EZ News ICRT News Team

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.


Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 237-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
20,094 on turnover of $6.4--billion N-T.

The Tai-Ex lost ground on Thursday, as other regional closed mixed.

Investors awaited the release of a flood of global earnings reports,
including updates from leading U-S tech companies.



Government Platform Touts 60-80% Reduction in Statutory Animal Testing
The National Science and Technology Council says statutory animal testing
could be significantly reduced if alternative testing introduced in
regulations is more widely adopted.

According to council head Wu Zheng-chong, the amount of animal testing could
be cut by an average of 60 to 80-per cent.

Wu says he believes using a large number of animals for testing is a matter
of concern for many people.

He says as a developed country, Taiwan has a responsibility to replace,
reduce and refine animal testing.

And he also says to achieve that objective, the government established the
Inter-ministerial Platform for Alternative Technology of Animal Testing in
October 2022.

The platform aims to improve related regulations, cultivate talent in the
field, and facilitate the development of relevant (相關的) technologies.

The National Laboratory Animal Center says 102 alternatives to animal testing
have so far been introduced for pesticides, chemicals and cosmetics.



Ukraine Moves to Reverse Soldier Drain
Ukraine is seeking to reverse the drain of potential soldiers from the
country.

It has announced that men of conscription age will no longer be able to renew
(更新) their passports from outside the country.

Ukraine is working to get much-needed new supplies of weapons and ammunition
from a huge U.S. aid package to the front line.

Millions of Ukrainians have fled the country since Russia’s full-scale
invasion in 2022.

Poland's defense minister said Warsaw was ready to help ensure “those who
are subject to compulsory military service go to Ukraine".

But he did not specify how.



US New Rules for Coal Power Plants
Many of the US's fossil fuel plants could close after sweeping (廣泛的) new
rules to limit pollution from power stations issued by the US Environmental
Protection Agency.

The Biden Administration says the new regulations will significantly reduce
pollution.

It could also bring hundreds of billions of dollars in climate and public
health benefits.

Kate Fisher reports from Washington



Congo Questions Apple on BloodMinerals
Congo’s government is questioning Apple about the tech company’s knowledge
of “blood minerals” from a conflict zone in the African country.

A group of international lawyers representing Congo said Thursday it sent
letters to Apple’s CEO Tim Cook and its French subsidiary this week.

They raised concerns about human rights violations involving the minerals
extracted (提取的) from mines in the country’s east.

They say those minerals might end up being used in the company’s products.

They included a list of questions challenging Apple to show how it monitors
its supply chains in a troubled region where more than 100 armed rebel groups
operate.

It's demanding answers within three weeks.

That was the I.C.R.T. news,

Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.

Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
🎁 感恩媽咪！來施舒雅美容世界挑禮物就對了🔥獻上日本上質美容SPA體驗💯，逾60年專業保養經驗，同步日本安心手技按摩，感受身心放鬆紓壓，擁抱療癒與美麗♥️一起成為最幸福的女人😍
新朋友享5折優惠 https://bit.ly/49O39tE
預約美好時刻 0800-049-888
--
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.


Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 128-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
20,003 on turnover of 4.6-billion N-T.

The market moved sharply higher on Wednesday to close above the 20,000-point
mark on the back of a rally on Wall Street overnight.

The bellwether electronics sector led the day's gains.

The sector mirrored tech stocks' strong performance on Wall Street.

The market was boosted by hopes the the U-S Federal Reserve will cut interest
rates after new data showed a slowdown in American manufacturing activity.


No WHA Invite, but Incoming Health Minister Likely to Travel to Geneva
Outgoing Health Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan says he has not received an
invitation to attend this year's World Health Assembly.

But he says the issue will be handled by the new Cabinet.

According to Hsueh, he believes his successor, Chiu Tai-yuan will head a
delegation to Geneva and hold meetings on the sideline of the event, if
Taiwan fails to secure (獲得) observer status.

The 77th World Health Assembly will be taking place from May 27 through June
1 and is being held under the theme of "All for Health, Health for All" this
year.



New Taipei Ward Chief Indicted for Subsidized China Trip
The New Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted a Yonghe District
ward chief and his aunt on charges of taking other ward chiefs on a
subsidized trip to China.

According to prosecutors, Hsu Cheng-kai and his aunt were commissioned by the
Taiwan Affairs Office in Kunshan City last year to invite 12 ward chiefs to
China.

Prosecutors says ward chiefs' expenses (花費) were fully covered.

Their relatives only had to pay for the airfare.

The ward chiefs and their family members were taken on all expenses paid
trips to Kunshan City, Changshu City, Wuxi City, and several other locations
in November of last year.


Russia Vetos UN Resolution Against Nuclear Arms Space Race
Russia has vetoed a U.N. resolution calling on all nations to prevent a
dangerous nuclear arms race in outer space.

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 13 in favor, Russia opposed
and China abstaining.

The resolution was sponsored by the United States and Japan

It would have called on all countries not to develop or deploy nuclear arms
or other weapons of mass destruction in space.

Such actions are banned under a 1967 international treaty that included the
U.S. and Russia.

Under the treaty, countries also agreed to the need to verify (核實)
compliance (遵守).

The U.S. and Russian ambassador traded accusations on space weapons.



US Arizona Votes to Repeal Near Total Abortion Ban
Arizona's House of Representatives has voted to repeal (廢除) a near-total
abortion ban.

The state's supreme court reinstated the ban earlier this month.

The ban, which has yet to go into effect, has become a major political issue
in the key swing state.

Ira Spitzer reports.


UK Military Horses Run Loose After Being Spooked
Five military horses spooked by noise from a building site have bolted during
routine exercises near Buckingham Palace in central London.

They ran loose through the heart of the city.

The horses injured at least four people, collided with vehicles and caused
chaos (混亂) during the morning rush hour.

Four soldiers were thrown off the horses and three of the troops were
hospitalized with injuries.

The horses were all captured shortly after.

They were taken back to the barracks in Hyde Park where they are undergoing
medical tests.

That was the I.C.R.T. news,

Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.

Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
【00941】全台首檔鎖定半導體上游設備與材料廠的ETF
半導體不是只有護國神山，想投資真正的隱形英雄，力爭「上游」就對了！
中信上游半導體(00941)，帶你

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.


Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 171-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
19,770 on turnover of 4.4-billion N-T.

The market staged a technical rebound on Tuesday following a recent slump as
buying was sparked by a rally on Wall Street overnight amid eased concerns
over Middle East tensions.

The main board opened higher and momentum continued throughout the session,
with large-cap electronics and artificial intelligence development related
stocks in focus.



Constitutional court Debates Abolition of Death Penalty
The Constitutional Court has been debating whether the current death penalty
system is constitutional.

The debate saw attorneys representing 37 prisoners currently on death row who
are challenging the constitutionality of capital punishment.

The 37 petitioners argue that "the presence and implementation (執行) of
capital punishment violate Article 15 of the Constitution of the Republic of
China," which stipulates that "the right of existence … shall be guaranteed
to the people."

The case was brought to the constitutional court in 2022.

A decision is expected within the coming three months at the earliest.



More Cabinet Appointments Announced
Premier-designate Cho Jung-tai has announced more new members of his Cabinet
that will take office on May 20.

Five of those appointed are keeping their posts and while there's one new
face.

Finance Minister Zhuang Cui-yun, Overseas Community Affairs Council head Xu
Jia-qing, Ocean Affairs Council head Guan Bi-ling and Directorate-General of
Personnel Administration head Su Chun-rong will keep their current (目前的)
posts.

Acting Agriculture Minister Chen Jun-ji will formally head the agency in the
new Cabinet.

While the sole new face is Chen Shu-zi, the current head of Tainan City
Government's Research, Development and Evaluation Commission - and she has
been appointed to head the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and
Statistic.



UN Calls for Investigation After Mass Graves Discovered Near Gaza Hospitals
The United Nations is calling for “a clear, transparent and credible
investigation” of mass graves uncovered at two major hospitals in Gaza that
were raided by Israeli troops.

A U.N. spokesman said Tuesday that credible investigators must have access to
the sites.

The U.N. human rights chief also said he was “horrified” (驚駭) by the
destruction of the hospitals and the reported discovery of mass graves in and
around the facilities.

He also called for independent investigations.

The Israeli military said its forces exhumed bodies that Palestinians had
buried earlier as part of its search for the remains of hostages captured by
Hamas.


Japan Former PM Meets with Trump
Japan’s government is declining (拒絕) to comment on a meeting between
former Prime Minister Taro Aso and US presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Chris Gilbert reports.


Aboriginal Spears Returned to Australia Indigenous
Four Aboriginal spears that were taken to England by Captain James Cook more
than 250 years ago have been returned to Australia's Indigenous community at
a ceremony in Cambridge University.

The artifacts were all that remain of some 40 spears that Cook and botanist
Joseph Banks took in April 1770, at the time of the first contact between
Cook’s crew and the Indigenous people of Kamay.

The return of the spears was agreed last year following a campaign and a
formal repatriation (歸國) request.

That was the I.C.R.T. news,

Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.

Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
【00941】全台首檔鎖定半導體上游設備與材料廠的ETF
半導體不是只有護國神山，想投資真正的隱形英雄，力爭「上游」就對了！中信上游半導體(00941)，帶你與科技王者中的王者同行：

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.


Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 153-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
19,564 on turnover of 5.5-billion N-T.

The market lost ground again on Monday - after failing to sustain (維持)
early gains as investors reacted to a plunge by tech stocks on Wall Street at
the end of last week.

Selling set within an hour of the opening bell - as tech heavyweights came
under pressure to push the market into negative territory - where in remained
throughut the rest of the trading day.



Hualien Suspends Work and Classes after 5.8 Quake
Hualien County has suspended work and classes today, after a magnitude 5.8
earthquake struck earlier this morning.

The magnitude 5.8 quake shook large parts of the island at 8:04am, after a
series of tremors overnight.

Those quakes including two of magnitude 6 and 6.3.

Two buildings in Hualien City have partially collapsed and tilted following
the overnight earthquakes.

The Full Hotel on Zhongshan Road and the Tong Shuai building on Mingli Road
in downtown Hualien City both partially collapsed following the quakes.

The hotel is currently undergoing renovation, while the unoccupied Tong Shuai
building had already been marked for demolition (拆除) following the April 3
magnitude 7.2 earthquake.

Both buildings have been cordoned off.

(NS)


UNRWA Report on Neutrality Released
A UN report on a review of the world body's humanitarian organisation,UNRWA
has found it has robust frameworks to ensure compliance (遵守) with
humanitarian neutrality.

The review of the organisation was initiated by the Secretary General
following allegations by Israel that several UNRWA staff had been involved in
the October 7th attacks on Israel.

Jody Jacobs has more…


Venezuela President Meets with ICC Head
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro met with the head of the International
Criminal Court as he faces an ongoing investigation by the tribunal (法庭)
into crimes against humanity for his crackdown on anti-government protests.

ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan didn’t make any statements following the
meeting at the presidential palace in Caracas.

Khan’s fourth visit to Venezuela comes almost two months after an appeals
panel ruled that the court’s investigation could proceed over the objections
of Maduro’s government.


ESA Adds New Members to Astronaut Corps
The European Space Agency has added five new members to its astronaut corps.

The new astronauts are from France, Belgium, Britain, Switzerland and Spain.

An Australian has also joined them as part of an agreement.

They graduated Monday during a ceremony in Cologne, Germany, after completing
a year of training.

That brings the space agency’s astronaut roster up to 11.

The newcomers are now eligible (有資格的) for trips to the International
Space Station.

More than 20,000 people applied for the five slots.


That was the I.C.R.T. news,

Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.

Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
--
🎁 感恩媽咪！來施舒雅美容世界挑禮物就對了🔥獻上日本上質美容SPA體驗💯，逾60年專業保養經驗，同步日本安心手技按摩，感受身心放鬆紓壓，擁抱療癒與美麗♥️一起成為最幸福的女人😍
新朋友享5折優惠 https://bit.ly/49O39tE
預約美好時刻 0800-049-888

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.



Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 60-points this morning from Friday's close, at 19,466
on turnover of 6-billion N-T.

The market fell to a record single-day drop on Friday amid rising tensions in
the Middle East.

This is despite Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing reporting its highest-ever
first-quarter sales a day earlier.

The weighted index ended the session down a record 774-points.



Tai-Power President Asked to Remain in Office after Announcing his
Resignation
Premier Chen Chien-jen is urging Tai-Power President Wang Yao-ting to remain
in his post.

Wang announced his resignation this past weekend following a series of power
outages in Taoyuan.

Wang was taking responsibility for the power outages over the past few days
and a tight power supply on April 15 due to generator trips.

However, Cabinet spokesman Lin Zi-lun says the premier called Wang and left
him a text message in an effort to persuade (說服) him to continue in his
post.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs says it is also working convince Wang to
stay on.


AUO Chairman Says Computex will be a Reflection of Tech Sector's Evolution
A-U-O Chairman Paul Peng says this year's Computex will be the biggest since
the coronavirus pandemic.

Peng also serves as the chairman of Computex's co-organizer, the Taipei
Computer Association.

He says the theme of "Connecting AI" will boost the show's popularity.

According to Peng, this year's event will feature some 1,500 exhibitors.

There will be keynote speeches from people leading the A-I boom, including
Nvidia's Jensen Huang, A-M-D's Lisa Su and Intel's Pat Gelsinger.

Peng says new opportunities related to the emergence (緊急狀況) of A-I
personal computers have ensured that those C-E-Os will be showing up.

He says "especially with the growth of the I-T industry in the first half of
2024 being a bit lackluster."


Iran Supreme Leader Dismisses Discussion on Israel Attack
Iran’s supreme leader has dismissed any discussion of whether Tehran’s
unprecedented drone-and-missile attack on Israel hit anything there.

It's a tacit acknowledgment that few projectiles actually made it through to
their targets despite launching a massive assault.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s comments Sunday before senior military leaders
didn’t touch on the apparent (貌似) Israeli retaliatory strike Friday on the
central city of Isfahan.

Air defenses opened fire and Iran grounded commercial flights across much of
the country.

But analysts say recent moves suggest both are trying to dial back tensions
following a series of escalatory attacks between them.


Argentina Sees Violence
A town in Argentina is seeing an unprecedented (史無前例的) wave of
drug-related violence.

AP correspondent Karen Chammas reports



Brazil Conservatives Praise Musk
Conservative Brazilians heaped praise on Elon Musk at a rally in the capital
of Rio de Janeiro state supporting far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro.

Musk is a target in an ongoing (不斷的) investigation over the dissemination
(傳播) of fake news by supporters of Bolsonaro.

Musk said the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, wouldn't comply with
a high court justice’s order to remove certain accounts accused of spreading
disinformation.

Musk recently accused the justice of suppressing free speech and violating
Brazil’s constitution.

At Sunday's rally Bolsonaro and other speakers praised Musk as a defender of
Brazil's freedom.

They say he faces censorship by a crusading high court justice.

That was the I.C.R.T. news,

Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.

Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.



Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 309-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
19,992 on turnover of 83-billion N-T.

The market recouped its early losses on Thursday caused by increased
volatility on Wall Street overnight.

Bargain hunters stepped-in late in the session. .

However, the gains were capped after recent inflation reports in the US were
hotter than expect.

And investor concerns grew over the possibility of the U-S Federal Reserve
delaying a rate cut cycle.

The Taiex continues to lose ground, heading into midday trading.


MODA Upgrades Taiping Island Satellite Network System
The Ministry of Digital Affairs says the establishment of signal connectivity
with a newly-launched satellite network system on Taiping Island has boosted
communications efficiency there.

According to the ministry, the new system enables (使能夠) coastguard
personnel stationed there to use improved communication and better meets
their audiovisual needs.

Wi-Fi and mobile network services were officially activated on Taiping Island
earlier this week.

This comes after tests on the newly installed Medium Earth Orbit satellite
terminal equipment were completed.

That equipment is capable of sending and receiving signals from a satellite
communications service provider based in Luxembourg.

The digital ministry says the total transmission bandwidth available to
personnel on the island can now reach 25-Megabits per second.

This is an approximate 3.9-fold increase in communication efficiency compared
to before.


US Vetoes Palestine's Bid to Join UN
Palestine has not been admitted to the United Nations as a full member,
following a Security Council vote.

On Thursday, the United States vetoed the bid - as was widely expected.

Sally Patterson reports from the UN headquarters in New York.


NATO EU Officials Urge Defense Systems for Ukraine
Top NATO and European Union officials are urging industrialized nations to
take quick and concrete steps to provide more air defense systems to Ukraine.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned on Thursday that continued
delays could tilt (偏向) the war in Moscow’s favor.

Borrell was speaking on the Italian island of Capri at the start of a G7
foreign ministers meeting.

He told reporters that without Patriot air defense missile systems to guard
against incoming Russian strikes, “the electricity system of Ukraine will be
destroyed."

And he said that no country can fight a war without electricity.



Brazil da Silva Creates Two New Indigenous Territories
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has announced the creation
(創建) of two new Indigenous territories.

This brings the total number of new reserves created during his term to 10.

The Cacique Fontoura reserve will be in Mato Grosso state and the Aldeia
Velha territory will be in Bahia state.

They cover a combined total area of almost 342 square kilometers.

Speaking at a ceremony Thursday in Brasilia, Lula’s said the latest two new
territories would not be enough.

He cited legal issues for the delay in setting aside additional lands.

He says Indigenous peoples should be patient as he seeks to fulfill his
pledge (保證) of creating 14 new territories.


That was the I.C.R.T. news,

Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.

Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.
－－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－
城揚建設新推出的「陽明第一廳」
緊鄰三民區的明星學府-陽明國中
46~52坪，每層四戶兩部電梯
最適合有換屋與置產需求的你
讓生活中充滿書香、運動風，滿足食衣住行的消費需求
城揚建設 陽明第一廳 07-384-2888
https://bit.ly/4azoWGy
--
【00941】全台首檔鎖定半導體上游設備與材料廠的ETF
半導體不是只有護國神山，想投資真正的隱形英雄，力爭「上游」