EZ News 11/03/23

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 16-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,413 on turnover of $3.4-billion N-T. Trash in Tamsui River Basin Doubles From 2020-2023 The Society of Wilderness says a survey has found that the amount of garbage along the Tamsui River and its tributaries has doubled in the past three years. According to the society, nearly 70-per cent of the garbage is comprised of single-use plastic items. Society marine specialist Hsu Hsiao-chun says the waste screening survey was carried out by 36 volunteers and covered the entire Tamsui River basin, estuaries (河口) and nearby areas, totaling 283-kilometers. Hsu says a total of 56,600 14-literbags were cleared from river bank and coastal areas during the survey. Data shows that 80-per cent of the garbage was concentrated along 6-per cent of the riverbank and was mostly accumulated in the areas of the Guandu Bridge, New Taipei's Luzhou District and on the right side of She-Zi Island in Taipei. The New Taipei Environmental Protection Department says the city government will continue to strengthen the promotion of waste reduction, such as promoting the reduction of online shopping packaging. US House Pushes Through Israel Military Assistance but no House Republicans have pushed through $14.5 billion in military assistance for Israel without humanitarian aid for Gaza. AP correspondent Norman Hall reports. Colombia Diaz Father Kidnapped by Guerrilla Group Colombia’s government says the guerrilla group National Liberation Army, known as ELN, has kidnapped the father of Liverpool and Colombian national soccer team striker Luis Diaz. The peace delegation of the government, which is currently in negotiations with ELN, said in a statement it was “officially aware” that the kidnapping had been “perpetrated (犯下的) by a unit that belongs to ELN.” Both of Diaz's parents were kidnapped by armed men on motorcycles on Saturday at a gas station in the small town of Barrancas. The footballer's mother was rescued within hours by police. Diaz's father remained missing, which triggered special forces to search for him in a mountain range that straddles (橫跨) both countries and is covered by forest. Police also offered a $48,000 reward for information leading to Diaz’s father. Diaz currently plays for Liverpool in the English Premier League, which he joined last year in a deal worth $67 million. Rwanda Announces VisaFree Travel Rwanda announced Thursday that it will allow all Africans to travel visa-free to the country, becoming the latest nation on the continent to announce such a measure aimed at boosting free movement of people. President Paul Kagame made the announcement on Thursday and highighted the potential of Africa as “a unified tourism destination (目的地)”. Other countries that allow Africans to enter their territories without visas are Gambia, Benin and Seychelles. Kenya’s President William Ruto announced Monday plans to allow all Africans to travel to the East African nation visa-free by December 31. 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