EZ News 03/24/26

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 340-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 33,062 on turnover of 9.5-billion N-T. The market tumbled over 800 points on Monday as investors reacted to claims by U-S President Donald Trump's that he plans to "obliterate" Iran's power plants if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened by Monday evening. Control Yuan calls for tougher sentences for China spying cases The Control Yuan is calling on courts to hand down tougher sentences for military personnel convicted of spying for China and violating national security laws. It comes after the government watchdog investigated two cases involving military personnel. The investigations were carried out by the Control Yuan's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee and Judiciary and Prison Administration Committee. According to the committees, such sentences handed down by district courts averaged 12.8 months, those handed down by the High Court averaged 18.1 month, while the average sentence handed down by the Supreme Court stood at 27.8 months. And the government watchdog says the light sentences for violating national security laws do not act as deterrent (威懾力、阻嚇物). FM confirms Eswatini has invited Lai to visit Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says President Lai Ching-te has been invited to make a state visit to Eswatini. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Eswatini Cultural Fair in New Taipei, Lin said the Kingdom has invited Lai to attend events marking the 58th anniversary of Eswatini's independence and King Mswati III's 58th birthday. Lin also said this year marks 58th anniversary of Eswatini's establishing ties with Taiwan. According to the foreign minister, he was hugley impressed when he visited the Southern African country in April of last year - and that trip took place as the two sides are expanding trade and investment and Taiwan establishes an industrial innovation park there. The Presidential Office has not released any information concerning (有關) Lai's possible trip to Eswatini. Flights slowly resume at LaGuardia after deadly plane crash Flights are slowly resuming at New York City's LaGuardia airport after an Air Canada jet struck a fire truck on the runway late Sunday night, killing the plane's pilot and co-pilot. During a press briefing, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reiterated (重申) that he's been asking Congress for more money for air traffic control. Mitch McCann has more from LaGuardia. Australia EU Sign FTA The European Union and Australia have agreed on the final text of a free trade agreement. This comes two years after negotiations broke down over Australian demands for more red meat market access and complaints about Australian products labeled with traditionally European names. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed the agreement today at the Australian Parliament House after protracted (延長的) negotiations that began in 2018. The breakthrough comes as both the EU and Australia seek to diversify (多樣化) their trading networks and reduce their economic reliance on China and exposure to uncertain U.S. tariffs. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn