EZ News 12/12/23

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 11-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,429 on turnover of 2.6-billion N-T. The market closed higher on Monday, as investors were buoyed by Wall Street reaching a 20-month high at the end of last week ahead of the release of U-S inflation data and a final rate decision of the year by America's central bank. Chinese Aircraft Carrier Transits Taiwan Strait The Ministry of National Defense says China's "Shandong aircraft carrier has transited the Taiwan for first time in a month. According to the ministry, the carrier strike group conducted (進行) the southbound transit through the Strait on the Chinese side of the median line. Defense officials say the transit was closely monitored through joint intelligence and surveillance systems. The Shandong was last detected transiting through the Taiwan Strait on November 9, when it was traveling northbound after concluding drills in the South China Sea. Taoyuan International Airport E-Gates to be Upgraded The National Immigration Agency says electronic immigration gates at Taoyuan International Airport will be fully upgraded before the Lunar New Year holiday. According the agency, the upgraded e-gates will see improved recognition rates and speeds - which means faster biometric (生物識別) identification with a clearer graphical interface. The agency says the changes will speed up e-gate process. The National Immigration Agency began upgrading the e-gate systems at terminals 1 and 2 last month as part of efforts to phase out older versions. It says both of the airport's terminals will be fully equipped with fourth generation e-gate machines by 2025. COP28 Close to Reaching Final Deal Countries at United Nations-led climate talks in Dubai moved closer to reaching a final deal on Monday, but critics condemned (譴責) a draft agreement as a watered-down document that won't stop dangerous climate change. More than 100 countries have called to phase out planet-warming fossil fuels. Instead, the draft called for countries to reduce “consumption and production of fossil fuels, in a just, orderly and equitable manner.” The Bangladeshi envoy said a revised text would be presented this morning that takes into account the many comments on the draft. The talks are supposed to end Tuesday, but the annual conference often runs beyond its appointed end date. US Special Council Asks SCOTUS to Rule on Presidential Immunity Special counsel Jack Smith who is investigating former US president Donald Trump has asked the country's highest court to decide whether Trump has any immunity (免疫) from criminal prosecution for alleged crimes he committed while in office. AP Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports WHO Warning on Anthrax Outbreak in Africa The World Health Organization says five countries in East and southern Africa are in the middle of outbreaks of the anthrax disease with more than 1,100 suspected cases and 20 deaths this year. A total of 1,166 suspected cases have been reported in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Thirty-seven cases have been confirmed by laboratory tests. Anthrax usually affects livestock like cattle, sheep and goats as well as wild herbivores. Humans can be infected if they are exposed to the animals or contaminated (污染) animal products. 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