EZ News 08/13/26

Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 158-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 45,676 on turnover of 15.4-billion N-T. The market closed higher on Wednesday led by AI-related stocks, but turnover was limited as investors awaited the release of the latest U-S consumer price index data. Market watchers say the Tai-Ex managed to gain ground despite Wall Street declining overnight, as AI-related stocks listed on U-S indexes still moved higher, which sparked buying in their counterparts here in Taiwan. MOFA** seeks Indonesia clarification over China-announced joint naval exercise** The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has asked Indonesia to clarify a joint naval exercise east of Taiwan announced by China. The statement comes after China's defense ministry announced that joint Chinese-Indonesian Naval navigation exercises would be taking place. According to the foreign ministry, it "immediately contacted relevant parties" to learn more about the situation and asked the Indonesian side for clarification (說明) after China "unilaterally claimed" Indonesia would participate in the drill. Jakarta has described its planned naval activities as "Passing Exercises" that are "not war-fighting in nature." Taoyuan to expand free milk program to junior high school students The Taoyuan City Government has announced plans to expand its free milk program. The move will include junior high school students beginning with the 2026 school year that commences on August 31. According to Taoyuan Mayor Simon Chang, the expansion of the program will benefit some 280,000 students aged between 2 and 15, from preschool through junior high school. The program was launched in February and provides one free milk or soy milk product per week to every preschool and elementary school student in Taoyuan. The city government has said the take-up rate (參與率) had reached about 70-per cent. UN: Taliban Detained Two Afghan Members of UN Political Mission The United Nations says Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers have detained two Afghan members of the U.N. political mission in the country. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told U.N. reporters on Wednesday that the Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence detained the two staffers in the western city of Herat on Sunday. He said the U.N. mission has not been informed of the charges against the two men or been able to visit them. The Taliban seized power in 2021, as U.S. and NATO forces withdrew (轍) from the country after two decades of war. MEDIA GROUPS SUE TRUMP OVER TRUTH SOCIAL'S PAID API SERVICE, CALLING IT UNCONSTITUTIONAL Two media organisations have filed a federal lawsuit against US President Donald Trump and senior White House officials, challenging Truth Social's paid subscription service as unconstitutional. The service charges up to a hundred thousand dollars a month for early access to the president's posts — many of which serve as the sole channel for official government announcements. Nick Harper in Washington says the lawsuit could prompt the White House to further restrict (限制) press access. Ecuador Cocaine Shipment Seized Police in Ecuador have seized a cocaine shipment featuring soccer star Erling Haaland's face on the packaging. The bust occurred near the Colombian border, with 469 kilograms of cocaine found in a truck. The driver was arrested, but police didn't explain why Haaland's image was used. It's common for traffickers to label shipments with celebrity images to identify networks and clients. The operation followed an anonymous tip (匿名線索) on Tuesday. The shipment's value is estimated at over $11 million in the U.S. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn