EZ News 10/31/23

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 26-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,176 on turnover of 3.1-billion N-T. The market gained ground on Monday ahead of a U-S Federal Reserve decision later this week on interest rates and as oil prices fell. European Parliamentary Delegation Visiting Taiwan The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says a delegation of European parliamentarians is visiting this week as part of efforts aimed at strengthening the European Parliament's relations with Taiwan. The three-member delegation is led by being led by the vice chairman of the European Parliament-Taiwan Friendship Group. According to the foreign ministry, the delegation will be holding talks with President Tsai Ing-wen and other senior government officials, including Legislative Speaker You Si-kun and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu during its six-day visit. The foreign ministry says the talks will focus on the economy, democracy and disinformation (虛假資訊). Tsai Meets and Thanks Paralympic Team And, President Tsai Ing-wen has met with members of Taiwan's Asian Paralympic Games team. Speaking at an event at the Presidential Building, Tsai thanked the athletes for their fighting spirit and said her administration will continue to support sporting events for those with disabilities. She also said athletes and coaches preparing for next year's Paris Paralympic Games will get additional support to ensure (確保) they can "earn glory" for Taiwan next summer in the French capital. Taiwan has finished in 13th place in the medals table - bringing home four gold, four silver and 12 bronze. Those medals included Taiwan's first-ever in taekwondo, archery, and Go at the Asia Paralympics. Subject: E*Israel Offensive Pushes Further into Gaza Israeli armoured vehicles including a tank have been seen on Gaza's main road as Israel expands (擴大) its ground offensive. It comes as Hamas released a video of three female hostages. Sarah Coates reports from Tel Aviv. Jamaica Earthquake Leaves Infrastructure Damage A 5.4 magnitude earthquake has hit Jamaica and prompted people to flee buildings amid heavy shaking that knocked out power in some areas. The tremor caused panic (恐慌) on the island Monday, but the prime minister says there have been no reports of deaths, injuries or serious damage. The epicenter of the quake was about 10 kilometers west-northwest of Hope Bay. The U.S. Geological Survey says it occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. Australia ThinkThank: Beijing Targeting SPacific Allies with Aid An Australian think tank says Beijing has increasingly targeted its South Pacific political allies with its shrinking aid budget Sydney’s Lowy Institute report in its latest annual analysis that Chinese economic influence in the region is losing ground to better loan deals offered by U.S. allies to 14 aid-dependent Pacific Island nations. Strategic competition in the South Pacific has escalated since China struck a security pact with the Solomons Islands last year that raised the prospect (前景) of a Chinese naval foothold being established in the South Pacific. The decline in Chinese aid has been driven mainly by a lack of Pacific government interest in Chinese loans that have left Pacific countries including Tonga heavily in debt. The United States has warned that Chinese finance is a debt trap for poor countries that threatens their sovereignty. 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