presidential election on Nov. 5, local investors appeared reluctant to chase prices for the moment despite gains in the early morning session with turnover staying low. Detention extended for city councilor The Taipei District Court on Monday approved an extension of detention for Taipei City Councilor Ying Hsiao-wei, while the Taiwan High Court rejected real estate tycoon Sheen Ching-jing's appeal to have his detention ended. The two individuals are both in custody as part of an alleged corruption case, known as the "Core Pacific City Case," that has embroiled (捲入其中) TPP leader Ko Wen-je. Ying, of the opposition KMT, is accused of acting as a go-between between Sheen and high-ranking city government officials in the construction project, including then-Taipei City Mayor Ko. Sheen, founder and chairman of the Core Pacific Group, is alleged to have bribed Taipei city officials to illegally increase the floor area ratio f a site formerly occupied by Core Pacific City, in order to raise the property's financial value. Ying is to be held incommunicado for two more months as of Oct. 29, as ruled by the Taipei District Court. Sheen's attorney applied for the suspension of his detention, citing his poor health, a request that has now be rejected for the second time by the High Court. NATO confirms North Korean forces in Russia’s Kursk NATO's Secretary-General has confirmed that North Korean forces are in the Russian territory of Kursk. That region is partially (部分地) controlled by Ukraine signaling that they are now or soon to be in direct combat. William Denselow reports from Brussels where NATO is headquartered. Israel Passes Laws Restricting UN Aid Agency Israel’s parliament has passed two laws that severely restrict the U.N. agency responsible for distributing aid in Gaza. The first bill passed Monday bans the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA, from conducting “any activity” or providing any service inside Israel. The second cuts ties with the main U.N. provider of aid to Gaza and designates (指定) it a terror organization. The votes followed a fiery debate between supporters of the laws and its opponents, mostly members of Arab parliamentary parties. Brazil Fines Meatpacking Companies and Suppliers Brazil's environmental agency levied $64 million in fines against 23 meatpacking and their suppliers companies for buying and selling cattle raised illegally on deforested land in the Amazon. The operation tracked 18-thousand head of cattle raised in 260 square kilometers of pasture that was under embargo (禁運) due to illegal deforestation. The companies targeted included JBS, the largest meatpacking company in the world. Cattle raising is the Amazon’s main deforestation driver, with 90% of the total cleared area converted to pasture. That represents an area of 590-thousand square kilometers, slightly larger than France. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 107-points this morning from Friday's close, at 23,455 on turnover of 5.5-billion N-T. The market staged a technical rebound on Friday, rising more than 150 points after a slump a session earlier. The bellwether electronics sector led the gains in the wake of gains posted by the tech heavy Nasdaq on Wall Street overnight. However, turnover was reduced as many investors stayed on the sidelines as they were reluctant (不願意，不情願的) to chase prices. Foreign Minister Invites Guatemalan President to Visit Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has invited Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo to visit Taiwan. Lin made the offer at the end of his trip to the country this past weekend. Guatemala was the first stop on Lin's trip to five of Taiwan's Caribbean and Latin American diplomatic allies. He is now in St. Vincent and the Grenadines where he attend the country's 45th Independence Day celebrations (慶祝活動) on Sunday. Lin is also scheduled to visit St. Lucia, Belize and St. Kitts and Nevis. Golfer Pan finishes 6th at Zozo Championship in Japan And, Taiwanese golfer Pan Cheng-tsung has finished sixth at the 2024 Zozo Championship in Japan after finishing on a 13-under par 267 over four days. Pan put in his best performance on the last round on Sunday to end on a 4-under par 66 that was paced by six birdies at the Narashino Country Club in Chiba Prefecture's Inzai City. Pan took only two bogies on the front nine to finish the tourney in a tie for sixth with four other players. Aside from the three birdies and no bogey performance on the back nine, Pan also took only two strokes off the tee to the green on the 18th hole. The four-day event was co-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour and the P-G-A Tour. Report: Chinese Hackers Intercept US Political Figures Calls Chinese state-affiliated hackers intercepted (截取) audio from the phone calls of US political figures, including an unnamed campaign adviser of Donald Trump, according to the Washington Post. The FBI and the US cybersecurity and infrastructure security agency are investigating, as Laura Westbrook reports. Laura Westbrook. UK Jamie Oliver on Stolen Cheddar British chef Jamie Oliver has issued a plea to his social media followers to help solve the mystery of nearly 22 metric ton of award-winning cheddar that was stolen in a scam. Oliver told his 10.5 million Instagram fans to be on the lookout for “lorry loads of very posh cheese." Nearly 1,000 wheels artisanal cheddar worth $390-thousand US dollars were swiped from Neal’s Yard Dairy in London by a con artist posing as a (假扮) wholesale distributor for a major French retailer. London police and international authorities are investigating. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 63-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,255 on turnover of $4.6-billion N-T. Foreign Minister Arrives in Guatemala on Five Allies Trip Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung is now in Guatemala on the leg of his 11-day trip to five of Taiwan's diplomatic allies in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is Lin's first overseas trip since he took office in May. Taking to Facebook, Lin said he and his wife, together with a governmental delegation, were welcomed by Guatemala's vice foreign minister on their arrival at Guatemala City's La Aurora International Airport. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Lin will be meeting with President Bernardo Arevalo and Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez during his stay in Guatemala. According to the foreign ministry, President Lai Ching-te has appointed Lin as a special envoy (使者) to represent his government at celebrations to mark the 45th Independence Day of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Lin is also scheduled to visit Saint Lucia, Belize, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. He is scheduled to return to Taiwan on November 2. ICC Reports Mongolia for Failure to Arrest Putin A panel of judges at the International Criminal Court has reported Mongolia to the court’s oversight organization for failing to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin when he visited the Asian nation last month. Putin’s visit was his first to a member state of the court since it issued an arrest warrant for him last year on war crimes charges, accusing him of personal responsibility for the abductions (綁架) of children from Ukraine. Russia is not a member of the court and the Kremlin has rejected the charges. The court said in a statement that its member states are "duty-bound to arrest and surrender individuals subject to ICC warrants, regardless of official position or nationality.” What the assembly will now do remains unclear. While Putin was in Mongolia, a court said that the organization that is made up of all 124 of the court's member states can “take any measure it deems appropriate.” UN: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Out of Control A new United Nations report suggests that annual greenhouse gas emissions are at an all-time high. The UN Environment Programme says urgent action must be taken to prevent catastrophic (災難性的) spikes in temperature and avoid the worst impact of climate change. Jody Jacobs has more from the United Nations in New York… Canada to Cut New Immigrant Targets Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada will significantly reduce the number of new immigrants in the country after acknowledging his government failed to get the balance right coming out of the pandemic. Trudeau’s Liberal government had targeted bringing in 500-thousand new permanent residents in both 2025 and 2026. Trudeau now says next year’s target will be 395-thousand new permanent residents, which will continue to fall in 2026 and 2027. Trudeau says immigration is essential for Canada’s future but it must be controlled and it must be sustainable (可持續的). The country's immigration minister says the lower immigration numbers will help with the housing shortage in the country. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Court Delays Ruling Core Pacific City Detention Hearing Foreign Minister on a 10-Day Trip to Latin America and the Caribbean Mideast Wars latest Turkey explosion North Korea troops in Russia Canada's Trudeau asked to step aside -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 133-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,402 on turnover of 6.8-billion N-T. The market closed marginally lower on Tuesday after rebounding from a heavy early downturn as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing trimmed (修整, 減少) its losses in the late in the session. The main board continued to see interest in artificial intelligence related stocks such as Hon Hai, while a strong rebound by the financial sector also lent some support to the broader market. Premier Claims to Make Concessions to Break Budget Delay Premier Cho Jung-tai is seeking to break a deadlock in the Legislative Yuan over the government's general budget for next year. Speaking during a legislative hearing, Cho said the Cabinet will increase funding for compensation to Indigenous peoples for a logging ban, as requested by opposition lawmakers, in a bid to break the standoff. However, he stressed the "concession" will be a one-off (一次性的) "exception" and if lawmakers fail to pass the 2025 general budget soon, the Cabinet could bring the issue to the Constitutional Court. Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu has said a next round of cross-party caucus talks will take place tomorrow. Taiwan Railway Corporation to Raise Salaries And, The Taiwan Railway Corporation has announced plans to increase employee salaries. According to the rail operator, the pay rises will range from 1,800 to 3,140 N-T. The company says the move will see the basic monthly salary for entry-level employee rising to 36,140 N-T. Back pay and overtime compensation will also be adjusted (調整) from the employee's start date. The railway corporation says it will also seek to review and increase hazard pay, salaries for night shift employees and regional allowances. US Georgial Rejects GOP Bid to Change Election Rules From the US…. Georgia's Supreme Court has unanimously rejected a bid by Republicans to reinstate a slew (很多，大量) of new, controversial election rules - two weeks before election day. A lower court last week had called the rules "illegal, unconstitutional and void." Toni Waterman has the story Mexico President Announces New Agriculture Plan Mexico's new president has announced an agriculture plan that could change the country's food production and distribution. President Claudia Sheinbaum pledged Tuesday to revive (復原) government stores and continue efforts to achieve “food sovereignty” to make Mexico capable of producing all the food it eats. The pledges run counter to what Mexican food sales look like today when consumption of most of the old basics has fallen. Sheinbaum says her policy is mainly focused on increasing bean and corn production. The government will also focus on supporting coffee production, but mainly for instant coffee, which it claims is used by 84% of Mexican households. The plan will also seek to support cocoa production, but mainly for powdered baking and hot chocolate, not fine chocolate bars. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 114-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,428 on turnover of 8.5-billion N-T. The market managed to close slightly higher on Monday - that, despite initial gains being limited as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing fell into consolidation mode after rallying at the end of last week. Market watchers say many investors opted to shift to the sell side, locking in profits built for T-S-M-C, as the main board moved closer to the nearest technical resistance ahead of the 23,700 point level. General Budget Talks Break Down in LY Again Lawmakers remain deadlocked over the government's general budget for next year after another another round of cross-party caucus negotiations broke down with no agreements being made. Legislative review of the 3.13-trillion N-T general budget proposal presented by the Cabinet has now been in limbo for weeks. The main issue is the opposition caucuses' rejection of the Cabinet's compensation plan for the logging ban, on grounds that there were deficiencies in the proposal. The Cabinet has budgeted 40,000 N-T per hectare for landowners or users affected by the ban. However, that figure is below the 60,000 N-T required under the amendments to the Logging Ban Compensation for Lands Reserved for Indigenous Peoples Act. Former Vice Premier Lin Hsin-i to Attend November's APEC Summit The Presidential Office says businessman and senior presidential advisor Lin Hsin-i will attend November's APEC summit in Peru as President Lai Ching-te's official envoy. According to the Presidential Office, Lai asked Lin to attend the meeting in the hope he will use his "professional and abundant experience to fully expound the meaning of the government's policies" and "effectively increase Taiwan's visibility (能見度) and importance" in Lima. The office also says the trip will be aimed at promoting cooperation on "green digital transformations, digital innovation, digital health, small and medium-sized enterprise growth, women's economic empowerment, inclusive growth, and food security." Lin previously attended three APEC meetings in Brunei in 2000, in China in 2001, and in South Korea in 2005. SKorea Summons Russian Ambassador Over NKorean Troops South Korea has summoned the Russian ambassador to demand the immediate pullout of North Korean troops allegedly deployed in Russia. South Korea’s spy agency said last week it had confirmed that North Korea sent 1,500 special operation forces to Russia earlier this month to support Russia’s war against Ukraine. During a meeting with Russia's ambassador, the south's vice foreign minister "condemned in the strongest terms” North Korea’s troop dispatch that he said poses “grave security threat” to South Korea and the international community. The minister says South Korea in collaboration (合作) with the international community will mobilize all available means to deal with an act that threatens its vital national security interests. The Russian Embassy quoted its ambassador as saying that the Russian-North Korean cooperation is not aimed against the security interests of South Korea. US Infant Deaths Rise After Abortion Access Overturned New research shows that hundreds of more infants have died in the United States than expected since the Supreme Court overturned abortion access in the Dobbs decision of 2022. Since then, more than 20 states have implemented (實施) bans or restrictions on the medical procedure. Toni Waterman has more. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 115-points this morning from Friday's close, at 23,602 on turnover of 5.5-billion N-T. The market made major gains last Friday - as it closed the session up over 430-points despite Wall Street drifting to a mixed close overnight - as investors were buoyed by the latest signals that America's economy is doing just fine. G7 Defense Minister Criticize China's Military Exercises The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is thanking the defense ministers of the G-7 member states for their voicing of support for the need to maintain the peaceful status quo in the Taiwan Strait. The statement comes after the G-7 defense ministers has issued a joint declaration criticizing China for what they're calling its provocative actions near Taiwan. It was issued after the defense ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U-K and the U-S gathered in Naples this past weekend. The joint statement said the ministers reaffirm that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is indispensable (不可或缺) to international security and prosperity and are concerned about provocative actions, particularly the recent Chinese military drills around Taiwan. Hualien Becomes Colorful Canvas for Meeting of Styles Street Art Event And, More than 50 walls in Hualien County have been transformed into artworks as part of an international Meeting of Styles graffiti festival. The Meeting of Styles event originated in Germany. It concluded on Sunday in Hualien. The three-day graffiti project brought together artists from across Taiwan and overseas to revitalize (振興Zhenx?ng) areas in the city with bright and lively murals. Hualien City Mayor Wei Chia-yen described his city's Meeting of Styles as "lively" on Facebook - saying the murals could bring "new life" to the structures hit by natural disasters this year. This year marked the second Meeting of Styles in Taiwan, following an event in New Taipei City in 2022. Israel strikes Lebanon latest Hundreds of residents fled (逃離) their homes in the Lebanese capital late on Sunday after Israel said it was preparing attacks on sites linked to the financial operations of Lebanon's Hezbollah group. Karen Chammas reports Cyprus Thwarts Digital Attack Cyprus says it has successfully thwarted (阻撓) a digital attack aimed at blocking access to the government’s central online portal. It was the latest in a string of similar attacks over a three-day period against state-run utilities and the Cypriot subsidiary of a Greek energy company. Cypriot digital authorities say they foiled the attack whose purpose was exclusively to prevent access to specific government websites. The distributed denial-of-service attack only affected the main government portal gov.cy “for a few minutes” and that no other online government ministry or service website was affected. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 567-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,621 on turnover of $16.7-billion N-T. The market staged a mild technical rebound on Thursday as investors were encouraged by a rally on Wall Street overnight on the back of some positive earnings reports. Momentum accelerated in the afternoon session, as artificial intelligence-related stocks bounced back from Wednesday's decline .. …. and that helped the main board stay above the nearest technical resistance around the five-day moving average of 23,046 points by the end of the trading day. 20 'Yetis' to Appear at Daan Forest Park's Nuit Blanche in November The 2024 Taipei Nuit Blanche will be taking place on November 2 in the city's Daan District - with organizers saying it will feature (以……為特色) 20 "abominable snowmen" as well as still artworks, performances and video screenings According to Taipei Deputy Mayor Lin Yi-hua, the Nuit Blanche is now in its ninth year and has become a major event that highlights Taipei's "cultural vibrancy." Taipei Nuit Blanche's artistic director Agi Chen says events will also be taking place at the nearby Yongkang Street and Dongmen shopping areas as well as the Jianguo Holiday Markets. The 2024 Taipei Nuit Blanche will take place on Saturday November 2 from 2PM to 2AM the following day. Israel Claims Hamas Leader Killed in Gaza Israel says it has killed Hamas' top leader during a strike in Gaza. AP Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports Ukraine Zelenskyy: NKorean Troops Preparing to Join Russia Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his government has intelligence information that 10,000 troops from North Korea are being prepared to join Russian forces fighting against his country. Zelenskyy told reporters at NATO headquarters, that the personnel had not yet been moved to Ukraine or to Russia. Zelenskyy did not go into further details about the claim, but warned that a third nation wading into the hostilities (戰爭行為) would turn the conflict into a “world war.” The Ukrainian leader’s comments raised the stakes for his Western allies as he met with European Union leaders and then NATO defense ministers to discuss his “victory plan” to end the country’s devastating war with Russia. Germany Fire Station Didn't Have Fire Alarm A new fire station in central Germany, which was destroyed in a fire, did not have a fire alarm system. According to local media is reports, the fire broke out early Wednesday morning at the Stadtallendorf fire station in Hesse and destroyed, among other things, the equipment hall and almost a dozen emergency vehicles. No one was injured, but initial (最初的) estimates put the damage at up to $26-million US dollars. Local officials say no fire alarm system was installed in the building because experts had considered it not necessary. Reports say the station opened less than a year ago. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 103-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,114 on turnover of $7.7-billion N-T. The market took a beating on Wednesday as it tumbled more than 280 points amid selling sparked by a disappointing sales outlook from semiconductor equipment supplier A-S-M-L Holdings. Market watchers say futures-led selling also pushed down the local main board, while foreign institutional investors - who held a large number of short position contracts - opted to (選擇) dumped stocks on the spot market to profit in futures. New Taipei Museum Reopens After Flood Damage from Typhoon Krathon The Juming Museum in New Taipei's Jinshan District has reopened to the public - over 10-days after suffering extensive (大面積的) damage from flooding caused by Typhoon Krathon. Floodwaters breached the museum's storage facilities, knocked down sculptures displayed outside, and flooded low-lying areas on the museum's 110,000-square meter campus when the storm battered Taiwan on October 4. According to the museum's director Liu Bo-cun, 50 indoor and 86 outdoor artworks were damaged, as was some of the museum's electrical equipment. Liu says the works of art will all be professionally restored. The Juming Museum is the largest outdoor museum in Taiwan and was designed by and presents the works of late contemporary Taiwanese sculptor Ju Ming. Israel says no aid shortage in Gaza The Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations says there is no shortage of aid in Gaza. Speaking to reporters in New York on Wednesday ahead of another emergency session of the UN Security Council, Danny Danon laid the blame (責怪，歸咎於) squarely at the feet of Hamas, claiming it hijacks the aid. Jody Jacobs has more from the United Nations…. Nigeria Tanker Explosion Leaves Dead and Injured. More than 140 people, including children, are dead in Nigeria after an overturned gasoline tanker truck exploded in flames while they tried to scoop up fuel. Dozens more were injured. Police say the accident occurred at midnight in northern Jigawa state when the tanker driver lost control on a highway. Residents rushed to the scene before the blaze, and witnesses say the ensuing (隨後的) fire spread so quickly that many couldn't escape. People often salvage fuel from tanker accidents in the country, especially because of soaring fuel prices, which have tripled since the government ended costly gas subsidies last year. Liam Payne Obit Former One Direction singer Liam Payne was found dead after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday. He was 31. Buenos Aires police said in a statement that Payne fell from the third floor, resulting in “extremely (非常，極其) serious injuries.” Medics confirmed his death on the spot. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 103-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,114 on turnover of $7.7-billion N-T. The market took a beating on Wednesday as it tumbled more than 280 points amid selling sparked by a disappointing sales outlook from semiconductor equipment supplier A-S-M-L Holdings. Market watchers say futures-led selling also pushed down the local main board, while foreign institutional investors - who held a large number of short position contracts - opted to (選擇) dumped stocks on the spot market to profit in futures. New Taipei Museum Reopens After Flood Damage from Typhoon Krathon The Juming Museum in New Taipei's Jinshan District has reopened to the public - over 10-days after suffering extensive (大面積的) damage from flooding caused by Typhoon Krathon. Floodwaters breached the museum's storage facilities, knocked down sculptures displayed outside, and flooded low-lying areas on the museum's 110,000-square meter campus when the storm battered Taiwan on October 4. According to the museum's director Liu Bo-cun, 50 indoor and 86 outdoor artworks were damaged, as was some of the museum's electrical equipment. Liu says the works of art will all be professionally restored. The Juming Museum is the largest outdoor museum in Taiwan and was designed by and presents the works of late contemporary Taiwanese sculptor Ju Ming. Israel says no aid shortage in Gaza The Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations says there is no shortage of aid in Gaza. Speaking to reporters in New York on Wednesday ahead of another emergency session of the UN Security Council, Danny Danon laid the blame (責怪，歸咎於) squarely at the feet of Hamas, claiming it hijacks the aid. Jody Jacobs has more from the United Nations…. Nigeria Tanker Explosion Leaves Dead and Injured. More than 140 people, including children, are dead in Nigeria after an overturned gasoline tanker truck exploded in flames while they tried to scoop up fuel. Dozens more were injured. Police say the accident occurred at midnight in northern Jigawa state when the tanker driver lost control on a highway. Residents rushed to the scene before the blaze, and witnesses say the ensuing (隨後的) fire spread so quickly that many couldn't escape. People often salvage fuel from tanker accidents in the country, especially because of soaring fuel prices, which have tripled since the government ended costly gas subsidies last year. Liam Payne Obit Former One Direction singer Liam Payne was found dead after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday. He was 31. Buenos Aires police said in a statement that Payne fell from the third floor, resulting in “extremely (非常，極其) serious injuries.” Medics confirmed his death on the spot. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 103-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,114 on turnover of $7.7-billion N-T. The market took a beating on Wednesday as it tumbled more than 280 points amid selling sparked by a disappointing sales outlook from semiconductor equipment supplier A-S-M-L Holdings. Market watchers say futures-led selling also pushed down the local main board, while foreign institutional investors - who held a large number of short position contracts - opted to (選擇) dumped stocks on the spot market to profit in futures. New Taipei Museum Reopens After Flood Damage from Typhoon Krathon The Juming Museum in New Taipei's Jinshan District has reopened to the public - over 10-days after suffering extensive (大面積的) damage from flooding caused by Typhoon Krathon. Floodwaters breached the museum's storage facilities, knocked down sculptures displayed outside, and flooded low-lying areas on the museum's 110,000-square meter campus when the storm battered Taiwan on October 4. According to the museum's director Liu Bo-cun, 50 indoor and 86 outdoor artworks were damaged, as was some of the museum's electrical equipment. Liu says the works of art will all be professionally restored. The Juming Museum is the largest outdoor museum in Taiwan and was designed by and presents the works of late contemporary Taiwanese sculptor Ju Ming. Israel says no aid shortage in Gaza The Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations says there is no shortage of aid in Gaza. Speaking to reporters in New York on Wednesday ahead of another emergency session of the UN Security Council, Danny Danon laid the blame (責怪，歸咎於) squarely at the feet of Hamas, claiming it hijacks the aid. Jody Jacobs has more from the United Nations…. Nigeria Tanker Explosion Leaves Dead and Injured. More than 140 people, including children, are dead in Nigeria after an overturned gasoline tanker truck exploded in flames while they tried to scoop up fuel. Dozens more were injured. Police say the accident occurred at midnight in northern Jigawa state when the tanker driver lost control on a highway. Residents rushed to the scene before the blaze, and witnesses say the ensuing (隨後的) fire spread so quickly that many couldn't escape. People often salvage fuel from tanker accidents in the country, especially because of soaring fuel prices, which have tripled since the government ended costly gas subsidies last year. Liam Payne Obit Former One Direction singer Liam Payne was found dead after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday. He was 31. Buenos Aires police said in a statement that Payne fell from the third floor, resulting in “extremely (非常，極其) serious injuries.” Medics confirmed his death on the spot. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 301-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,991 on turnover of $7-billion N-T. Shares in Taiwan surged more than 300 points Tuesday, with buying sparked by a rally on U.S. markets overnight. The bellwether electronics sector led the gains with artificial intelligence related stocks in focus. Investors took their cue from robust AI chip designer Nvidia Corp. Monday to pick up large cap stocks, including contract chipmaker TSMC, to vault the main board over the 23,200 point mark. Taiwan's food self-sufficiency rate drops to 30.3% Taiwan's food self-sufficiency rate in 2023 dropped to 30.3 percent… that's the lowest figure in 18 years. The Ministry of Agriculture's latest Food Supply & Utilization (使用率) Annual Report represents a drop from 30.8 percent in 2022 and 33 percent in 2013. Its lowest recorded rate was at 30.2 percent rate in 2005. The MOA pointed to a decrease in the domestic production of rice, which is the largest single source of calories in Taiwan…. and THAT was partly caused by a drought which took place in 2023. The MOA also reported a drop in the amount of meat raised domestically in Taiwan. That decline was driven by factors that included avian flu and the modernization of pork-rearing facilities, which reduced production and led to a greater reliance on imports. UK Sanctions “Extremist Israeli Settlers” The UK has announced new sanctions targeting "extremist Israeli settlers". The sanctions also target (把……作為目標) organisations the UK government says have supported violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Simon Gaitan reports. UN Warning on Natural Disasters in Asia Pacific A U.N. official says disasters, including those wrought by fiercer storms, are threatening more people and could derail economic progress in the Asia Pacific region. U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Kamal Kishore, who heads the U.N. Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, issued the warning Tuesday in a speech at the start of a regional ministerial conference on disaster mitigation hosted by the Philippines, one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries. He said “disasters are now affecting record numbers of people and threatening their lives and livelihoods.” He added that if left unchecked (未被制止的), these disasters could endanger the development of the region. Kishore said Asia Pacific countries should regularly dedicate funds in their national budgets for the reduction of disaster risk, and should allocate a larger proportion of foreign development aid to disaster prevention and “not simply response.” Egypt Museum Opening for Trial Run The long-delayed Grand Egyptian Museum will partially open its main galleries today, showcasing 12 halls that exhibit aspects of ancient Egypt. More than 100-thousand of Egypt’s ancient treasures will be displayed in the world’s largest archaeological museum. It is near the Giza Pyramids and will open the halls for 4,000 visitors a day as a trial run until the official opening date, which is yet to be announced. The museum has been under construction for more than a decade and has cost well over $1 billion so far. Its opening has been repeatedly delayed for various (各種各樣的) reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 108-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,084 on turnover of $5.9-billion N-T. Shares closed higher on Monday despite Chinese military drills around Taiwan. Large-cap tech stocks appeared resilient amid optimism toward an investor conference scheduled by TSMC Thursday, where the chipmaker could give positive leads in the current boom of an artificial intelligence era. MAC condemns China's sanctioning of Taiwan businessman, lawmaker The Mainland Affairs Council on Monday condemned China over its sanctioning of Taiwanese businessman Robert Tsao and DPP Legislator Puma Shen, calling the move detrimental to cross-strait relations. In a statement, the MAC said the Republic of China is a sovereign country and that attempts to undermine (破壞) a free and democratic society will only drive the two sides further apart. It made the remarks after China announced earlier in the day the imposition of sanctions including an entry ban on Tsao and Shen for being "Taiwan independence die-hards." The Taiwan Affairs Office in China may have been referring to the Kuma Academy, a war-preparedness organization established by Shen and supported by Tsao, the founder of contract chipmaker United Microelectronics Corp. In 2022, Tsao made aT$1 billion NT donation to the academy, a volunteer civilian training organization with a mission to "prepare a pre-war mentality for civilians and cultivate self-defense capability." UN Concerned as Israel Fires on UN Peacekeepers The U.N. Security Council expressed “strong concern” as Israel has fired on and wounded U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon during intensified fighting. It reiterated its support for their role in supporting security in the region. The statement Monday is the first by the U.N.’s most powerful body since Israel began firing on the positions of the peacekeeping force. The U.N. peacekeeping chief told reporters that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres confirmed Monday that peacekeepers will remain in all their positions even as Israel has urged the peacekeepers to move north. Israel has been escalating its campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon across a U.N.-drawn boundary (邊界) between the two countries. Hurricane Helene clean-up efforts hampered by 'armed militia' groups Hurricane relief workers in the US state of North Carolina have been evacuated following threats from 'armed militia'. This comes as US authorities are trying to stem a flow of false claims circulating (散佈) about the government's response to recent storms - including some made by former president Donald Trump. Sally Patterson reports. Kenya Protests Against Nuclear Plant Dozens have rallied against a proposal to build Kenya’s first nuclear power plant in one of the country’s top coastal tourist hubs. Muslim for Human Rights led the march Friday in the town of Kilifi to the county governor’s office where they handed him a petition (請願書,) opposing the construction of the plant. Kilifi County is also home to Arabuko Sokoke forest, which is on the tentative list of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, as a significant natural habitat for the conservation of rare and endangered species. The construction of the plant is set to begin in 2027 and be operational by 2034, at a cost of about $3.8 billion US dollars. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- 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 22,947 on turnover of 4.6-billion N-T. The market gained more 240-points on Friday, despite Wall Street pulling back from its recent record highs on Thursday on the back of disappointing reports on inflation and unemployment in America. MND Responds to China's "Joint Sword-2024B" Drills Surrounding Taiwan The Ministry of National Defense is condemning China's holding of drills in the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan proper - describing Beijing's actions as being "irrational and provocative behavior." According to the ministry, troops have been deployed in order to protect and defend the sovereignty of the Republic of China. The statement comes after China's Eastern Theater Command earlier this morning announced that its army, navy, air force and rocket forces are conducting "Joint Sword-2024B" drills in the Taiwan Strait and the north, south and east of Taiwan. According to a spokesperson for the theater command, the drills focus on joint sea-air combat readiness patrol, the blockade and control of key ports and areas, strikes on sea and land targets, and the seizure of comprehensive (全面的) battlefield control. Mercury to Hit Highs of 31-33 degrees Before Weekend The Central Weather Administration says we can expect to see the mercury hitting highs of between 31 and-33 degrees - and mostly clear skies with some localized (小範圍的) showers island-wide from today through Friday. However, temperatures in the north and northeast will drop to highs of between 27 and 28-degrees over the weekend and rain is also forecast in those areas due to the arrival of northeasterly winds However, residents of the center and south can expect to see cloudy to sunny skies over the weekend. US to Send Air Defense Kit to Israel The United States will deploy a sophisticated high-altitude anti-missile system to Israel to help bolster its air defences. The Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence — or THAAD — battery is being sent along with 100 American troops to help operate (操作) it. It comes after Iran launched two direct missile attacks on Israel this year. Benji Hyer reports. Ukraine Urges Intl Orgs to Respond to POW Execution Claims Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman has urged international organizations to respond to a claim that several Ukrainian prisoners of war were executed in Russia’s Kursk region where Kyiv had launched an incursion in August. Dmytro Lubinets says he sent letters to the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross regarding the claim. Ukrainian battlefield analysis site DeepState which is close to Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said Sunday that Russian troops shot and killed nine Ukrainian “drone operators and contractors” on Oct. 10th after they had surrendered (投降). Earlier this month, Ukraine’s Prosecutor-General’s Office said that Russian troops had killed 16 captured Ukrainian soldiers in the partially occupied Donetsk region. There was no immediate response from Russian officials. China to Assist Vietnam with Railway Development China has agreed to assist Vietnam on cross-border railway development and take steps to expand agricultural imports from its smaller neighbor. Vietnam’s official media said that Chinese Premier Li Qiang pledged Sunday that China would further open its market to high-quality fruits, seafood and other Vietnamese products. Li's visit to Hanoi came two week after Vietnam condemned China for what it described as an assault by Chinese law enforcement personnel on Vietnamese fishers in the South China Sea. Vietnam's prime minister told Li that both sides should respect each other’s legitimate (合法的，正當的) rights and interests and resolve disputes through peaceful means. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Keelung Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang Recall Vote on Sunday Union Welcomes New Pricing Regulations for Delivery Devices South Koreas Thrilled with Nobel Literature Award TD Bank hit with record-breaking fine Mexico Mayor took office after predecessor got killed -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 25-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,637 on turnover of 3.3-billion N-T. The market lost ground on Tuesday, despite Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing helping the main board recoup some of its early losses. While investors remained upbeat about T-S-M-C's outlook in expectation of an investor conference scheduled for next week, old economy stocks took a hit after investors took cues (提示) from decline on Wall Street overnight. FM Thanks US for Bipartisan Support Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung is thanking the United Statss for its bipartisan support of Taiwan's defense. Lin made the statement during a legislative hearing after U-S Vice President Kamala Harris told 60 Minutes that Washington must support Taiwan's ability to defend itself. Speaking during the interview with host Bill Whitaker, the Democratic party's presidential candidate said while the U-S needs to maintain a one China policy, that includes supporting Taiwan's ability to defend itself and ensuring (確保) the freedom of the Taiwan Strait. According to the foreign minister, regardless of the ruling party - Taiwan has seen a strengthening in its relations with the U-S in recent years. Taiwan Ranks World's 14th Richest Country And, Taiwan has been listed in 14th place among the world's wealthiest countries in terms of G-D-P per capita in the latest World's 100 Richest Countries 2024 rankings released by Forbes magazine. Taiwan's G-D-P per capita stands at 76,860 U-S dollars, which puts it one spot above Hong Kong with 75,130 U-S dollars. The magazine's list of the richest countries in the world is compiled based on G-D-P per capita data, as estimated by the International Monetary Fund. However, the magazine also considers purchasing power parity when compiling (編輯,編製) its rankings. Luxembourg topped the 2024 Forbes list with a G-D-P per capita of 143,740 U-S dollars. UK MI5 Warning on Sharp Rise in Plots Against Order The head of MI5 says Britain is facing a staggering rise in attempts at assassination, sabotage and other crimes backed by Russia and Iran. Ken McCallum says hostile states are increasingly recruiting criminals to carry out plots. The head of the U.K.’s domestic intelligence agency said in a rare public speech on Tuesday that MI5 and police have tackled 20 Tehran-backed plots since 2022. He says the number of state-threat investigations undertaken by MI5 has risen by 48% in the past year, with Iran, Russia and China the main perpetrators. He warned that Iran could expand its targets in the United Kingdom if Britain’s ally Israel attacks in response to Iran’s recent missile barrage. McCallum said Russia is trying to use arson and sabotage (破壞) to create disorder on the streets of Britain and other European countries. Brazil Lifts X Ban After Musk Backs Down Brazil's Supreme Court has ruled that X can resume operations in the country, ending a five-week suspension over concerns about the content on the social media platform. X's owner Elon Musk agreed to several concessions (讓步) in order to have the ban lifted. Ira Spitzer reports. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened marginally (略微地) down this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,691 on turnover of 5-billion N-T. The market rebounded from Friday's downturn on Monday - gaining almost 400 points on the back of a rally by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. Analysts say market sentiment improved as investors reacted to gains on Wall Street at the end of last week - where better-than-expected nonfarm payroll data for September indicated that the U-S economy remains resilient. Environmental Groups Pan Recommended Carbon Fee Environmental groups are criticizing the basic carbon fee and preferential rates proposed by the government - calling them "passive" and too low to affect the behavior of big carbon emitters. The criticisim comes after a review committee recommended setting a basic carbon fee rate of 300 N-T per metric ton of carbon emissions. The groups says the basic carbon fees are too low to effectively reduce carbon emissions and companies could see them as an affordable (付得起的) operating expense or pass them on to consumers rather than invest resources to reduce emissions and the fees. Ariel Lin Wins best Leading Actress at Asian Film Award Actress Ariel Lin has won the award for Best Lead Female Actor at the 2024 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards in South Korea. Lin won the award for her performance in the Taiwanese television drama "Imperfect Us." She received the award in-person at the ceremony in Busan - where she gave a teary (熱淚盈眶) speech in Korean, saying that the award was "a great motivation for both me and the work." The Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards is now in its sixth year. It's organized jointly by the Busan International Film Festival and South Korea's National I-T Industry Promotion Agency. NKorea Kim Issues Warning for Nuclear Weapons North Korea says leader Kim Jong Un has warned again that he could use nuclear weapons in potential conflicts with South Korea and the United States. State media today said Kim made such a warning in his speech at a university. Kim said North Korea’s nuclear response posture must be fully enhanced because South Korea and the United States are pushing to beef up their military alliance based on joint nuclear and strategic planning, a move that he said would increase (增加) the danger of breaking the balance of power on the Korean Peninsula. Kim has issued similar threats to use nuclear weapons preemptively numerous times, but his latest warning came as outside experts say North Korea could ramp up animosities ahead of next month’s U.S. presidential election. US Scientists Win Nobel for microMRNA Discovery American scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun have won this year's Nobel Prize in physiology (生理)or medicine for the discovery of microRNA, a tiny molecule that governs how cells in the body function. It has been connected to heart disease, cancers and viral diseases. Kate fisher reports That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 176-points this morning from Friday's close, at 22,479 on turnover of 6.4-billion N-T. The market closed lower Friday. However, those losses were limited () after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing received a boost from buying towards the end of the session that allowed it to recoup its earlier losses. MOFA Touts National Day Guests Foreign dignitaries and delegations are scheduled to arrive in the coming days to take part in this year's Double Ten National Day celebrations. Among the VIPs expected this year are the deputy prime ministers of Belize and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the first lady of Guatemala, and the speakers of Saint Lucia's upper and lower houses. Along with attending a series of celebratory events in the lead-up to National Day, guests are scheduled to meet with President Lai Ching-te, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and other senior government officials. They are also expected to visit multiple government agencies to discuss (討論) semiconductors, public health and medicine, social welfare. Disaster Response Center Disbands The mechanisms set up by the Central Disaster Response Center o deal with Typhoon Krathon's effects have now been disbanded. Howevr, recovery is work continuing in parts of the island. According to the center, Typhoon Krathon killed four and injured 719 people in Taiwan since forming in late September. A total of 9,499 disaster-related incidents were reported, while one person remains (仍然是) missing. Clean-up work is still underway in Keelung, New Taipei, Kaohsiung, Pingtung and Kinmen. The Ministry of Economic Affairs says 435,634 households experienced temporary power outages, while 608,073 households reported water supply problems due to the typhoon. While agricultural losses currently total nearly 390-million N-T. NZ Navy Vessel Oil Spill "Highly Probably" Samoan officials say an oil spill from a grounded New Zealand navy ship which sank and caught fire off the coast of Samoa is “highly probable”. Officials in the Pacific island nation are conducting an environmental impact assessment (評估) in the area where the ship sank on Sunday morning. All 75 people on board the "H-M-N-Z-S Mana-wanui" were taken to safety on life rafts. New Zealand will hold a court of inquiry into the loss of the ship, which was one of nine in its navy. The cause of the disaster is not known. US Gulf Coast Faces Another Hurricane Another hurricane is barreling (飛馳) towards the already storm-ravaged US gulf-coast. A state of emergency has been declared in parts of Florida while the state is still clearing up from the effects of hurricane Helene. US correspondent Kate Fisher reports UK PM Staff Reshuffle British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff has quit, citing concerns that growing news reports about her role “risked becoming a distraction to the government.” Sue Gray’s resignation came after recent reports about tensions between her and Starmer’s chief adviser Morgan McSweeney, and that she was earning more than the prime minister. The BBC has reported that Gray’s annual salary was about, $223-thousand US dollars. That's nearly $4-thousand dollars higher than Starmer's pay. Gray said she accepted a new role as Starmer’s envoy (使者) for the regions and nations. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 176-points this morning from Friday's close, at 22,479 on turnover of 6.4-billion N-T. The market closed lower Friday. However, those losses were limited () after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing received a boost from buying towards the end of the session that allowed it to recoup its earlier losses. MOFA Touts National Day Guests Foreign dignitaries and delegations are scheduled to arrive in the coming days to take part in this year's Double Ten National Day celebrations. Among the VIPs expected this year are the deputy prime ministers of Belize and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the first lady of Guatemala, and the speakers of Saint Lucia's upper and lower houses. Along with attending a series of celebratory events in the lead-up to National Day, guests are scheduled to meet with President Lai Ching-te, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and other senior government officials. They are also expected to visit multiple government agencies to discuss (討論) semiconductors, public health and medicine, social welfare. Disaster Response Center Disbands The mechanisms set up by the Central Disaster Response Center o deal with Typhoon Krathon's effects have now been disbanded. Howevr, recovery is work continuing in parts of the island. According to the center, Typhoon Krathon killed four and injured 719 people in Taiwan since forming in late September. A total of 9,499 disaster-related incidents were reported, while one person remains (仍然是) missing. Clean-up work is still underway in Keelung, New Taipei, Kaohsiung, Pingtung and Kinmen. The Ministry of Economic Affairs says 435,634 households experienced temporary power outages, while 608,073 households reported water supply problems due to the typhoon. While agricultural losses currently total nearly 390-million N-T. NZ Navy Vessel Oil Spill "Highly Probably" Samoan officials say an oil spill from a grounded New Zealand navy ship which sank and caught fire off the coast of Samoa is “highly probable”. Officials in the Pacific island nation are conducting an environmental impact assessment (評估) in the area where the ship sank on Sunday morning. All 75 people on board the "H-M-N-Z-S Mana-wanui" were taken to safety on life rafts. New Zealand will hold a court of inquiry into the loss of the ship, which was one of nine in its navy. The cause of the disaster is not known. US Gulf Coast Faces Another Hurricane Another hurricane is barreling (飛馳) towards the already storm-ravaged US gulf-coast. A state of emergency has been declared in parts of Florida while the state is still clearing up from the effects of hurricane Helene. US correspondent Kate Fisher reports UK PM Staff Reshuffle British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff has quit, citing concerns that growing news reports about her role “risked becoming a distraction to the government.” Sue Gray’s resignation came after recent reports about tensions between her and Starmer’s chief adviser Morgan McSweeney, and that she was earning more than the prime minister. The BBC has reported that Gray’s annual salary was about, $223-thousand US dollars. That's nearly $4-thousand dollars higher than Starmer's pay. Gray said she accepted a new role as Starmer’s envoy (使者) for the regions and nations. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex re-opened this morning follow two days of typhoon closures .. and it opened up 69-points this morning from Tuesday's close, at 22,459 on turnover of 10.8-billion N-T. The market moved higher on Tuesday to close above the 60-day moving average following a technical rebound by large-cap tech stocks. However, turnover was limited as many investors opted to stay on the sidelines due to Typhoon Krathon. NIA Deports Chinese Couple Accused of Disrupting Hongkongers' Event The National Immigration Agency says it has deported a Chinese couple accused of disrupting a pro-democracy event in Taipei organized by Hong Kong residents. According to the agency, the couple were escorted (護送，押送) by immigration officials to Taoyuan International Airport before boarding their flight to China. The immigration agency says it has also cancelled their entry permits for violations of the Regulations Governing the Approval of Entry of People of the Mainland Area into Taiwan Area. Officials say the couple applied to visit a family member in Taiwan at the end of September, but that person had returned to China in July. The immigration agency says the couple was aware they were violating the rules when applying for temporary entry permits based on visiting family members living in Taiwan. The couple were filmed harassing group of Hong Kongers earlier this week in Taipei's Ximending before being taken away by police. UN Security Council Pledges Support for Guterres United Nations Security Council members have all committed their full support to Secretary General Antonio Guterres. This after the Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz deemed (視為) the UN chief "persona non grata" following his statement on the Iran missile attack on Israel. Jody Jacobs has more… Brazil G20 Agree to Tropical Forest Initiative Environment ministers of the Group of 20 nations agreed Thursday to support the creation of funding sources for ecosystem services, acknowledging Brazil’s proposal to establish a trust fund for forest conservation. Named the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, the Brazilian initiative would reward tropical forest countries for protecting the critical biomes. The plan benefits all tropical forest nations based on the area preserved, paying local and Indigenous communities involved for maintaining ecosystems. The environment ministers of leading rich and developing countries assembled (聚集) this week in Rio de Janeiro for four-day meetings to discuss climate change and sustainability. The topic is one of Brazil’s priorities as it hosts the G20 presidency until the end of the year, with heads of state convening in Rio next month. France Owl Treasure Hunt Over And… A 31-year-long treasure hunt that drew in thousands of enthusiasts across France appears to have come to an end after official social media accounts linked to the search said the token needed to claim the grand prize had been found. The hunt, “On the Trail of the Golden Owl,” was based on a book of riddles published in 1993. Participants had to solve 11 puzzles in the book — and a 12th one that was hidden — to decipher the exact location of the token (代幣，有象徵意義的物品), which would then be exchanged for the real prize, an owl made of silver and gold and studded with diamond chips. It has an estimated worth of about 165-thousand US dollars. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- 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 yesterday's close, at 22,329 on turnover of 4.2 -billion N-T. The market tumbled nearly 600-points on Monday on the back of steep declines in the share price of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and other tech heavyweights. Analysts says Monday's downturn came as investors moved their money from tech stocks into non-tech stocks. Tai Power to Hike Electricity Rates for Industrial Users The Ministry of Economic Affairs says Tai-Power will be raising electricity rates for industrial users from October 16. The statement follows a meeting of the ministry's electricity price review committee. The hike in price means that industrial users will see their electricity rates increase by an average of 12.5-per cent. Tai-Power had been seeking an increase of 14-per cent, but the committee says it opted for a lower figure in order to ensure (確保) that Taiwan businesses remain competitive. It's the second electricity rate hike this year and was proposed as part of government efforts to shore-up Tai-Power's finances. National Day Gala Tickets Snapped Up in 15 Minutes The Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism says all 5,400 tickets for the 2024 National Day Gala were snapped-up within 15 minutes of release on Monday. The event will be taking place this coming Saturday at the Taipei Dome and it will be the venue's first large-scale non-sporting event. Organizers made the 5,400 tickets available through the "udn fun life" online ticketing platform at noon. Four-hundred of those tickets were reserved for (保留給) senior citizens. Personal information was required by those lucky enough to have booked their seats and tickets cannot be transferred. The National Day Gala will feature performance by singers Jody Chiang and Huang Fei. US Man Pleads Not Guilty to Trump Assassination Attempt The man accused of plotting to kill former president Donald Trump at his Florida golf course has pleaded not guilty to five counts including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate. Prosecutors allege Ryan Routh stalked (跟蹤) Donald Trump before setting up what they called a "sniper's nest" at the edge of his golf course in west Palm Beach, Florida. US correspondent Kate Fisher reports Japan PM Resigns Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has resigned with his Cabinet, paving the way for his likely successor Shigeru Ishiba to take office. Ishiba was chosen as the governing Liberal Democratic Party’s leader on Friday to replace Kishida, who announced in August his resignation at the end of his three-year term. Ishiba is assured to be prime minister later today in a vote by parliament because it is dominated by his party’s ruling coalition (執政聯盟). Ishiba will then announce his new Cabinet later in the day. On Monday, Ishiba said he planned to call a parliamentary election to be held on Oct. 27 after he is formally chosen as prime minister. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 178 -points this morning from Friday's close, at 22,643 on turnover of 6.9-billion N-T. The Tai-Ex lost ground on Friday, despite Wall Street rising to an another all-time high overnight and other regional markets moving mostly higher, fueled by China's moves to revive (復活) its economy. Two More Suspects Detained in Core Pacific City Investigation The Taipei District Court has ordered two more suspects in the Core Pacific City investigation to be detained for their alleged involvement in the case. The latest suspects to have been ordered detained are former Dingyue Development Corporation President Zhu Ya-hu and Lee Wen-zong, the former director-general of former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je's office in 2015. Both suspects were questioned late Friday and into Saturday before prosecutors applied for detention orders (羈留令). Zhu and Lee were questioned after prosecutors and officials from the Agency Against Corruption launched a second wave of searches on 29 locations last Friday. Seven people have so far been detained in connection with the investigation, which was launched in May. Former Hong Kong Lawmaker to Open Restaurant in Taipei Former Hong Kong lawmaker and pro-democracy activist Tanya Chan has announced she's opening a new restaurant in Taipei and will serve as its head chef. Chan moved to Taiwan three years ago. And and she's taken to Facebook to say the restaurant will be called "Red Cotton" and will be located in the city's Songshan District. According to Chan, she rarely (很少) had time to cook during her previous life as a lawyer and lawmaker in Hong Kong, but after coming to Taiwan she missed the flavors of Hong Kong. Chan served as a legislative councilor for Hong Kong Island from 2008 to 2012 and again from 2016 to 2020. ISrael Strikes Houthi Targets in Yemen Israel strikes Houthi targets in Yemen, as Hezbollah confirms (證實) the death of a senior official AP correspondent Karen Chammas reports…. Macao Leader Candidate on Goals The sole candidate in the election for Macao’s next leader has pledged to diversify the economy of the Chinese casino city, a goal previously laid out by Beijing. Sam Hou-fai, the city’s former top judge, told reporters that the diversification is a key issue he must address. He told election committee members who will vote on Oct. 13 that the city learnt a lesson from the COVID-19 pandemic. Macao’s tourism and gaming industries suffered a big slump because of the virus controls. Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed hopes that the former Portuguese colony can promote healthy and sustainable (可持續的) economic development. Macao is the only place in China where casinos are legal. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 120-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,979 on turnover of $5.9-billion N-T. The Tai-Ex continued to gain ground on Thursday, as other regional markets rallied on the back of news that China plans to spend billions of dollars to help rebuild the capital of its state-run banks. Kaohsiung City Councilor Missing Amid Corruption Probe Authorities in Kaohsiung says a city councilor under investigation for corruption has gone missing. According to the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors' Office, officials have been seeking to contact Huang Shao-ting in connection with an investigation into allegations of embezzlement of public funds. Prosecutors says Huang missing yesterday evening after investigators searched his residence and office earlier in the day. Huang also failed to attend the Kaohsiung City council meeting on Thursday. Reports are citing several people who live near his office as saying Huang was last seen leaving the office carrying a suitcase early Thursday morning before getting into a taxi and leaving without saying hello to them. The prosecutors' office, says the missing city councilor is under investigation for allegedly inflating (誇大, 抬高) the fees of publicly-funded assistants working in his constituency office. Huang's mother has also been questioned as part of the investigation. Guinea Presidential Palace Shots Fired Shots have been fired near the presidential palace in Guinea’s capital Conakry, with the army briefly locking down and evacuating the city center. Local journalist Fode Toure, who was a few hundred meters from the presidential palace, said he heard gunshots and saw people running away in panic. An AP reporter near the palace saw heavily armed soldiers patrolling the streets. A diplomatic official close to Guinea’s leader said that 11 dissident soldiers opened fire on the special forces around the presidential palace, but they were overpowered. Three of the assailants were killed and eight others were arrested, he said, adding that the situation (情況) is under control. US Biden Announces Ukraine Assistance Bill US President Joe Biden has announced $8 billion in new military assistance (援助) for Ukraine to help it defend itself against Russia's invasion. It comes as the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is in Washington meeting Biden and democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. From Washington. Kate fisher reports Pope Encourages EU to Welcome Migrants Pope Francis is urging Europe to be beacon of peace amid war and a welcome home for migrants. He made the appeal as he arrived on Thursday in Luxembourg to encourage Catholics in the country. The pope skipped his traditional walk down the plane aisle to greet (向…打招呼) journalists during the flight from Rome. He had cancelled his audiences earlier in the week because of a slight flu. Francis was in Luxembourg for just a few hours before flying onto Belgium, where he will stay through the weekend. There, immigration and peace are expected to be on the agenda. That was the I.C.R.T. news, Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon. Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn