EZ News 12/05/22

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. **Tai-Ex opening ** The Tai-Ex opened up 1-point this morning from Friday's close, at 14,972 on turnover of 2.5-billion N-T. The market closed the trading day lower on Friday after fluctuating (波動的) in consolidation mode ahead of the release of the U-S job data Semiconductor heavyweights came under pressure during the session, but Hon Hai lent some support to the broader market. **Tsai Meets with Senior DPP Officials to Talk "Way Ahead" ** President Tsai Ing-wen has held talks with senior government and D-P-P officials to discuss the party's losses in the local elections and plans for a possible Cabinet reshuffle. According to the Presidential Office, Tsai met with Vice President William Lai, Premier Su Chang-tseng, National Security Council Secretary-General Wellington Koo, D-P-P legislative caucus whip Ker Chien-ming and acting party chair Chen Chi-mai. A Presidential Office spokesperson says the talks focused on in-depth discussions on both the domestic (國內的) and international political and economic situations and a review of the Cabinet as well as possible changes in government policy. The spokesperson says Tsai is also seeking to step-up communications between the government and opposition parties in areas related to national security. **Ironman and His 'Lucky Cap' Visit Changhua Temple ** And, Norwegian ironman Gustav Iden has revisited the Shunze Temple in Changhua County, where he thanked the deity there for bringing him good luck since winning a breakthrough world championship in 2019. Speaking at the event, the Norwegian athlete said "coming to Taiwan is always something special" and he's happy that the hat has created a strong bond ((感情的)聯結) between him and Taiwan. Iden found the cap on the ground in Japan before an Tokyo Olympic test event in early 2019 and then wore it when he won an Ironman World Championship in Nice in September of that same year. That set off a craze here in Taiwan for the "lucky" baseball cap from the temple. Iden has since worn the cap in 10 races - all of which he has won. **China Eases COVID19 Rules ** China is relaxing its strict COVID-19 policies and taking steps to reopen the economy. The country’s health authorities say that’s a response to the virus becoming less dangerous and vaccination rates increasing. But it’s also being seen as a concession (讓步) to mounting public protests against the rules. Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong. **Indonesia Volcano Erupts ** Indonesia’s highest volcano on its most densely populated island has released gas clouds and rivers of lava in its latest eruption. Monsoon rains eroded and finally collapsed the lava dome atop (在頂上) Mount Semeru, causing the eruption Sunday. Columns of ash were blasted nearly 1,500 meters into the sky. Several hundred residents fled to temporary shelters or left for other safe areas. Several villages were blanketed with falling ash, blocking out the sun, but no casualties have been reported. 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