EZ News 06/20/24

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 13-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,197 on turnover of $7.5--billion N-T. The market moved sharply higher on Wednesday. The market gained by more than 450 points to close at a new record high amid continuing investor optimism (樂觀) over growth in artificial intelligence development. Coast Guard Undeterred by China's New Maritime Rule The Coast Guard Administration says a new regulation implemented (實施) by China's Coast Guard last week will not affect the way it enforces the law at sea. China's new regulation took effect on June 15. It allows the China Coast Guard to board and hold vessels in waters it lays claim to. And it allows the Chinese Coast Guard to question and detain foreign nationals found to have violated its "exit and entry rules" for up to 60 days. Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration says it has put into place principles while responding to contingencies at sea. These include guidelines on communicating with the armed forces of Taiwan and friendly nations .. .. and the administration will vigorously defend the rights and interests of Taiwan's fishing vessels and uphold national sovereignty and maritime safety. MRT Disputes Prompt Review of Priority Seating Rules The Ministry of Health says it's considering expanding access to priority seats on the Taipei MRT. The statement follows two violent confrontations (衝突) between senior citizens and younger passengers within the past nine days. According to ministry's Social and Family Affairs Administration, the proposal is aimed at changing the clause in the People with Disabilities Rights Protection Act to include more potential users. That act currently mandates that public transport facilities without reserved seats set aside priority seats for the "disabled, elderly, women and children". The number of priority seats must be no less than 15-per cent of available seats. Officials say the planned amendment will seek to replace the wording with "those with other actual needs." Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says that the metro operator will discuss the issue with regulatory authorities. UN investigation finds Israel and Hamas responsible for war crimes An Independent UN investigations team that's found Israel committed (犯（罪、錯) war crimes in Gaza has officially presented its findings to the Human Rights Council. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory headed by Navi Pillay investigated the military attacks in Gaza since 7 October last year. It also says Hamas is responsible for war crimes committed in Israel. Jody Jacobs reports from the United Nations in New York. Ecuador Blackout After Transmission Line Failure Ecuador's government reported a failure in an energy transmission line has produced an unexpected blackout throughout the country. Just days earlier, the government announced that there would be new power outages in the country due to production problems. Officials say the failure was reported by the country’s National Electricity Operator and caused “a cascade disconnection (斷開),” leaving the nation without energy service. In some sectors of the country the outage lasted 20 minutes. But media outlets and social media users reported that the problem remained in most cities and even in some hospital areas. 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