EZ News 01/02/23

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 9-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,939.8 on turnover of $2.3-billion N-T. Taiwanese to enjoy 115 days off work in 2024 Workers in Taiwan are expected to have a total of 115 days off this year, including public holidays and weekends. The next significant (重要的) public holiday is the week-long Lunar New Year holiday from February 8th to 14th. Other public holidays include Peace Memorial Day on February 28th, a four-day holiday in April for Children's Day and Tomb Sweeping Day, and the Dragon Boat Festival long weekend on June 8th to 10th. In the second half of the year, there are two public holidays: the Mid-Autumn Festival on September 17th and National Day on October 10th. Note that Labor Day on May 1st and Armed Forces Day on September 3rd are not included in this list. (CNA-JI) Japan Earthquake Rescue Continues A series of powerful earthquakes has hit western Japan, leaving at least four people dead and damaging buildings, vehicles and boats. Officials are warning people in some areas today to stay away from their homes because of a continuing risk of major quakes. Aftershocks continued to shake Ishikawa prefecture and nearby areas a day after a magnitude 7.6 temblor slammed the area on Monday afternoon. Officials say four people are confirmed dead in Ishikawa and police are investigating two other reported deaths. On Monday, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a major tsunami warning for Ishikawa and lower-level tsunami warnings or advisories for the rest of the western coast of Japan’s main island of Honshu, as well as for the northern island of Hokkaido. The warning was downgraded (降級) several hours later, and all tsunami warnings were lifted as of early Tuesday. Waves measuring more than one meter hit some places. The agency warned that more major quakes could hit the area over the next few days. Epstein Documents to be Unsealed This Week Several court documents regarding Jeffrey Epstein's associates are to be unsealed this week with Former President Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew expected to be named. In 2019 Epstein committed suicide in his jail cell in Manhattan while facing charges of child sex-trafficking and conspiracy (陰謀). Jody Jacobs reports from New York… Ethiopia Somalia Sign Agreement for Coastline Access Landlocked Ethiopia has taken the first steps toward gaining access to the sea, signing an agreement in the capital of Addis Ababa with the breakaway (獲得獨立的) Somali region of Somaliland to access the Somaliland coastline. The memorandum of understanding was signed Monday by leaders on both sides. As part of the deal, Somaliland plans to lease a 20-km stretch of land along its coastline to Ethiopia to establish a marine force base. And Somaliland's president said the agreement included a statement that Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland as an independent country in the near future. That was the I.C.R.T. news, Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon. Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn