EZ News 02/19/25

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 76-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,589 on turnover of 4.8-billion N-T. The market closed higher on Tuesday after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing got a boost from last-ditch buying. However, turnover remained limited, as analysts say many investors are still waiting for U-S President Donald Trump's decision regarding semiconductor tariffs on Taiwan. Lai promulgates amended law tightening recall petition rules President Lai Ching-te has signed off on amended legislation that tightens requirements for petitions used to initiate the recall of elected officials. Promulgation of the amendments to the Public Officials Election And Recall Act comes after lawmakers voted to uphold (贊成，維護) the legislation following a re-vote requested by the Cabinet last week. The amendments were proposed by the K-M-T and had the back of the Taiwan People's Party. The D-P-P says it is preparing to petition the Constitutional Court to rule on the constitutionality of the amended law. Banana prices to remain high until May or June The Ministry of Agriculture says the price of bananas is expected to remain high until May or June. The statement comes as banana prices have shot up in recent weeks. According to the Agriculture and Food Agency, the price of bananas at Taipei's First and Second Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Markets on Monday was 107.1 N-T per kilogram. That was an 84.2-per cent from the same date of last year. The agency says the high prices are mainly the result of "several typhoons" that struck Kaohsiung and Pingtung last year. Prices for guavas, jujubes and wax apples have also risen this year due to the impact (影響) of the typhoons. US Agencies Expecitng Mass Layoffs From the US…. Major layoffs are expected at NASA and NOAA this week. New hires are expecting pink slips (解僱通知單), while hundreds of other employees at the space and weather agencies have accepted the Trump Administration's offer to leave. Toni Waterman has more. Australia Mass Whale Stranding More than 150 false killer whales are stranded on a remote beach on Australia’s island state of Tasmania. Officials say marine experts including veterinarians are at the scene on Wednesday near Arthur River on Tasmania’s northwest coast. Of the 157 beached whales, 136 appeared to still be alive. The inaccessibility (交通不便，難以接近) of the beach, ocean conditions and challenges to getting specialist equipment to the remote area were complicating (使複雜化) a response. Authorities have not yet requested public help to rescue the whales. Brazil Approves Joining OPEC Brazil’s government has approved joining OPEC+, a group of major oil-exporting nations. Brazil was invited to join the group in 2023. It includes the members of OPEC, the longstanding (長期存在的) group set up to coordinate oil production to stabilize markets, plus several more significant oil-producing nations. Brazil’s participation will be limited to discussing industry-related issues, but the South American country will not participate in decisions. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn