Show Notes
Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 158-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
45,676 on turnover of 15.4-billion N-T.
The market closed higher on Wednesday led by AI-related stocks, but turnover
was limited as investors awaited the release of the latest U-S consumer price
index data.
Market watchers say the Tai-Ex managed to gain ground despite Wall Street
declining overnight, as AI-related stocks listed on U-S indexes still moved
higher, which sparked buying in their counterparts here in Taiwan.
MOFA** seeks Indonesia clarification over China-announced joint naval exercise**
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has asked Indonesia to clarify a
joint naval exercise east of Taiwan announced by China.
The statement comes after China's defense ministry announced that joint
Chinese-Indonesian Naval navigation exercises would be taking place.
According to the foreign ministry, it "immediately contacted relevant
parties" to learn more about the situation and asked the Indonesian side for
clarification (說明) after China "unilaterally claimed" Indonesia would
participate in the drill.
Jakarta has described its planned naval activities as "Passing Exercises"
that are "not war-fighting in nature."
Taoyuan to expand free milk program to junior high school students
The Taoyuan City Government has announced plans to expand its free milk
program.
The move will include junior high school students beginning with the 2026
school year that commences on August 31.
According to Taoyuan Mayor Simon Chang, the expansion of the program will
benefit some 280,000 students aged between 2 and 15, from preschool through
junior high school.
The program was launched in February and provides one free milk or soy milk
product per week to every preschool and elementary school student in Taoyuan.
The city government has said the take-up rate (參與率) had reached about 70-per
cent.
UN: Taliban Detained Two Afghan Members of UN Political Mission
The United Nations says Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers have detained two Afghan
members of the U.N. political mission in the country.
U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told U.N. reporters on Wednesday that the
Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence detained the two staffers in
the western city of Herat on Sunday.
He said the U.N. mission has not been informed of the charges against the two
men or been able to visit them.
The Taliban seized power in 2021, as U.S. and NATO forces withdrew (轍) from
the country after two decades of war.
MEDIA GROUPS SUE TRUMP OVER TRUTH SOCIAL'S PAID API SERVICE, CALLING IT UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Two media organisations have filed a federal lawsuit against US President
Donald Trump and senior White House officials, challenging Truth Social's
paid subscription service as unconstitutional.
The service charges up to a hundred thousand dollars a month for early access
to the president's posts — many of which serve as the sole channel for
official government announcements.
Nick Harper in Washington says the lawsuit could prompt the White House to
further restrict (限制) press access.
Ecuador Cocaine Shipment Seized
Police in Ecuador have seized a cocaine shipment featuring soccer star Erling
Haaland's face on the packaging.
The bust occurred near the Colombian border, with 469 kilograms of cocaine
found in a truck.
The driver was arrested, but police didn't explain why Haaland's image was
used.
It's common for traffickers to label shipments with celebrity images to
identify networks and clients.
The operation followed an anonymous tip (匿名線索) on Tuesday.
The shipment's value is estimated at over $11 million in the U.S.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn