EZ News 09/08/23

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. **Tai-Ex opening ** The Tai-Ex opened down 9-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,610 on turnover of $2.5-billion N-T. **Work Halted at Taipei Construction Site After Tilting ** Work has been halted at a Taipei construction site, after nearby residential buildings began to tilt (傾斜), and one partially collapsed into the ground. The damage began last night, as Taipei city police and firefighters received reports of 5 to 6 apartment buildings adjacent to the construction site in Zhong-shan District, tilting to one side. Through the night and into this morning, nearly 200 households were evacuated as a precaution, affecting over 350 residents. There were also reports that the 1st floor of one of the buildings has already collapsed down into the ground, as other buildings showed cracks on the walls, bent metal window covers, and broken glass. Kee Tai Properties states that it will not shirk its responsibilities and will provide plans to aid affected residents. (NS) **ASEAN Touts Peace but Little Progress ** Indonesian President Joko Widodo called for establishing southeast Asia as a theatre of peace and inclusiveness (包容性) in his closing remarks at the ASEAN summit in Jakarta. But the bloc is widely seen to have failed in solving critical issues including tensions in the South China Sea and conflict in Myanmar. Patrick Fok reports. **Mali Islamic Insurgent Attacks Leave Dozens Dead ** Two attacks by Islamic insurgents in the restive north of Mali have killed 49 civilians and 15 government soldiers. The provisional death toll given by the country’s military junta was read on state television. A passenger boat near the city of Timbuktu on the Niger River and a Malian military position in Bamba further downstream in the Gao region were targeted. The statement said the attacks have been claimed by Islamic extremist insurgent group JNIM, an umbrella coalition of armed groups aligned with (與…結盟) al-Qaida. **UN Report Gives Grim Picture of Gender Equality ** The United Nations says in a report that the U.N. goal of achieving gender equality by 2030 is impossible to achieve because of deeply rooted biases against women around the world in health, education, employment and the halls of power. UN Women and the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs said in “The Gender Snapshot 2023” report launched Thursday that “active resistance to gender equality and chronic under-investment are key factors in slow progress and, in some cases, reversals (倒退) of gains already made.” It also pointed to “unequal access to sexual and reproductive health, unequal political representation, economic disparities and a lack of legal protection." The report assessing the progress for women in achieving the 17 U,N. goals for 2030 warned hat the continuing failure to make the achievement of gender equality a priority will put the achievement of all 17 goals “in peril.” 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