EZ News 05/09/24

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened marginally lower this morning from yesterday's close, at 20,710 on turnover of 3.2-billion N-T. The market closed slightly higher on Wednesday. It consolidated following a lackluster (缺乏生氣的) performance on Wall Street overnight. It opened down and continued to lose ground until buying emerged toward the end of the session. The buying was led by large cap tech stocks, and pushed the main board into positive territory at the closing bell. KMT Lawmaker Denies Government Claims of Leaking Confidential Documents K-M-T lawmaker Hsu Chiao-hsin is denying charges by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that she leaked confidential documents related to an agreement between Taiwan and the Czech Republic concerning aid to Ukraine. According to Hsu, information about the 10-million U-S dollar healthcare project had been reported in a newsletter published the Czech Republic's foreign ministry in March. The statement comes after the foreign ministry earlier this week submitted a report to the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office. The report accused (指控) Hsu of violating the Criminal Code by leaking, what it claims to be "confidential information." CDC to Fully Lift Face Mask Mandates The Centers for Disease Control is lifting its face mask mandate (命令，指令) for people visiting medical facilities such as hospitals, clinics and senior nursing homes. The move means people will no longer be required to wear face masks from May 19. It is the final face mask mandate to have been lifted. Once the mandate has been lifted, the C-D-C will only "recommend" that individuals visiting medical or elderly welfare facilities wear a face mask. The mandate on wearing face masks in medical facilities and nursing homes has been in place since December 1, 2020. Biden Threatens to Withdraw Israel Arms Shipments US President Joe Biden says that if Israel launches an all-out assault on Rafah in the Gaza Strip, he will withhold further weapons supplies from Benjamin Netanyahu's government. He made the threat (威脅) hours after America's defense secretary confirmed that one weapons shipment has already been held back. The official said the delay was due to the crisis unfolding in the Palestinian territory. Our US Correspondent Simon Marks reports. HK Court Grants Request to Ban Protest Song An appeals court has granted the Hong Kong government’s request to ban a protest song. "Glory to Hong Kong” was often sung by demonstrators during the huge anti-government protests in 2019. It was the first time a song has been banned in the city since Britain handed the territory back to Chinese rule in 1997. The ban would target anyone who broadcast (播放) or distributed the song to advocate (提倡) for the separation of Hong Kong from China. The song can still be played if it is for lawful journalistic and academic activities. Failure to comply with the court order may be considered as contempt of court and could be liable for a fine or imprisonment. 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