EZ News 03/06/24

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 103-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 19,283 on turnover of 5.7-billion N-T. The market closed at yet another historic high on Tuesday, driven by artificial intelligence development-related stocks. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing only managed slight gains, after leading the market higher during the previous session. However, other AI-related stocks saw increased investor interest. MOFA's Tien in Tuvalu to Congratulate New Government Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang is visiting Tuvalu this week in his capacity (職位,) as a special envoy for President Tsai Ing-wen to congratulate the Pacific islands' new government. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tien will be attending a series of events following the appointment of Feleti Teo as Tuvalu's new prime minister late last month and his newly formed Cabinet. The ministry says along with holding talks with Teo, Tien is also scheduled to meet with Tuvalu's governor-general and foreign minister to discuss bilateral cooperation projects. Dumpling and Instant Noodle Makers Report Tainted Chili Powder Health authorities in Kaohsiung says restaurant chain Bafang Dumpling and instant noodle maker Wei Lih Foods both purchased (購買) chili powder from importers that have since been found to contain Sudan industrial dye. According to Kaohsiung City Health Department, prosecutors were asked to seize 32,739 kilograms of chili powder imported from China by the two companies after tests found samples contained the banned chemicals at a concentration of 4 to 8 parts per billion. Chia Guang International and Gin Zhan International have been issued with fines totaling 3.06-million N-T for violations of the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation. Those violations include entering false information in the government's food product tracing system. ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Russian Military Officers The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for two high-ranking Russian military officers on charges linked to attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. The court announced warrants Tuesday for a Russian lieutenant general who was commander of the Long-Range Aviation of the Aerospace Force at the times of the alleged crimes. Also wanted is a Russian navy admiral who is the commander of the Black Sea Fleet. They are wanted for the war crime of directing attacks at civilian objects, causing excessive (過多的) incidental (附帶的) harm to civilians or damage to civilian objects, and the crime against humanity of inhumane acts. Italian lawmakers approve Red Sea shipping mission Italian lawmakers have given the green light to the country's involvement in Operation Aspides. The joint EU mission will see naval vessels (海軍艦艇) deployed in the Red Sea, protecting commercial shipping from attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Giles Gibson has more from Rome. France Announces Scaled Back Opening Ceremony Plans The French government says tourists won’t be allowed to watch the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics for free. Organizers had planned a large-scale opening ceremony along the Seine River on July 26-th for up to 600-thousand people. But security and logistical concerns have led the government to progressively scale back ambitions. Now, Interior Ministry officials said 222-thousand spectators can watch for free from the upper embankments (堤岸). But access will be allocated via quotas, primarily to select residents or employees of towns hosting Olympic events. 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