EZ News 06/13/23

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. **Tai-Ex opening ** The Tai-Ex opened up 180-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,136 on turnover of $6.9-billion N-T. Shares in Taiwan closed higher Monday as interest in artificial intelligence pushed chipmaker TTSMC and iPhone assembler Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. higher. Caution remained, however, ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's policymaking meeting on June 13th and 14th, when the Fed is expected to hold rates steady. **White House on Reports of Citizen Evacuation Plan ** The White House is denying media reports that it is formulating an evacuation plan for Americans in Taiwan. US news outlet "The Messenger" published a report citing 3 anonymous sources, that the US government has been formulating the evacuation plan for citizens living in Taiwan for at least six months. The report claims an insider pointed out that Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 as a driving factor behind the development of the plan. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stated during a routine White House briefing today that it is not standard U.S policy to evacuate American citizens from conflict zones, the U.S. has protocols "for any type of emergency". Kirby goes on to say that "there's no indication at this time that current conditions in Taiwan would warrant any reconsideration (重新考慮) of that policy". (NS) **CWB: Rain Continues for South ** Rainfall is set to continue for southern Taiwan. The Central Weather Bureau says a stationary front continues to linger (逗留, 徘徊) over the island today, likely causing showers or thunderstorms in central and southern Taiwan as well as brief periods of rainfall in Taitung. The CWB says the precipitation over southern regions will be more sustained, while northern and eastern Taiwan should see brief thundershowers in the afternoon. But forecasters say the unstable conditions could result in short periods of heavy or even torrential rain, and those heading out should take precautions, particuarly near coastal regions. (NS) **Trump in Florida for Court Appearance ** Former US President Donald Trump has arrived in Florda ahead of his scheduled court appearance. AP correspondent Eric Tucker has the details. < [CLIP] Slug: > **Pakistan India Brace for Severe Cyclone ** India and Pakistan are bracing for the first severe cyclone this year expected to hit their coastal regions later this week. Authorities halted fishing activities, deployed rescue personnel and announced evacuation plans. From the Arabian Sea, Cyclone Biparjoy is aiming at Pakistan’s Sindh province and the coastline of the western Indian state of Gujarat. It is forecast to make landfall on Thursday and could reach maximum wind speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour. Disaster management personnel have been deployed to densely populated (人口密集) regions and cities in the storm's path. It will likely affect Karachi in Pakistan and two of India’s largest ports in Gujarat state. It's the first severe cyclone to hit Pakistan since last year when floods killed over 1,700. 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