EZ News 06/02/26

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 51-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 45,388 on turnover of 19.1-billion N-T. The market gained solid ground and closed above the 45,000-point mark for the first time on Monday, amid investor enthusiasm over the artificial intelligence boom. The rise came as some of the world's leading tech companies are in Taiwan for Computex this week - where they're expected to give solid guidance for A-I at a series of forums and keynote speeches. Analysts say Computex-driven business opportunities could help push the market higher for much of this week. Vystrcil says China cannot decide Czech-Taiwanese ties Visiting Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil says China cannot tell the Czech Republic whom to befriend (交朋友). The statement came shortly after Vystrcil arrived in Taiwan on Monday heading a delegation of around 40 people for a four-day visit at the invitation of Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu. Along with meeting with representatives from the K-M-T and the D-P-P, Vystrcil is also slated to hold talks with President Lai Ching-te and other senior government officials this week. MOHW announces that foreign professionals and dependents eligible for long-term care services The Ministry of Health says foreign professionals and their dependents will soon be eligible for long-term care services. According to the ministry, the move means foreign professionals with permanent residency status along with their spouses, children under the age of 18 will have access to the services beginning June 30. Foreign professionals with permanent residency, dependants aged 65 or over or with disabilities will also be eligible. However, eligibilty only applies to those who have legally lived in Taiwan for 10 cumulative years and spent at least 183 days per year here. The health ministry says the move is expected to benefit (造福) between 100 to 200 people. Israel UltraOrthodox Protests Against Military Enlistment Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Israelis have demonstrated across the country against mandatory military enlistment. On Monday, they blocked roads and trains, lit cars on fire, and attacked a soldier. Police struggled to control the crowds with water cannons and horses. The protest disrupted highways and public transportation in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Military service is compulsory for most Jewish men and women in Israel, but ultra-Orthodox parties have historically secured exemptions. Israel is currently maintaining a simultaneous (同時) military presence in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, in addition to fighting a war with Iran, which has stretched its robust military to the breaking point. The issue is tearing apart Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition, possibly moving elections up by several weeks this fall after the ultra-Orthodox parties withdrew their support for Netanyahu. Anthropic files for IPO The artificial intelligence company Anthropic says it has filed paperwork for an initial public offering, setting the stage for a blockbuster IPO possibly later this year. The maker of the chatbot Claude will be competing (競爭) with rival OpenAI, as well as SpaceX, both of which are also planning to go public. Ira Spitzer reports from San Francisco. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn