Podcast appearances and mentions of Kate Fisher

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. ---- Tai-Ex opening  The Tai-Ex opened up (上漲開盤) 95-points this morning from yesterday's close (收盤), at 45,972 on turnover (成交金額) of $15-billion N-T. ---- 90 percent of suspended social media accounts restored: MODA The Ministry of Digital Affairs says Meta has promised to restore (恢復) thousands of social media accounts wrongly suspended (被停用 / 被停權) over the weekend, with nearly 90 percent recovered as of Wednesday afternoon. Between 3,000 and 4,000 accounts were suspended late Sunday after a technical issue caused Meta's system to mistakenly flag users as being under 13 years old, part of a new age-verification mechanism (年齡驗證機制) the company rolled out in May. About 200 accounts belonged to media organizations and public figures, with thousands more belonging to individual users. The ministry instructed Meta to restore a list of nearly 100 accounts, including those of major broadcasters and prominent political figures, by 6 p.m. Wednesday. Meta also said its existing appeal mechanisms remain available for users whose accounts are still suspended. ---- Banqiao man arrested after robbing bank with scissors A 50-year-old man was arrested (被逮捕) Wednesday morning after robbing a bank in New Taipei's Banqiao District with a pair of scissors. Police said the robbery at the Taishin International Bank branch was reported at around 10:15 a.m. Officers arrived four minutes later to find the suspect (嫌犯), surnamed Wang, seated in the customer area counting cash. He was arrested on the spot. Wang is being questioned on suspicion of robbery. Investigators are working to determine whether any accomplices (共犯) were involved and whether the crime was premeditated. ---- US and Iran digitally sign MOU to end war as Trump warns he'll resume bombing if talks fail US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have digitally signed a fourteen-point memorandum of understanding (諒解備忘錄) to end the war between the United States, Israel and Iran. The deal calls for an immediate ceasefire (停火), the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of sanctions (制裁) on Iranian oil exports, but President Trump has warned the agreement is not final and the US would resume military action if further talks fail. A further round of negotiations is due to begin in Switzerland on Friday, with those talks expected to conclude within sixty days. Kate Fisher has more from Washington. That was Kate Fisher in Washington. ---- UN Warns of Acute Hunger Across Global Hotspots The United Nations' food agencies warn that acute hunger (嚴重飢餓) is set to worsen across 13 global hot spots in the coming months, calling for urgent action. Conflict, funding shortages, and climate shocks are pushing millions closer to famine (飢荒). A new joint report from the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Program highlights that conditions are expected to deteriorate between June and November 2026. Around 266 million people already face high levels of acute food insecurity (糧食不安全). The report says "Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, and Palestine" remain the countries of greatest concern. Nigeria and Somalia have been newly added to that category as conditions worsen and famine risks rise. ---- UK Stonehenge "Prototype" Discovered Archaeologists (考古學家) say they have discovered a structure near Stonehenge that may have served as a “prototype” (原型) for the monument. A team from Wessex Archaeology says the structure, found near Bulford, predates Stonehenge by around 500 years. It consisted of two wooden poles aligned with the sun during solstices (至日). The site also revealed pottery, animal bones, and a rare knife, suggesting it was a focus for religious gatherings. The discovery was made as part of work for the British defense ministry. Stonehenge remains a symbol of British culture and a major tourist attraction. ---- 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 46,364 on turnover of 13-billion N-T. The market closed at yet another record high on Wednesday, it surpassed the 46,000 mark following an overnight rally among tech stocks on Wall Street - which triggered buying, particularly in the bellwether electronics sector (指標電子類股). In news from and about Taiwan this morning, Research group to work with US defense firm on drone development The government-sponsored Metal Industries Research & Development Center has signed a memorandum of understanding (合作備忘錄) with US-based defense technology developer Anduril Industries for the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (無人機). The agreement was signed by Center Chairperson Liu Chia-ru and Anduril founder Palmer Luckey in Taipei. According to the center, cooperation will focus on the development of A-I autonomous systems and key drone components and the two parties will integrate the supply chains, promote localized production (在地化生產) and expand technology exchanges. 2025 carbon reduction estimated at 9%, below 10% goal Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming says Taiwan's greenhouse gas emissions (溫室氣體排放) in 2025 are estimated to have been about 9-per cent below 2005 levels, narrowly missing the government's 10-per cent reduction target (減量目標). According to Peng, the official goal remain to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 28-per cent, plus or minus 2 percentage points, by 2030 compared with 2005 levels. Peng says in order to meet the 2030 target, the government will need to reduce emissions by nearly 20-per cent over the next five years. Peng is describing that possibilty as being challenging, despite emissions here in Taiwan being on a steady downward trend (下降趨勢). House delivers bipartisan condemnation of Iran war House lawmakers have delivered a bipartisan condemnation (譴責) of the Iran war, passing a resolution to block U.S. President Donald Trump from ordering further strikes. Kate Fisher reports from Washington Indonesia Arrests Nutrition Agency Head Over Corruption Indonesia's former head of the National Nutrition Agency has been arrested on corruption charges (貪污指控) related to a multibillion-dollar free-meals program. The initiative aimed to fight malnutrition (營養不良) by feeding nearly 90 million children and pregnant women. President Prabowo Subianto fired Dadan Hindayana on Tuesday, replacing him with the agency's deputy chief. Investigators searched the agency's offices early Wednesday. Prosecutors also arrested two other officials. The program, expected to cost $28 billion through 2029, has faced criticism for high costs and food poisoning (食物中毒) cases. WHO says Congo's Ebola outbreak testing is improving The World Health Organization says Congo's Ebola outbreak (疫情爆發) had a head start, but testing is improving, even as violence plagues the region. Since mid-May, 344 cases and 60 deaths have been confirmed in three eastern provinces. The number of suspected cases (疑似病例) has dropped significantly. Uganda has 15 confirmed cases, including one death. The outbreak involves a rare Ebola type with no approved medicine or vaccine. Limited testing and access issues make assessing the outbreak's extent difficult. The W-H-O says only 45-per cent of contacts have been traced, with insecurity and displacement complicating efforts. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

US President Donald Trump has confirmed some frustrations were shared in his call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Earlier this week, anonymous sources claimed the call was filled with expletives, Trump calling Netanyahu “f***ing crazy” and accusing him of ingratitude. Trump confirmed on The New York Post's ‘Pod Force One' that he did indeed call him crazy, but claimed he was perturbed, rather than angry. US Correspondent Kate Fisher told Francesca Rudkin this illustrates how difficult the situation is. She says Trump wants to see a diplomatic end to the conflict with Iran, while Netanyahu is pushing for more military action. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening  The Tai-Ex opened marginally down this morning from yesterday's close, at 44,240 on turnover of 12.7-billion NT. The market closed above the 44,000-point mark for the first time on Wednesday after the bellwether electronics sector rebounded following a rally on Wall Street overnight led by US tech stocks. Nvidia's Jensen Huang touts Taiwan as being the 'epicenter of AI revolution' Visiting Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is describing Taiwan as being the "epicenter (中心) of the AI revolution" and at the center of nearly everything his company does. Huang made the statement at a company employee gathering celebrating Nvidia's planned Taiwan headquarters at the Beitou-Shilin Technology Park in Taipei. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an also attended the event, at which he presented Huang with a Key to the City to welcome Nvidia to Taipei. Chiang told attendees that the world is watching how Nvidia shapes the future of A-I and Taipei was proud to be part of that future. Construction of the new Nvidia headquarters is scheduled to begin at the end of this year and be completed in 2030. Canada Day celebrations to mark 159th birthday set for late June And, The Canadian Trade Office in Taipei has announced that Canada Day celebrations will be taking place at the Hakka Cultural Park in Taipei once again this year on June 27. According to the office, the festival has become "a very important celebration not just for Canadians living in Taiwan, but also for people in Taipei and throughout Taiwan who travel to the capital to join the festivities (節慶活動)." Celebration Canada festival is free and will be taking place from 1 to 9PM on Saturday June 27. The annual Taipei event has long been touted as being the largest Canada Day celebration outside of Canada. White House dismisses Iranian reports of draft deal as Trump says he doesn't care about the midterms Iran's state TV says Tehran has obtained a draft of an unofficial framework for a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. to end the war. But the White House has dismissed the report as a complete fabrication (純屬虛構) and during a cabinet meeting President Trump expressed indifference (冷漠) to the political pressure caused by the unpopularity of the conflict. Kate Fisher reports from Washington Brazil Announces Highway Investment Brazil's government has announced a $75 million investment in the BR-319 highway, a move environmentalists fear could speed up Amazon deforestation (森林砍伐). President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva claims it will be the most environmentally advanced road in the world. The highway, linking Amazonas and Rondonia, remains mostly unpaved since its 1976 inauguration. The government also unveiled an environmental protection plan that includes monitoring and conservation units. Critics argue the project lacks necessary safeguards and could worsen deforestation. The Amazon, the world's largest rainforest, plays a critical role in regulating the global climate. The road cuts through one of the biome's (生態群系) most well-preserved regions, home to dozens of protected areas and Indigenous territories. 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 242-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 40,263 on turnover of 14.-billion N-T. The market lost ground for a fifth consecutive session on Wednesday, after Wall Street stumbled overnight and gave back more of its record-setting rally as invertors shunned tech stocks. CDC raises Ebola travel advisory for DRC and Uganda The Centers for Disease Control has raised the level of its Ebola travel advisory for Congo and Uganda and is urging hospitals and doctors clinics to ask patients about their travel and exposure history. The C-D-C has raised its travel advisory for Congo and Uganda from "watch" to the second-level "alert." That advisory level urges travelers to "take enhanced precautionary (預防性的) measures" in regions experiencing Ebola outbreaks. However, the C-D-C is stressing that it considers the Ebola outbreak's threat to Taiwan relatively low. Detection of hidden camera in Taichung store triggers more inspections Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen says inspections of retail spaces will extend to 17 big-box and department stores starting from tomorrow. The statement comes after a camera invading customers' privacy (隱私) was found in a fitting room at a local store. According to Lu, citywide inspections for illegal hidden cameras had previously focused on cosmetic surgery clinics, sports facilities with changing rooms, and saunas .. .. but they will now be expanded to department stores and other big-box stores with fitting rooms, as they could be "hot spots" for covert filming. The move is in response to the discovery of a surveillance camera pointing toward a mirror inside a fitting room at the Under Armour store in Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport in Taichung. US indicts former Cuban president Raul Castro The US Justice Department has field criminal charges against Raúl Castro, the 94-year-old former president of Cuba. He's been charged with murder and a conspiracy (陰謀) to kill U.S. citizens stemming from the fatal downing of two planes 30 years ago. Kate Fisher reports from Washington UN Votes for Climate Change Resolution The U.N. General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to support strong action to prevent climate change. The 193-member world body approved a nonbinding resolution Wednesday endorsing the landmark advisory opinion by the U.N.'s top court last July that called failure by countries to protect the planet from climate change a violation of international law. The measure was opposed by the U.S., Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia — some of the highest oil-producing nations and major emitters (發出者) of greenhouse gas. The text includes adopting a national climate action plan to limit global temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, phasing out subsidies for fossil fuel exploration, production and exploitation (開發利用, 不公平地使用); and urging those in violation to provide “full reparation” for damage. The U.N. resolution had initially included stronger language from the International Court of Justice opinion that called for establishing an “International Register of Damage” to record evidence and claims, but it was removed after nearly a dozen consultations in order to receive more support. 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 opens higher The Tai-Ex opened higher (開高) this morning. It was up 28 points at 40,204. Turnover (成交量) was 9.1-billion NT. The market fell on Tuesday for a fourth day in a row. Investors sold tech shares because of worries about the war with Iran. Some investors moved their money into non-tech shares (科技股). ---- Government to expand parental leave and family support measures Premier Cho Jung-tai has announced new plans to help families. The measures are aimed at Taiwan's falling birth rate (出生率). They include longer parental leave (育嬰假) and tax breaks (稅務優惠) on housing for parents. Cho says the government wants to support children from birth to age 18. The plan would cover childbirth, child care and education. It is expected to go to the Cabinet for approval on May 28. ---- CDC confirms first mpox clade Ib case  The Centers for Disease Control has confirmed (證實) the first m-pox clade Ib case in Taiwan. Officials say the case was imported (境外移入病例). It involves a man in his 20s. Another new mpox case this month involves a man in his 40s in northern Taiwan. The CDC says neither man had been vaccinated (已接種疫苗) against mpox. Mpox became a notifiable disease in Taiwan in 2022. ---- Israeli Airstrikes in Lebanon Leave Over Dozen Dead Lebanon's Health Ministry says Israeli airstrikes (空襲) in southern Lebanon have killed at least 19 people. The dead include four women and three children. The strikes come as fighting continues between Israel and Hezbollah. That is despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire (停火). Israel says it is targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. Hezbollah is both a militant group and a powerful political group in Lebanon. More than one million people in Lebanon have been displaced (流離失所的). ---- US government drops tax claims against Trump as part of IRS lawsuit deal The U.S. government has agreed to drop tax claims (稅務索賠) against President Donald Trump. The deal is part of Trump's 10-billion U.S. dollar lawsuit (訴訟) against the IRS. The lawsuit is about the leak of Trump's tax returns. The settlement (和解協議) could protect Trump from more review of his finances. It also creates a fund of nearly 1.8-billion U.S. dollars. The money would go to people who say they were targeted for political reasons. Kate Fisher reports from Washington. ---- That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Donald Trump says almost nothing is off limits as he threatens to obliterate Iranian civil infrastructure. The US President's demanding Tehran reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 1pm tomorrow or the country will be 'living in Hell'. Tehran has meanwhile rejected a last-ditch temporary ceasefire proposal, calling instead for a definitive end to the war. Feature Story News Correspondent Kate Fisher told Ryan Bridge there does seem to be diplomacy happening in the background, but at the same time, the rhetoric is very aggressive. She says it doesn't sound like the rhetoric or violence is being dialled down, but diplomacy is happening. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 136-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 33,575 on turnover of 10.6-billion N-T. The market moved sharply higher by 826 points on Wednesday after U-S President Donald Trump claimed peace talks with Iran were underway. The rally was the seventh largest point gain in the Tai-Ex's history and helped it overcome (克服) technical resistance ahead of the five-day moving average of 33,201. Taipei District Court to hand down Ko Wen-je verdict this afternoon The Taipei District Court is slated to hand down its verdict (判決) in former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je's corruption case. The court session has been scheduled for 2:30PM. Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of 28 years. The case centered on allegations Ko accepted 17.1-million N-T in bribes from Core Pacific Group Chairman Shen Ching-jing to approve the expansion of the floor area ratio at his Core Pacific City project. Ko has faces charges of embezzling political donations and of campaign finance irregularities. He has persistently denied any wrongdoing is all of the cases brought against him. $39 NT FamilyMart receipt wins invoice lottery's $10 million prize And, The Ministry of Finance says a 39 N-T receipt for two bottles of tea at a FamilyMart was among the 10-million N-T special prize winners in the January-February uniform invoice lottery. The winning lottery numbers were released yesterday. FamilyMart says two of the 10 million N-T winning receipts, two 2-million grand prize winning receipts and three 200,000 N-T first-prize winning receipts were issued (發出) at its stores. While 7-Eleven is reporting that three 10-million N-T winning receipts and three 2-million N-T grand prize winning receipts were issued at its stores. TSA acting administrator: US airports have highest wait times in history Airports in the United States are experiencing "the highest wait times in history" according to the acting head of the Transportation Security Administration. During congressional testimony, Ha Nguyen McNeill said more than 480 agents have quit after more than a month without pay under the partial (部分的) government shutdown. To try to address the airport lines President Trump has reassigned Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to support the TSA. Kate Fisher reports Mexico to Continue Cuban Doctor Program Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country would continue to have Cuban doctors work in Mexico. It comes a time when other nations across the Americas have ditched their agreements with Cuba's government in the face of mounting U.S. pressure. The leader's support of the Cuban medical program comes as President Donald Trump has sought to isolate the Caribbean nation in an effort to push for regime change. The U.S. wants to end such missions, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it “forced labor” and a “form of human trafficking.” Sheinbaum on Wednesday defended the program, pointing to all the help Cuban doctors have offered during the COVID-19 pandemic and in rural (鄉下的) areas across the country. It's unclear exactly how many Cuban doctors currently work in Mexico. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Catch up with the latest headlines from around the world with RNZ's Alice Wilkins.

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 581-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 32,692 on turnover of 12.7-billion N-T. The market posted heavy declines on Monday, as the main board plunged nearly 1,500 points on the back of investor concerns over major spikes in international crude oil prices amid the US-Israel war with Iran. FM meets Australian lawmaker during stopover Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has met with an Australian lawmaker during a stopover in Australia on his way home from Tuvalu. Taking to Facebook, Lin said he met with Hugh McDermott of the Australian Labor Party. McDermott also took social media to say he was pleased to meet with the foreign minister alongside (與…一起) parliamentary colleagues and representatives from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia … … and he also posted a photo of himself shaking hands with Lin in Australia last Friday. However, neither McDermott or Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs have specified where the meeting took place in Australia during Lin's transit stop. Lin Chun-yi wins Taiwan's 1st men's singles title at All England Open Lin Chun-yi has won the men's singles competition at the 2026 All England Open Badminton Championships. The 26-year old, who is currently ranked world No. 11, beat his Indian opponent 21-15, 22-20 in a 57-minute final at the Utilita Arena in the city of Birmingham. The result means Lin has become the first Taiwanese male shuttler to top the podium (領獎台，前三名) in the men's singles event at the annual tournament. Lin's world ranking is expected to break into the top 10 for the first time, when the Badminton World Federation updates its standings later this week. He is ranked as Taiwan's No. 2 male badminton player. Anthropic sues Trump administration Artificial intelligence firm Anthropic has sued the Trump administration after it placed the artificial intelligence company on a national security blacklist (黑名單). The Pentagon has designated Anthropic as a supply chain risk, after it refused to remove guardrails against using its AI for autonomous weapons or domestic surveillance. Kate Fisher reports from Washington Australia Grants Asylum to Iraninan Soccer Team Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says that Australia has granted asylum to five members of the Iranian women's soccer team who were visiting the country for a tournament. The women were transported from their hotel in Gold Coast, Australia “to a safe location” by Australian federal police officers in the early hours of Tuesday morning local time. There, they met with Burke and the processing of their humanitarian visas finalized (完成), the minister told reporters in Brisbane hours later. An official team list numbered 26 players, plus coaching and other staff. Burke didn't detail what threats the players faced in Iran. The Iranian team arrived in Australia for the Women's Asian Cup last month, before the Iran war began. The team was knocked out of the tournament over the weekend and faced the prospect (可能) of returning to a country under bombardment. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－ 台中烏日高鐵好宅招租囉！ 3月開放申請，社宅位於三榮路二段與三榮十路交叉口 歡迎年滿18歲，名下無自有住宅，符合財稅規定的民眾， 可點擊下方資訊欄連結了解詳情 台中社宅17租：https://sofm.pse.is/8t7m9l 3/28(六)開放現場看屋，也歡迎到社宅現場參觀！ 以上廣告由台中市政府住宅發展工程處提供 -- 【遠雄樂元】 台中北屯捷運X好市多 雙首排 ➤早鳥首付55萬起 旗艦級新地標21-39坪，台中北屯機捷總站20米，好市多60米，出站即到家。2147坪新世代遊園宅，全齡化公設✦ 早鳥輕入住 https://sofm.pse.is/8t7m9u -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 791-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 33,620 on turnover of 19.1-billion N-T. The market plunged over 1,400 points on Wednesday as escalating tensions in the Middle East spooked investors and triggered heavy selling across the board. Large-cap tech stocks bore the brunt of (首當其衝) the decline. However, all eight major industrial sectors finished lower, with plastics, electric machinery, cables and glass stocks posting steep losses. Prosecutors indict 62 individuals and 13 companies in Prince Holding Group Case The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted 62 individuals and 13 companies in connection with its money laundering investigation into the Cambodia-based Prince Holding Group. Prosecutors says the network laundered more than 10.7-billion N-T in Taiwan. The individual and companies have been charged with violating the Organized Crime Prevention Act, the Money Laundering Prevention Act, and the Criminal Code with intent to profit from gambling. Prosecutors are also seeking court approval to confiscate (沒收) the full 10.7-billion N-T in alleged criminal proceeds held in Taiwan. Authorities have so far seized more than 5.5-billion N-T in Prince Group assets (資產) during raids last year and they include 24 luxury properties, 35 high-end vehicles, 337 financial accounts, cash and designer goods. Dozens injured in raucous Lantern Festival events in Tainan and Taitung At least 47 people have been injured while attending Lantern Festival-related folk events in Tainan and Taitung. Both of the event saw participants forming processions and braving (勇敢面對（困難/危險）) barrages of bottle rockets or firecrackers. Officials in Tainan says 30 people suffered burns after being hit by dense barrages of bottle rockets, while six were injured stemming from falls at the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival on Monday and Tuesday. While officials in Taitung say 11 people were taken to the city's MacKay Memorial Hospital on Tuesday after suffering injuries on the first day of the Bombing of Master Han Dan Festival. US submarine sinks Iranian warship At least 80 bodies have been recovered by Sri Lankan authorities after a torpedo fired by a US submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said it was the Islamic Republic's prize ship. And the first such strike since World War 2. Kate Fisher has more from Washington Africa Clean Energy Fund to Double Financing Africa's flagship clean energy fund says it plans to more than double its financing to $2.5 billion over the next two years, as momentum builds behind the continent's energy transition. The African Development Bank bank approved slightly fewer renewable energy projects last year but succeeded in increasing its funding. The lender's Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa has mobilized about $1 billion in commercial capital alongside its own commitments. Based on projects in the pipeline, that figure is expected to reach $2.5 billion within the next two years. The public-private finance facility supports utility-scale and decentralized projects, facilitating deals and supporting pan-African renewable energy investment platforms. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－ 【遠雄樂元】 台中北屯捷運X好市多 雙首排 ➤早鳥首付55萬起 旗艦級新地標21-39坪，台中北屯機捷總站20米，好市多60米，出站即到家。2147坪新世代遊園宅，全齡化公設✦ 早鳥輕入住 https://sofm.pse.is/8t6vjk --

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 247-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 34,020 on turnover of 14-billion N-T. The market closed higher on Monday, as the market reopened following its 11-day Lunar New Year holiday, but the gains were capped amid concerns over U-S tariff policies. Opposition calls for talks on format of Lai's legislative report Opposition parties are calling for cross-party negotiations over how President Lai Ching-te should deliver a national affairs report at the Legislative Yuan. The statement comes after Lai announced that he's willing to deliver (發表) a national affairs report at the Legislative Yuan "in accordance with constitutional procedures" following a meeting with the heads of the five branches of government at the Presidential Building. K-M-T and Taiwan People's Party lawmakers are seeking a question-and-answer format. Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu proposed a questions-first-answers-second format after Lai hosted the meeting - saying he invited the president to personally explain issues of concern to lawmakers. According to Han, Lai "gladly accepted" the invitation. Lunar New Year ER visits down as more clinics stay open, UCCs expand The Ministry of Health says visits to emergency rooms over the Lunar New Year period were down from last year as more clinics stayed open and urgent care centers expanded capacity. According to the ministry, data shows there were 232,397 visits to hospital ERs from February 14 to 21 - and that total was down by 22.5-per cent from the number of visits reported during the same holiday period of last year. Visits to the hospital ERs over the holiday period this year were closely watched after what happened last year - when ERs across Taiwan became so overcrowded that the Taiwan Society of Emergency Medicine called the situation "unprecedented (史無前例的)". The government spent 1.6-billion N-T in funding to encourage medical providers to stay open during this year's holiday. Trump threatens higher tariffs for countries who "play games" after Supreme Court ruled tariffs illegal US president Donald Trump has threatened (威逼) to put higher tariffs on countries that want to "play games" after a key U.S. Supreme Court tariff ruling. Kate Fisher report from Washington Canada Calls OpenAI Reps to Ottawa The Canadian government has called representatives of ChatGPT-maker OpenAI to Ottawa. The company says it considered but did not alert Canadian police about the activities of a person who months later committed one of the worst school shootings in the country's history. Canada's artificial intelligence minister says he expects the company's top safety representatives to explain its protocols and how it decides to forward cases to law enforcement when he meets with them today. OpenAI said last June that the company identified the account of Jesse Van Rootselaar via abuse detection efforts. The 18-year-old killed eight people in a remote (偏僻的) part of British Columbia this month and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－ 新感覺夾心土司 多種口味隨心挑選 讓你隨時隨地都有好心情 甜蜜口感草莓夾心、顆粒層次花生夾心、濃郁滑順可可夾心 主廚監製鮪魚沙拉、精選原料金黃蛋沙拉 輕巧美味帶著走，迎接多變的每一天 7-Eleven多種口味販售中 https://sofm.pse.is/8rcv29 -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

The British Prime Minister says Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should testify before a U.S. congressional committee, following new revelations about the former royal's links to Jeffrey Epstein. US correspondent Kate Fisher spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

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 30,630 on turnover of 8.2-billion N-T. The market closed higher yesterday as buying was sparked by gains posted on Wall Street at the end of last week. However, the main board declined from the day's high of 30,681 after profit-taking set-in late in the session, as investors turned cautious ahead of the anticipated U-S Supreme Court ruling later this week on Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs. Taiwan F-16s return to the sky after no-flight order lifted The Air Force says its fleet of F-16s jet fighters have now resumed regular training operations following safety checks. The fleet was grounded in response to the disappearance of an F-16V and its pilot going missing in waters off the east coast last Tuesday. According to the Air Force, all of its F-16s passed inspections, with pilots and ground crews completing simulation (模擬) and maintenance training, respectively. The Air Force also released photos of a group of four F-16Vs making preparations for takeoff, with one piloted by Maj. Gen. Hu Chung-hua -- the chief of the Air Force's 5th Tactical Mixed Wing based in eastern Hualien County. Taipei to launch 'smoke-free city' plan this year Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says his administration is looking at various options to limit smoking in public places and some version of the policy is likely to be implemented this year. According to Chiang, a "Taipei smoke-free city" plan is expected to be launched by the end of this year. Chiang says city officials are studying the establishment of designated (指定的) smoking areas in Tokyo, which has cut down on secondhand smoke and cigarette litter in the Japanese capital. The Taipei mayor also said that it's very possible the city will make reference to examples abroad, such as using designated smoking areas or booths to improve the quality of public spaces. US Trump Administration Sends Hundreds More Agents to Minneapolis Hundreds more federal agents are being deployed (部署) to Minneapolis by the Trump administration. It comes amid protests after a woman was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in the city. Kate Fisher reports from Washington Iran Protest Death Toll Rises Activists say the death toll from Iran's nationwide protests has reached at least 646 people with the number expected to rise further. The toll as of Tuesday comes from the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate (準確) throughout multiple years of demonstrations. According to the Associated Press, the agency relies on a network of activists inside Iran that confirms all reported fatalities. Iran's government has not provided casualty figures for the demonstrations, as all communications remain blocked in the country. Pope Meets with Venezuela Opposition Leader Machado Pope Leo XIV has met with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado at the Vatican. During Monday's meeting, which was not previously announced, the Venezuelan leader asked the pope to intercede (調解) for the release of hundreds of political prisoners held in Venezuela and for a swift transition to democracy. Machado is touring Europe and the United States after escaping Venezuela in early 2025. The pope called for Venezuela to remain independent and urges the protection of human rights following the capture (捕拿) of former President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces. 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 117-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 26,911 on turnover of 8.3-billion N-T. The market closed lower on Tuesday as renewed concerns over US-China trade tensions prompted (促使) investors to lock in profits. Former EVA Airways rep accused of spying for China The Supreme Prosecutors' Office has indicted a former EVA Airways representative to China on charges of spying for Beijing. The former airline representative was stationed in Sichuan and is suspected of being recruited by Chinese intelligence. Reports says he sought classified information from several officials at the Mainland Affairs Council concerning details about direct cross-strait flights. The suspect reportedly attempted to bribe at least one official with a payment of 100,000 N-T multiple times between 2012 and 2014. The Mainland Affairs Council official refused the offer and reported the case to authorities. The suspect has now been charged with violating the National Security Act. MOFA allocates funds to buy representative office space in Boston The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has allocated a budget of 156-million N-T for the purchase of a property (房產) to house its representative office in the U-S city of Boston. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston is currently located in a rented building. According to the foreign ministry, the funding means it will be able to a property in the city, pending approval of the budget by the Cabinet and Legislature. The government also plans to purchase properties in Houston and Denver in the U-S and in Sydney, Australia to house its representative offices .. .. saying the aim of the purchases is to save taxpayer money that is currently being spent on renting overseas offices. Argentina Leader at White House Just hours after returning from his trip to the Middle East, US President Donald Trump is shifting (轉移) his focus to the other side of the world - hosting the Argentinian leader Javier Milei at the White House. It comes after the US agreed to a 20 billion dollar currency swap in a major bailout of the Latin American nation. Kate Fisher reports Congo M23 Establish Oversight Congo and the Rwanda-backed rebel group M23 have agreed to establish an oversight mechanism for a potential permanent ceasefire. The agreement was announced Tuesday by a Congolese government spokesperson and confirmed by a M23 spokesperson. The ceasefire monitoring body will include representatives from Congo, M23 and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region. The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo will participate. The agreement is an important step toward a peace deal after recent efforts to end fighting in eastern Congo stalled. The body is expected to meet within seven days of its creation, with the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo providing logistical (後勤的) coordination. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－ 行人過馬路要注意安全！ 沒有路權時不要通行，穿越馬路請遵守號誌燈指示，注意來車與周圍環境，步行安全最重要，保護自己也保護他人。

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 57-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 26,435 on turnover of $7.7-billion N-T. Free flu vaccination rate hits record high on first day of rollout The Centers for Disease Control says more than 264,000 people received flu shots when it rolled out (推出) phase one of it's annual free flu vaccine program on Wednesday. That's the largest first-day turnout since the C-D-C began adopting a two-stage rollout in 2021. The number of people getting free COVID vaccinations on Wednesday also hit a high compared with last year - with the C-D-C saying 82,000 doses of the jab were administered on Wednesday - which is nearly double the number from the same time last year. Phase one of the government's annual free flu vaccine covers minors from 6 months old through senior high school; seniors aged 65 and over; medical workers; high-risk individuals; pregnant women and parents of babies under 6 months old. The second phase of the free flu vaccine program will begin on November 1 - when people aged between 50 and 64 will be eligible for a shot. Some 4,000 clinics and hospitals islandwide are offering free flu vaccination services. UK Police ID Synagogue Attacker British police say they believe the man responsible for the deadly attack at a synagogue (猶太教堂) in Manchester was a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent. The assailant drove a car into people outside a synagogue in northern England and then began attacking them with a knife, killing two and seriously wounding four Police identified the man as Jihad Al-Shamie, who was shot and killed by officers. Police also said that three people have been arrested on terrorism-related charges. They are two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says additional police officers would be deployed at synagogues across the U.K. US Trump Declares War with Drug Cartels US President Donald Trump has declared that the US is engaged in an "armed conflict" with drug cartels, which it labels as terrorist organisations. In the confidential memo sent to congress and obtained (獲得) by US media, the administration describes suspected smugglers as "unlawful combatants" . Kate Fisher reports from Washington Somaliland Trafficked Cheetah Cubs Rescued Eleven cheetah cubs were rescued from illegal trade in Somaliland in what a conservationist said was “one of the largest confiscations of the species.” The cubs were packed in bags that resembled (看起來像) sacks of potatoes and were being transported in a small boat off the Somaliland coast when the local coast guard intercepted them on Sunday. Two locals and three Yemenis were arrested during the rescue operation, and the cheetahs were taken to a rescue center. Hundreds of cheetahs and leopards from the Horn of Africa have been transported to Gulf countries through the Gulf of Aden. Experts say there are less than 7-thousand cheetahs left in the wild, and the illegal trade in cheetahs was driving the species into extinction. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－ 行人過馬路要注意安全！ 沒有路權時不要通行，穿越馬路請遵守號誌燈指示，注意來車與周圍環境，步行安全最重要，保護自己也保護他人。

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 24,237 on turnover of 5-billion N-T. The market gained solid ground on Monday - closing up more than 500-points as investors were boosted by news that the U-S Federal Reserve could soon cuts interest rates. Vice premier confirms ongoing car tariff talks but gives few details Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun says U-S car imports are part of ongoing tariff talks with Washington. Speaking at a legislative hearing, Cheng told lawmakers that Washington has expressed the hope for greater openness and expanded market access (市場准入) for U-S cars. According to Cheng, tariffs on U-S car imports and compliance with safety and emissions standards were still being negotiated. She failed to provide any further details. But Cheng did say she has held three video conferences with U-S officials since returning to Taiwan on August 1 .. KMT's Lo Chih-chiang joins race for party chair K-M-T lawmaker Lo Chih-chiang has announced his plans to seeking the party's leadership. Lo made the announcement in a Facebook post with a photo of him standing next to a statue of Sun Yat-sen. He survived a recall vote on July 26 and said in the post that his top priority (優先考慮的事，重點) will be to stop President Lai Ching-te from winning a second four-year term in 2028. Luo also said in the Facebook post that he will release further details of his campaign to seek the post of K-M-T chair later today. US Trump says he'll meet Kim Jong Un U.S. President Donald Trump says he will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un - potentially this year and that he 's open to further trade talks with South Korea - as he hosted President Lee Jae Myung at the White House The future of their military alliance (聯盟) was also on the agenda at the meeting just hours after President Trump suggested in a social media post that the US might stop doing business with the country. Kate Fisher reports from Washington. Brazil Buys US Tariff Affected Products Brazil's government says it will buy several domestic products that have been hit by the 50% higher U.S. tariffs on the country's exports. They include acai, coconut water, mangoes, Brazilian nuts, honey and fish. Most of these will be used in state schools or in stock building (增加庫存) nationwide. Officials say coffee and beef, which were also affected by the increase imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, were not included on the government's list because there are other markets interested in them. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－ 無論是駕駛、行人或自行車騎士，「停讓先行」不僅是口號，更是城市交通文化的核心。 讓我們將安全意識化為日常實踐，共同為行人、自行車及校園周邊建構更安全的用路環境，讓澎湖成為全齡友善的宜居城市。 交通部及澎湖縣政府關心您。 -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 119-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,498 on turnover of 5.7-billion N-T. The market lost ground on Monday as selling was triggered by a decline on Wall Street at the end of last week. And analysts say U-S indexes dictated the local main board yesterday as it came under heavy pressure in a knee-jerk reaction to Friday's losses and U-S tariff announcements. Alaska's governor says Taiwan is close to record deal for 6 million tons of LNG The governor of Alaska says Taiwan is close to finalizing a deal to purchase 6-million tons of liquefied natural gas from the U-S state. According to Mike Dunleavy, when completed, it will mark the largest such sale in Alaska's history. The purchase will reportedly account for about 30-per cent of the Alaska L-N-G Project's planned annual output of 20-million tons. The government has not commented on Dunleavy's remarks. However, C-P-C says no information is available on the purchase volume or total cost of the deal as it's still waiting for the finalized (敲定) details from the seller. According to the Energy Administration, the U-S currently supplies 10-per cent of Taiwan's L-N-G, making it the country's third-largest source after Australia and Qatar. Torrential rain in Taiwan causes 5 deaths, 3 missing, 78 injuries The Central Emergency Operation Center has increased the death toll due to the torrential rains that have battered much of the south since July 28 to five. The center says a total of 78 rain related injuries have been reported and three people remain missing. According to the Central Weather Administration, it recorded accumulated rainfall of 292-centimeters in Kaohsiung's Maolin District and 236-centimeters in Pingtung's Wutai Township between 12AM on July 28 and 4PM yesterday. The Ministry of Agriculture is reporting estimated agricultural losses of 260-million N-T. Premier Cho Jung-tai says the Cabinet is set to pass a special bill with more than 30-billion N-T earmarked for rebuilding in the aftermath of Typhoon Danas. India says Trump plans to raise tariffs "unjustified" India's foreign ministry has described US President Trump's declaration that he would "substantially" raise tariffs on imports from India, as "unjustified and unreasonable." President Trump claimed that India is profiting (獲利) by reselling cheap Russian oil on the open market. Kate Fisher reports from Washington Denmark Zoo Asks for Donated Pets as Food for Predators A zoo in Denmark is asking for people to donate small pets as food for its predators. The Aalborg Zoo says it is trying to mimic the natural food chain of the animals housed there and offers assurances the pets will be “gently euthanized” by trained staff. The zoo in northern Denmark explained in a Facebook post that “if you have a healthy animal that needs to be given away for various (各種各樣的) reasons, feel free to donate it to us.” The zoo points to guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens as possible donations. 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 232-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,346 on turnover of $9.8-billion N-T. Shares in Taiwan closed slightly higher Thursday as contract chipmaker TSMC moved in a narrow rage ahead of an investor conference slated to open after the trading session. Analysts say investors remained cautious before the chipmaker gave guidance for the third quarter, and it was no surprise that the Taiex fell into consolidation mode throughout the session. Attention shifted to select old economy stocks and the buying provided some support to the broader market. 5 arrested on suspicion of money laundering via virtual accounts The Criminal Investigation Bureau says it had busted a money laundering ring and arrested five people suspected of using e-commerce platforms to conceal (隱藏) the flow of illicit funds. The CIB says the raid and arrests followed an investigation of suspicious financial flows, facilitated by illegal third-party payment providers and a gambling syndicate (聯合組織). Investigators say the money laundering ring was essentially providing "real-time payment services" for a gambling syndicate involving about $30-billion NT over a one-year period. After months of surveillance and investigation, the CIB task force launched a coordinated raid of the two third-party payment companies on March 13-th and arrested five suspects. They were handed over to the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office on charges that included fraud and money laundering. Trump denies plans to fire Fed Chair Powell Donald Trump has denied he plans to fire the head of the US central bank Jerome Powell. The president has reportedly drafted a letter of termination (解僱) for the Federal Reserve chairman, but is now walking back claims he's planning to let him go. Kate Fisher reports from Washington. UN Chief Wants More Progress from Cyprus Talks The United Nations chief says he would have liked more results from his meetings with the rival leaders of divided Cyprus. The Turkish Cypriot leader said Thursday that he was “very, very upset” that there was no agreement on opening four new border crossings. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the meetings “constructive” (建設性的) and pointed to progress on four of the six initiatives the leaders agreed to in March. But he cautioned that “there's a long road ahead.” The Mediterranean island was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded following a coup by supporters of uniting the island with Greece. Only Turkey recognizes a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence, and it maintains more than 35,000 troops in the island's northern third. Brazil Lower House Passes Controversial Environmental Legislation Brazil's lower house has passed a controversial bill that overhauls environmental legislation. The bill simplifies environmental licensing, allowing companies to self-declare compliance (遵守) online. Environmental experts warn this could increase pollution, deforestation, and water scarcity while threatening protected areas. Over 300 non-profits, including Greenpeace and WWF Brazil, have opposed the bill, calling it a major setback. The legislation now awaits President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's decision to either approve or veto it, fully or partially. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 109-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,253 on turnover of 4.8-billion N-T. The market lost ground on Tuesday amid lingering investor concerns over U-S tariff policies. Market watchers say investors appear cautious, as they await a possible trade agreement between Taiwan and the U-S, while foreign institutional investors continue to hold a large number of short futures contracts, indicating they also remain wary of the tariff issues. Taiwan to ask allies to raise China flight route issue at ICAO meet The government reportedly plans to ask Taiwan's diplomatic and unofficial allies to raise the issue of China's decision to unilaterally launch a new flight route in the Taiwan Strait at the International Civil Aviation Organization's triennial assembly (三年一次的). It comes comes after China on Sunday announced that it will open the northwest-to-southeast W-121 route connecting Dongshan in Zhejiang province to the north-south M-503 flight route in the Taiwan Strait. The International Civil Aviation Organization's triennial assembly will be taking place in Montreal in September Taiwan last attended the event as a guest in 2013. CDC offers free syphilis tests to under-24s as youth cases rise The Centers for Disease Control has rolled out free, rapid syphilis tests to people under the age of 24. The program began on July 1 and is available through 13 participating hospitals nationwide. The C-D-C's Division of Chronic Infectious Disease says the tests have been introduced to a rise in the number of cases of syphilis among people aged 13 to 24. According to the C-D-C, the number of cases involving people in that age bracket (年齡段) has increased for four consecutive years. The C-D-C says the free syphilis testing program has no set deadline or quota. Texas flooding death toll rises to over 100 people More than 100 people, many of them children, are now confirmed dead after flash floods ravaged a part of central Texas. Search efforts are now in their fifth day. US correspondent Kate Fisher reports Canada Arrests for Land Seizing Plot Canadian police have arrested four individuals, including two active members of Canada's military, for allegedly plotting to seize land in the province of Quebec. Royal Canadian Mounted Police announced on Tuesday that three suspects are charged with facilitating “terrorist activity.” They allegedly planned to form an anti-government militia and conducted military-style training and scouting operations. Police said that the investigation began in March 2023. That led to January 2024 searches that uncovered explosives, ammunition, and firearms. A fourth suspect faces weapons-related charges. Authorities describe the case as ideologically (意識形態上) motivated extremism. The suspects allegedly used Instagram to recruit (招募) members. Greece Closes Acropolis Due to Heat Authorities in Athens closed the Acropolis for several hours due to high temperatures. The closure lasted from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Mandatory work breaks remain in effect in parts of Greece, especially islands and central regions where temperatures have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius. These measures, which began Monday, include fines of 2,000 euros per worker for noncompliance. Officials warn that the risk of wildfires, already at a "very high" level in the eastern mainland, could worsen (惡化) later this week. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 阮劇團台語劇場四戲開炸！ 文學X樂團X馬戲7/18-8/24空總劇場 鬼地方－陳思宏同名小說 熱天酣眠－莎翁名劇成為山神與海神媽 小雪－淺堤樂團與「童話故事下集」女醫生余品潔的青春探問 可愛的人們－走進青春的選擇與矛盾 https://sofm.pse.is/7vkhuz -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 53-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,375 on turnover of 3.7-billion N-T. The market lost ground on Monday as investors anxiously awaited for news on "reciprocal tariffs" to be imposed by the United States following a 90-day pause which ends on Wednesday. Market watchers say investors were nervous (緊張的) due to a lack of guidance concerning the status of tariff talks between Taiwan and the U-S. Power grid disrupted as Danas swept across Taiwan Tai-Power says electricity has been restored to over 450,000 households affected by power outages as Danas swept across Taiwan yesterday. According to the state-generator, more than 650 electricity poles and three transmission towers collapsed (倒塌) as a result of the storm. That resulted in over 710,000 households being left without power at the peak of the storm. Tai-Power says the hardest-hit areas included Chiayi city and country - which together saw more than 250,000 outages. While 190,000 households lost power in Tainan. Tai-Power says it mobilized 4,000 personnel for emergency repairs. Two women on scooter killed in knife attack in New Taipei Police in New Taipei say a man remains in custody (拘留) following the stabbing of two woman in the city's Tucheng District. According to law enforcement officials, the two women died after they were allegedly stabbed multiple times by one of the women's husbands while on a scooter. Police say the man had been following them in car prior to the stabbing. Both women were rushed by a nearby hospital, but were later pronounced dead. The suspect was arrested by police in Changhua County some three hours later. The suspect is being held in custody as prosecutors investigate whether he should be charged with murder. More than 90 dead in Texas floods as search efforts continue Search efforts are continuing for a fourth day for dozens of people still missing following flash floods in central Texas - even as more storms are forecast (預報). US correspondent Kate Fisher reports UN Resolution Against Taliban Oppression of Women and Girls The U.N. General Assembly has adopted a resolution over U.S. objections calling on Afghanistan's Taliban rulers to reverse their worsening oppression of women and girls and eliminate all terrorist organizations. The 11-page resolution also emphasizes “the importance of creating opportunities for economic recovery, development and prosperity (繁榮) in Afghanistan,” and urges donors to address the country's dire humanitarian and economic crisis. The resolution adopted Monday is not legally binding but is seen as a reflection of world opinion. The vote was 116 in favor, with two — the United States and close ally Israel — opposed, and 12 abstentions, including Russia, China, India and Iran. UAE Singing Highway A highway in the United Arab Emirates now plays Beethoven's Ninth Symphony as cars drive over special rumble strips. Known as the "Street of Music," this art project spans nearly a kilometer on the E84 highway coming into the city of Fujairah. Drivers in the right-hand lane can hear the iconic "Ode to Joy" as they drive over the rumble strips. The strips look like a larger, rectangular version of the dash lines separating the three-lane highway, and the grooves of the road combine with the speed of the vehicle to make music. The experience is a collaboration (合作) between Fujairah Fine Arts Academy and local authorities which aims to blend art with daily life. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 打造綠能與AI科技的示範驗證場域，串聯嘉義、南科、高雄及屏東等園區，大南方智慧轉型的關鍵樞紐，歡迎一同探索沙崙智慧綠能科學城，共創智慧未來！ 參訪進駐資訊請至 https://sofm.pse.is/7vncyt 網站查詢 經濟部能源署/臺南市政府經濟發展局(廣告) -- 阮劇團台語劇場四戲開炸！ 文學X樂團X馬戲7/18-8/24空總劇場 鬼地方－陳思宏同名小說 熱天酣眠－莎翁名劇成為山神與海神媽 小雪－淺堤樂團與「童話故事下集」女醫生余品潔的青春探問 可愛的人們－走進青春的選擇與矛盾 https://sofm.pse.is/7vkhv3 -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 129-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,707 on turnover of 8.7-billion N-T. The market closed moderatly higher on Wednesday on the back of last-ditch buying focusing on select electronics and old economy heavyweights. But turnover remained thin - with market watchers saying that's an indication that many investors are uneasy as the end of a 90-day pause on U-S tariffs is fast approaching. VP warns Taiwan and the US face 'bumps' in ongoing tariff talks Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim says she believes Taiwan and the U-S are having some "bumps" due to the potential imposition of sweeping tariffs on Taiwanese goods by Washington … …. but both sides are still talking with the hope of reaching a mutually acceptable solution. Hsiao made the comments at reception hosted by the American Institute in Taiwan to celebrate U-S Independence Day. Meanwhile, A-I-T Director Raymond Greene, said in his address that the U-S and Taiwan's economies are "well-positioned to help each other thrive (蓬勃發展), especially in new and critical technologies" … And Greene also praised Taiwan's expertise in high-tech, large-scale production saying its "the perfect match for innovative U-S drone companies." CDC reports 1st imported case of P. knowlesi malaria in 20 years The Centers for Disease Control is reporting Taiwan's first case of P. knowlesi malaria in 20 years. The strain is primarily found in Southeast Asia and the C-D-C says the case was imported. C-D-C spokesman Philip Luo says the patient began experiencing symptoms before entering Taiwan on June 19 and sought medical attention on June 25. He was diagnosed with malaria two days later and remains hospitalized. The new case has prompted (促使，提示) the C-D-C to lift the travel alert for the Philippines to Level 1 for malaria. US Freezes Some Weapons Shipments to Ukraine The White House has confirmed that the US has frozen the shipment of some air defense and precision guided weapons that were on track to be sent to Ukraine. Officials said the decision followed an assessment (評估) of U.S. stockpiles. Kate Fisher reports from Washington Indonesia Ferry Sinking Leaves Dozens Missing Rescuers are searching for 43 people missing in rough seas overnight after a ferry carrying 65 people sank near Indonesia's resort island of Bali. The ferry sank almost half an hour after leaving East Java's Ketapang port late Wednesday. The ferry carried 53 passengers, 12 crew members and 22 vehicles. Two bodies have been recovered and 20 were rescued, many of them unconscious after drifting in choppy (波浪滔滔的) waters for hours. Nine boats have been searching for the missing people. Japan Emporer to Honor WWII POWS in Mongolia Japan's Emperor Naruhito has announced plans to honor Japanese World War II prisoners during his visit to Mongolia next week. Speaking Wednesday, he highlighted the hardships faced by thousands of Japanese POWs who were captured (俘虜) after the Soviet Union declared war on Japan in 1945. Around 12-to-14-thousand prisoners were forced into labor under harsh (嚴酷的) conditions, with about 1,700 dying in Mongolia. Naruhito's visit marks the 80th anniversary of the war's end as he continues his efforts to promote peace. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 挺你所想！與你一起生活的銀行 中國信託行動銀行APP 全新推出「交易中安全提示」防詐騙功能 開啟後，轉帳的同時也在通話，會自動跳出貼心提醒，力挺你的金融安全 防護再進化，交易好安心！ 馬上下載「中國信託行動銀行APP」 https://sofm.pse.is/7vm4c2 -- 打造綠能與AI科技的示範驗證場域，串聯嘉義、南科、高雄及屏東等園區，大南方智慧轉型的關鍵樞紐，歡迎一同探索沙崙智慧綠能科學城，共創智慧未來！ 參訪進駐資訊請至 https://sofm.pse.is/7vm4hh 網站查詢 經濟部能源署/臺南市政府經濟發展局(廣告) -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 43-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,961 on turnover of $5.1-billion N-T. The market fell more than 350 points on Thursday as market sentiment was spooked by the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, and a hint by the U-S Federal Reserve that it's in no hurry to cut interest rates. Sell-offs were seen across the board, led by the bellwether electronics sector, with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in focus, which pushed the main board below the 240-day moving average of around 22,280-points by the end of the session. Philippines grants Taiwan visa-free entry starting July Taiwan passport holders will be able to travel to the Philippines visa-free entry starting in July. The announcement was made by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office. According to the office, starting July 1, Taiwan passport holders can enter the Philippines "for tourism purposes without a visa for a non-extendible (不得延長的) and non-convertible period of 14 days." However, the office is stressing that Taiwan passport holders planning to visit the Philippines for more than two weeks or other purposes still need to apply for a visa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it welcomes the decision. The announcement comes after Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said on June 13 that Taiwan will be extending its visa-waiver program for Philippine passport holders for another year starting August 1. Trump to Decide on Iran Action in 2 Weeks US President Donald Trump says he will decide on whether to take military action in Iran within the next two weeks. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the US president believes there is a "substantial (可觀的) chance of negotiations with Iran in the near future. Kate Fisher reports from Washington Canada Bank Rockslide Rescue crews, police and paramedics scrambled to a remote Canadian Rocky Mountain region of Banff National Park amid reports that a group of hikers were hit by a rock slide. Royal Canadian Mounted Police say the initial (最初的) report indicated there were multiple hikers and there may be serious injuries and or fatalities. The site is north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway, about 200 kilometers northwest of Calgary. Nigeria Artifacts Returned by Netherlands The Netherlands has returned 119 artifacts looted from Nigeria, including human and animal figures, plaques, royal regalia and a bell. The artifacts, known as the Benin Bronzes and mostly housed in a museum in the city of Leiden, were looted in the late 19th century by British soldiers. In recent years, museums across Europe and North America have moved to address ownership disputes over artifacts looted during the colonial era. Nigeria formally requested the return of hundreds of objects from museums around the world in 2022. The Benin Bronzes were stolen in 1897 when British forces sacked (洗劫，劫掠) the Benin kingdom and forced the monarch at the time, into a six-month exile. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 「親家JIA」19-27坪，全新落成，坐擁大安核心門牌。 350公尺達忠孝復興站，直通市府、機場、車站，850公尺接建國高架。 四大百貨、綠廊公園環繞，七分鐘生活圈涵蓋大潤發與市場，便利質感兼具。 城市菁英嚮往的私藏寓所，首選「親家JIA」，即刻入主 02-2772-6188。 https://sofm.pse.is/7sl88j -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Afternoon Headlines: Iran's supreme leader vowed to show “no mercy”, third Australian arrested in Bali over the alleged targeted shooting of two Melbourne men and Optus facing $100 million fine for inappropriate sales practices and misconduct Deep Dive: Lifeblood has announced a major overhaul of restrictions that prevent gay and bisexual men and transgender women from donating plasma and blood. It will allow an estimated 600,000 thousand more Australians to help save and change lives through generous donations. In this episode of The Briefing Natarsha Belling is joined by Member for Sydney MP Alex Greenwich and blood donation advocate Kate Fisher from Milkshakes for Marleigh to unpack these new changes and the difference they will make for millions of Australians. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 122-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,172 on turnover of 5.2-billion N-T. The market bucked a regional upturn and lost ground on Monday as the exchange of missile fire between Israel and Iran entered its fourth day. Market watchers say bargain hunters turned active as the main moved closer to the nearest technical support ahead of the 22,000 point mark - which gave some support to the Tai-Ex. However, geopolitical unease largely dictated the direction of the market through much of the session. 4 KMT staff and 1 activist charged for recall vote forgeries in Taipei The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted five individuals affiliated with the K-M-T for allegedly forging (偽造) thousands of signatures in a campaign to recall two D-P-P lawmakers. Those indicted include include K-M-T Taipei branch chief Huang Lu Chin-ru, Secretary-General Chu Wen-ching and Secretary Yao Fu-wen. According to the prosecutors' office, they fabricated a total of 5,211 signature forms related to the recall of D-P-P lawmakers Wu Pei-yi and Wu Si-yao. The three suspects are in detention. Prosecutors have also indicted Lai Yi-ren, who has been identified as the organizer of the campaign to recall Wu Si-yao, and Chen Kuei-hsun, an executive at the K-M-T's fourth district office in Taipei City. CGA urges public to use ocean safety app after drowning incidents The Coast Guard Administration is urging beachgoers to check real-time conditions on the "Go Ocean" mobile app following a recent string of drowning incidents. The warning comes after a high school student drowned off the coast of Fangliao Township in Pingtung on Sunday. However, that is one of several recent fatal or near-fatal accidents linked to dangerous ocean conditions. The Coast Guard Administration says in each of the cases, the "Go Ocean" app had issued red alerts, warning of unsafe conditions. The app was Developed by the National Academy of Marine Research, and uses color-coded alerts and combines (結合) data from various sources to display wave, wind and current conditions. US UK sign trade deal at G7 U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer say they have finalized a trade deal. It will bring into force parts of a pact (協定) agreed between the two countries last month, including reducing tariffs on UK cars. Kate Fisher reports from Washington Louvre Staff Protests The Louvre Museum has failed to open on time Monday, leaving thousands of visitors stuck in long, unmoving lines. A union representative said staff at the world's most-visited museum are protesting working conditions. She said the disruption was caused by a spontaneous movement among front-of-house staff, including gallery attendants, reception, and security workers. A few months ago, President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a sweeping decade-long plan to rescue the Louvre from precisely (就是) the problems now boiling over — water leaks, dangerous temperature swings, outdated infrastructure, and foot traffic far beyond what the museum can handle. Just a day earlier, coordinated anti-tourism protests swept across southern Europe. Thousands rallied in Mallorca, Venice, Lisbon and beyond, denouncing (譴責) an economic model they say displaces locals and erodes city life. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 「親家JIA」19-27坪，全新落成，坐擁大安核心門牌。 350公尺達忠孝復興站，直通市府、機場、車站，850公尺接建國高架。 四大百貨、綠廊公園環繞，七分鐘生活圈涵蓋大潤發與市場，便利質感兼具。 城市菁英嚮往的私藏寓所，首選「親家JIA」，即刻入主 02-2772-6188。 https://sofm.pse.is/7rqqnk --

Former employees of the General Services Administration's 18F digital tech consultancy team filed an appeal Wednesday challenging their alleged wrongful termination and the “targeted” shuttering of the program by the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency earlier this year. The employees, represented by the law firm Mehri & Skalet, submitted a class-action appeal with the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board to request a hearing and have their removal reversed. Former 18F leaders Lindsay Young, Miatta Myers, Christian Crumlish, James Tranovich and Kate Fisher are named as appellants, representing that larger class of about 80 terminated permanent and term employees from the team who served for more than a year. The group claims that GSA — along with the Office of Personnel Management, DOGE and the Office of Management and Budget — lacked a “valid reason … for the [reduction in force] targeting 18F” that took place Feb. 28, and claimed the action was a result of “retaliation.” Fannie Mae, the government-sponsored enterprise overseen by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, is enlisting data analytics giant Palantir in a new partnership aimed at cracking down on mortgage fraud. Under the agreement, Palantir's technology will be deployed to uncover fraud in mortgage packages before they reach Fannie Mae. Priscilla Almodovar, president and chief executive officer of Fannie Mae, said the tech will allow the organization “to see patterns quicker.” “We're going to be able to identify fraud more proactively, as opposed to reactively,” Almodovar said during a press conference Wednesday in Washington, D.C. “We're going to be able to understand the fraud and stop it in its tracks. And I think over time, this really becomes a deterrent for bad actors, because we're creating friction in the system when they do bad things.” FHFA Director Bill Pulte, who also serves as chairman of the Fannie Mae board, said the financial crimes division that monitors Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac “is only able to root out crime that it gets made aware of.” Palantir's red-flag approach, meanwhile, tips off those investigators to conduct probes they otherwise might not have known to launch.Almodovar recalled an exercise where Palantir's technology was given four actual loan files to assess. The tech, she said, scoured the “reams of paper” and identified instances of fraud in 10 seconds. The same exercise could take human investigators roughly two months. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

Two Israeli embassy staff were shot dead after leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC. The suspect is in custody. Washington DC correspondent Kate Fisher spoke to Corin Dann.

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 77-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,603 on turnover of 2.3-billion N-T. The market closed flat on Tuesday as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing saw its early gains eroded due to stiff resistance ahead of the critical 1,000 N-T per share mark - despite the opening of Computex in Taipei. Lai calls Beijing an 'aggressor' that threatens peace President Lai Ching-te has marked the first anniversary of his taking office by holding a press conference during which he accused Beijing of being an "aggressor" by threatening peace across the Taiwan Strait. However, despite branding China as an "aggressor," Lai also reiterated his openness to continuing exchanges and collaborations with China provided that each side treats the other equally and with respect. According to Lai, he remains willing to "engage in dialogue instead of confrontation" and work with China toward peace and prosperity. Lai also told reporters that many countries, including Taiwan, are under the threat of aggressors - but Taiwan is, on the contrary, committed to pursuing (追求) peace. CDC reporting 88% rise in COVID outpatients and emergency visits The Centers for Disease Control is reporting an 88.2-per cent weekly increase in the number of COVID outpatient and emergency visits last week. According to the C-D-C, there were 19,097 outpatient and emergency visits from between May 11 and 17. Although that figure is up from the previous week, it was still lower than same period of last year. C-D-C Deputy Director-General Philip Luo says the current COVID outbreak will peak in mid-to-late June, when weekly outpatient and emergency visits reach between 55,000 and 65,000 and it will continue through the end of July. SA president to meet Trump on Wednesday amid deteriorating relations South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is due to meet his US counterpart Donald Trump today. The crunch talks come amid ideological (思想) differences, geopolitical alliances, and domestic policy conflicts. Kate Fisher reports from Washington UN Sounds Warning on Colombia Indigenous Groups The United Nations human rights office in Colombia says that five Indigenous groups in northern Colombia's mountain range face “physical and cultural” extinction. The UN says this threat stems from armed group conflicts over their territory and insufficient (不足的) state protection. Colombia's representative for the UN High Commissioner for Human Right says the risk of physical and cultural extinction of Indigenous People of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is “an ongoing (持續存在的) tragedy that we can and must prevent.” He urged the Colombian government to protect the Indigenous groups, whose combined population is approximately 55-thousand people. In 2022, UNESCO added the ancestral knowledge of these Indigenous groups to its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 【台灣虎航 台中獨家直飛名古屋】 開航價$2,399元起，中台灣虎迷每週3班直飛名古屋，說走就走！ 立即訂購：https://sofm.pse.is/7nee2y -- －挺你所想！與你一起生活的銀行－ 中國信託銀行APP超越大升級， 眾多好用功能，力挺你的金融需求！ 趕緊註冊行動銀行，就送OPENPOINT100點。 立即點擊連結看活動詳情～ https://sofm.pse.is/7nlk82 -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 382-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 19,861 on turnover of $8.6-billion N-T. The market ended the day down on Thursday, as the market fell into consolidation mode amid lingering concerns by investors about the impact of U-S tariffs on Taiwan's semiconductor industry. Taiwan FM and King unveil oil reserve facility project in Eswatini Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung and Eswatini's King Mswati III have jointly presided over an unveiling ceremony for an oil reserve facility project Taiwan will build to enhance the energy resilience of its ally. Lin attended the ceremony marking The Strategic Oil Reserve Facility project as part of his ongoing visit to Eswatini. According to Taiwan's embassy in Eswatini, the oil reserve facility project is expected to be completed in three years and will ensure a 60-day fuel reserve for the kingdom. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says prior to (之前) attending the oil reserve facility project ceremony, Lin presented a letter from Lai and cows as gifts while meeting the king and queen mother. The foreign minister in the kingdom this week as a special envoy for President Lai Ching-te to pariticpate in the king's 57th birthday celebrations. Vegetation in Yangmingshan fire could take 1 year to recover The Ministry of the Interior says a fire that destroyed some 4.5 hectares of vegetation in Taipei's Yangmingshan could take about a year to recover. The fire broke out on April 14 near the Xiao-You-Keng Recreation Area and burned for about five hours - destroying silvergrass and portions of the Yangmingshan National Park's arrow bamboo forest. No deaths or injuries were reported. Authorities have said the fire was likely caused by air quality monitoring equipment belonging to the National Science and Technology Council installed at the site. Besides the vegetation, the fire also damaged various amenities (設施), including ropes, sand-filled barriers and several wooden posts along the forest trail. Total estimated damage caused by the fire is being put at between 1.7 and 1.8-million N-T. NATO chief in Washington for talks Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte is in Washington for talks with senior members of the Trump administration as Ukraine peace talks are stalling (停滯). He'll meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz at the state department on Thursday. Kate Fisher reports. Vatican Keeps Basilica Open Overnight for Mourners The Vatican kept the doors St. Peter's Basilica open overnight, as lines of mourners waited to pay their last respects (致敬) to the pope. Officials closed the basilica for just an hour and a half Thursday morning for cleaning, and by the evening that day, the Vatican says more than 90,000 people had paid their respects. After three days of public viewing, a funeral Mass including heads of state will be held Saturday in St. Peter's Square. The pope will then be buried in St. Mary Major Basilica, near his favorite Madonna icon. Namibia New President Announces Free Education Changes New Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has announced that her government will introduce free education at state universities and technical colleges starting next year. Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in as Namibia's first female leader last month. Namibia already provides free education in public elementary and high schools, though parents still typically have to pay for school uniforms, stationery, books, and hostel fees. There have been calls for years for all levels of education to be subsidized (補貼的) by the government in the country of around 3 million people in southern Africa. Two of Namibia's seven universities are state run and will offer free education under the policy. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 2025年COMPUTEX以「AI Next」為主題，5月20日至23日於南港展覽館隆重登場！ 吸引1,400家國內外科技大廠、新創企業及加速器等夥伴共襄盛舉，同時舉辦多場精采活動，歡迎踴躍預登參觀！ 報名連結

US President Donald Trump is backing his Defence Secretary despite him being embroiled in yet another group chat scandal. Washington DC correspondent Kate Fisher spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 228-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 18,773 on turnover of 11-billion N-T. Taiwan stocks finished up 9.25 percent Thursday, surging more than 1,600 points at the market's opening after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on his steep "reciprocal" tariffs on most countries. Three heavyweight stocks -- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), Hon Hai (Foxconn) and MediaTek -- hit their limit-up prices. The market subsequently (隨後) flattened out, with many stocks hitting their daily 10 percent limit-up prices, which also kept turnover relatively low. Taiwan and Cambodia in talks over sending of 179 fraud suspects to China Criminal Investigation Bureau says Taiwan is continuing talks with Cambodia to prevent 179 Taiwan fraud suspects from being deported to China. According to a member of bureau's liaison officer in Ho Chi Minh City, negotiations are on going in order that the suspects are sent to Taiwan instead to face legal consequences. The statement comes after media reports out of Cambodia haven suggesting that the Taiwan suspects were to be handed over to China as a goodwill (善意) gesture to Beijing. The Taiwanese suspects were all arrested on March 31 during raids of an online telecommunication fraud center in Phnom Penh. Reports say they are currently scheduled to be deported to China on Sunday along with over 300 Chinese nationals. Israel Frees 10 Palestinian Prisoners Israel has freed 10 Palestinians detained from Gaza, the latest in periodic releases from the thousands of people troops have seized during the military campaign in the territory. The men returned to the Gaza Strip and said they had suffered frequent abuse while imprisoned, including beatings. They were welcomed by family members at a hospital in central Gaza. There was no immediate comment by the military. Israeli officials have said that they abide by (遵守) the letter of the law in the treatment of prisoners and investigate violations. But there have been widespread reports of abuse of Palestinian detainees in military prison camps and civilian prisons. US Stocks Fall as Trump Confirms 145Percent China Tariffs U.S. stocks fell on Thursday as President Trump clarified that he had raised tariffs on Chinese goods by a total of 145 percent. It comes as new inflation data shows that U.S. inflation eased more than expected in March but economists suggest this is likely to be a temporary reprieve (暫時緩解) before tariffs take effect. Kate Fisher reports from Washington Canada Mounties Bust BC Drug Labs Canadian police have dismantled three drug labs in the Pacific-coast province of British Columbia. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police also arrested two suspects, including someone described as a “chemist,” but no charges have yet been laid as the police probe continues. The Mounties say they executed “numerous (許多的)” search warrants in late March and found the three labs, which were equipped with sophisticated equipment that is also used in “academic and professional research facilities.” Police say two of the illicit drug labs are believed to have been used to produce fentanyl, but the purpose of the third lab remains “undetermined.” That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ ✨宏匯廣場 歡慶璀璨女王節✨

US stocks are handing back some of their historic gains from Thursday as Wall Street weighs a global trade war that has cooled in temperature, but is still threatening the economy. Washington DC correspondent Kate Fisher spoke to Paddy Gower.

Donald Trump announced he is pausing and lowering reciprocal tariffs on some nations, not including China - which he has raised to 125 percent. Washington correspondent Kate Fisher spoke to Paddy Gower.

Global stock markets have been volatile, taking big swings both up and down as uncertainty remains over looming trade tariffs. Washington D.C. correspondent Kate Fisher spoke to Alexa Cook.

President Donald Trump is remaining defiant after the unveiling of yesterday's global tariffs. Washington D.C. correspondent Kate Fisher spoke to Paddy Gower.

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 116-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,836 on turnover of $5.7-billion N-T. Cabinet to establish agency for strengthening personal data protection The Cabinet has approved a proposal paving the way (（為…）創造條件) for the establishment of an independent agency tasked with strengthening personal data protection in Taiwan. According to the Cabinet, the proposed bill and amendments will provide the legal basis for the planned Personal Data Protection Commission. Under the proposal, each government agency should also appoint a "personal data protection officer" to coordinate and oversee efforts to strengthen data protection and promote awareness of its importance. The head of the planned agency's preparatory office, says the commission will include five to seven commissioners serving for renewable four-year terms .. .. and it will primarily be tasked with handling cases of personal data breaches in both government agencies and private enterprises that "do not have a specific competent authority. Full-length photo of Taiwan's tallest tree The Taiwan Forestry Research Institute has unveiled a full-length photo of Taiwan's tallest tree. The tree is a Taiwania nicknamed "Heaven Sword" and measures 84.1-meters in height. The forestry research institute says photo was made possible thanks to its collaboration with a National Cheng Kung University team nicknamed "Taiwan champion trees," and Steven Pearce, the leader of Australia's The Tree Project. According to the institute, the full photographing of the tree was completed in January of 2023. Institute Deputy Director Wu Meng-ling says the research team spent six days climbing mountains and trekking up the Da'an River to reach the tree before they could begin photographing it. The tree was located using airborne light detection and ranging technology - which can obtain (獲得) three-dimensional information over a large area in a short time, which in turn helps to measure the height of trees. US Rubio on Signalgate "Big Mistake" US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says someone made a big mistake (錯誤) by adding a journalist to a group chat of top US officials ahead of US airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. Kate Fisher reports from Washington Canada PM and Trump Schedule Phone Call Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says he will talk to U.S. President Donald Trump soon after Trump announced 25% tariffs on auto imports. Carney said Thursday that Trump reached out Wednesday night to schedule a call, and the two leaders would speak "in the course of the next day or two." Carney was sworn in (宣誓就職) as Canada's new prime minister on March 14th, but he hasn't spoken with Trump since taking office. Trump has declared a trade war on Canada and continues to call for the United States' northern neighbor to become the 51st U.S. state, a position that has infuriated Canadians. King Charles Hospitalized for Treatment Side Effects Buckingham Palace says King Charles III was hospitalized for observation on Thursday after experiencing “temporary side effects,'' related to a scheduled cancer treatment. His engagements for Thursday afternoon and Friday were cancelled. The palace says the move is a "precautionary (預防性的) measure" The 76-year-old king has been undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer for more than a year. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ Hey小AI，最近股市表現不錯，有建議的投資標的? 2025投資絕不能少了美國！ 美股核心配置，首選「中信NASDAQ 009800」參與市場成長！ 看好美國科技創新實力，鎖定「中信美國創新科技 009801」掌握未來！ 快打開券商APP，輸入009800、009801，單筆或定期定額長期布局都很讚喔！ https://user285523.pse.is/79hh24 -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 91-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,131 on turnover of 8.7-billion N-T. The market bucked the regional downward trend and traded marginally higher on Monday - as investors shrugged off a decline on Wall Street at the end of last week. Taipei-Shanghai Twin City Forum Taking Place Today The Taipei-Shanghai Twin City Forum has gotten underway. Shanghai's delegation is being led Vice Mayor Hua Yuan - who arrived in Taiwan yesterday Hua is leading a delegation of about 90 people to attend today's event. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has said he believes the forum can help promote peace across the Taiwan Strait and that it's a rare platform for official cross-strait dialogue, which could help ease tensions (緊張局勢) between Taiwan and China. The Mainland Affairs Council announced last Friday that it had denied entry applications for 10 members of Shanghai delegation. The two cities are expected to sign memorandums of understanding on smart medical care and zoo animal exchanges during today's forum. Taichung mayor to Visit Japan Taichung City Mayor Lu Shiow-yen says she plans to visit Japan next year. According to Lu, her itinerary is still be worked out, but she's likely to travel to Miyazaki Prefecture - which recently formed a sister city relationship Taichung. The mayor's announcement came after K-M-T Taichung City Councilor Liu Shih-chou made public that the city has proposed a budget of just over 4-million for city exchange visits next year. Liu also said the city government should organize ( 安排，籌劃) a visit to Japan. Lu Shiow-yen made her first overseas visit in four years in April - when she traveled to Singapore. She also traveled to the U-S in July. Israeli Leader Phone Call with Trump Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President-elect Donald Trump had a "very warm" phone call according to the Israeli leader. He said they spoke about the need to complete Israel's victory, and bring home the hostages being held in Gaza - something Trump has said must happen before his inauguration (就職典禮). Kate Fisher reports from Washington India Zakir Hussain Obit Zakir Hussain, one of India's most accomplished classical musicians who defied genres and introduced tabla to a global audience, has died at the age of 73. His family said the Indian classical music icon died on Sunday from chronic lung disease at a hospital in San Francisco. Hussain was considered the greatest tabla player of his generation and his career spanned six decades, during which he collaborated (合作) with the likes of singer-songwriter George Harrison, jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. In 2024, Hussain became the first musician from India to win three Grammy awards in the same year. Hussain is survived by his wife and two daughters. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ UL.OS，來自日本大塚製藥 男人系健膚專家 獨家保濕成分 AMP，全天候滋潤你的肌膚，讓你從 AM 到 PM 都狀態滿分，健康又有型！ 各大藥妝店與網購平台，熱賣中！ https://bit.ly/3DdDJLu

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

Police in New York are still searching for a suspect who shot and killed the CEO of America's largest health insurance company. US correspondent Kate Fisher spoke to Corin Dann.

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 _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 華碩商用電腦ASUS Expert 台灣市佔第一！ 通過多項美國軍規測試，以優異產品品質、高擴充性及完整的軟硬體解決方案，助企業降低擁有成本、簡化管理。 客製化保固與在地服務，IT專家華碩商用小隊是各企業、政教單位的最強後盾。 商用AIPC首選「華碩」，值得信賴! https://bit.ly/3CpbcSI -- 高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。 住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 95-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,870 on turnover of 4-billion N-T. The market gained ground on Monday - rising more than 180-points - as it rebounded from a session earlier after buying was sparked by gains on Wall Street at the end of last week. The bellwether electronics sector led the upturn, but turnover was low amid lingering investor caution ahead of the U-S presidential election. Agricultural Losses from Typhoon Kong-Rey Top NT$1.3 billion The Ministry of Agriculture says losses (損失) due to damage to farms and agricultural facilities caused by Typhoon Kong-Rey currently stand at 1.32-billion N-T. According to the ministry, farms in Yunlin County were the hardest hit - suffering estimated losses of 365-million N-T. That was followed by Hualien County, where farming losses stand at 317-million N-T, Taichung which has reported losses of 296-million N-T, and Taitung County, where agricultural losses stand at 179-million N-T. Broken down by crops, pears grown on 640 hectares of farmland in Taichung suffered losses of at least 233-million N-T - the most of any crop. Frank Wu Takes Office as SEF Chairman Former Control Yuan member Frank Wu has assumed the chairmanship of the Straits Exchange Foundation. Wu was elected to the post by the foundation's board of directors and supervisors. He replaces acting chair Rock Hsu. Hsu had served as the interim head of the foundation following the resignation (辭職) of Cheng Wen-tsan, who stepped down from the post in July after being charged in a corruption case related to his tenure as Taoyuan mayor. Speaking after being elected, Wu said he hopes that the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits will show reciprocal goodwill and work collaboratively to improve bilateral relations. US Election Day Eve in the US It's Election Day eve in the US and both Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump are campaigning Monday in Pennsylvania, the battleground state with the largest number of electoral votes at stake (處於危急關頭). Kate Fisher reports from Washington Russia Rocket Carries Iranian Satellites into Orbit A Russian rocket has blasted off successfully to carry a pair of Iranian satellites into orbit. The Soyuz rocket lifted off as scheduled today from a launchpad (（火箭）發射台) in far eastern Russia and put its payload in a designated orbit nine minutes later. It carried two Russian Earth observation satellites and several dozen smaller satellites, including the two Iranian ones. Iran's two satellites were the first launched on behalf of the country's private sector. French Groups on Displacement After Paris Olympics A coalition of over 100 organizations has reported that nearly 20,000 individuals were displaced from informal housing in Paris and surrounding areas during preparations for the 2024 Summer Olympics. The group claims these evictions are part of “social cleansing,” citing evidence including government documents that reference the Olympics as justification. Eviction operations surged by 41% compared to the previous year, with over 4,500 minors affected. French officials, including President Emmanuel Macron, have stated that every displaced person was offered alternative (可供選擇的) housing and emphasized the creation of a social legacy linked to the Games. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。 住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Kate Fisher, who grew up in Englewood, NJ, and graduated cum laude from Horace Mann School, where she remains an active part of the community and is a member of the Alumni Council. Private tutoring is not Kate's side hustle; rather, she deliberately chose to pursue it as a full-time career because she loves teaching and values cultivating genuine and impactful relationships with her students and their families beyond the boundaries so often required by traditional academic and classroom environments. Kate is an energetic and patient tutor (and cheerleader!) who is able to quickly and effectively accommodate her students' needs. Her tutoring is creative and adaptive, providing her students with the support and skills they need to achieve their goals. Kate has worked with thousands of students during her career as a full-time tutor, which she began as an undergraduate in 2008. As a part-time teacher at Kaplan Test Prep, she taught ACT, SAT, and SHSAT in both in-person and online classrooms. By 2010, Kate expanded her tutoring repertoire to include both the ISEE and SSAT, as well as various AP exams, SAT Subject Tests, and high school and college admissions consulting. She spent 2013 as a full-time instructor, teaching classes and tutoring students throughout the tristate area. In addition to training part-time tutors and developing teaching materials, Kate taught and tutored low-income students through her involvement in partnerships with the NYC Department of Education. In 2014, Kate was promoted to manager of content and curriculum, spearheading product and course revisions for the 2015 PSAT and 2016 SAT test changes. After returning to tutoring full-time, Kate joined an elite, boutique firm in 2016 and quickly became one of their most requested tutors. From 2020 to 2022, Kate joined the company full-time and was not only the top-grossing tutor but also served as Director of School Partnerships and trained other tutors to work with neurodiverse students. Kate also singlehandedly wrote the company's e-book on Executive Function during this period.  Kate is well positioned to help students with a wide variety of learning differences. In addition to her extensive experience as a tutor, she is a lifelong activist for the Autism community, and has been volunteering with children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder since her childhood. Kate holds a Professional Certificate in Learning Differences (LD) and Neurodiversity with a Specialization in Executive Function through the Landmark College Institute for Research & Training. In early 2023, Kate recruited an elite team of like minded tutors and founded Kate Fisher Tutoring (KFT) because she believes that one-on-one tutoring can transform students' lives and their relationships with learning. KFT focuses on effectively connecting families to top private educators who help their children efficiently meet—and exceed—their goals. KFT prides itself on organic growth generated through word-of-mouth referrals based on the success of the work Kate and her team do whether EF coaching, test prep, or academic support and enrichment. Find Kate at katefishertutoring.com. ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 176-points this morning from Friday's close, at 22,479 on turnover of 6.4-billion N-T. The market closed lower Friday. However, those losses were limited () after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing received a boost from buying towards the end of the session that allowed it to recoup its earlier losses. MOFA Touts National Day Guests Foreign dignitaries and delegations are scheduled to arrive in the coming days to take part in this year's Double Ten National Day celebrations. Among the VIPs expected this year are the deputy prime ministers of Belize and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the first lady of Guatemala, and the speakers of Saint Lucia's upper and lower houses. Along with attending a series of celebratory events in the lead-up to National Day, guests are scheduled to meet with President Lai Ching-te, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and other senior government officials. They are also expected to visit multiple government agencies to discuss (討論) semiconductors, public health and medicine, social welfare. Disaster Response Center Disbands The mechanisms set up by the Central Disaster Response Center o deal with Typhoon Krathon's effects have now been disbanded. Howevr, recovery is work continuing in parts of the island. According to the center, Typhoon Krathon killed four and injured 719 people in Taiwan since forming in late September. A total of 9,499 disaster-related incidents were reported, while one person remains (仍然是) missing. Clean-up work is still underway in Keelung, New Taipei, Kaohsiung, Pingtung and Kinmen. The Ministry of Economic Affairs says 435,634 households experienced temporary power outages, while 608,073 households reported water supply problems due to the typhoon. While agricultural losses currently total nearly 390-million N-T. NZ Navy Vessel Oil Spill "Highly Probably" Samoan officials say an oil spill from a grounded New Zealand navy ship which sank and caught fire off the coast of Samoa is “highly probable”. Officials in the Pacific island nation are conducting an environmental impact assessment (評估) in the area where the ship sank on Sunday morning. All 75 people on board the "H-M-N-Z-S Mana-wanui" were taken to safety on life rafts. New Zealand will hold a court of inquiry into the loss of the ship, which was one of nine in its navy. The cause of the disaster is not known. US Gulf Coast Faces Another Hurricane Another hurricane is barreling (飛馳) towards the already storm-ravaged US gulf-coast. A state of emergency has been declared in parts of Florida while the state is still clearing up from the effects of hurricane Helene. US correspondent Kate Fisher reports UK PM Staff Reshuffle British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's chief of staff has quit, citing concerns that growing news reports about her role “risked becoming a distraction to the government.” Sue Gray's resignation came after recent reports about tensions between her and Starmer's chief adviser Morgan McSweeney, and that she was earning more than the prime minister. The BBC has reported that Gray's annual salary was about, $223-thousand US dollars. That's nearly $4-thousand dollars higher than Starmer's pay. Gray said she accepted a new role as Starmer's envoy (使者) for the regions and nations. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 【2024世界音樂節＠臺灣】 從臺灣到世界，一場成癮於音樂的心流體驗！ 從雷擎、异境樂團 X 乱彈阿翔限定共演組合、還有剛果、義大利等多個國家音樂人，高達 28 場多元演出。 時間｜2024/10/11（五） – 10/13（日） 地點｜臺北流行音樂中心產業園區內（戶外表演空間、 LivehouseD、LegacyTERA） ➤ 購票｜ https://bit.ly/4epwn5g

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 176-points this morning from Friday's close, at 22,479 on turnover of 6.4-billion N-T. The market closed lower Friday. However, those losses were limited () after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing received a boost from buying towards the end of the session that allowed it to recoup its earlier losses. MOFA Touts National Day Guests Foreign dignitaries and delegations are scheduled to arrive in the coming days to take part in this year's Double Ten National Day celebrations. Among the VIPs expected this year are the deputy prime ministers of Belize and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the first lady of Guatemala, and the speakers of Saint Lucia's upper and lower houses. Along with attending a series of celebratory events in the lead-up to National Day, guests are scheduled to meet with President Lai Ching-te, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and other senior government officials. They are also expected to visit multiple government agencies to discuss (討論) semiconductors, public health and medicine, social welfare. Disaster Response Center Disbands The mechanisms set up by the Central Disaster Response Center o deal with Typhoon Krathon's effects have now been disbanded. Howevr, recovery is work continuing in parts of the island. According to the center, Typhoon Krathon killed four and injured 719 people in Taiwan since forming in late September. A total of 9,499 disaster-related incidents were reported, while one person remains (仍然是) missing. Clean-up work is still underway in Keelung, New Taipei, Kaohsiung, Pingtung and Kinmen. The Ministry of Economic Affairs says 435,634 households experienced temporary power outages, while 608,073 households reported water supply problems due to the typhoon. While agricultural losses currently total nearly 390-million N-T. NZ Navy Vessel Oil Spill "Highly Probably" Samoan officials say an oil spill from a grounded New Zealand navy ship which sank and caught fire off the coast of Samoa is “highly probable”. Officials in the Pacific island nation are conducting an environmental impact assessment (評估) in the area where the ship sank on Sunday morning. All 75 people on board the "H-M-N-Z-S Mana-wanui" were taken to safety on life rafts. New Zealand will hold a court of inquiry into the loss of the ship, which was one of nine in its navy. The cause of the disaster is not known. US Gulf Coast Faces Another Hurricane Another hurricane is barreling (飛馳) towards the already storm-ravaged US gulf-coast. A state of emergency has been declared in parts of Florida while the state is still clearing up from the effects of hurricane Helene. US correspondent Kate Fisher reports UK PM Staff Reshuffle British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's chief of staff has quit, citing concerns that growing news reports about her role “risked becoming a distraction to the government.” Sue Gray's resignation came after recent reports about tensions between her and Starmer's chief adviser Morgan McSweeney, and that she was earning more than the prime minister. The BBC has reported that Gray's annual salary was about, $223-thousand US dollars. That's nearly $4-thousand dollars higher than Starmer's pay. Gray said she accepted a new role as Starmer's envoy (使者) for the regions and nations. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 【2024世界音樂節＠臺灣】 從臺灣到世界，一場成癮於音樂的心流體驗！ 從雷擎、异境樂團 X 乱彈阿翔限定共演組合、還有剛果、義大利等多個國家音樂人，高達 28 場多元演出。 時間｜2024/10/11（五） – 10/13（日） 地點｜臺北流行音樂中心產業園區內（戶外表演空間、 LivehouseD、LegacyTERA） ➤ 購票｜ https://bit.ly/4epwn5g

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 _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 國立臺灣科學教育館Podcast節目《科科出來講》 有各種新奇有趣的科學小知識，破解生活中的科學小迷思 想聽知識含量最豐富的科學節目，就在《科科出來講》！ 以上廣告由國立臺灣科學教育館提供。 《科科出來講》https://bit.ly/3JXYZVr -- 高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。 住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838

E*EZ NEWS SEPTEMBER 18 , 2024 E*Tai-Ex Opening The Tai-Ex opened down 36-points this morning from Monday's close, at 21,813 on turnover of 4.5-billion N-T. The market was closed yesterday for the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday - but ended the trading day moderately higher on Monday, despite turnover dipping to an over seven-month low. Large-cap tech stocks largely moved in a narrow range throughout the session due to a lull in investor interest, but buying rotated to the old economy sector, helping the broader market end above the previous closing bell. E*NDC to Open Start-Up Innovation Hub in Tokyo The National Development Council is scheduled to open an overseas innovation hub 創新中心 in Tokyo today. The move is part of the government's efforts to boost exchanges between innovation start-ups, enterprises and investment institutions in Taiwan and Japan. N-D-C head Paul Liu says the hub is expected to serve as a regular bilateral platform for comprehensive exchanges between Taiwan and Japan, paving the way for greater substantive business cooperation. Liu also says the N-D-C is also planning to set up similar platforms in the Untied States and Southeast Asia. E*MOI Holding Plane Crash and Earthquake Drills Today The Ministry of the Interior is holding separate plane crash and earthquake drills today as part of a three-day national exercise to mark the annual National Disaster Prevention Day. According to the ministry, more than 1,300 people, including the public, central and local government officials, and Japanese N-G-O staff, are participating in the drills. The plane crash drill will simulate 假裝 a plane crash following a typhoon and will take place in Penghu, while the earthquake drill will simulate a magnitude 7.3 earthquake striking Chiayi County's Zhuqi Township. E*Hezbollah pagers Israel's Mossad spy agency planted a small amount of explosives inside 5000 Taiwan-made pagers ordered by the Lebanese group Hezbollah… months before Tuesday's detonations 霹靂. That's according to a senior Lebanese security source and another source cited by the Reuters News Agency. The details shed light on an unprecedented Hezbollah security breach that saw thousands of pagers detonate across Lebanon, killing nine people and wounding nearly 3,000 others, including the group's fighters and Iran's envoy to Beirut. E*North Korea tests two ballistic missiles Japan's military reports that North Korea had test-fired two ballistic missiles. It happened on Wednesday at a time when tensions with Washington and neighbors are escalating. The launches came days after North Korea showcased a secretive uranium enrichment 鈾濃縮 facility. Japan's Defense Ministry didn't provide details about the missiles, including their type and range. Japan's coast guard said the missiles had likely fallen into waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. Subject: E*Republicans shoot down IVF protection bill U-S Senate Republicans have blocked a bill that would offer new protections for in vitro fertilization 體外受精. It's the second time Democrats have tried - and failed - to get the measure passed. Ed Donahue reports. < [CLIP] Slug: > E*Instagram introduces stricter rules for teens Social media platform, Instagram, will automatically make teenagers' accounts private and give parents more control, under revamped 改造過的 rules. It's the company's most significant move yet to manage how minors use Instagram as congress seeks to impose regulations on the industry. Kate Fisher reports. < [CLIP] Slug: > That was the I.C.R.T. news, Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 高雄美術特區2-4房全新落成，《惟美術》輕軌C22站散步即到家，近鄰青海商圈，卡位明星學區，徜徉萬坪綠海。 住近美術館，擁抱優雅日常，盡現驕傲風範！美術東四路X青海路 07-553-3838

A US Coast Guard hearing has begun into the failure of OceanGate's Titan submarine, which imploded with five people onboard last year. Our correspondent Kate Fisher spoke to Corin Dann.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has been selected as Kamala Harris' running mate. The former high school teacher was selected from a two-man shortlist between he and Pennsylvania governor, Josh Shapiro. Washington D.C correspondent Kate Fisher spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Support for Ukraine will again dominate the agenda of the talks, with leaders saying they would never recognise Russia's annexations, including of Crimea. President Biden stressed that Ukraine would win the war against Russia, and he announced that Washington and its allies would provide Ukraine with additional air defence systems. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says a "incredibly robust" package will be unveiled for Ukraine in the next couple of days, including the provision of a number of F-16 fighter jets. Washington DC correspondent Kate Fisher spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.