EZ News 04/17/24

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 84-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 19,986 on turnover of 3.9-billion N-T. The market closed below the 20,000-point mark on Tuesday for the first time in almost a month - as panic-led selling set-in amid concerns over Mid-East tensions and lingering inflation that could delay interest rate cuts in the U-S. The market opened down - but declined further as pressure escalated (逐步升級) after the main board dropped below the 20-day moving average of 20,290 points. The weakness then continued to the end of the session. Lawmakers Pass New Pedestrian Sidewalk Safety Rule Lawmakers have approved regulations aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety. The new regulations require both the central and local governments to develop guidelines to build, improve, and maintain safe, unobstructed (無障礙的), and continuous pedestrian spaces along sidewalks. Under the new rules, if sidewalks or walkways obstructed by fixed equipment or other objects, local governments should notify the responsible authority in writing and give it at least three months to resolve the issue. Failure to comply within the specified period can result in maximum fine of 150,000 N-T. CDC Reports 139,848 Cases of Diarrhea Last Week The Centers for Disease Control says the number of patients who sought medical assistance for diarrhea last week reached almost 140,000. According to Central Epidemic Command Center Deputy Director Lee Chia-lin, data for the week of April 7 through 13, shows that 139,848 people sought medical help for diarrhea-related sickness islandwide. Lee says the figure shows that number of patients climbed 15.7-per cent from the previous week. The number of people who fell ill from diarrhea-related sickness last week is also the fourth highest in the same time period over the past decade (十年). US House Speaker Pushes for Ukraine Aid US House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a GOP revolt (反叛) as he vows to move ahead with U.S. funding for Ukraine and other allies. AP Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports Canada Budget Imposes Higher Taxes on Wealthy Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is imposing higher taxes on the wealthiest Canadians. The budget proposes to increase the capital gains inclusion rate, which refers to the taxable share of profit made on the sale of assets (資產). The taxable portion of capital gains above $250,000 Canadian would rise from half to two-thirds, which the federal government says will only affect 0.1% of Canadians. Canada's finance minister presented the federal budget, which pledges $38 billion US dollars in new spending that she says is focused on economic justice for younger generations. Trudeau's Liberal government is trailing badly in the polls amid concerns over the cost of living in Canada. 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