EZ News 03/06/23

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. **Tai-Ex opening ** The Tai-Ex opened up 66-points this morning from Friday's close, at 15,675 on turnover of 4.1-billion N-T. The market closed slightly higher on Friday as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing gave up early gains amid lingering concerns over rising interest rates. Although semiconductor stocks lost momentum, buying rotated to select old economy stocks with transportation in focus, lending some support to the local main board, as it breached (沖破) the 15,700-point mark by the end of the trading day. **On-Campus Face Mask Mandate to be Relaxed Today ** The face mask mandate on campuses and at educational institutions has been relaxed from today. It means students are attending classes indoors without face masks for the first time in over 800 days. The mandatory face mask rules are being eased in schools at all levels, kindergartens, preschools, afterschool institutions and cram schools. According to Central Epidemic Command Center spokesperson Philip Luo, the move comes after a continuing decline in the daily number of domestic coronavirus cases. Luo says if the relaxation of face mask mandates in schools works, it will likely mean the current (現行的) five-day home isolation for individuals who have mild infections could be lifted by the end of this month at the earliest. **Malaysian-Chinese Writer Wins Newman Prize ** And, Malaysian-Chinese Taiwan-based writer Chang Gui-xing has been awarded the eighth Newman Prize for Chinese Literature at the University of Oklahoma. Chang migrated to Taiwan in 1976 and got his Taiwanese citizenship in 1982. He's the third Taiwanese author to win the biennial honor that recognizes "outstanding achievement in prose (散文) or poetry that best captures the human condition." According to Chang, despite having won many literary awards in Taiwan and overseas, the Newman Prize for Chinese Literature still means a lot to him "because of this word 'Chinese.'" **Greece Stationmaster Charged for Train Collision ** A stationmaster accused of causing Greece’s deadliest train disaster has been charged with negligent homicide and jailed pending trial. An examining magistrate and a prosecutor agreed Sunday that multiple counts of homicide as well as charges of causing bodily harm and endangering transportation safety should be brought against the railway employee. At least 57 people were killed when a northbound passenger train and a southbound freight train collided late Tuesday in central Greece. The 59-year-old stationmaster allegedly (涉嫌地、據稱) directed the two trains traveling in opposite directions onto the same track. Also Sunday, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis apologized for any responsibility Greece’s government may bear for the tragedy. **Russian Forces Target Bakhmut ** Russian forces are continuing their push for the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, a prime target (主要目標) for Moscow in eastern Ukraine. AP correspondent Sarah Naffa reports. **UK King Office in Touch with Harry About Coronation ** King Charles III’s office has been in touch with Prince Harry about the new monarch’s coronation. The move raises the possibility of the king's younger son attending the ceremony despite tensions within the royal family. A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan confirmed Sunday that Harry had received “email correspondence (通信聯繫)’’ from the king’s office about the coronation. Buckingham Palace didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. 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