EZ News 03/23/26

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 209 -points this morning from Friday's close, at 33,334 on turnover of 10.2-billion N-T. The market lost ground on Friday due to the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East, but losses were capped as bargain hunters turned active to pick up large-cap tech stocks towards the end of the trading day. FM warns designation on arrival cards will be changed from "Republic of Korea" to "South Korea" Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung is reiterating (重申) that if Seoul continues to ignore a request to alter its e-arrival card system by March 31, his office will change South Korea's designation on Taiwan's arrival cards from "Republic of Korea" to "South Korea." It comes after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week changed the designation of South Korean nationals in government-issued A-R-Cs in response to Seoul's mislabeling (把…錯誤地列為) of Taiwan in its e-arrival card system. Taiwan is listed as "China (Taiwan)" in dropdown menus for both "place of departure" and "next destination." The foreign ministry has said Seoul has ignored repeated requests from to change the designation. CPC hikes gasoline and diesel prices C-P-C has opted to raise gasoline and diesel prices at the pump amid continuing surges (急劇上升) in international crude oil prices. Gasoline prices have risen by 1.8 N-T per liter. While diesel prices are up by 1.4 N-T per liter. C-P-C says it's adhering to government policy to keep prices at the pump lower than in neighboring countries, and will absorb the increase as part of the government's efforts to stabilize consumer prices. The state refiner says it has absorbed an estimated 3.43-billion N-T in fuel costs under its price stabilization mechanism since February 28, in a bid to cushion the impact on consumers and industry while maintaining stable domestic prices. Cuba Restoring Power After Third Collapse Cuba begins to restore (恢復) power after third nationwide collapse in a month AP correspondent Donna Warder reports Syria Protests Alcohol Restrictions Crowds of Syrians have rallied to protest authorities’ efforts to limit the sale and consumption of alcohol in Damascus. Hundreds of protesters entered a grassy square in a Christian neighborhood of Damascus to urge the government to safeguard personal liberties and religious minorities (宗教少數群體). The decision on alcohol limits comes as the interim government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa faces growing pressure from hard-liners to impose more conservative religious values. Chile Protests on World Water Day Thousands of people march across Chile to mark World Water Day and protest President Jose Antonio Kast’s rollback of environmental rules On Sunday, crowds fill a long stretch of Santiago’s main avenue, and organizers say 15 other cities also join in. Activists say 1.4 million people still lack drinking water. They accuse Kast of putting big business first and treating nature like a commodity. Kast has halted 43 protections signed by ex-president Gabriel Boric. The rules cover wildlife, parks, pollution plans, and plant emissions (排放物). The government says it is a routine technical review. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn