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EZ NEWS MAR 13, 2025

Posted on 2026-03-13 10:29:13

Tai-Ex opening

Posted on 2026-03-13 10:29:13

The Tai-Ex opened down 366-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
33,216 on turnover of $16-billion N-T.

Pedestrian lights to cancel fast-walking signal

Posted on 2026-03-13 10:29:13

The Ministry of Transport says it plans to phase out faster-paced walking
animation on some pedestrian signals islandwide by the end of this year.

According to the ministry, the move is aimed at discouraging pedestrians to
run across intersections.

The ministry's Department of Railways, Highways and Road Safety says the
decision was made during a road safety briefing at the Cabinet earlier this
week.

Department head Wu Dong-ling says while the flashing green signal that
appears in the final seconds of a pedestrian light will remain, the
faster-paced walking animation used in some areas will be removed.

Wu also says the Cabinet has asked the transport ministry to coordinate with
local governments on the adjustments and ensure that signal designs are
standardized nationwide by the end of the year.

Only Chiayi County, Kinmen and Matsu don't use the fast-walking signal.

Iraq plan to get oil flowing

Posted on 2026-03-13 10:29:13

As the War in Iran continues to disrupt global oil flows, Iraq is trying to
strike a deal that would allow its oil to flow through the autonomous
Kurdistan Region.

But Iraqi Kurds want something in return.

Olly Barratt explains from the region's capital -

Canada to Spend Billions on Northern Military Operating Locations

Posted on 2026-03-13 10:29:13

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says he is putting an additional $32
billion into military forward operating locations in the North to assert
sovereignty over the increasingly contested region.

The prime minister made the announcement in Yellowknife, the capital city of
Canada’s Northwest Territories, before he takes off for his planned visit to
Norway where he will observe a NATO exercise.

The additional funds comes as U.S. President Donald Trump called earlier this
year for the U.S. to take control of Greenland, the Inuit self-governing
territory of the kingdom of Denmark.

Trump has also talked about making Canada the 51st state.

Cuba Announces Prisoner Release

Posted on 2026-03-13 10:29:13

Cuba’s government says it will release 51 people from the island’s jails in
an unexpected move.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the release in the upcoming days stems
from a spirit of goodwill and close relations with the Vatican.

The government did not identify who it would release (釋放), except to say
that “all have served a significant (相當長的時間) part of their sentence
and have maintained good conduct in prison.”

The government said it has granted pardons to 9-thousand-905 inmates since
2010.

EZ NEWS MAR 12, 2025

Posted on 2026-03-12 10:38:13

Tai-Ex opening

Posted on 2026-03-12 10:38:14

The Tai-Ex opened down 298-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
33,816 on turnover of 16.3-billion N-T.

The market posted its second-largest daily point gains on Wednesday, as a
decline in investor concerns over the Middle East saw the bellwether
electronics sector attract strong buying.

Analysts say the combined gains from Tuesday and Wednesday helped the main
board completely recover losses seen on Monday, when investors were spooked
(受到驚嚇) by reports the US-Israel war against Iran could drag on for weeks.

Economics minister says No. 3 nuclear plant could be restarted in 2028

Posted on 2026-03-12 10:38:14

Economics Minister Kung Ming-hsin says Tai-Power will submit a plan later
month to re-start the decommissioned Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant in
Pingtung.

According to Kung, that means the plant could begin generating electricity as
early as 2028.

The statement came after as the economics minister was being questioned
during a Legislative hearing as to whether the government is considering
(考慮) using nuclear energy as a stable energy source in the event of a
wartime blockade.

The Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant was decommissioned on May 17 of last year.

Taichung mayor leaves for 11-day US visit

Posted on 2026-03-12 10:38:14

And,

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen left for an 11-day visit to the United States
late yesterday evening.

She was seen off at Taoyuan International Airport by several K-M-T lawmakers.

Prior to boarding her flight, Lu told reporters that trip to the was
primarily (主要地，首先) focused on city-level diplomacy, but given Taiwan's
current situation, her delegation will take the opportunity to advocate for
the island's rights and interests.

Lu's March 11 to 21 has planned stops in Boston, New York City, Washington,
D.C., and Seattle.

The Taichung mayor has said the issues to be discussed with U-S officials
include energy stability, regional security and global trade.

IEA greenlights record release of 400m barrels from emergency reserves

Posted on 2026-03-12 10:38:14

The International Energy Agency has greenlit the release of a record 400m
barrels of oil from emergency reserves in a bid to curb (抑制) rising prices
sparked by the war in Iran.

Instability around the Strait of Hormuz - a key oil shipping route off Iran's
coast- has brought tanker traffic to halt.

Toni Waterman has more from Washington.

Czech Republic Keeps Defense Spending Below NATO Target

Posted on 2026-03-12 10:38:14

Czech lawmakers have approved a 2026 budget that keeps defense spending below
NATO’s 2% target, despite pressure from the United States.

They voted Wednesday to fund the Defense Ministry at just over 1.7% of GDP.

The new government of populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis says the state
budget is strained (勉強的) and it has other priorities, including health
care.

Czech spending rises above 2% only if other ministries’ projects count too.

President Petr Pavel urges a bigger budget and cites Russia’s war in
Ukraine.

The U.S. ambassador warns that the Czech decision hurts the whole alliance.

Ecuador Preps for Crackdown on Criminal Groups

Posted on 2026-03-12 10:38:14

Ecuador's interior minister says the country is preparing a major crackdown
on criminal groups set to begin this weekend with logistical support from the
United States.

Ecuador's interior minister told local media that the government wants to
avoid civilian casualties.

He is also urging people to follow a nightly curfew from March 15th to March
30th.

It covers three of the country's most violent provinces.

The minister says roads need to stay clear for troop movements and equipment.

Ecuador has faced rising organized crime since 2021 that officials link to
(與...有關聯) drug cartels.

EZ NEWS MAR 11, 2025

Posted on 2026-03-11 10:35:14

Tai-Ex opening

Posted on 2026-03-11 10:35:14

The Tai-Ex opened up 356-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
33,128 on turnover of 10.8-billion N-T.

The market rebounded on Tuesday and added 661-points on Tuesday, but
investors remained wary of the continuing tensions in the Middle East,
despite international crude oil prices finally falling.

Taichung to head to US for 11-day US visit tomorrow

Posted on 2026-03-11 10:35:14

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen is heading to the U-S today for an 11-day visit.

Lu has said the trip is aimed at strengthening city-to-city exchanges and
engaging with (與...互動) Taiwan expats.

According to Lu, her March 11 to 21 trip will cover five states, primarily on
the U-S East Coast, with planned stops including Boston, New York City,
Washington, D.C., and Seattle.

Lu is slated to meet members of the U-S House of Representatives and sign a
memorandum of understanding with the Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce of North
America.

Lu also says the issues to be discussed with U-S officials include energy
stability, regional security and global trade.

Brief snow on Jade Mountain as mercury hit -8.9

Posted on 2026-03-11 10:35:14

The Central Weather Administration says there was brief snowfall on Jade
Mountain earlier this morning -- as the mercury at its weather stations there
dropped to minus 8.9-degrees.

The weather administration says accumulated snow was only minimal (極少的)
and quickly turned to ice or frost.

However, the administration has issued cold surge advisories today.

Very cold or cold advisories are in effect for areas of New Taipei, Taoyuan,
Hsinchu County, Miaoli County, and Kinmen - where there's the chance of
temperature remaining, or dropping below 10-degrees.

The advisories are in effect through late this morning.

US Claims Irainian Vessels Taken Out

Posted on 2026-03-11 10:35:14

The U.S. says it has taken out multiple Iranian vessels as the Islamic
Republic vows to block the region’s oil exports.

The U.S. destroyed 16 mine-laying Iranian vessels, though President Donald
Trump said in social media posts that there were no reports of Iran planting
explosives in the Strait of Hormuz.

The American military released the figure, along with unclassified (非機密的)
footage of some of the vessels, after Trump earlier warned Iran against
laying mines in the strait.

The escalation came Tuesday as concerns grew about Iran's threats to stop
tankers from using a waterway through which 20% of the world’s oil is
shipped.

DRC Landslide at Mine Leaves Dead and Missing

Posted on 2026-03-11 10:35:15

A landslide at a mining site in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo
has forced hundreds of people to flee the area.

Locals say nine people have died and several houses have been destroyed.

The landslide was triggered by (觸發於) heavy rainfall at the Rubaya coltan
mines.

Chris Ocamringa has more from Kinshasa...

Americas Press Freedom Drops in 2025

Posted on 2026-03-11 10:35:15

A monitoring watchdog says press freedom across the Americas dropped sharply
in 2025, with more killings, arrests and intimidation (恐嚇) of media
workers.

The Inter American Press Association on Tuesday released its annual
Chapul-tepec Index of Freedom of Expression and the Press covering 23
countries.

It ranked Venezuela and Nicaragua as countries without freedom of speech.

The group links rising attacks to more authoritarian leaders.

It says Venezuela sees widespread self-censorship, and Nicaragua locks
censorship into law.

It says El Salvador uses lawsuits and probes to pressure reporters.

It describes worsening violence in Ecuador and Haiti.

EZ NEWS MAR 10, 2025

Posted on 2026-03-10 10:23:13

Tai-Ex opening

Posted on 2026-03-10 10:23:14

The Tai-Ex opened up 581-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
32,692 on turnover of 12.7-billion N-T.

The market posted heavy declines on Monday, as the main board plunged nearly
1,500 points on the back of investor concerns over major spikes in
international crude oil prices amid the US-Israel war with Iran.

FM meets Australian lawmaker during stopover

Posted on 2026-03-10 10:23:14

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has met with an Australian lawmaker during a
stopover in Australia on his way home from Tuvalu.

Taking to Facebook, Lin said he met with Hugh McDermott of the Australian
Labor Party.

McDermott also took social media to say he was pleased to meet with the
foreign minister alongside (與…一起) parliamentary colleagues and
representatives from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia ...

... and he also posted a photo of himself shaking hands with Lin in Australia
last Friday.

However, neither McDermott or Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs have
specified where the meeting took place in Australia during Lin's transit
stop.

Lin Chun-yi wins Taiwan's 1st men's singles title at All England Open

Posted on 2026-03-10 10:23:18

Lin Chun-yi has won the men's singles competition at the 2026 All England
Open Badminton Championships.

The 26-year old, who is currently ranked world No. 11, beat his Indian
opponent 21-15, 22-20 in a 57-minute final at the Utilita Arena in the city
of Birmingham.

The result means Lin has become the first Taiwanese male shuttler to top the
podium (領獎台，前三名) in the men's singles event at the annual tournament.

Lin's world ranking is expected to break into the top 10 for the first time,
when the Badminton World Federation updates its standings later this week.

He is ranked as Taiwan's No. 2 male badminton player.

Anthropic sues Trump administration

Posted on 2026-03-10 10:23:18

Artificial intelligence firm Anthropic has sued the Trump administration
after it placed the artificial intelligence company on a national security
blacklist (黑名單).

The Pentagon has designated Anthropic as a supply chain risk, after it
refused to remove guardrails against using its AI for autonomous weapons or
domestic surveillance.

Kate Fisher reports from Washington

Australia Grants Asylum to Iraninan Soccer Team

Posted on 2026-03-10 10:23:18

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says that Australia has granted
asylum to five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team who were visiting
the country for a tournament.

The women were transported from their hotel in Gold Coast, Australia “to a
safe location” by Australian federal police officers in the early hours of
Tuesday morning local time.

There, they met with Burke and the processing of their humanitarian visas
finalized (完成), the minister told reporters in Brisbane hours later.

An official team list numbered 26 players, plus coaching and other staff.
Burke didn’t detail what threats the players faced in Iran.

The Iranian team arrived in Australia for the Women’s Asian Cup last month,
before the Iran war began.

The team was knocked out of the tournament over the weekend and faced the
prospect (可能) of returning to a country under bombardment.

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