EZ News 02/13/25

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 26-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,263 on turnover of $5.5-billion N-T. The market lost ground on Wednesday - as early gains eroded as investor sentiment was spooked by concerns that America could introduce tariffs on semiconductors. Environment Minister confirms carbon cap trade regulations are under discussion Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming says his office has begun discussion regarding carbon cap trade regulations. According to Peng, the aim is to impose a stricter cap than the current self-determined reductions. Peng says his office will be inviting companies with a reputation (名聲) for excellence to work together and form an alliance to better implement any changes. The government has said the carbon fee system will take effect this year - meaning that imposed entities will have to pay their carbon fees according to their 2025 emissions in May of 2026. THSR Zuoying Station set passenger records in 2024 The Ministry of Transport says the number of High Speed Rail passengers hit a record high last year - and the number of passengers entering and exiting Zuoying Station in Kaohsiung both exceeded (超過) 10-million for the first time. According to the ministry, passenger volume on the High Speed Rail reached 78.25-million last year. This marks a 7-per cent increase from the previous year and highest in its 18 years of operations. The High Speed Rail's Taipei Station served the highest number of passengers. That was followed by Taichung Station, then Zuoying Station in third - with the number of passengers entering the station reaching 10.5-million and 10.4-million passengers leaving. Russia makes contact with Syria The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken to Syria's interim (過渡時期) leader, in the first such top-level contact since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Mimmi Montgomery reports Australia Investigates After Nurse Claims to Have Killed Israelis An Australian hospital is examining its patient records after a nurse claimed online to have killed Israelis. Officials say there was no evidence of harm to patients. A police unit focusing on a surge in antisemitic crimes in Sydney since the Israel-Hamas war began in 2023 is investigating possible breaches (違規行為) of hate speech law. Two nurses who took part in an online discussion with an Israeli influencer on Tuesday during a night shift at Sydney’s Bankstown Hospital were suspended on Wednesday. Authorities say they will never work for the state health department again. Brazil Defends Oil Exploration Near Mouth of Amazon Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is defending oil exploration near the mouth of the Amazon River as a way to finance a transition to green energy. As part of statements pressing the country's enviornmental regulator to approve the plan, Lula says new oil revenue (收入) could provide the funds for the change. The offshore area, Bloc 59, is located in the Equatorial Margin, about 160 kilometers from the coast. In 2023, Brazil’s environmental regulator rejected a license, citing issues such as a weak wildlife protection plan in the event of an oil spill that could affect one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. State-owned oil company Petrobras appealed and a decision is pending. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn