EZ News 01/02/26

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 53-points this morning on the new year's first trading day, at 29,016, on turnover of 6.5-billion N-T. Taiwan shares closed the final trading session of 2025 at a record high Wednesday, led by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, as the benchmark index capped a second straight year of historic gains fueled by strong demand tied to artificial intelligence infrastructure. For the full year, the benchmark surged nearly 26 percent, surpassing the rise recorded in 2024 and setting a new record for annual point gains for the second consecutive year. The index has now risen more than 20 percent for three straight years. Lockheed gets Taiwan contract The Pentagon says Lockheed Martin has been given a contract involving foreign military sales to Taiwan to meet what Washington is describing as an "urgent operational need" of Taiwan's Air Force. The contract has a ceiling value of 328-million U-S dollars. According to the Pentagon, the contract is for the procurement (採購) and delivery of 55 Infrared Search and Track Legion Enhanced Sensor Pods, processors, pod containers and processor containers. The work is expected to be completed by June of 2031 First official record of Formosan black bear entering worker's hut in Alishan The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency says a Formosan black bear broke into a worker's hut in Alishan's Dabang Village and ate food from a refrigerator and from canned goods. According to the agency's Chiayi branch, personnel were sent to inspect (察看) the site and set up infrared cameras to track the bear after receiving the report. The agency has released photos showing an open refrigerator, broken eggs in a carton, and empty food cans inside the hut - which sits at an elevation of 1,190-meters in Alishan. Experts found footprints near the worker's hut and, based on the damaged canned food, concluded that a Formosan black bear was responsible. Although Formosan black bears are occasionally sighted in the Alishan area, the Dabang Village incident marks the first officially recorded case of a bear entering a worker's hut and eating food. Iran Protests Leave at Least 3 Dead Protests over Iran's struggling economy have spread into rural areas, with at least three people killed. Authorities reported the fatalities on Wednesday and Thursday in cities home to Iran’s Lur ethnic group. The demonstrations are the largest since 2022. The protests began due to economic pressures, with Iran's currency rapidly depreciating (貶值). Demonstrators have also chanted against the country’s theocracy. Trump delays tariff hike on furniture and kitchen cabinets as affordabilitycrisis bites The White House says planned tariff hikes on items like furniture and kitchen cabinets are being pushed back one year. The delay comes as the administration insists its trade strategy is working - even as high prices continue to frustrate (感到煩躁) voters. Toni Waterman has more from Washington. Anthony Joshua to Stay in Nigeria After Release from Hospital British boxer Anthony Joshua is initially staying in Nigeria as he recuperates from injuries sustained after a deadly crash. A vehicle carrying the former heavyweight champion and two of his associates crashed (撞擊) into a stationary truck on Monday on a local highway. The two associates were killed. Joshua was released from a Lagos hospital on Wednesday afternoon and he paid his respects to his deceased friends at the morgue. His promoter, Matchroom Boxing, told The Associated Press that Joshua will remain in Nigeria over the coming days.” That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn