EZ News 01/04/23

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 15-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,574 on turnover of $2.8-billion N-T. Shares in Taiwan took a beating Wednesday, tumbling nearly 300 points, as investors took their cue from heavy losses suffered by tech stocks on U.S. markets overnight by trimming holdings in large electronics stocks on the local main board. Contract chipmaker TSMC led the downtrend as it failed to withstand stiff selling and fell below the nearest technical support at around its 20-day moving average by the end of the trading session. Over 30% vegetables fail pesticide residue tests: Foundation Testing conducted by an NPO finds that over 30-percent of fresh vegetables failed checks for pesticide residue (殘留物). The Consumer's Foundation says it purchased 12 randomly chosen vegetables in August 2023 at wet markets and traditional night markets in Taipei, New Taipei and Taichung, and pesticide residue testing resulted in a failure of 33-percent. And 67 percent of produce labeled or advertised as "organic" were found to contain large amounts of pesticide residue. The foundation says it used a rapid pesticide screening method recommended by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. It noted that suppliers of farm produce incorrectly labeled as organic can face fines up to $300-thousand NT according to government regulations. The foundation urged consumers to check whether vendors selling organic vegetables have a certificate indicating they have been certified to sell such produce and that it contains the name of the certification body and a registration number. Japan Earthquake Rescue Continues Amid Rough Weather Rescuers in Japan are braving the cold in a race against time as they search for survivors along the country's western coastline after a powerful earthquake earlier in the week left at least 77 people dead and 35 missing. A downpour (傾盆大雨) and possible snow are expected, raising the risk of landslides. A list of those officially missing grew from 15 to 35 people, including a 13-year-old boy. Ishikawa prefecture and nearby areas were shaken by more aftershocks, adding to the dozens that followed Monday’s magnitude 7.6 temblor. Nearly 33-thousand people are staying at evacuation centers, and local officials are encouraging everyone ot use masks and take precautions against the spread of infectious diseases. Uganda Gay Rights Activist Stabbed A well-known gay rights activist in Uganda has been stabbed by unknown assailants, and police say he has been hospitalized in critical condition (病危). A police spokesperson says two attackers who arrived on motorcycle attacked Kabuye, and nearby residents found him after the attack. According to a fellow activist, Kabuye had claimed the attackers had been following him for several days, and intended to kill him. Ugandan rights activists have expressed fears that a new law against homosexuality enacted in May would increase attacks against the gay community. US SF Installs Nets on Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco finally has installed (安裝) nets to stop suicides off the Golden Gate Bridge. The AP's Ed Donahue reports. 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