EZ News 06/19/24

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 101-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,858 on turnover of 7.2-billion N-T. The Tai-Ex closed at another record high on Tuesday, led by solid gains posted by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing following a rally among tech stocks on Wall Street overnight. T-S-M-C's gains contributed about 180 points to the main board's rise to push both electronics and the semiconductor sub-index higher during the trading day. Weekly COVID Cases Nearly Double The Centers for Disease Control says weekly COVID-19 cases have nearly doubled. Data shows that a total of 623 new locally transmitted cases were reported from between June 11 and 17 - and that's up from 329 cases during the previous week. According to the C-D-C, the rise in domestic cases means that Taiwan is now in the pandemic phase - and mathematical modeling suggests the currently wave will peak in August and September, with a decline (衰退) expected after September. The C-D-C is encouraging people who have not yet received the X-B-B vaccine to get a shot as soon as possible. MOA to Cull Hens Amid Over Supply of Eggs The Ministry of Agriculture says it plans to cull 1.8-million hens on a monthly basis beginning later this month due to an oversupply eggs. The statement comes after a week after the ministry said it will be culling 1.2-million hens per month. According to the ministry, its hoped the move will cut daily egg production to approximately (大約) 120,000 crates, from the current 121,600 crates and will reduce the number of egg-laying hens from the current 35.7-million to between 33 and 34-million. The ministry says it chose to increase the number of hens culled as oversupply issues are continuing, despite the price of eggs dropping to 50 N-T a box at leading supermarket chains. Kim and Putin Meet in Pyongyang The leaders of Russia and North Korea are holding their first summit (會議) in Pyongyang in 24 years. Russian president Vladimir Putin arrived to a hug and handshake from his counterpart Kim Jong-un on Wednesday. Chris Gilbert reports. McKellen Looks Forward to Returning to Work After Fall Veteran actor Ian McKellen says he is looking forward to returning to work after toppling off a London stage during a play and being hospitalized. The 85-year-old actor known for playing Gandalf in the “Lord of the Rings” said on Tuesday that doctors had assured (保證) him his recovery would be “complete and speedy.” The actor said he was looking forward to returning to work. McKellen was playing John Falstaff in a production of “Player Kings” when he fell at the Noel Coward Theatre on Monday. The theater was evacuated (疏散) and the play was canceled. McKellen is one of Britain's most acclaimed Shakespearean actors, with roles including Richard III, Macbeth and King Lear. 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