EZ News 02/16/23

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. **Government Extends Import Duty Reduction on 75%-Alcohol Product Materials ** The Customs Administration says the reduced import duty on materials used to produce 75-per cent alcohol products used as sanitizers or disinfectants has been extended (延長) for another six months. The import duty was first cut from 20 to 10-per cent in February 2020 at the start of the the coronavirus pandemic and it has since been extended several times. According to Customs Administration, the decision to extend the reduction is aimed at ensuring sufficient supplies of sanitizers and disinfectants due to the on-going coronavirus situation here in Taiwan. The reduced import duty will remain in place until August 26. Figures show that as of January 31 of this year, 45.47-million liters of raw materials have been imported since the duty was first reduced, resulting in tax relief of 118-million N-T. **Average Hotel Room Rate Hit Record High in 2022 ** The Tourism Bureau says the average daily room rate at international hotels in Taiwan hit a record high last year, despite relatively low occupancy due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to the bureau, data shows that the occupancy rate at international hotels averaged 48.06-per cent in 2022. That was the fourth-lowest in history. However, the average room rate increased for a third consecutive year to stand at a record setting 4,195 N-T. **EU Circulates Resolution on Russian Invasion of Ukraine ** The European Union is circulating the resolution to be voted on by the U.N. General Assembly on the eve of next week’s first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It calls for a cessation (停止) of hostilities and a peace that ensures Ukraine’s “sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity.” There are no vetoes in the 193-member world body, so the resolution is certain to be adopted at the end of a high-level emergency special session of the assembly Feb. 23. The assembly has become the most important U.N. body dealing with Ukraine because the Security Council is paralyzed as a result of Russia’s veto power. While the assembly’s five previous resolutions on Ukraine are not legally binding — as council resolutions are — they are important as a reflection of world opinion. **Berlusconi Acquitted in 'Bunga-Bunga' Party Case ** Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been acquitted of bribing witnesses to lie about his notorious "bunga-bunga" parties. The 86-year old media tycoon had been accused of paying young showgirls and others to give false testimony about the allegedly raunchy (色情的) parties. The other 28 defendants have also been acquitted. Berlusconi has faced many court cases. However, he has denied any wrongdoing in all cases and accused prosecutors of pursuing a political vendetta against him. **Raquel Welch Dead at 82 ** And finally, Hollywood star Raquel Welch has died after a brief (短暫的) illness. She was 82. The A-P's Margie Szaroleta looks back at her career. < [CLIP] Slug: > 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