EZ News 04/23/26

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 93-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 37,971 on turnover of 12.9-billion N-T. The market closed at another new high on Wednesday as buying in the electronics sector continued amid strong global demand. Analysts say the local main board kept moving higher, led by tech stocks on the back of continuing strong global demand for A-I applications resilient to geopolitical unease. LY committee slams China after Lai forced to cancel Eswatini visit The Legislative Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee has passed a resolution condemning Beijing for allegedly coercing three African countries into revoking overflight permits for President Lai Ching-te's planned trip to Eswatini, forcing the trips cancellation. The motion denouncing Beijing's "coercion" of third countries to revoke (撤銷) overflight permits for Taiwan's head of state was introduced to the committee by D-P-P lawmakers The proposal received cross-party backing and passed without objection. According to D-P-P lawmaker Puma Shen, China used economic leverage to force other countries to revoke flight permits in direct interference in matters of national sovereignty. Economics minister touts Taiwan now sourcing 60% of crude oil from US Economics Minister Kung Ming-hsin says the government has significantly increased its reliance on the U-S for crude oil imports -- which now account for about 60-per cent of total supply. The move marks a sharp rise from previous levels. According 2024 data, about 30-per cent of Taiwan's crude oil imports previously came from the U-S, with most of the remainder sourced from the Middle East. Speaking at a legislative committee heairng, Kung said C-P-C and Formosa Petrochemical have both adjusted shipping routes, with most cargoes now avoiding the Persian Gulf and instead transiting through the Red Sea and other export channels. The economics minister went on to stress that Taiwan currently maintains (維持) crude oil reserves equivalent to about 140 days of consumption. EU envoys agree on Ukraine loan European Union ambassadors have agreed on a loan (借款) for Ukraine worth more than 100 billion dollars. The announcement came after Kyiv said that Russian oil is once again flowing through a pipeline connecting Hungary and Slovakia. William Denselow reports from Brussels. Canada PM Defends Policy on US Trade Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says that Washington cannot dictate (決定，規定) the terms of the continental trade deal known as USMCA. He spoke to reporters on Wednesday in Ottawa and acknowledged (承認) the challenges ahead of the agreement's review in July. The deal has linked the North American economies since the 1990s but faces issues due to the Trump administration's tariff policies. Carney stresses the need for negotiations to address trade irritants (刺激物). He responded to reports of U.S. demands for concessions, highlighting Canada's strengths and diversification efforts. Carney also defended Canada's trade policies, including protecting dairy and opposing the "Buy Canadian" policy criticism. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn