EZ News 02/22/24

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 150-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 18,827 on turnover of $6.8-billion N-T. The market lost ground on Wednesday as investors chose to pocket gains from the previous session when the main board closed at an historical high. The bellwether electronics sector led the downturn, as large cap semiconductor stocks were in focus after artificial intelligence chip designer Nvidia fell by more the 4-per cent on Wall Street overnight. Activists Calls for Addressing Surrogacy Separately from Sperm and Egg Donation Women's rights groups are urging the government to address single women and lesbian couples' access to sperm and egg donation separately from surrogacy (代孕) when amending the Assisted Reproduction Act. According to Taiwan Women's Link director Huang Shu-ing, the government should give single women and lesbian couples access to assisted reproduction services already available to heterosexual couples. Huang says as surrogacy is far more complicated than simply allowing access to sperm and egg donation, discussing both issues together would delay the amendment. A joint statement issued by the Taiwan Women's Link and 26 other groups in the fields of women's rights, gender, labor and medicine also calls for protecting single women and lesbian couples' right to access sperm and egg donation services. The Ministry of Health is slated to hold its first public hearing regarding amendments to the Assisted Reproduction Act next Tuesday. US Increases Port Security Over Chinese Hacking Fears US president Joe Biden has signed an executive order to increase cybersecurity at America's ports. It comes in response to fears of hackers gaining access to vital (必不可少的) infrastructure in the US that is Chinese-made. Nick Harper reports from Washington. UN Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal Only 10Percent Funded The U.N’s top representative in Ukraine says the U.N.’s humanitarian appeal to meet needs there is only 10% funded for 2024. That puts in jeopardy crucial assistance needed to reach those in need across frontline areas. Denise Brown says an estimated 8.5 million Ukrainians who are living in dire (危急的) conditions near combat zones risk going without basic humanitarian deliveries, including food and water. The U.N.’s annual appeal for Ukraine is $3.1 billion. Ukraine’s economy is still suffering the aftermath of Russia’s full-scale invasion two years ago. France Eiffel Tower Closed Again Due to Strikes Striking workers have again closed down the Eiffel Tower. It's the third day running that the landmark expected to be at the heart of celebrations for the Paris Olympics has been off-limits to visitors. A message Wednesday on the tower’s website also warned of more possible disruptions (中斷、 擾亂) today, if strikers continue their push for salary hikes and other concessions. One of the strikers’ representatives has previously warned that their protest action “could go on for several days, even weeks.” 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