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EZ NEWS APR 17, 2026

Posted on 2026-04-17 11:00:13

Tai-Ex opening

Posted on 2026-04-17 11:00:14

The Tai-Ex opened up 14-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 37,146
on turnover of $8.7-billion N-T.

The market continued to make solid gains on Thursday - as it closed above the
37,000-point mark for the first time as investor sentiment improved amid
hopes that the U-S and Iran will resume peace negotiations.

Market watchers say the rise came as investors here seized on (抓住) the
momentum of a rise on Wall Street overnight to raise their holdings, and
buying continued to focus on the electronics sector.

Social worker sentenced to 2 years in 'Kai Kai' infant abuse case

Posted on 2026-04-17 11:00:15

The Taipei District Court has sentenced a social worker to two years in
prison for negligent homicide over the failure to report suspicious behavior
in the case of a 1-year-old boy who died after repeated abuse by his foster
caregiver.

The court's ruling against Chen Shang-chieh, a social worker for the Child
Welfare League Foundation is the third conviction stemming from (源於，源自)
the December 2023 death of an infant known as Kai Kai.

The court faulted Chen in its verdict for what it called "passive inactivity"
in her role overseeing the child's case, despite being the person
best-positioned to "piece together the truth" that he was being abused.

The ruling can be appealed.

Agencies gear up for Dajia Mazu pilgrimage starting April 17

Posted on 2026-04-17 11:00:15

Local government agencies and the Taiwan Railway Corporation has been
stepping preparations for the annual Dajia Mazu pilgrimage which begins this
evening in Taichung.

The Taiwan Railway Corporation has scheduled 38 additional train services on
April 17 and 26 in order to better handle a huge increase in passenger
volume.

Meanwhile, police in Changhua have signed agreements with local temples and
organizations to ensure orderly conduct (行為) during the pilgrimage and are
pledging "high autonomous management, zero street brawls, low environmental
hazards and smooth traffic."

The theme of this year's Dajia Mazu pilgrimage is "kindness" - with
organizers highlighting the collective spirit of participants, volunteers and
support stations that provide food, messages and medical services along the
route.

Haiti Hunger Levels Drop but Remain Critical

Posted on 2026-04-17 11:00:15

A new report states that the number of people facing high levels of hunger in
Haiti is expected to drop slightly, although officials say the situation
remains critical.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification said Thursday that more
than 5.83 million Haitians are expected to face acute levels of hunger from
March to June, representing more than half the country’s population.

Meanwhile, nearly 1.9 million people are expected to face emergency levels of
hunger, just down from the projected 2 million people.

But the report said limited improvements are “insufficient" (不足的), and
points out that any small gains might soon be erased because of soaring oil
prices linked to the war in Iran.

US Federal agency approves concept for Trump's plan for a Triumphal Arch in

Posted on 2026-04-17 11:00:15

Washington

And from the US....

A federal agency approves a concept (概念) for Donald Trump's Triumphal Arch.

AP correspondent Mike Hempen has the latest.

EZ NEWS APR 16, 2026

Posted on 2026-04-16 10:38:13

Tai-Ex opening

Posted on 2026-04-16 10:38:16

The Tai-Ex opened up 37-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 36,759
on turnover of 8.4-billion N-T.

The market closed at yet another record high on Wednesday- led once again by
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing amid optimism over a new round of US-Iran
peace negotiations.

T-S-M-C, which accounts for over 40 percent of total market value, closed up
1.22-per cent at 2,080 N-T and its gains contributed about 200 points to the
Tai-Ex's overall rise.

TPP's Hsu Chung-hsin to replace Li Chen-hsiu in Legislature: CEC

Posted on 2026-04-16 10:38:16

The Central Election Commission has announced that Hsu Chung-hsin of the
Taiwan People's Party will replace the vacant at-large legislative seat
following the removal of Li Zhen-hsiu.

Li was expelled from the T-P-P earlier this week and subsequently lost her
legislative seat.

Hsu will serve for the remainder of the current term of the 11th Legislative
Yuan.

Li took office in February but faced controversy due to questions over
whether she had completed the legal process of renouncing (放棄) her China
nationality.

The T-P-P later expelled Li after she made comments the party said harmed the
party's reputation and unity.

Frontal system to bring wet weather in coming days

Posted on 2026-04-16 10:38:16

The Central Weather Administration says a weather front that began to affect
the island yesterday will have a bigger impact today and as the system
strengthens, rainfall will become more noticeable and extend southward to
Chiayi County.

However, the administration's forecast center says the front will be
relatively weak and will only lower temperatures slightly in north.

Another weather front is expected to approach Taiwan tomorrow - but the
forecast center says it is not likely to bring much rain or a significant
drop in temperatures.

However, seasonal wind system forecast to arrive over the weekend is expected
to bring a noticeable (顯而易見的) fall in the mercury in the north - but
that weather pattern is not expected to have much of an effect in the center
and south.

Nigeria Intelligence on Planned Attacks in Abuja Niger

Posted on 2026-04-16 10:38:16

An internal memo obtained by the Associated Press shows that Nigeria's
security forces have received intelligence on planned attacks on the capital
city, Abuja, and neighboring Niger state by terrorist groups.

According to the memo, the planned targets are the international airport, a
prison and a military detention center.

And the attacks would be carried out by Boko Haram and and sleeper cells of
its breakaway faction, known as ISWAP.

Nigeria is battling a complex security crisis, especially in the north, where
there is a decade-long insurgency (叛亂，造反) and several armed groups that
kidnap for ransom.

Last week, the U.S. authorized its non-emergency government employees and
their families to leave the Abuja embassy owing to a spike in terrorist
attacks, kidnapping, and violent crimes in the country, especially in the
north.

The embassy has been shut.

British lawmakers are in a jam over changes to the definition of marmalade

Posted on 2026-04-16 10:38:16

And finally...

British lawmakers are in a jam (陷入困境) over changes to the definition of
marmalade

AP correspondent Ed Donahue reports

EZ NEWS APR 15 , 2026

Posted on 2026-04-15 13:37:13

Lawmakers to negotiate the general budget and special defense bill

Posted on 2026-04-15 13:37:13

Lawmakers are slated to hold further negotiations on the central government's
2026 general budget and the Cabinet's special defense bill later today.

Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu is set to host the cross-party caucus meeting
(跨黨派黨團會議).

Today's talks will be taking place after the K-M-T failed to show up to a
previously planned cross-party caucus meeting as party chair Cheng Li-wen was
still visiting China.

The D-P-P legislative caucus says it's optimistic that the Cabinet's
1.25-trillion N-T defense bill will pass.

The talks are reportedly set to begin at 3 o'clock this afternoon.

Termites blamed for exploding pavement in Banqiao

Posted on 2026-04-15 13:37:13

Authorities say an explosion that split a section of pavement (人行道) in New
Taipei's Banqiao District - sending debris (殘骸，碎片) into the air - was
caused by termites (白蟻) biting through a high-voltage cable.

The explosion occurred at at an intersection near the Huacui Bridge.

No injuries were reported.

According to an initial investigation by Tai-Power, termites are believed to
have chewed through a cable connector (電纜連接器), causing the cable to
short circuit and trigger a blast of air that ripped through (扯開) the
pavement, leaving a 2-square-meter hole.

The explosion caused a brief power outage that affected nearly 5,000
households and businesses in the area.

Lebanon and Israel hold first direct diplomatic talks in decades in

Posted on 2026-04-15 13:37:13

Washington

In international news,

Israel and Lebanon have held their first direct diplomatic talks in more than
three decades, as Israel and Hezbollah continue trading strikes
(繼續彼此攻擊).

The A-P's Sagar Meghani reports.

Ukraine to produce drones in Norway

Posted on 2026-04-15 13:37:13

The Norwegian government says Ukrainian will begin producing drones in the
country as part of efforts to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation
(雙方國防合作).

According to officials, Norway will support the production of drones both at
home and in Ukraine, while Kyiv will share data, information and U-A-V
production knowledge with Oslo.

The Norwegian government has established a long-term funding plan for Kyiv.

That funding plan totals around 28-billion U-S dollars between 2023 and 2030.

250 missing after Rohingya boat capsizes in Andaman Sea

Posted on 2026-04-15 13:37:13

The United Nations' refugee and migration agencies say at least 250 people
were missing after a boat carrying Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi
nationals capsized (翻覆) in the Andaman Sea.

According to the agencies, a trawler carrying men, women and children
reportedly sank due to heavy winds, rough seas and overcrowding (太擠).

The vessel had departed from southern Bangladesh and was bound for Malaysia.

Myanmar's armed forces launched an offensive in 2017 that forced at least
730,000 Rohingya from their homes and into neighbouring Bangladesh.

Britain's King Charles to head to US

Posted on 2026-04-15 13:37:13

And finally,

Britain's King Charles is slated to have tea and a private meeting with
President Donald Trump during his U-S state visit later this month.

Charles and his wife Queen Camilla will be heading across the Atlantic on
April 27 for a four-day trip.

The visit is to mark the 250th anniversary of U-S independence from Britain,
but the British government hopes Charles' "soft power 軟實力" can heal a rift
(修補裂痕) between Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer caused by
the Iran war.

Buckingham Palace (白金漢宮) says Trump and first lady Melania Trump will
greet Charles and Camilla in Washington with a private tea, followed by a
ceremonial welcome at the White House, a state dinner, and a meeting between
the monarch (君主) and president.

EZ NEWS APR 14, 2026

Posted on 2026-04-14 10:15:14

Tai-Ex opening

Posted on 2026-04-14 10:15:18

The Tai-Ex opened up 127-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
35,584 on turnover of $12.3-billion N-T.

Shares in Taiwan closed slightly up at a new closing high Monday after
recouping earlier losses, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to
blockade the Strait of Hormuz after failing to reach an agreement with Iran.

The market moved underwater during most of Monday's session in the wake of
Trump's threats, but bargain hunters turned active in the late session,
helping the Taiex recover its earlier downturn, with contract chipmaker
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in focus.

Analysts say investors also have high hopes that TSMC will provide positive
leads at its investor conference slated for Thursday, after it reported a new
high in sales for the first quarter.

Tony Leung in Xinyi for Masterclass

Posted on 2026-04-14 10:15:18

Hong Kong actor Tony Leung drew a crowd of fans and industry insiders to
Taipei's Xinyi district last night for a masterclass at the Golden Horse
Fantasy Film Festival.

The multiple Golden Horse best actor winner was accompanied by his wife
actress Carina Lau, as fans gathered outside the venue carrying movie posters
and merchandise hoping for autographs.

The masterclass was open only to film and television industry professionals
and students in related fields. Of the one thousand people who applied, just
300 were selected to attend.

Following the masterclass, Leung took part in a post-screening discussion
alongside Hungarian director Ildiko Enyedi, whose new film "Stille Freundin"
features (由…主演) Leung in a lead role.

The two shareed their experiences preparing for the film with the audience.

(NS)

French cement giant Lafarge found guilty of financing terrorism

Posted on 2026-04-14 10:15:18

A court in Paris has found the cement giant Lafarge guilty of financing
terrorism.

The company was ruled to have paid armed groups protection money to maintain
its business in Syria after the outbreak of civil war.

Ross Cullen reports.

Haiti Arrests Suspects in Fatal Stampede

Posted on 2026-04-14 10:15:18

Authorities in Haiti have arrested seven suspects, including five police
officers, after a fatal stampede (獸群或人群因恐懼引發的奔逃) killed at least
25 people at a historic mountaintop fortress over the weekend.

A police statement issued on Monday says that among the arrested are two
employees of Haiti’s Institute for the Preservation of National Heritage.

The institute oversees La Citadelle, a fortress in the northern town of Milot
built in the early 1800s where Saturday’s stampede occurred.

Dozens of people were injured, with 30 reported to still be in hospital on
Sunday.

It's not clear what caused the stampede. Authorities say the investigation is
ongoing.

Colombia to Cull Wild Hippos

Posted on 2026-04-14 10:15:18

Colombian officials have authorized a controversial plan to cull (限量捕殺)
dozens of wild hippos that are descendants of animals brought to the country
in the 1980s by notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar.

They have been roaming freely around one of the country’s most fertile
areas, threatening villagers and displacing local species.

The animals are not native to South America.

Escobar brought in hippos as he built a private zoo at a gigantic ranch that
served as his rural abode.

Colombia's authorities say previous attempts to control the hippos'
population have been expensive and unsuccessful.

Because Colombia’s hippos come from a limited gene pool and could carry
diseases, taking them back to their natural habitat in Africa has been
considered unfeasible (不可行的).

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